2024-12-31-accounts - The Parochial Church Council Of The Ecclesiastical Parish Of St.mary, Hadlow

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator. This document is also available as Markdown.

ST MARY’S CHURCH HADLOW

ANNUAL PAROCHIAL CHURCH MEETING FOR THE YEAR 2025

To be held on

Sunday 6 April 2025, 11.30 a.m. in

St Mary’s Church, Hadlow

Documents for the meeting:

Agenda for the 2025 APCM, p.2

Minutes of the APCM Meeting held 21 April 2024, p.3

Churchwardens’, committee and other reports for 2024, p.6 The 2024 Annual Report and Accounts, p.15

ST MARY’S CHURCH, HADLOW ANNUAL PAROCHIAL CHURCH MEETING

Sunday 6[th] April 2025, 11.30 a.m. in St Mary’s Church, Hadlow

A G E N D A

Apologies for absence
Minutes of the Annual Parochial Church Meeting held on 21[st] April 2024
Election of TWO (2) Churchwardens
( Two churchwardens to be chosen in accordance with the Churchwardens’ Measure 2001 )
Election of TWO (2) parochial representative of the laity to the Deanery Synod
Election of FOUR (4) parochial representatives of the laity to the Parochial Church Council
The appointment of an Independent Examiner
Report on changes to the Electoral Roll (a copy of the Roll is available for inspection)
Adoption of The Annual Report on the proceedings of the PCC, the activities of the Parish generally and the Financial Statements of the PCC for the year ending 31st December 2024
The Churchwardens’ Report on the fabric, goods and ornaments of the Church* ( in accordance with Section 50 of the & Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction and Care of Churches Measure 2018 )
Report on the proceedings of the Paddock Wood Deanery Synod*
Reports of the activities of the sub-committees of the PCC*:
a. Communication
b. Education;
c. Fabric;
d. Finance (Treasurer’s Report);
e. Social and Fundraising;
f. Worship & Mission.
Reports on other areas of the life of the Parish*:
a. Anna Chaplain, Bell Ringers; Café Plus; Church Brass Cleaning; Church Cleaning; Coffee Pots and Tiny Tots; Delhi Brotherhood Society; Church Flowers; Food Bank; Kibakwe Link; Hospital Car Service Messy Church; Music; Newsletter Delivery; Sides Persons;
The vicar’s reflections
Reports for items 2 and 9 to 13 follow in this document, which may also be downloaded from our ‘A Church Near You’ website https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/16980/. There is a sign-up sheet at the back of church If you would like a paper copy.

Minutes of the

2024 Annual Parochial Church Meeting of St Mary’s Church, Hadlow

Held in Church on Sunday 21 April 2024 In the Chair: Minutes taken by:

Fr Jim Horton Martin Massy, PCC Secretary

1. Members present

Fr Jim Horton, Vicar

Officers of the current PCC: John Speed, Churchwarden (JS), Katerina Plucknett-Nixon, Churchwarden (KN), Martin Massy, Secretary (MM).

Plus 36 members present in church and five listening via Zoom.

Apologies were received from Kirsty Finch.

2. Minutes of the Annual Parochial Church Meeting held on 30th April 2023

Minutes of the Annual Parochial Church Meeting held on Sunday 30th April 2023 were approved by unanimous vote.

3. Election of Churchwardens

Nominations were received for Katerina Nixon and John Speed. There being no other nominations, Katerina and John were elected unopposed.

4. Election of parochial representatives of the laity to the Parochial Church Council (PCC)

There were four nominations for the four vacant positions on the PCC; the following were therefore elected unopposed: Cathy Brill, Richard Hopkinson, Martin Massy, Sharon Vanns.

5. Election of parochial representatives of the laity to the Deanery Synod

There were no nominations to fill the role of a second representative to the Deanery Synod. The role remains vacant.

6. Report on the Electoral Roll (A copy of the Roll is available for inspection)

MM thanked David Lear who acted again as our Electoral Roll Officer. There are 113 on the Electoral Roll, of whom 78 are resident in this parish, and 35 non-resident (69:31 split). Of 20 names removed from the list: five had died, five had moved away and 10 had left or had not habitually attended in the last six months. Five people were added to the roll.

7. Adoption of the Annual Report on the proceedings of the PCC, the activities of the Parish generally and the Financial Statements of the PCC for the year ending 31st December 2023

MM proposed that the APCM adopt the Annual Report and Accounts for the year ending 31 December 2023. Approved unanimously.

