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2024-12-31-accounts

The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Chrlst Church wlth St Mary Magdalen and St Peter and St Paul, St Leonards on Sea Registered Charity No. 1170031 For thg year ended 31 December 2024 CONTENTS Trustees Annual Report Ito17 Statement of FlnanclalActlvltles 18 Balance Sheot 19 Notes To The Accounts 20to28 Report ofThe Independent Examlner 29

Christ Church St Leonards Annual Re Ort 2024 Contents AIMS AND PURPOSE SERVING THE COMMUNITY FUNDRAISING AND FELLOWSHIP FINANCIAL REVIEW STRUCTURE GOVERNANCE AND MAINfENANCE CHRIST CHURCH ST LEONARDS ON SEA HOUSE IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY LTD ST MARY MAGDALEN EDUCATIONAL CHARITY SARAH BRISCO CHARITY CHRIST CHURCH OLD BUILDINGS TRUST RISK ASSESSMEI ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE FABRIC SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN'S MINISTRY DEANERY SYNOD YOUTH GROUPS SACRISTY CHOIR WEBMASTER

l. Airns & Purpose Our aims and purposes as a charity The PCC has the responsibility of co-operating with the Tncumbent in: The provision and maintenance of the fabric of Christ Church, St Leonards on Sea and its associated buildings. Conducting regular Christian worship; The celebration of the Holy Eucharist, on a daily basis at Christ Church; baptisms, marriages and funerals. LeavinkChFlSt-Chureh-open-to-the-public40-entetrand-benefitrfrom personal spiritl￿1 contemplation; Promoting the study of Christian teathing, praCtI￿S and ScriP￿reS. The provision of means and encouragement to promote fellowship within the membership of the Churches and the wider community. In addition to the above, avistian devotional acts and outreach work is carried out, including.. Visiting the sick; Administering the Sacraments to those unable to attend resular acts of Worship, to the sick and dyins; Supportins pastoral work; Fostering ecumenical links denominations. Supporting the work of other local charities. between differing Christian Achievin our charitable ob ectives When planning our activities for the year, our incLllnbent and the PCC have considered the Charity Commission's guidan￿ on public benefit and, in particular, the specific guidance on 'charities for the advancement of religion,. In 2024/5 we have continued to pursue the following objectives and activities to fulfil our aims: Enabling as many people as possible to worship at our church. The Church is now open from 7.30 - 7pm every dayi except in exceptional circumstances. Enabling as many people as possible to become part of our parish community; Teachingi baptizing and confirming new and existins believers; Considering how Servi￿S can involve the many groups that exist within the parish;

Putting faith into practi￿, through prayer and scripture, music and sacrament. Offering worship and prayer Assisting people from all walks of life to develop theii knowledse of, and trust in, Jesus. Provision of pastoral care for people living in the parish; Providing assistan￿ to the poor and needy of the parish. Maintaining the fabric of the church building as a historic centre and focus of life in the Parish. The Rector, Wardens and PCC are committed to developing a long tenn Action Plan for the next five years. Christ Church reniains open daily for private prayer and publAc worship: there are is a Daily Low Mass offered either in the daytime (1030am) or evening (7pm) to allow both retired and working people to attend. On Sundays, there is a Low Mass at 8am, followed by a time of silent prayer before the Blessed Sacrament and Morning Prayer at 915. The main Sunday Sung Mass then follows at 1030, which is supplemented by Sunday School. There are also ocGasional seasonal evening services, usually Evensong, offered by either our choir, a visiting choir or a combination of the two. As well as the continued offering of the daily Mass, additional opportunities for worship include the Rosary led by the Cell of Our Lady of Walsingham, the celebrations of major feasts and solemnities and since Lent 2024 reintroduction of public daily Morning & Evening Prayer. Christ Church now offers 11 hours of regular public worship per week, 572 hours per year - the equivalent of almost 24 solid days! This doesn't include additional major feasts and solemnities, or the extra programmes of Worship offered over Advent, Christmas, Lent & Easter. We can see this has borne fruit as our ASA (Average Sunday Attendance) exduding Christmas & Easter is 100. Baptisrns continue to be ￿lebrated throughout the year plus confirmations. We conduct a sniall number of funerals, mainly of former parishioners. Christian teaching occurs weekly in the preaching at weekday and Sunday Masses, as well as in Lent & Advent Courses from the Rector. Visiting dergy have also come to speak and teach on particular topics. There have also been courses over the past year to allow parishioners to explore their faith and what happens at Christ Church..

The Rector also leads Christian worship at Christ Church Acaderny at least every week, as well as other additional seasonal services and continues to develop a growing programme of visits from the school and to the school in conjunction with the staff and governors. Pastoral care is offered to members of our parish and congregation not just by the clergy (both stipendiary and retired) but also by the Eucharistic Ministers of the church, in the forni of home visits, home communions and pastoral calls. Christ Church continues to grow its wider ministry and visibility in the local community as well in a variety of ways induding hosting concerts and events. 2. Serving the Community. This year we have continued, as much as we can, to continue looking outward in our niission and outreach. The church is open daily for members of the public to corne and prayi light a candle, reflect and find peace. It continues to be used resularly by mernbers of the public in this respect and we are pleased to be able to offer this opportunity. We have still been able to su ort the local communi in these wa The Seaview l)roject (for the poor and needy) providinsy iterns of requirement when needed. Serving as local governors at our parish school. Serving as trustees of the Christ Church Old Buildinss Trust (CCOBT), Sarah Brisco Trust and the St Mary Magdalen Educational Charity. Serving as Board members of Christ Church House Improvement Society Ltd Installing a Defibrillator on London Road entrance to the Coutyard Hosting weekly Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. Members of the sewing group has been contributins knitted items of dothing to charities suth as Surviving the Streets and Warming Up The Homeless. Regular contact and support is maintained with Surviving the Streets and some fundin8 has been given to them via the Sarah Brisco charity and weekly food contributions from the congregation. Other Initiatives The food bank continues to serve the local community and is in regular use. This is run by Surviving the Streets. Cosy Crypt continues on Thursdays. It has been a great suc￿Ss, open from 10am to 4pm a￿d staffed by Christ Church Volunteers. There has b￿n a constant go(Kl foot fall. Cosy Crypt offers a warni safe space, friendly faces and an opportunity to chat, rest and have hot drinks and snacks.

