2025-08-31-accounts - Nantwich Methodist Church

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Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From 1st September 2024 Period start date To 31[st] August 2025 Period end date

Charity name: Nantwich with Broad Lane Methodist Church

Charity registration number: 1170226

Objectives and Activities


Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document	We are a local Methodist Church, primarily a worshipping and praying fellowship of Christians. Our mission statement is to “Show Christ to Others”. We meet for a weekly act of worship at 2 church buildings in Nantwich. A morning service takes place at Hospital Street with average attendance of 25-35 and an afternoon service at Broad Lane with average attendance of 10-15. Our worship is advertised and all are welcome to attend. Additional services are held at Easter and Christmas and occasional all age worship. There is a monthly Sunday evening Communion service which is part of the Open Table network and welcomes the LBGTQIA+ Christian community. We seek to provide opportunity for prayer, Bible study and fellowship through various activities at church. All groups are advertised with an open invitation to attend. The church is registered with the Inclusive Church Network. We welcome people of any faith, colour or background, and of every gender identity and sexual orientation.
Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts.	We provide a number of regular activities to support both members of the church and people in need within the community. We also make the building available for community use. Regular activities include: Drop’n’Shop This provides activities for primary school aged children on a Saturday morning, allowing parents free time to shop. This met monthly but moved to twice monthly in May 2025 Friendship Group This is a monthly group to support socially isolated people. People meet for chat, games, craft activities and occasional speakers on relevant topics. Noah’s Ark This is a weekly group aimed at very young children and their parents and carers. The aim is to introduce children to the teachings of Jesus through story, song and craft alongside time for free play. Fellowship Group

Summary of the purposes of
the charity as set out in its
governing document

We are a local Methodist Church, primarily a worshipping
and praying fellowship of Christians. Our mission statement
is to “Show Christ to Others”.
We meet for a weekly act of worship at 2 church buildings in
Nantwich. A morning service takes place at Hospital Street
with average attendance of 25-35 and an afternoon service
at Broad Lane with average attendance of 10-15.
Our worship is advertised and all are welcome to attend.
Additional services are held at Easter and Christmas and
occasional all age worship.
There is a monthly Sunday evening Communion service
which is part of the Open Table network and welcomes the
LBGTQIA+ Christian community.
We seek to provide opportunity for prayer, Bible study and
fellowship through various activities at church. All groups
are advertised with an open invitation to attend.
The church is registered with the Inclusive Church Network.
We welcome people of any faith, colour or background, and
of every gender identity and sexual orientation.

Summary of the main
activities in relation to those
purposes for the public
benefit, in particular, the
activities, projects or services
identified in the accounts.

We provide a number of regular activities to support both
members of the church and people in need within the
community. We also make the building available for
community use.
Regular activities include:
Drop’n’Shop
This provides activities for primary school aged children on
a Saturday morning, allowing parents free time to shop.
This met monthly but moved to twice monthly in May 2025
Friendship Group
This is a monthly group to support socially isolated people.
People meet for chat, games, craft activities and occasional
speakers on relevant topics.
Noah’s Ark
This is a weekly group aimed at very young children and
their parents and carers. The aim is to introduce children to
the teachings of Jesus through story, song and craft
alongside time for free play.
Fellowship Group

A fortnightly group offering a programme of speakers and activities. Whilst mainly attended by church members it is open to all. As many of the attendees are elderly and living alone, the programme includes speakers who can offer relevant information and advice. Thursday Lunches Monthly lunches provide a further opportunity for fellowship and social interaction and are very popular. Train Rides

Free rides are offered every Saturday morning on the miniature railway running alongside the church. This provides opportunity to engage with people and for fundraising. Donations received are split between four children’s charities.

Brownies

Brownies meet at the church on a weekly basis and take part in occasional all-age worship on a Sunday morning. Ecumenical outreach activities

Members of the church have continued to support mentoring of pupils at Brine Leas and Malbank High Schools Assemblies have been led at Acton and Worleston primary schools.

Churches Together provided a presence at the Nantwich Show, offering a baby change facility, refreshments and Christian music.

A Christmas Day lunch was held for people who would otherwise be on their own. Transport was provided if required, a traditional Christmas meal and entertainment.

Use of premises by external organisations

The premises are used on a regular basis by a Bereavement group. We have received a grant from Cheshire East to make rooms available free of charge for community groups such as this.