Minutes of the 2024 APCM

2025 APCM, St Mary’s, Hadlow

MM thanked everyone for their generous support, both for turning up and, wearing his treasurer hat, for their financial contributions. 80% of our income comes directly from voluntary giving, including Gift Aid, with the balance from events, weddings and funerals, room hire and external grant funding.

There was a surplus in 2023 but for the wrong reasons: we had not yet appointed an organist cum choir director, which we had budgeted for, and we are not paying enough into the Common Fund at the diocese (the parish offer, which is what we give to the Common Fund, is a balancing item in the budget – we give what we can afford).

People are often not aware of the Common Fund; it is the same as our General Church Fund except at the level of the diocese. The Common Fund is used to run the diocese, paying priests and contributing to insurance and pensions, maintaining vicarages, training new priests and deacons, covering all the central functions of HR, safeguarding, overseeing maintenance and improvements of churches (Diocesan Advisory Committee), etc.

MM encouraged church members to use the Parish Giving Scheme – it can be trusted, being owned by the Church of England – to reduce the administrative burden to reclaim Gift Aid and minimise the time and cost of counting cash and paying it in to the bank (now Tunbridge Wells). MM felt it disappointing that St.Mary’s receives no legacies, even from people for whom the church played a central part in their lives and who were well-loved members of the congregation.

MM thanked the finance team – Duncan Murray, Gabrielle and David Lear and John Speed – for their support, and reiterated his thanks to the congregation.

8. The appointment of an Independent Examiner

MM proposed that Jason Foxwell, FCCA, FACIE, be re-appointed as Independent Examiner (IE). Jason was newly appointed in January 2024, our previous IE, David Stephens, having retired at the end of 2023. The motion was proposed by Linda Moore and seconded by Iris Shaw, and was carried unanimously.

9. The Churchwardens’ report on the fabric, goods and ornaments of the Church

Fr Jim drew members’ attention to the Churchwardens’ report in the APCM booklet.

10. Other Reports

Reports on all other areas of church life were in the documents available from the church website.

11. Questions

A question was raised about when new chairs would be installed. Fr. Jim noted that we need a new floor and heating to make the church more accessible and make better use of space, but that the provision of new chairs had not been forgotten and would be considered in the context of a development programme. It would be possible for money for chairs to be given in memory. Grant funding might be available to improve disability access.

A second questioner asked whether redecoration was still planned. Volunteers might redecorate small areas, but the main parts of the building would probably need grant funding.

12. Vicar’s reflections

Fr. Jim began by saying that the past year had been a success, seeing more people at services and moving into the community. Special services, such as the Backpack Blessing and Teddy Bear’s Services, helped St Mary’s draw in more people. He thanked the churchwardens and everybody who helps:

Minutes of the 2024 APCM

2025 APCM, St Mary’s, Hadlow

Janice, for her role as Parish Administrator, and without whom there would be no services!
Cathy, for her work with young people and on safeguarding
The choir, organist and servers, who enhance our services
The welcomers, noting that there will be changes to come
People who organise events and provide refreshments
Christopher, for his support and wise counsel
Jenny, for all she does in her role as Anna Chaplain
Many others, not all church members – church cleaning, flowers, activities (Café Plus, Seniors, Coffee Pots & Tiny Tots), village newsletter, etc., etc., etc. [ Ed. See 2024 APCM booklet ]

Looking forward, we need to be heralds and prophets to proclaim our faith. As well as bringing more people in we also need to focus on recharging the spiritual batteries of the people already here, building ourselves up.

Fr. Jim concluded by thanking everybody for all that they do and saying that he was here to help them be ambassadors for Christ, proclaiming Jesus Christ is Lord.

Signature ……………………….

Date: 17 March 2025

REPORTS FOR THE YEAR 2024

Agenda Item 9: Churchwardens’ Report on the fabric, goods & ornaments of the church

The Churchwardens’ report is to cover the fabric and ornaments of the Church and for the most part they are in good condition. During the year we had the Quinquennial inspection, which has shown that the church is in good condition and just requires a few minor repairs and some maintenance. These items will be resolved over the next few years.

Thanks to the work of members of the Fabric Committee, especially Martin and Richard we had a new lighting system installed in Church. This system has dramatically improved the lighting in the nave which had got very bad over the last few years.