A representative from Citizen's Advice Bureau is in regular attendance to give advi￿. Church members continue to volunteer to lead our local Scout Group and serve as members of the Scout Group Conunittee The Parish Hall and Crypt have continued to be used by vulnerable groups such as AA and a variety of exercise and well beins groups. and both rooms are open to the wider public for bookings. The 'Book Room, in the Parish Centre is open twice a week and continues to raise a profitable amount of money as well as providing a reading resource for the consregation and wider public. A good link has been established between the local festival A Town Explores A Book. The churth is used as a venue for their events and displays. This is a complete conununity project involving shops, local open spaces, school and community groups of all ages. The church continues to host a variety of music con￿rts run by Hastings Phi]haTmonic and Max Bailey as well as other individual choirs and drama groups. It is also continuing to be used as a rehearsal venue by Hastings Philharmonic choir and their children's choir Songbirds. 3. FundTaising and Fellowship Apart from the rector Christ Church is run by volunteers. Without this faithful, diligent band of people it would not as smoothly. A massive vote of thanks is extended to all who help in so many ways: Cleaning team, finan￿, sacristy, office, web master, sales, coffees and catering, flowers, Cosy Crypt, Sunday School and others that help in many ways. You are all an asset and important to the running of our church. The Church has been able to continue to host some concerts this year and has a good ongoing relationship with Hastings Phi]harmonic Choir and Chamber Choir. We have been able to benefit from a variety of recitals by various people in church and several concerts have taken place with full bookings. The concerts run by Hastings Philharmonic have become an extremely well known and popular feature in our outreach to the wider community, The children's choir groupfft Songbirds, set up by Hastings Philharmonic Choir is continuing to take place in church. The church has also been used by other musical and arts groups which have put on performances for the public and catering for a wide ranse of ases. A good relationship continues with Citizens Advice Bureau housed in Christ Church Old Buildings Trust in the courtyard. The churth became involved in the St Leonards on Sea community Frost Fair and parade with participants dressing up as angels and promoting Christmas activities in the church as part of our general outreach. Open days and guided tours continue to be held and are popular with members of the public. Monthly Sales act as an important point of interaction with the local commurrity.

  1. Financial Review Throushout 2024 the PCC continued to highlight different ways in which people can financially contribute to the Mission and ministry of the Church in this Parish. Whilst there was no specific Stewardship campaign this year the Parish Giving Scheme (PGS) was promoted, enabling a more direct means of reclaiming Gift Aid from givers, thus helping with our cash flow. Although this brought about a small uptake in numbers of sivers, the overall level of resular giving has not increased, since sorne givers continue to be lost. Throughout the year Christ Church continued to engage the fundraising consultancy Craigmyle as professional support to advise on capital campaigns to raise the sums required to take our Tower and Clock plans forward. The urgent fabric restoration repairs to the external fabric were finally completed in
  2. Although subject to a grant by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, which has covered a large part of the costs, but has still required us to utilise over £44,500 of our reserves. As the NLHF require ongoing Interpretation as part of their award this increased costs, but has provided much improvement to the welcome to visitors and ParishAoners including the Tours of the Church as mentioned elsewhere. Additionally the gas boilers in the Parish Centre had to be replaced at a cost of £8,250 partially covered by a srant. During 2024 donation income was £5,100 greater than in 2023. However this disguises a reduction in Pla[￿ed Giving of more than £1,000, with the majority of the increase in income arising from Monthly Table Sales income, and a one-off Gift Aid receipt. Income from the use of the Church Hall and Crypt together with concerts in the Church, was £3,200 greater than in 2023, with the income from Concerts in the Church being the majority of this and a valuable contribution to Church funds, The PCC continue, where possible, to keep expenditure under tight control. However the day-to-day deficit, although continuing to benefit from the negotiated 3 year reduction in our Parish Share payments to the Diocese, was £1,710. The value of our investment holdings, in line with market trends in 2024, increased by £7,566. The overall effect has been to decrease our Reserves by £42.973. The PCC continues to address this unsustainable finanaal position through its Financial Sustainabi]ity Sub-comniittee, tasked with achievins a balaTh￿ of income over expenditure over a five-year period. It has not been possible durins 2024 to make the progress desired, and it remains essential that we make further progress on increasing oux Income in 2025. Why we hold some money in resen7e

The PCC discussed the following factors in arriving at their reserves policy: Money should only be kept in reserve for specific reasons - whilst the Bible clearly indicates that we should not hoard, it is also clear that sensible plannins for known events and a contingency for emersencies are important. In 2024 there was an eX￿sS of expenditure over income of £49,000 before the eX￿ptiOnal increase in the value of our Investments is taken into Account the majority of which relates to fabric costs. The ongoing income is insufficient to meet the ongoing costs of the Church, the largest item of cost beins the Parish Share. Whilst the reduction in Parish Share for the next two years helps address this, there is no immediate cause for con￿rn, given the current levels of cash and other reserves, it remains prudent to make reserves for both ongoing costs and special repair and n￿intenan￿ costs, for the Church and Church Hall. Policy: It is the policy of the Churdi to keep-six months. running costs (£70,000 before the special short-term reduction in Parish Share costs), to cover any unforeseen emergencies. The PCC will also keep in reserve sufficient funds to enable the Church, and Churth Hall to be kept in a good and substantial state of repair. Currently an arnount of £42,000 is considered to be a reasonable estimate. This policy is reviewed annually. 5. Strncture Governance and Management The Parochial Church Council (PCC) is registered with the Charity Conimission as required by the Charities Act 2011. Its governins document is the Parochial Church Counals (Powers) Measure 1956. Durins the year the following served as members of the Parochial Church Council: Ex Officio members Rector The Rev'd Thomas Crowley Assistant Curate: The Revd Dr Richard Ralph (Stipendiary, NSM and voluntary)

Authorised Lay Ministers Jane Hart Julie Gidlow Wardens: Susan Shaw PCC Vice Chairman Maureen Harman Elected Members: William Baker Jane Read David Smith Liz Mackay Anne Hanney Julie Gidlow lack Carwardine Deanery Synod Representatives Julie Gidlow Anne Hanney Elizabeth Mackay.