The building is also offered for hire to external organisations and is being used by:

Nantwich Choral Society
Baby Time,
U3A
South Cheshire Model Engineers Club
Insight Bereavement Counselling
Bereavement Fellowship Group
Cheshire Sling Library
Stroke Survivor Group
Chill Chat and Craft
Cheshire Roses (cancer) Group
Nantwich Youth Theatre & Nantwich Players
Rethink
Three Circles Fostering
Coffee club at Broad Lane

Street Angels

Street Angels provide night patrols in Nantwich Town Centre on Saturdays from 10.30pm – 3.30am to offer practical support and improve the safety of people enjoying the nightclubs and entertainment in Nantwich. The scheme is operated through the Alpha and Omega WPS charity. We offer support by allowing the premises to be used as a free base and by giving advice and support to the management

committee. Statement confirming The Trustees confirm that they have complied with the duty whether the trustees have in Section 17 of the Charities Act having due regard to had regard to the guidance public benefit as per guidance published by the Charity issued by the Charity Commission. Commission on public benefit

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:


Policy on grant making	We do not make grants. We make occasional collections and donations for specific purposes such as emergency disaster relief
Policy on social investment including program related investment	N/A
Contribution made by volunteers	All activities are highly dependent on volunteers, mostly from church members but with some support for Drop’n’Shop, and the train from community volunteers. Noah’s Ark is supported by a lay worker employed by the Circuit. We are dependent on a small number of dedicated volunteers who make an enormous contribution to the running of the church activities. The volunteers are predominantly older people who undertake as many of the tasks as they are able to.

Achievements and Performance

Summary of the main
achievements of the charity,
identifying the difference the
charity’s work has made to
the circumstances of its
beneficiaries and any wider
benefits to society as a
whole.

Given the dependence on a relatively small number of
volunteers, we are pleased to report that all regular activities
have been maintained and in some cases expanded.
The buildings have been maintained as far as resources
allow but are now at the point where significant expenditure
is required to replace major pieces of equipment.
The financial situation remains challenging with increasing
costs and reliance on voluntary giving by members of the
congregation. To support this, fund raising activities have
increased, grant applications submitted and income from
charges for use of the building maximised.
Sunday Worship
Sunday worship is a key focus and whilst largely traditional
in format, we seek to be as inclusive as possible with age
appropriate services for young people, services to mark
special events and a monthly less formal “Open Table”
Communion with opportunity for fellowship over a simple
meal before the service.
We have been pleased to welcome families with young
children and now provide a crèche on a regular basis to
enable the parents to attend the service. This includes
children with special needs.
We also offer a weekly Sunday Club for young people aged
10-14 in our designated youth room
We have invited community organisations such as the

Brownies and Young Voices choir to take part in special	Brownies and Young Voices choir to take part in special
services and this is always very popular.
Activities
All regular activities have continued throughout the year.
Outreach is provided to young families through Noah’s Ark
and Drop’n’Shop. Drop’n’Shop was able to move from
monthly to twice monthly sessions in May 2025.
Outreach to older, socially isolated people is offered through
the Friendship Group which is open to people with
dementia.	We are a “dementia friendly” church.
Opportunities to socialise are provided through monthly
lunches and weekly coffee mornings.
A number	of special events have been held throughout the
year:
 The “Santa Train” offered a train ride and a present
from Santa to 234 children over 3 Saturdays in
December. £792 was raised, split between th4
children’s charities and the church.
 2 concerts were hosted as part of the annual Easter
jazz festival in the town.
 Celebrations to mark the 80thanniversary of VE Day
took place at both Hospital Street and Broad Lane.
 A “Beetle Drive” and Fish and Chip supper in May
was enjoyed by people ranging in age from 4-90 and
raised £150.
 “Rail 200” took place in July to mark 200 years of
passenger rail travel with steam train rides, railway
groups and a special service led by our
Superintendent Minister and a Railway Chaplain.
We were pleased to welcome the Mayors of Crewe
and Nantwich and our local MP.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Achievements against
objectives set