In previous years we had sustained some water damage in the upstairs WC and in the Choir Vestry, which had been caused by problems with the rain gutters on the West side of the Church. Last year work was completed to improve this and damage to the upstairs WC was repaired. Our thanks to Richard and Kirsty for their work redecorating.

During 2023 we started fundraising for new chairs with a hope to replace the existing chairs in 2024, allowing us to make the main nave more flexible to the needs of the wider Church. Unfortunately, the cost of the Chairs has risen, and further fundraising will be necessary before this project can be completed.

Planning the future of St Mary’s and reviewing what we think we will want from the Church in the future, has also continued. With the Church of England's goal to be carbon neutral by 2030 we have begun work on what we, as a Church would need to do to carbon neutral. We have looked at green energy, solar panels and changes to the heating system. We also acknowledge that there are several areas in which the Church is not as accessible as we would like. We are developing plans to level the floor and make as much more of the Church fully accessible to all. To aid this we are developing a plan that will be launched in early 2025.

Unfortunately we were unable to reach our goal of employing a new Organist \ Choir Director during 2025. We have been incredibly lucky that Michael Pound has tirelessly continued in this role throughout the whole of 2024. Our heartfelt thanks go to Michael Pound for his continued service to St Mary's. The services would not be the same without your music and we greatly appreciate all you do for us.

The congregation has remained consistent, and we continue to welcome some new faces to our congregation. We do continue to suffer from a lack of volunteers in many areas of the Church and this puts increasing pressure on those that already do a lot. We are thankful for all the work that so many have done over many years, but there are now several jobs which have no volunteers. This will mean that during 2025 some tasks are just not going to be done. For example, until we have volunteers to help, there will be no more cleaning of the brasses around Church with the exception of the candlesticks before major festivals like Easter and Christmas. We do ask that anyone who feels able, to speak to John or Katerina or Fr. Jim about some of the jobs we are looking for help.

Our thanks go to everyone who has helped make 2024 a successful year for our Church, there are too many to name individually.

Reports for the Year 2024

With everyone’s support there are so many possibilities for the year ahead to continue to build the Church and promote more activities.

John and Katerina

Agenda Item 10: Report on Paddock Wood Deanery Synod for 2024

The Paddock Wood Deanery comprises the churches in Brenchley, Capel, Collier Street, Five Oak Green, Hadlow, Horsmonden, East Peckham, Laddingford, Lamberhurst, Matfield, Nettlestead, Paddock Wood, Pembury, Tudeley and Yalding.

For various reasons there was only one meeting in 2024, which took place in November at Lamberhurst.

It was announced that the Rev. Andy Cameron (previously Curate at Lamberhurst) was to become the House-for-Duty priest-in-charge at Brenchley as from 27th November 2024. A similar appointment was being sought for Horsmonden.

The bulk of the meeting was taken up by a presentation from the The Rev’d Wil North, Vicar of Barming and Associate Archdeacon for the Tonbridge Archdeaconry. He gave us some background information and a description of his role. The associate role has arisen because of the increase in workload of the administrative ministry of archdeacons and the need to share this more widely. It would be inappropriate to push this burden onto Area Deans when they already have parish responsibilities.

It was asked what the best approach would be when a parish is anticipating a vacancy. The response was that it is always good to make sure that the parish makes a strong effort to fill the volunteer vacancies that the current incumbent has had to take on, and perhaps not with volunteers that are already doing too much. It is also perhaps one of the reasons why clergy can look to move on when their ministerial and priestly roles are compromised by the other tasks which take up their time.

It is also important to make sure that the parsonage is in good condition so that it is not a barrier to clergy appointments. Incumbent clergy have a role in this. There is always some contention as to how diocesan money is spent, so preventative maintenance is always better and cheaper. Some consideration also needs to be given as to the suitability of parsonages and whether they might need to be replaced with better suited properties.

There is no reserve pot of money for housing, so it is often the case that replacing a parsonage depends on selling first before buying. However, buying and selling houses is not always straightforward.

An additional associate archdeacon will likely be appointed in due course so that there will be two, who can each work part-time.

In respect of other news, the Rev’d Andrew Axon announced that he has resigned as Area Dean as from the end of 2024 and we should have a new Area Dean in place soon. Canon Bryan Knapp is retiring from Paddock Wood in March 2025. The Deanery Secretary is also resigning from his role as of 2025.