  1. Christ Church St Leonards on Sea House Improvement Society Ltd The Board of Directors is chaired by the Rector. The other Directors are, Sue Parsons, Heidi Ralph and Melanie Clark. The Company Secretary is Trevor Davies and the Managing agents continue to be FPE. Fr Richard Ralph is in attendance at Directorfs meetings. The Directors have the responsibility of administering and aintaining St Richard's House, Pevensey Road, St Leonards-on-sea, East Sussex. During 2024, the Board of Directors continued to improve the standard of housing and leveIs of comfort for our tenants, with flat improvements being made to existing tenants also. Costs continue to increase, and after a gap of three years rents had to be increased. This still did not eliminate the deficit. Whilst the Society has ample reserves to meet this, it remains necessary to address this and Tenants were advised that rents will be increased again An April 2025, but still to a level well below current market rentals. This will also help fund the 5 year plan of improvements with the replacement of all windows one floor at a time, that began in 2024 and also with building now more than 70 years old Pointing rePla￿rnent. The registered address is Christ Churdi Parish Offi￿, 2 Christ Church Courtyard, London Road, St Leonards on Sea, TN37 6GL.
  2. St Mary Magdalen Educational Charity The charity is registered with the Charity Commission (306495). The charity offers cash grants to individuals and organisations that will tend to faci]itate education An accordan￿ with the principles of the Church of England, and provides grants to Christ Church School in particular. The charity mainly operates within the parish of Christ Church and St Mary Masdalen, St Leonards-on-sea or in the wider Borough of Hastings. Other areas where this Charity could offcr support are being examined. The Trustees are thaired by the Ilector. There are 4 other Trustees including Mithael Hart a member of the PCC and Trevor Davies as Treasurer.

  3. Sarah Brisco Charity The charity is registered with the Charity Commission {211554). The Trustees are The Rector and the Church Wardens and Treasurer. The charity exists for the relie of the poor of the Parish which it does throush the niaking of grants to individuals, and organisations within the Parish of Christ Churdb St Leonards-on-sea, at the absolute and uncontrolled discretion of the Trustees. In 2024 this included grants to Christ Church School for part of the costs of the needy school-children's Walsingham Pilgrimase, as well as a further contribution to Surviving The Streets for their provision to the needy, and urgent small grants to three other families in need.

  4. Christ Church St. Leonards Old Building Trnst The charity is registered with the Charity Conunission (1087321) The Trust owns and manages the buildings parallel to Christ Church known as the Old School Buildings and the land upon which the Christ Church CE Primary and Nursery Academy stands. The objects of the Trust are: l. The advancement and promotion of theological education and training for lay and ordained persons in the Church of England.

  5. Meeting rooms for the Ecclesiastical Parish of Christ Church and St Mary Magdalen, St Peter and St PauL St Leonards-on-sea.
  6. Accommodation for dergy and their families within the Church of England,
  7. For other charitable purposes connected with the Church of Ensland The Rector of Christ Church, Rev.d Thomas Crowley, Bishop Peter Wheatley (until January 2025), Mrs Maureen Harman, Bishop Nicholas Reade, Mrs Susan Parsons, Mr Paul Lewis, Mr Peter King (from March 2024) and Mr Andrew Knight serve as Trustees. Mr Andrew Knight was also Clerk to the Trustees until April 2024 with Mr Peter Knight appointed from then. The Tn￿teeS met on six occasions during 2024 Highlights for 2024 have been:
  8. Amended composition of Trust Board membership.
  9. Discussed the appointment of a joint Christ Church and Old Building Trust Site Manager.
  10. Accounts for year 2023124 approved by independent financial adviser,
  11. Replacement of iron gate and electronic locks in passageway between Alfred Street and London Road.
  12. Investigation of reported damp concerns in walls.
  13. Gas safety and fire alarm test inspections carried out.

  14. Received Community Audit report to Mother Agnes Trust presented by Rev.d Thomas Crowley.

  15. Risk Assessment The risks facing the PCC include the state of repair of the church, and the financial requirements to meet its stated activities, including pay￿ent of its Annual Parish Share. The structure of the church is continually rnonitored by the Church Architect reporting regularly to the Standing Committee and PCC. The finances are controlled by careful budgeting and dose attention to fundraisingi particularly with the employment of professional fLmdraisers and an ongoing tnulti-year stewardship campaign. There have been no serious inadents or other matters relating to this charity over the previous financial year that should have been brought to the attention of the Charity Commissioners but have not. There is a Church Risk Assessment booklet. It is strongly recommended that all who work in the church read it and abide by it. There is a copy in the Outer Sacristy and more copies are now available for groups who hire the church and for school visits.

  16. Organisational Structure The PCC is responsible inter alia Eor promoting the mission of the Church, the parochial budget, and all expenditure thereunder, and the care and maintenan of the fabric of the church. All menibers of the PCC are volunteers. New representatives are told of their responsibilities and of the issues facing the Church by existing representatives, and receive such additional training as required. OffI￿S of the PCC, including the Secretary and Treasurer are appointed at the first meeting of the PCC after the Vestry Meeting. The PCC approved a set of Terms of Reference in November 2022 which outlined the expected conduct of members, to which all new members are required to assent. These have Sin￿ been updated. As indicate(L members of the PCC also serve as representatives on the Deanery Synod. The church is run entirely by volunteers, as the one stipendiary dergyman is remunerated by the Church Commissioners. Without the work of these volunteers, Christ Church would not function.