Performance against 2024-25 Objectives
Appointment of a Centre Development Manager to
develop the use of the church building as a community
centre.
An appointment was made and the person commenced in
post in December 2024.Unfortunately, the post did not work
out as anticipated and the appointment ended in May 2025
The job and person specification have been reviewed and a
new appointment will be made in 2026.
To enhance the offer of Drop’n’Shop to be fully
inclusive, including neurodiverse children. This would
be dependent on a successful grant application to a
charitable trust.
An application to the National Lottery for a grant to employ 2
workers with experience of working with neurodivergent
children to support Drop’n’Shop was made. Notification was
received in July 2025 that the application was successful
and £18,500 would be allocated to fund the workers for 1

	year. This will be received and reported in 2025-26. A grant of £1,500 was received from a local business for the purchase of equipment to create a sensory room in the chapel. This objective will be carried forward to 2025/26 and further grant applications made to extend the club for following years. To extend Drop’n’Shop to weekly rather than monthly meetings. Additional volunteers have been recruited and we were able to offer twice monthly sessions from May 2025. The aim to offer weekly sessions will be carried forward to 2025/26. To offer “Easter Hope” interactive events to 3 primary schools. The Easter Hope activity was delivered to Worleston, Highfields and Acton primary schools in March 2025 and was very well received. To develop as an “Eco-Church”. Grant applications will be made for the purchase of storage batteries for the energy generated by the solar panels which are already fitted. We were very grateful to receive a grant of £10,000 from Cheshire East Council and the batteries have been installed.
Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set	Despite falling membership and attendance, income from donations is broadly in line with the previous year. Income from lunches and coffee mornings has increased as we have been able to offer more events.
Investment performance against objectives	N/A
Other	Rev. Robin Fox left the church in August 2025 to move to a new appointment. We were pleased to welcome Rev. Obeth Thevanesan and his family in September 2025 and look forward to working with him. Objectives for 2025-26  To establish a Church Family Committee to oversee and develop ways of strengthening the Christian faith and confidence of the existing NMC congregation at both church sites, to support the mission and outreach support.  Appointment of a Church Centre Co-ordinating Officer.  To appoint 2 suitably experienced workers (for 1 year initially) to enable Drop’n’Shop to support the needs of neurodiverse children.  To make further grant applications to enable the Drop’n’Shop support for neurodiverse children to continue.  To install equipment to enable the use of the chapel as a sensory room.

 To offer the Easter Hope event for 3 local primary schools.  To offer the Christmas Hope event for 3 local primary schools.  To replace the chairs used in the worship hall and lounges with lighter chairs for ease of lifting and handling.  To review the means of projection in the main hall.  To develop further as an “Eco-Church” working towards the gold standard criteria.

Financial Review

Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period	Accounts attached. The budget for 2024-25 anticipated a small surplus of £5,600 of income over expenditure. The actual final position was a surplus of £3,142.
Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held	We have a small reserves account with the Methodist Central Finance Board for contingencies
Amount of reserves held	A deposit of £ 21,993 is held as at 31.08.2025
Reasons for holding zero reserves	N/A
Details of fund materially in deficit	N/A
Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern	At present there are no uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising)	The main source of income is regular giving on a weekly basis by members of the congregation. Gift Aid is claimed as appropriate. This is supplemented by various fundraising activities. In addition, income is received from hire of the premises and leasing car parking spaces. Details of grants:  Grant of £1,500 from a local business for sensory equipment (to be purchased in 2025-26)  Fischer Fund grant of £500 to support the V.E.Day celebrations at Broad Lane.  £14,300 from Cheshire East for batteries to store energy from solar panels and the installation of electric vehicle charging points..
Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted	N/A
A description of the principal risks facing the charity	As the congregation continues to age, the risk of declining membership is a reality. There is also the challenge from rising costs and the potential need for expenditure to replace equipment such as the boilers.

The charity’s principal
sources of funds (including
any fundraising)

The main source of income is regular giving on a weekly
basis by members of the congregation. Gift Aid is claimed
as appropriate. This is supplemented by various fundraising
activities.
In addition, income is received from hire of the premises and
leasing car parking spaces.
Details of grants:

Grant of £1,500 from a local business for sensory
equipment (to be purchased in 2025-26)

Fischer Fund grant of £500 to support the V.E.Day
celebrations at Broad Lane.

£14,300 from Cheshire East for batteries to store
energy from solar panels and the installation of
electric vehicle charging points..

Investment policy and
objectives including any
social investment policy
adopted

N/A

A description of the principal
risks facing the charity

As the congregation continues to age, the risk of declining
membership is a reality. There is also the challenge from
rising costs and the potential need for expenditure to
replace equipment such as the boilers.