Mike Harvey

Reports for the Year 2024

Agenda Item 11: PCC Committee Reports

Fabric Committee

The fabric committee supports the churchwardens in discharging their responsibility for the fabric of the church and develops and implements projects to improve the church building. In 2023 the committee began to develop a long-term plan for improvements. Several projects have been identified, and progress has been made on building them into a plan that will hopefully enable us to attract grant funding given that the costs – estimated at £300,000 – cannot be met from our own resources. Establishing a ‘Friends’ group will be part of the plan.

We investigated installing solar panels but were denied a faculty that would be needed for their installation.

A comprehensive lighting design carried out in 2022 was too expensive to do all at once. A smaller scheme was implemented in January following PCC approval. High-level lights in the nave and chancel, which were failing, obsolete and inefficient, were replaced. The new control system is much more flexible, with several pre-set schemes. Emergency lighting in the nave has also been improved, plus some other items. We look forward to being able to implement the remaining elements of the design at some point, with additional funding. Outside services and events, the new lights should be switched to ‘OFF’, which means that they are activated by sensors at the west and north doors to the nave and turn off after 15 minutes.

The 5-yearly Electrical Inspection took place in January and remedial works carried out over the following couple of months. Biannual PAT testing was completed in December 2023. Usual maintenance was done: boiler service, fire protection inspection and service, organ blower and humidifier servicing, organ tuning, clearing gutters, modifying one of the rainwater hoppers.

Our (delayed) Quinquennial Inspection by a conservation architect took place over two visits, in July and September. The report was issued the end of December. Encouragingly, there is nothing urgent to be dealt with, although there is a list of items to be addressed over the next five years. To be followed up in 2025.

Thanks are due to the committee members, who are: Stephanie Ingham, Anne Hughes, James Menday-Kolozsvári, Richard Hopkinson, Mike Harvey, Martin Massy plus vicar and churchwardens as ex officio members. The committee met on six occasions, normally meeting every other month, between PCC meetings.

Martin Massy, Convenor

Finance Committee

The treasurer is supported by the finance committee, with additional assistance from Duncan Murray (bookkeeper), Gabrielle and David Lear (accounting advice and support throughout the year and particularly for year-end) and John Speed (Gift Aid). Committee members are: Martin Massy, Jim May, Mike Harvey, Richard Hopkinson plus vicar and churchwardens as ex officio members.

A report on the financial situation forms part of the annual report and accounts. The committee met to discuss energy contracts and the 2025 budget, including recommendation on the amount of the parish offer to be made to the diocese (see financial report).

We would like all regular giving to be via the Parish Giving Scheme (PGS); if you are a taxpayer, it would make our administration much easier if you could switch to the scheme. The PGS is a direct debit scheme with the usual DD guarantees. The PGS is secure and reliable – it is part of the

Reports for the Year 2024

National Church – and doesn’t cost us anything. It reduces the amount of time we need to spend on claiming Gift Aid because it does it for us and also reduces the amount of cash we need to handle, which helps since we now have to go to Tunbridge Wells to pay in cash. Registration for the PGS is very straightforward and can be done online, by telephone or by post; forms are available in church. Talk to me, Martin Massy, if you would like more information.

We would also like to encourage people to consider leaving a legacy to St Mary’s in their wills. “To make it easier, the Church of England has partnered with Farewill, the UK’s favourite will writer, to offer a free online will writing service which you can do from the comfort of your home in less than 30 minutes.” Search online for “church of England farewill”.

Thank you to all our donors; without you it would not be possible to fulfil our aim of “promoting in the parish the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical” as well as we would like (see objectives of the PCC in the annual report). Thank you again.

Martin Massy, Convenor and Hon. Treasurer

Social & Fundraising Committee

The Social and Fundraising team delivered a varied programme of events and fundraising activities in 2024. Twenty events ranged from concerts to the now established monthly quizzes, and, of course, events involving food and drink! Together they raised over £4,300.

The single biggest fundraiser of the year was the Christmas raffle, followed by an enjoyable performance to a packed church in December by Theatrical Moves about Charles Dickens and the making of A Christmas Carol.

Another good fund raiser was July’s Mouse Hunt and Strawberry Cream Tea which saw families taking part in the Mouse Hunt through the village and returning for refreshment.

Purely ‘social’ events were the Patronal Festival barbecue with fizz in August on a gloriously sunny day, and a Harvest Supper in church.