  17. Fabric

  18. Boilers - at present the Church heating is being supplied by only one of the two industrial boilers. The other boiler needs another part to get it working. We have a quote of £21000 two new boilers. This is obviously expensive. Sadly, our present boilers are obsolete and our engineer has had difficulty getting parts. The concern is as one boiler has broken down, the other may well do at any time. Fortunately as summer is coming, hopefully, heating will not be necessary, but a decision has to be niade well before September.
  19. Locks and Keys - the keypad on the Crypt door has been replaced. More keys are needed for the Parish Centre. Costb are being explored. ' Organ - the organ has been tuned and the de-humidifier servI￿d. ' Sanctuary Lamps - as you will all have noticed, one of our lamps had to be removed as it had fallen. A decision has yet to be readied as to whether other lamps should be removed. At present it is considered unsafe to lower them to light them. ' Annual Servicins - the font liftins mechanism has been serviced, as have the fire extinguishers in both Church and Parish Centre. Electrical items in both buildings have been PAT tested, The Parish Centre has had a fire safety check.
  20. Electrics - Hannington Gilbert re￿Thtly carried out an electrica] survey of the Church. (This is supposed to happen every five years). At time of writing the report has not been received. Security light faults in the courtyard have been rectified. Several lights in the Church are not working. As a cherry picker and/or scaffolding will be needed, it is wise to wait until more need doins. Wall lishts at the top of the stairs in the Crypt are to be replaced. ' Gutters and Downpipes in both the Church and the whole of the Parish building are in urgent need of clearing. The cost will be shared with CCOBT. I have a quote of £5994.00 from George Stone. l am awaiting further quotes. ' Defibrillator - this has been erected on the courtyard gatepost facing London Road. I understand we are awaiting training. ' Finally - the Churth is indebted to Terry Knight who has carried out painting in the Crypt and other repairs in the Church. John Read.

  21. Safeguarding Anne Hanney is the Safeguarding Offi￿, There were no Safeguarding issues that have arisen since the last Amual Report

  22. Children's Ministry I took over the rLLnning of PALS in May 2024 and it was rebranded to Christ Church Sunday School. Due the numbers of adults it was trialled at the back of the church. I am extremely happy with this and the clLildren seem to like this. They can always see their parents, and I feel it's important for them to use all their senses during the service. We are able to hear the reading and prayers. We come out to hear the Gospel readinss, are able to see baptisms and receive the holy waters. The number of children has increased and we do various different activities. The children stay for the full Servi￿ rather than returning at the offertory. I follow the weekly Gospel as much as possible but have also intrOdU￿a learning about Saints, church festivals, the old testament, I have also introduced Acts, our drama productions where we act of the Gospel stories. These are very popular with the children and congregation and I have many wanting to join in. Sunday sthool has also increased its community involvement, we took part in the St Leonards Festival last July and have been asked to join this year We took part in our second Frost fair, held our second Chrisknas eve Nativity play, and this year held our first Easter play. To promote this we took the cross out into the streets which has given me idea for next year! Id like to say how many incredibly proud I am of all the Sunday school childre their behaviour is remarkable and their knowledge and want to learn, develop and promote Christian values. Christ church are very blessed to have them. Krystyne Walsgrove

  23. Deanery Synod Christ Church is represented by Anne Hanneyi Julie Gidlow and Elizabeth Mackay

  24. Youth Groups: Group Scout Leaders Report 2023 Many thanks to all section leaders, assistant leaders, occasional/parent helpers and young leaders for all the sreat work they do. Without them we wouldn't be able to run our sections each week and all the activities in-between.

  25. Sacristy Like last year, I am writing this immediately post Easter when it's always hard to think what the Sacristy Team has been up to over the whole year, not just the last couple of weeks. Was Maundy Thursday really only one week ago? Jt feels like it was years ago and Palm Sunday seems like a distant memory.1 We certainly pack quite a lot into a very short Spa￿ of time - this year including Compline by Candlelight for the first time, as well as a low Latin Mass on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of Holy Week. The tearn is muth as it was last year, with resular help from my co-sacristans Mark and Tin￿ and Gail who still covers Wednesdays and 8.00am Sunday. Sue Edwards still washes the small altar linens and we have been joined by Sarah Salsbury who has valiantly undertaken to launder and press the large altar linens, alons with Rev.d Thomas's Alb and Arni￿. Having at times tried to deal with the large linens myself I know that this is no small task. The timing is crucial- the linens have to be pressed at an optimum point in the process of drying so that they come out crisp. Too wet and the linen will stick and burn, too dry and you will not get the crumples out. Being able to devote a solid two days to the task is essential - just ironing the large altar cloths can take half a day, and a Sacristan trying to do this late at night when up against the time pressure of Christmas or Easter loomins is not something anyone should ever have to witness Oust ask Chris!) Re-dressing the altars for the major Feasts also takes some tinie because there are so many of them - we have six altars (seven induding C￿75t the King) that require three doths each for Christmas and Easter. We are halfway through the project we started last year of labellins each linen so it is easy to find the right one for a particular altar - when thi5 is complete, it will dramatically redu￿ the time it takes to do this job. Tina has "adopted" the altar of SS Peter and Paul meaning that she will now take responsibility for dressing that one at Christmas attd Easter, for which l am immensely grateful. I wonder if anyone else would like to adopt one of the remaining altars for the same purpose? It would entail joining us on a few days each year (Christmas Eve, Holy Saknrday, Advent) simply to reset that one, which would take no more than an hour. It really is a wonderful way in which to serve the church, and is extremely satisfying to see when done. Do please let me know if you feel able to help in this way.