Structure, Governance and Management

Description of charity’s trusts:
Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter)	Nantwich with Broad Lane Methodist Church is part of the ‘Methodist Church of Great Britain’ whose status as a charity has historically been derived from the Deed of Union 1932 and the Methodist Church Act 1976. We are connected to Cheshire South Methodist Circuit which itself is part of the Chester & Stoke-on-Trent Methodist District. We operate in the administrative unitary authority area of Cheshire East. Our constitutional practices can be found in www.methodist.org/ministers-and-office-holders/cpd
How is the charity constituted? (	As a Methodist Society we are accountable to Circuit, District and Connexion and are required to comply with regulations laid down in the Constitution, Practice and Discipline of the Methodist Church, which is updated annually. As a Society we make decisions at Church Council meetings of which we are required to hold at least two per year and more as and when required by the local situations. Voting members of Church Council must be members of The Methodist Church of Great Britain and trustees of Nantwich with Broad Lane Methodist Church. The Church Council is supported by a number of sub-committees responsible for such things as finance, property, stewards, pastoral care.
Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees	Church Council members are the Trustees. The Chair is the minister who is employed by the Methodist Church at national level and stationed at the invitation of the local Circuit. The Council is made up of:  Church stewards  Treasurer  Property Steward  Pastoral Secretary  Church Council Secretary  Representatives of the congregation. The appointments are made at the Church General Meeting and confirmed annually. The appointments should be for no longer than 6 years but this can be extended by agreement if there are no alternative volunteers.

Reference and Administrative details

Charityname	Nantwich with Broad Lane Methodist Church
Other name the charity uses
Registered charity number	1170226
Charity’s principal address	Nantwich with Broad Lane Methodist Church c/o The Church Office Hospital Street Nantwich CW5 5RP.

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

Trustee name	Office (if any)	Dates acted if not for whole year
Rev. Robin Fox	Chair
Sheila Crosbie	Secretary
Yvonne Alcock	Treasurer	01.09.24-17.06.25
John Walkington	PropertySteward	01.09.24 – 09.11.24
Margaret Kirkman	Pastoral Secretary
Elizabeth Grundy	Senior Steward
Marcus Appleby	Church Steward
John Coulter	Church Steward
Edward George	Church Steward
David Maidment	Church Steward
Eileen Robertson	Church Steward
Patricia Maidment	Circuit Steward
Erik Kirkman	Associated Presbyter
Janet Evans		From 06.12.24
Jess Evans		From 06.12.24
Jaqueline Holland
Denise Lawson
Joyce Platt
Doreen Thomas

– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved

Director name

Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity

Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year

Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others

Description of the assets N/A held in this capacity

Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects

Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets

Exemptions from disclosure

Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details

N/A

Declarations

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Sheila Crosbie

Signature(s) Obeth Thevanesan Full name(s) Rev Obeth Thevanesan Position (eg Secretary, Chair Secretary Chair, etc) Date 21.02.2026

Sheila Crosbie

CHURCH RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS THE METHODIST CHURCH STANDARD FORM OF ACCOUNTS Nantwich with Broad Lane Church FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 August 2025 Cheshire South Circuit Circuit no. 11108 Registered Charity - Charity Registration number 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 eviden of charitable status and may be used to give to donors or grant funders wishing to see eviden of the organisation's charitable status. Methodist charities in England and Wales that are not registered charities are eXpted from registration under Statutory Instrument 2014 No.242) 1170226 Minister- Rev. Robin Fox Church Stewards: Elizabeth Grundy David Maidment Marcus Appleby Eileen Robertson John Coulter Patricia Maidment Edward George Treasurer: Vacant at Year End Nantwich wth Broad Lane 2024-25 1of5

ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025 Nantwich with Broad Lane Church UnrestrTCted Restricted Funds Funds Totals this Totals last SECTION A year year a1 RECEIPTS Note a2 Offerings and Tax recovered Bank and CFB interest and Investment income 32,910 32,910 36,033 a3 954 954 905 Lettings other receipts TOTAL RECEIPTS 20.543 28,810 83,218 20,543 28,810 83,218 11,548 27,476 75,962 a5 a6 (a7} SECTION B b1 PAYMENTS b2 Circuit Assessment or Share 34,833 34,833 35,215 10 b3 Donations b4 Repairs and Maintenance Utilities (Insurances, water char es, heatin htin 5.133 5,133 7,327 b5 17.413 17,413 16,136 b6 b7 Other payments TOTAL PAYMENTS 22,697 80,076 22,697 80,076 5,355 64,043 b8 {b9) SECTION C NET RECEIPTSIPAYMENTS R THE YEAR (a64>8) 3.142 3,142 11,919 Totsl funds brought forward from last year 55.420 55,420 (c6) 43,501 Sub total (c1 +c2) 58.562 58,562 55.420 Transfers and adjustments (c71 TOTAL FUNDS AT END OF YEAR (c3+¢4) 58,562 58,562 Ic8) 55,420 {c6) SECTION D FOR INFORMATION ONLY: MONEY RECEIVED AND PASSED ON TO EXTERNAL ORGANISATIONS (these amounts are not to be included in total receipts1panents figures above) d1 Balance brought forward from last year d2 OfferingslGifts - reiVed for extemal organisations d3 OfferingslGifts passed to extemal organisations d4 BALANCE STILL TO BE PAID {d1 +d2-d3) 2of5 Nantmch ivith Broad Lane 2024.2)