As ever, my thanks go to our wonderful team: Kirsty, Sharon, Iris, Lee, John, Katerina and Fr. Jim, and to all who gave their time to help out, cook and bake cakes and turn up to support our events.

Janice Massy, Convenor, Social & Fundraising Committee

Worship Committee

The Worship Committee, comprising the Vicar, a Church Warden, representatives from the choir and servers, and the organist, meets quarterly to review past services and plan ahead. Our role is to reflect on how our worship serves the congregation and to ensure that upcoming services are well-prepared and meaningful. Typically, we work three to six months in advance of the liturgical calendar.

Over the past year, much of our focus has been on reviewing and refining our services. A key development was the introduction of the Easter Vigil Service, which was a great success, offering a powerful and moving start to our Easter celebrations. In contrast, our Blue Christmas Service, intended to provide a space for those struggling during the festive season, was less well attended. However, we remain committed to offering services that meet the diverse spiritual needs of our community and will continue to explore how best to support those for whom Christmas is a difficult time.

Reports for the Year 2024

Looking ahead, alongside our non-Eucharistic services; Mothering Sunday, Pet Blessing, Backpack Blessing, Harvest, and the Toy Service/Teddy Bear Blessing, we are looking at developing a monthly All Age Eucharist.

As always, our aim is to provide worship that is welcoming, spiritually enriching, and reflective of the needs of our congregation.

Fr. Jim

Vicar, St Mary’s Hadlow

Agenda Item 12: Reports from other areas of the Parish

Report from the Anna Chaplain

Coffee mornings continued on 1st and 3rd Friday mornings each month and I started Tea at 3 on the 3rd Sunday afternoon. Both these events are attended by members of the Community as well as Church members. On Thursday mornings I am involved with Hadlow Seniors Pop-in Club.

Holiday at Home was held over two days in September. Father Jim came in uniform to talk about his work as Area Chaplain Southern Area Sea Cadets, which was much enjoyed. In the afternoon a friend came to do card-making with them. The next morning Iris did some flower arranging with them and they all had a flower arrangement to take home with them. In the afternoon we enjoyed Stephanie's lovely garden and refreshments. I am grateful to Julia Hopkinson who helped me plan the event and the volunteers who gave their time and to Christopher Miles who came to say grace on the Tuesday complete with surfboard.

Home Communions and Visits have continued for those who are not able to come to church and I am grateful to Iris, Liz, Carol and Ann who have faithfully supported me in this valuable ministry. I also want to thank Viv Wickham.

I have attended Anna Chaplain hub meetings with other Anna Chaplains and Julia Burton Jones and these have always been a time of support for us. Julia is always a great support and encourager.

Jenny Hopkins

Hadlow Bell Ringers

Report for 2025 APCM – covering the year 2024

The Hadlow band managed to ring for all Sunday services throughout the past year and are grateful to some ringers – particularly from Tonbridge – who help with Sunday ringing and attend practices to enable some more advanced methods to be rung. Our newer ringers are progressing well and now take an active part in Sunday ringing.

Ringing at Hadlow is to a good standard and in September the band represented Tonbridge District in the Kent county 6-bell striking competition, where we came second.

For most of the year there has been no Tower Captain in charge of the band, so we were very grateful that, at our Annual General Meeting in November, Ray Taylor agreed to take on the role. He now runs the weekly practices, and Stan Jenner runs the Sunday service ringing.

The band enjoys some social occasions: in March 2024 we had our annual Bell Ringers Dinner and in July, an outing to ring at towers in the north Kent area.

Reports for the Year 2024

Our huge thanks in particular to Ray, Stan and Deputy Tower Captain Howard Rogers for leading our ringing, and also to all who turn up for Sunday ringing and Wednesday practices.

Janice Massy, Secretary

Café Plus

It has been another busy year for Cafe Plus. We have an average of ten participants per session, enjoying various activities, trips and participating in events organised by the church and others.

We have continued to make blankets, which have been distributed to the Food Bank and other local groups. We have also continued to fundraise and have raised £350 for the Hadlow Food Bank, and £172 each for Hospice in the Weald and Crossroads, by selling our crafts and through voluntary contributions.

With the funding from Involve Kent we have been able to go on various visits. Penshurst Place, Craft Fair, a day at the seaside at Dymchurch and to participate in The Big Knit at Rochester Cathedral, hiring the village minibus to get us there.