Another project with regard to altars this year is to measure each one in order to have new linens made. Many of the doths we have are wom through, or spoiled with age and are no longer usable. We also need new purificators and Corporals as well as larse altar linens, especially at busy times of the year when we have a succession of elaborate services back to back. You Might thitth that in all this we have no time to relax or enjoy ourselves. This year, however, as well as enjoying our first Sacristy meal at Fortes, I was able to take two whole months off in the summer. I am extremely grateful to Mark, Tina and Gail for keeping it all going while I was not around - it was wonderful to have some Saturdays off. And, as always, thanks are due to everyone who was drafted in to help with the heavy lifting when the church was reset at Easter and Christmas - Philip Mackay, Harry Walssrove, John Zachariah, Will Baker, Graeme Monk and Terry Knight. Lastly, let me mention my favourite subject - candles! This year we decided on a new Paschal Candle design. Having whittled down the options in the Charles Farris catalogue to just a few we decided to put it to the vote - Mark, Tina, Rev.d Thomas and l unanimously chose the &ime one! Hopefully you all like it as much as we did. Some of you will have nOti￿a that we are using real flowers to decorate it with this year, This was a very happy outcome to what could have been disastrous when we went to dust the artifiaal flower wreath on Wednesday of Holy Week to discover that it is missing. After an initial panic, Maureen came to the rescue and ordered the flowers from La Collina, something we hope to repeat next year too. Also new this year is an investment in lonser hand-held candles for the people at the Easter Vigl and Christmas. I felt that the smaller ones we have previously used become quite difficult to handle and these new ones, which are twice as long, will be easier to hold. The sight from the Sanctuary on Holy Saturday was ￿rtainlY very inipressive, a sea of beautiful light. I wilI end with my particular favourite sight of the year, again related to candles. Rev.d Thomas decided to hold a dawn Rorate Mass just before Christmas which, because it was stheduled to start at 6.30am, initially caused my heart to sink. He promised, however, that he would do all the ne￿SSary work to get it ready and I could just turn up at the start time. Walking in to the church at that time in the morning to see all the candles alight, and everything set up perfectly was wonderful. I know how long it takes to put all this together, and it was amazins to be able to just come along and worship without the extra worry of making it happen. Thank you Rev.d Thomas! Julie Gidlow - Sacristan

  1. Christ Church Parish Church Choir The choir currently consists of 3 Sopranos, which includes one occasional, l Alto, 2 Tenors (one of whom is the organist) and l Bass. We have had quite a busy year which has involved some changes. The choir continues to lead the congregational singing from the Chan￿1, a position they occupied when the church was first built. It is a much better position to sing from and the acoustic in that position helps the singers produce a good sound. The climbing of the stairs to the gallery often left individuals out of breath in the past. Now that they are singing in the chan￿1 they are able to process in and out with the servers and clergy, as well as taking part in the prayers before and after the service making them muth more part of the servi￿. The choir works hard each week preparing the music so that they can lead the congregation in worship Sunday by Sunday. They are a very comrnitted group of individuals and over the week leading up to Easter were singing servitrs on a daily basis, which included the introduction of Sung Compline on the Mondayi Tuesday and Wednesday evenings of Holy Week. These services were very well attended and were sun8 by candlelisht whith made them the perfect "ending of the day." On Saturday I" June, our dioir set off to travel to Bury St Edmunds to sing Evensong at St Edmundsbury Cathedral, together with the choir of St Neots. I had the great privilege of playing the magnifi￿Tht Cathedral organ. The service was streamed on their website. It was a joy to welcome the thoir of St Matys Parish Church, St Neots in Cambridgeshire to sing Evensong with us on 29 September 2024, They enjoy coming to Christ Church as Charles Lyndhurst-vaughan was their Rector before he came to Christ Churth. Our choir went to sing Evensong at St Neots on 28 July 2024 as part of their organist's 40 years of service at that church. On Saturday 4 January, our choir set off again to travel to Bury St Edmunds to sing Evensong at St Edmundsbury Cathedral, together with the choir of St Neots, I had the great privilege of playing the Magnifi￿nt Cathedral organ for the second time this year. The Servi￿ was again streamed on their website. We are looking forward to our 150 ￿lebratiOnS and our choir will be joined by the choirs of St Neots and St Saviours Eastbourne to sing choral Evensong at 5:00 pm on Sunday 18° May. Future dates include: Saturday 10 January - Evensong at Southwark Cathedral, London. There is also a possibility that the choir may go to Rothester Cathedral as well next year If there are any that feel that they could sing as part of our choir they should initially have an irrformal conversation with me during coffee after a service. David Smith Director of Music

  2. Webmaster The role of Parish Webmaster entails me to design, register, arranse paynent of and regularly update our parish website. In addition to this main role I have a number of side roles which are all IT related; • To be on hand as IT support to the wardens resolving minor issues with the parish computer. • On an ad-hoc basis setup new computers in the parish offi￿ linkin& establishing &/or registerins accounts of any type as needed and arranging payment of those accounts or servI￿s. • Designing, printing and refreshing regular event and direclional posters on Church premises. Setting up and linking email addresses for Parish officers as and when needed & resolvins problems with email accounts for existing addresses. • Ensuring that the Weekly Parish Booklets & notices are printed. This year, as part of my contribution to mark the 150th Anniversary year of the opening 0£ the second Christ Church, I've desisned a new Parish Website enabling Parishioners and Volunteers better insight and communication externallylinternally. The new Parish website has been launched as well as the new Parish adrnin system. This new admin system means double booking for our spaces and rooms is a thing of the past as the booking process itself is now digital, so users arelwill be able to request a booking online as well as being able to call into the office in person as before or phone up. Please bear with us all as the system is bound to have teething problems initiatly. Our new site has exactly the same internet address www.christchurchstleonards.co.uk. Please take time to have a look and explore the site there are new layouts and much new content on every page. As our site is a Parish not solely Church site I invite organisations from within St Leonard's to send me details of events as part of their advertising which I'll display in good time on the site. Philip Mackay The Trustees, Annual Report was approved by the PCC and signed on their behalf by: Revd. Thomas Crowley PCC Chairman q.d.2S