Nantwch wth Broad Lane Church SUMMARY OF CHURCH ACCOUNTS AND INTERNAL ORGANISATIONS REPORTr4G TOTHE CHURCH COUNCIL SECMON E Pleasè followthe Guidance Notes to c lète this Summary of the Church acethjnls for the year ÈndÈd 31 August 2025 and InteThal Organisations reporting to the Church Councivchurch Meeting. Note thatthe funds of an Intemal Organisation would norTnally be Re5tncted fund5 unle55 itcould be dearfy 5h(ywn thatthey (x)uld be used for any Methodist purpose. Thi5 section tnu5t be cornpleted to arrive atthe gross income and expendilure totals of Ihe Church. Wgross income exceeds Ihe Accruals thre5hokl then the Accruals method of accountinu AND A DIFFERENT FORM must be used to report Ihe accounts (see Melhodist website). Flease referto the guidance note5 gardi transfer5 btheen the District and connected District Oro8nisations. INTERNAL ORGANISAnONS Net RÉe*ptsi Payrnents Opening balare5 Receipts Adjustrnents Closing balances Noah's Ark 257 224 33 142 174 ¢2 Open Table 736 217 518 518 Fri8ndshi Grou 233 528 295 376 81 Dro Nsho 2,893 2.917 1241 97 ¢7 Sub total of Intemal Organisations funds 4,118 3.886 232 639 e11 871 e12 Church accounts Itotsls brought forward from page 2.totsls column) 83.218 la71 80,076 Ib91 3.142 55.420 Ic61 58.562 elo BYCHURCH 87,336 83,962 3,374 56.059 59.433 lyl Continue on a separate sheet if necessary and bring the lotsls forward TOTAL RECEIPTS TOTAL PAYMENTS SECMON F STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILMES OPENING BALANCES CLOSING BALANCES CHURCH- CASH FUNDS HELD at 31 Au ust 2025 Cash in hand 27 27 Bank Current Account 34.354 36,542 Bank D& srftAccount 21.039 Central Finance Board 21.993 Trustees for Methodist Church Pu Otherfunds SUB TOTAL_ Church accounts 55.420 Ic61 $8,562 Ic81 Total funds hdd by Internal OrganisatKJns (the dosing balance total from abovel le121 639 le111 871 le121 TOTAL CASH FUNDS HELD BY CHURCH 56.059 59,433 SECMON G At 31 August 2025 1 September 2024 OTHER ASSETS and LIABILlnES Investments indude Endowments Land 8 Buildings (see notes re Insurance valuel otherAssets Loan - show arwunt outstsndin ar end Other Liabil5 f4 Indude only Funds hdd at the Central Finance Board f5 Indude only Funds hdd at Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes 91 Include any other investnents (not the cash dement ofTMCP tNsts this is iK4uded in line f5 NlI1hn1th BryNd 11124 3of5

Name of 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 fvnds under the control of the Church trustees. Signature of treasurer Date.......................... Name and address of treasurer . Postcode.................. Presentation to the Church trustees I confirm that the annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 August 2025 werelwill be. presented to the meetino of the Church trUstS held on Signature of the Chair of the meeting Name of the Chair of the meeting Date . Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of the Nantwich with Broad Lane Methodist Church Charity Number 1170226 Responsibilities and basis of report I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Nantwich with Broad Lane Methodist Church for the year ended 31 August 2025 set out on pages 1 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 accounls 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. delete or circle as appropriate Nantswch wrth Broad Lane 2024-25 4of5

Name of Church Nanlch with Broad Lane No 1170226 Independent Examiner's Ststement 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 have1hav* 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 A Morgan Name of independent examiner Aisling Morgan Relevant professional qualification of independent examiner ACCA Name of firm (where appropriate) NIA Address 1 Aaron Close, Caerleon Newport Post Code NP18 3RE Date 19th January 2026 delete or circle as appropriate Nanlch wth Broad Lane 2024-25 5of5