We have also put on two lunches in May and December, which were also open to the Senior Coffee participants and other senior members of the village.

Our craft activities have included a lace-making demonstration, given by a member of the LaceMakers Guild, making Dickensian Mice for Fr. Jim’s Mouse Hunt and Cream Tea event, and making a poppy curtain and Unknown Soldier for Remembrance. We have also had card-making and angel-making workshops as well as a Knit in the Open Air afternoon at Mote Park.

We continue to raise money for charity and plan for future events involving Tonbridge Adult Education to bring us even more expertise and variety. We have certainly benefitted from Involve Kent funding and wish them well in their future endeavours.

Sally Bentham

Hadlow Carers Together Group

As part of the ongoing surveys I was required to complete with participants of the Cafe Plus, Senior Coffee and Knit and Natter groups for Involve Kent funding, (and through informal conversations I had in the wider community), I became aware of a number of people who were caring for adult family members with little or no support and/or respite.

As Vanessa Bird and I both have experience with being carers in those circumstances, we felt that an informal group to offer support and signpost services in the community might be of benefit. In discussion with Involve Kent, Fr Jim and members of PCC, Vanessa Bird and I, with the Anna Chaplaincy support of Jenny Hopkins and Iris Shaw, launched the group initially monthly on the 2[nd] Mondays 1.30-3 pm in June.

We have 7/8 participants who have varied abilities to attend the sessions, such is the nature of being a carer. On reflection, and in consultation, we expanded the session to the 4[th] Fridays 10.3011.30 in January, to give greater flexibility.

Feedback from three of the participants:

“ I have found it interesting and helpful to get to know other carers and hear of their varying difficulties and ways of dealing with them. The input of the leaders in discussions is always helpful

Reports for the Year 2024

and often illuminating. As the group is growing it is giving an insight into more varied experiences of members.”

“I feel the group provides essential support both moral and practical to carers – Especially in my case as I have no other family members to share the caring and am juggling this with full time work. My husband doesn’t drive so it’s especially worrying when I am in London for work and he needs to get to a doctor or out of the house as he is limited to using his walking aid. The group provides tremendous moral support in the face of the challenges and stresses we each have as carers, as well as the essential pointers on how to find material help – through Involve or otherwise eg finding a local carer to help out, finding someone to help out getting your loved one to an appointment etc.”

“ Have found support and useful advice. As the group grows and gets know each other I am sure it will be a great help. The experience of the leaders is a tremendous asset.”

We aim to be led by the carers in facilitating activities that will be helpful in the future.

Sally Bentham March 2025

Church Brass Cleaning

For years Linda and Carole diligently cleaned the brass every few months and our thanks goes out to them for all they have done. However in December both Linda and Carole have stepped down from the rota which leaves no one to clean the brass work. We will continue to clean the candles 3 times a year for key festivals, but other brass work will remain uncleaned until such time as someone else volunteers. If anyone would be willing to take on cleaning the brass just once or twice a year, then please speak to one of the church wardens.

John Speed Church Warden

Church Cleaning

We still have a small but very loyal band of cleaners who keep the church looking good and welcoming. More offers of help would be much appreciated especially as some of us are not as young as we would like to think we are! Ann

Ann Jenner

Coffee Pots and Tiny Tots

This year, we have continued to welcome mums, dads, grandparents, babies and children on Wednesday mornings from 10.30 – 12 noon. We aim to provide a safe environment where parents and other carers can meet informally while their babies and small children play. Tea, coffee and biscuits are provided for a small donation. Every week, there is a simple craft activity and we finish with a music session of action songs and musical instruments. Many of the families who attend make firm friendships which benefit both adults and children and extend beyond the weekly meetings in church.

In the summer, a group of families returned to visit us one Wednesday. Their oldest children were about to start secondary school. The friendships the families had made a decade ago at CPTT were flourishing. They sent us a card.

‘Thank you so much for everything you do to support local families. As new parents we were vulnerable and each sought a small piece of sanity and acceptance. Coffee Pots gave us this and introduced us to each other. You supported us and changed our children’s futures. You gave us the ‘village’ to raise our children. The impact you have had on us is immeasurable.’

Reports for the Year 2024

The group is run by a group of volunteers including Cathy Brill, Carole James, Jim and Pippa May, Val Newell and Jem Spalding. Thanks also to Father Christmas who came to distribute presents at our annual party, and to the team of volunteers who move chairs and prepare the space on Tuesday evenings.