Christ Church with St Mary Magdalen and St Peterand St Paul St Leonards-on-sea Registered Charity no. 1170031 Statement of Financial Activities for the 12 months ended 31" December 2024 Unrestrkted Restrlcted Endowment Fund nds Total Funds Total Fund5 2023 Income and endowments from: Donations and legacles Charltable actlvlties Other trading artlvltles Investments Other recelpts Total Income 78,017 162 78,266 11,128 78,017 162 84,648 11,606 72,920 291 242,629 13,277 6,383 478 167,S73 6,861 174.434 329,117 Expendlture on: Raislng funds Charltable actSvltles Other trading activities other expendlture Total expendlture Net galn5 lor losses? on Investments Net Income or (net expendlture) Transfers between funds 2,778 188,608 26,463 2,778 189,086 33,109 4,671 350,560 22,291 478 6,646 217,849 7,164 413,111 7,124 388 224,973 7,566 -42.973 377,521 15,131 -33.273 14 14 124 -43,111 124 14 42,973 -33,273 Other reco8nlsed 8alns/(loss•$): Reconciliation D Net movement In funds Total funds brou8ht forward 31.12,2023 Total funds ¢arrfed forward -£43.111 £342.128 £299.016 £124 £0 £124 £14 £0 -£42,973 £342,128 £299.155 -£33,273 £14 Page 18

Christ Church with St Mary Magdalen and St Peter and St Paul St Leonards-on-sea Registered Charity no. 1170031 Balance Sheet as at 31st December 2024 Totsl Funds 2024 Totol Fund5 2023 Intangible assets Tangible assets Investments 337,7a9 476 330,157 462 Note 9 Note 9 Endowed Investments Total flxed assets 338,185 330,619 Stocks Debtor5 Cash at bank and In hand 6,120 46,073 52,193 149.1511 3,042 341.227 25,921 77,078 102,995 (49,418) S3,581 384,200 Note 10 Note 15 Total currenl assets Crèditors., Amounts fallln8 due wlthln one year Net current os$6ts or (Ilabllltlesl Total asskts14ss eurrent Ilabllltles Credltors,, Amounts fallln8 due after mole than one year Prov151ons for Ilabllltles Note 11 Note 12 Note 13 142,072) 299,155 (42,072) 342,128 Tolal net a550ts or (Ilabllltlesl The funds of th• chaTIty: Endowment fund$ Restricted Income funds Unrestrlcted funds Revaluatlon reserve 476 461 18,987 279,692 18,830 323.837 Total unrestrl¢ted fvnd5 279,692 322,837 Total tharlty funds Analy51s af Funds Endowment funds 299,155 Expendlture 342,128 Balances c/f 476 Balgnces blf 462 Income 14 Restrl¢ted Funds YACC 577 577 Walslngham Pll8rlma8• Sunday school Trollopes Charlty Total Re5trl¢ted Funds 971 6,383 6.646 -34 708 120 154 17,161 18,829 322.837 342,128 865 478 17,548 18,987 279,692 299.155 7,248 174,738 182,000 7,090 217,883 224.973 Gener•1 Fund- Unre5tritted Total charlty funds This Annual Financial Report, for the year ended 31st December 2024, IncSudlng the note5 following, was Approved by the PCC and signed on its behalf by Revd. as Cro y Chairman th Date 7 May 2025 Page 19

ot s to the financial report Accountlng pollcles Accounting ¢onventlon The financial statements have been prepared underthe Church Accounting Regulations 2006 in accordance with appllcable accounting Standards and the current120151 staternent Of Recommended Prartice, Accountlng and Reporting by Charities SORP {FRS 1021. The flnanclal statements have been prepared under the hlstorlcal cost conventlon as modified by the incluslon of investments at market value and the revaluation of fixed a55ets. The financial statemerrts include all transactions, assets and Ilabllltles for which the PCC Is responsible in law. They do not indude the accounts of church groups that owe their affiltation to another body, northose which are informal gatherings of church members. Funds accounting Funds held by the PCC are.. Unrestrirtedfunds - general funds which can be used for PCC ordinary purpose5 De5ignatedfunds - monies set aside by the PCC out of unrestricted fund5 for specific future purposes cr pmjects. Restrlctedfvnds - al income from trusts or endowments which may be expended only on those restricted objects provlded In the terms of the trust or bequest,. b} donatlons or grants received for a specfflc object or Invlted by the PCC for a speclflc object. The funds may only be expended on the specific object for which they were glven. Any balance remaining unspent at the end ofthe year Is carrled forward as a balance on thatfund. Endowmentfunds - funds the capital of which must be malntalned. only income arising from the investment of the endowment rnay be used, either as restricted or unrestricted funds, dependin8 on the purpose set out in the terms of the orlglnal endowment Income and endowments All income and endowments are accounted for wfthout deductlon for any costs of recelvablllty, are reco8nised when there is evidence of entitlement, re￿[pt is probable, and the amount can be measured reliably. Donatlons and legacies Collections are recognised when received. Planned glvlng recelvable is recognlsed when there Is evidence of entltlement, receipt Is probable, and the amount accords with the Gift Aid declaration or other record of intention todonate. Glft aid recovered Is recognlsed when the income to which it is attached Is recognlsed. Gmnts ond legocles are recognlsed when the fom)al offer In wrltlng of the funding. is recelved by the PCC. Charitable actlvitles Sales of magazlnes and study notes are recognised when recelved. Rentsfrom property are recognised in accordance with the rental agreements, when receipt is probable. Other tradlng actlvltles Tradlno actlvitie5 are where income is receivable in return for selling goods or providing servlces. Income from trading is recogni5ed either- a - when received, or b - in the cease of concerts: for the year in question. Irrespective of date of recelpt. Advance bookinBS are Included In creditors until the concert has taken place. Investment Income Dividends are accounted for when due and payable. Interest entltlements are accounted for a5 they accrue. Page 20