Cathy Brill

The Delhi Brotherhood Society

St Mary's has supported the Delhi Brotherhood Society (DBS) for well over thirty years through annual donations. The DBS was formally established in 1973 as a Christian charitable society to “help without distinction of nationality, caste, creed or religion, persons who stand in need of aid”. However, the Brotherhood of the Ascended Christ, from which the DBS takes its name and ethos, has worked tirelessly for the betterment of the city and India as a whole since its establishment in 1877. Today, DBS ministers to the poor and marginalised across Delhi whatever their religion and operates many projects such as women's empowerment, education (primary and secondary schools, after-school club), vocational training, abuse prevention, an old people’s home, etc. DBS has recently completed an ambitious project to build the new St Stephen Cambridge Senior Secondary School for 4,000(!) students in in Sonipat Village, Haryana, which opened in 2024. We were visited in July by the head of the DBS, Fr. Monodeep Daniel and the Reverend Samuel Shekhar (Chaplain at St Stephens College, Delhi University).

Martin Massy

Flowers

Thank you to all our lovely flower ladies for their beautiful arrangements throughout the year. Thak you to Carole Waters, who has been on our flower rota for many years and has now moved out of Hadlow. Thank you to the two ladies who are to join us. Thank you to our generous congregation who help with our finances. Many thank yous; a real team effort.

Carol Wickham

Food Bank

The Hadlow Foodbank, run by St Mary’s, serves on average 6-7 people every week, opening on Thursday mornings. We have been generously supported by grants from Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council as well as many individual donations, for which we are very grateful.

We are also very grateful to and would like to thank all our volunteers. Iris Shaw leads food purchasing, with cash donations preferred generally to food to ensure that a balanced and full selection of foods and toiletries are available. Iris is supported by Marilyn and Keith, Julia, Linda, Sharon, Bob and Jackie, Pauline and David.

Martin Massy

Hadlow-Kibakwe Parish Link

Communications with Kibakwe and Mpwapwa have improved, helped by the appointment of a Pastor to Kibakwe who speaks English and greater contact with the Mpwapwa Diocesan Link coordinator. We were fortunate to meet the newly installed Bishop of Mpwapwa, Bishop Luzineth, on several occasions during his visit to the UK to attend the Conference for New Bishops at Canterbury. A result of these meetings is that we are planning to visit Kibakwe in July 2025.

Jim May

Reports for the Year 2024

St Mary’s Hospital Car Service

During 2024 we completed 391 journeys, which was the same as in 2023 with 302 in 2022 on behalf of 69 ‘clients’ (64 in 2023). This equates to about 7½ appointments per week in 2024, so demand for the service is certainly not diminishing.

We had just 8 active drivers last year (10 in 2023), although most journeys were done by just 4 of us. However, it goes without saying that without all our volunteer drivers this highly valued service could not exist and I am extremely grateful to them all for their efforts on behalf of the local community. The drivers in 2024 were, in alphabetical order: Marie Dawes, David Gater, Ann Jenner, Jim May, Linda Moore, Duncan Murray, John Pierce and myself.

Whilst we still manage to cope with the demand for hospital trips, we really do need additional drivers. If you are interested in giving up a little of your time between 8.30 am and 5.30 pm on weekdays, please do speak to me at church or call me on either 01732 851881 or 07464 548448. It really is not onerous but is extremely rewarding (spiritually if not financially). An enhanced DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service) check would be required, undertaken by St Mary’s church.

Mike Harvey

Messy Church

Messy Church provides a different way of worship for church members and an exciting outreach opportunity. Every craft activity is linked to a theme from a Bible story. We finish with a short act of worship followed by a simple shared meal. All ages are welcome. This year more than twenty children and families joined us to celebrate a very successful Messy Christmas, Messy Easter and a session exploring the creation story. Although these sessions are run by a small team of regular volunteers, everyone from the congregation is invited to attend and experience this new way of exploring the Bible.

Cathy Brill

Music

The choir continues to be a small but dedicated group of singers. Unfortunately, Mavis and Pippa have had to retire on health grounds and so have halved the number of altos, although both still attend St Mary's on most Sundays. So the need for more singers is even more pressing if the good standard of singing is to continue. And the choir members are not exactly in the 'first flush of youth'. We continue to go to the Rose Revived after Friday practice for a social chat.