Notes to the financial report (continued) All other Income All other income is recognised in accordance with the above overall policy. Gain5 and1055e5 on Inveslments Realised Bains are recognised when the investments are sold Unreali5ed 8ain5 and1055e5 are accounted for on revaluatlon at 31 December. Expenditure Expenditure Is accounted for on an accruals basls and accounted for gross. Gmnts Grants and donations are accounted for when paid over, or when awarded where the award ¢￿ateS a bindtng obllgatlon on the PCC. Church Artlvltle5 The dlocesan parish contribution is accounted for on an annual basis, reflectlng the allocatlon set by our Deanery. Any parish contribution unpaid at 31 Decernber is provided for in these accounts as an operational Ithough not a legal) liability and is shown as a creditor in the balance sheet. Fixed Assets Tanqlbleflxed assets Consecrated and beneficed property of any kind is excluded from the accounts by s.10(21 of the Charitles Act 2011. Movable churth furnishing held by the Vicar and Churchwardens on special trustfoi the PCC and which requlre a faculty for disposal, are accounted a5 inalienable property unless consecrated. They are listed In the church's inventory which can be inspected but are not Included In the financlal statements. For other property 3cqulred prior to Idatel there is insufficient cost information avallable and therefore the c05t of such assets is not stated in the financlal statements. All expendlture on consecrated or beneflced bulldlngs and Individual items costlng under £1,000 are wrltten off In the year they were incurred. Oepreciution Depreciation is calculated to write down the cost of tan8ible fixed assets, excluding freehold properties, over their expected useful lives. The rates generdlly applicable a￿- U Fixtures and fitting5 20% n Audio visual equipment U Offlce equipment 25% No depretSation is provided on freehold property as it is the PCC'5 policy to rnaintain these assets In a contlnual state of sound repair. The useful economic life of these assets is so long and residual value5 so high that any depreclatlon would not be material. These assets wlll be sublett to annual impairment reviews. Provision wlll be made ifthere has been any permanent diminution in value. Investments 33% Investments are stated at market value at the balance sheet date. Current Assets Amounts owing to the PCC at 31 December in respect of fees. rents or otherincome are shown a debtors less provision for amounts that may prove uncollectible. Short-term deposits include cash held on deposit either with the CBF Churth of England Funds, or at the bank Page21

Notes to the financial report (continued) Analysis of income and endowments 12 months to 31 December 2024 Unrestricted Fund Restricted Funds ndowment Fund Total Funds 2024 Total Funds 2023 Planned giving (excl. Gift Ald Planned Givlng Ilncl Gift Ald Donatlons Loose cash collectlons Fund Raisln8 Events Speclal Appeals (not Incl. Glft Ald) Cosy Cryptl Table Sales Gift Aid recoverable Legacies Onllne and Contactless Donatlons 12,247 13,160 22,250 6,595 2,377 12,247 13,160 22.250 6,595 2,377 12,817 13,887 18,878 5,961 2,357 516 7,069 10,235 22 3,547 516 7,069 10,235 22 3,547 1,551 5,531 8,881 3,057 Donatlons and legacles £78,017 £78,017 £72,920 Fees for weddin8s & funerals 162 162 291 Charltable actlvltles £162 £16Z £291 Coffee and Candle5 Rent from lettln8 of St Peters Hall Church Hall and Office Letting Grants Walsingham Pilgrimages 3,397 3,397 4,292 22,361 52,507 22,361 52,507 6,383 19,140 214,315 4882 6,383 Other tradlns activltles £78,266 £6,383 £84,648 £242,629 Bank & CBF deposlt Interest CBF investment fund dividend HMRC Interest re Gift Aid 2,373 8,688 67 2,373 9,166 67 4,220 9,027 30 478 Investments £11.128 E478 £11,606 £13,277 Totsl income and endowments on al £167.573 £6.861 £174,434 £329,117 Page 22

Notes to the f inancial report (continued) Analysis of expenditure 12 months to 31, December 2024 Unrestrlcted Fund nr8strlctad Funds ndowment Fund Total Funds 2024 Total Funds 2023 Cosy Crypt | Summer fete & Chrlstmas bazaar costs Planned Glvlng Costs Stewardship costs le.g. printlng envelopes) Grants costs le.g. maklng E/Herltage appllcatlonl Other fundralsln8 Inon-tradin81 costs 63 988 2,715 2,715 3663 20 Cost of ralslnu fund$ £1778 £2.778 £4,671 Mlsslonary and charltable glvlng Mini5trv: dlocesan parlsh shore other clergy costs 35,600 5,363 12,085 3,944 23,997 34 7,678 90,106 35,600 5,640 12,085 4,145 23,997 34,550 6,182 9￿45 1587 15.323 175 277 Staff Upkeep of serylces Church runnln8 Sunday school Church rnalntenance and repalr Fabrlc Repalrs Speclal Appeals costs IClock/Organ/Legacies} Insurance of Church Bulldlng Grants 201 7,678 90.106 10.073 260.736 7,697 7,697 7,529 265 Archltect5 Fees Bank char8es Rectory Costs Governance 1,234 241 251 251 1,920 1,920 1020 Cost of charltablo actlvltles £188,608 £478 £189,086 £350.560 Summer fete & Chrlstmas bazaar costs St Peter$ Hall costs Church Hall and Crypt runnlng costs Curate costs 26,463 26,463 17,756 Parish magazlne costs Bookstall costs Walsln8ham Pi18rimages Sundry Expense5 6,646 6,646 4,535 Cast of other tradlng actlvltles £26,463 £6,646 E33,109 £22,291 Total expended on all funds £217.849 £7,124 £224,973 £377,521 Pag¢ 23

Notes to the financial report (continued) Mlsslonary and charltable givlng Unrestrlcted Fund Restrlcted Fund Endowed Fund Total Funds 2024 Totol Funds 2023 Overseas: Home: Staff costs Unrestrlcted und Restrlcted Fund Endowed Fund Total Funds 2024 Total Fund5 2023 Remuneration Woges and salaries Soclal Security costs 12,085 12,085 9,845 £12,085 £12,085 £9,845 Governance Unrnstrl¢ted Restrlcted Endowed Total Funds Total Funds Independent examinatlon Accounts productlon Bookkeeplng 1,920 1,920 1,820 £1,920 £1,920 £1,820 Analysis of transfers between funds Unre$tr5cted Funds Reslrlcted Endowed Total Funds 024 Total Funds Tronsftrs betweenfvnds Page 24

otes to the financial report (contunued) Fixed Assets Investments Unrestrlcted Fund Restrlcted Fund Endowed Fund Total Funds Alotes Market value l January 2024 312,995 17,162 462 330,619 Net Ilosses}/galns and revaluation Market value 31 December 2024 7,164 £320,159 388 14 7,566 £338,18S £17,550 £476 Tangible fixed a55et5 Freehold land and bulldln8$ Audlo vlsual equlpment Offlce equlpment Total flxed assets Cost oy valuatlon At l January 2022 Addltlons Dlsposals Revaluatlon At 31 December 2022 Char8e for Impalmient At l January 2022 Addltlons Dlsposals Revaluation At 31 December 2022 Net book amounts At 31 December 2022 At 31 December 2021 Page 25

Notes to the financial rep rt (continued) Analysis of net assets by fund Unresirtcted Funds Restrlcted Fund Endowed Fund Total Funds 2024 Totol Fund5 2023 Notes Investment flxed assets Current assets {except cash) Cash at bank and on deposit Current liabilltles Provlslons for Liabilitles 320.159 6,120 45,001 (49,151) (42,0721 £280,057 17,550 476 338,185 6,120 46,073 (49,1511 (42.0721 £299,155 330,617 25,921 77,078 (49,418J (42,072) £342,226 1.072 £18,622 £476 10 Debtors Unrestrleted Restrlcted Fun Endowed Fund Total Funds 024 Totol Funds 20 Notes Income tax recoverable Prepayments and accrued Income Other debtors 3,355 2.765 3,355 2,765 3,747 2,401 19, 773 £25,921 £6,120 £6,120 11 Credltors: amounts falling due wlthln one year Unrestrf¢ted Restrlcted Funds Fund Endowed Fund Total Funds 2024 Total Funds 2023 Notes Deferred Income Accru31s for utlllties and other costs Other creditors 49,151 49,151 49,418 £49.151 £49,151 £49,418 12 Credltors: amounts falllng due after more than one year Unrestrlrted Restrlcted Endowed Funds Fund Fund Total Funds 2024 Totol Funds 023 Notes Other creditors Page 26

Notes to the f inancial report (continued) 13 Provlslons for Llabllltles Vnrostrl¢ted Re5trlcted Fund Endowed Fun Total Funds rotol Funds 2023 Provlsion for Church Hall Maintenance Provision for Church Maintenance 42,072 £42.072 42.072 £42,072 42,072 £42,072 The Board of Trustees have deemed the valuation of the provision for Church Maintenance as reasonable based on the report of the Architect followln8 the Qulnquennlal Inspectlon of the structure of the Church and the recommendations included in the ReporL 14 Ststement of fund5 Bèlances bllwd l Jan 2024 Transfers, other 8alns and losses Bolan¢e$ c/fv•d 31 Dec 2024 In¢ome Expendtture DBF Funds 462 14 476 Total of all endowed funds Rector & Churchwardens YACC Walslngham PIIErimage Fund Sunday School Trollopes Charlty Total of all restricted fund5 462 14 476 577 971 120 577 708 6,383 6,646 (34) 478 154 17,549 18,988 17,161 18,829 478 6061 388 7.090 388 General fund Total of all unrestrlcted fund5 322,837 322,837 167,573 167,573 217,883 217,885 7,164 7.164 279,691 279,691 Total funds £342,128 £174N34 £224,973 £7,566 £299,155 The endowed fund comprises an historlc bequest The restricted fund5 are as set out above. The YACC balance is considered to be a designated account. Re5trlcted funds are not invested permanently, but arc to be spent withln rea50nable timescales. The unrestricted fund intludes a designated sum £42,072 which has PCC has set aside towards the cost of future fabric repairs to the Church Within the unrestricted funds are balances totalling £350,835 that can be utilised for expenditure by the authority of the Rector and Churchwardens only. Page 27

Notes to the financial report (continued) 15 Analysis of cash and cash equivalents Total Funds 2024 Total Funds 2023 Notes Cash in hand including non-notice deposlts Notice deposits (less than 3 months) Overdraft facillty repayable on demand Total cash and cash equlvalents 46,073 77.078 £46,073 £77,078 16 Related parties and transactlons Certain members of the PCC are also trustees of tertain other Charities. No member of the PCC has any financlal transactlons wlth any ofthese Charities. Page 28

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE PCC OF CHRIST CHURCH WITH sr MARY P4AGDALEN AND ST PETER AND sr PAUL FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31- DECEMBER 2024 I report to the trustEes on my examlnatlon of the accounts of the above charlty for the year ended 315t Decemtkr 2024 set out on pages I to 29. Responsibllitias and basls of report As the charity trustees of the Tnjst you are responsible for the p￿paration of the account in accordan￿ with the requirements of the Charites Act 2011 ('the Acn. I report in respect of my examination of the Trustee's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charlty Commlssion under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act. Independent examlnerfs statsment Since your charlty's gross Income ex￿eded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the Act. I can conflrm that I am quallfied to undertake the examlnation because I am a registered member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales which is one of the listed bodies. I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respett: accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act: or 2. the accounts do not accord wlth those records. or 3. the accounts do not comply with the appllcable requirements Con￿rning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a *rue and fair view, which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no cOn￿rnS and have come across no other matters In connertion wth the examlnatlon to whlch attentlon should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Mr S Rosling FCCA For and on behalf of A5hdown Hurrey Audltors Limited Accountsnts and Business Advisors 20 Havelock Road Hastings East Sussex TN34 IBP Page 29