Since the departure of Francis, Michael has borne the major burden of playing and rehearsing the choir with the occasional help from Sharon and Michael Alexander. Plans for advertising for a replacement are under way, although the feeling in the church music world is that regular players are not easy to come by.

Michael Pound, organist.

Welcomers Report

During 2024 the Sidespeople were renamed to be Welcomers. This is part of a mission to make visitors to our Church feel as welcome as possible. What we were doing was not bad, but we want to do more. Fr. Jim led the Welcomers team in some training and our hope is to try and develop this further over the coming year. We have seen a few new people joining the Welcomer's team, but we would always 'welcome' some more hands. If you were able to just support the team with 45 minutes a month (30 minutes before

Reports for the Year 2024

Church and 15 minutes after) then we would love to have you. Please speak to one of the Church Warden.

My thanks go to all those who are part of the team, you make our jobs as Church Wardens much easier by knowing we can count on you to welcome everyone who comes in the door and make sure they have what they need for service.

John Speed, Church Warden

Village Newsletter

The Hadlow newsletter keeps residents informed of church events, parish council news and the activities of local organisations. Every month except August the newsletter is compiled by Lesley Bright and 1400 copies printed by Janice Massy. We can be proud to have a great team working to keep everyone in Hadlow connected with church as well as local news and events.

Many thanks go to the longstanding volunteers Anne Hughes, Carol Wickham, Carol Bramham and Sylvia Bush and the small team of newsletter folders (who meet in the church on the last Thursday morning of each month) as well as the 35 volunteers delivering them to their neighbourhoods.

Some of the outlying areas of Hadlow, like North Frith Park are not covered in the distribution, and some areas of the Parish receive the newsletter via email, kindly distributed by Anne Waddingham in Golden Green and others.

Hildegard Pax.

Agenda Item 13: Vicar’s Reflections

As we reflect on the past year at St Mary’s Hadlow, I am deeply grateful for the many ways in which our church community continues to grow in faith, service, and fellowship.

One of the most encouraging developments has been our growing work with children and young families. We have introduced more non-Eucharistic family services, providing accessible and engaging worship for younger members of our congregation. Our connections with Hadlow Primary School remain strong through regular assemblies, and we continue to build meaningful relationships with Hadlow Rural School and Hadlow College. This year, we also held our first-ever Pet Blessing Service, which was a great success, and continued the now-established tradition of blessing backpacks at the start of the school year.

It has been a joy to see four members of our church take the next step in their faith journey through confirmation. We pray for them as they continue to grow in their relationship with God.

Alongside our worship and ministry, our social activities have increased, providing more opportunities for fellowship and strengthening our bonds as a church family. None of this would be possible without the tireless work of our volunteers, whose dedication is a true blessing. Our church is also ably guided by the committed members of the Parochial Church Council, whose wisdom and leadership help to sustain and shape our mission.

However, we do face challenges, particularly in our finances. While I know that many give sacrificially, I urge everyone to prayerfully consider their giving, so that we can continue our ministry and maintain our beautiful church for generations to come.

Reports for the Year 2024

Please continue to pray for all those involved in running St Mary’s, and for new people to join us in worship and service. May we remain faithful in our calling to be Christ’s hands and heart in this community.

Love and prayers

Fr. Jim.

ST MARY’S CHURCH HADLOW

Annual Report and Financial Statements of the Parochial Church Council

For the

Year Ended 31 December 2024

Incumbent: The Reverend Jim Horton

Churchwardens: John Speed, Katerina Plucknett-Nixon

Independent Examiner: Jason Foxwell, FCCA, FCIE

Charity name: The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St.Mary, Hadlow (St Mary’s, Hadlow)

Charity registration number: 1170577

Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024 for PCC of St. Mary’s, Hadlow

ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

St Mary’s Church is situated in Church Street, Hadlow, Kent. The ecclesiastical parish includes the villages of Hadlow and Golden Green and is part of the Paddock Wood deanery and the diocese of Rochester. The correspondence address is The Vicarage, Maidstone Road, Hadlow, Kent TN11 0DJ.

The Parochial Church Council (PCC) is a corporate body established by the Church of England, and was registered with the Charity Commission as a charity in December 2016 under the title “The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St. Mary, Hadlow (St Mary’s, Hadlow)”, Charity Number 1170577. The Trustees are the PCC members.

Nine representatives of the laity were elected or re-elected at the 2023 APCM. Lots were drawn to decide who was to retire in 2024, who in 2025 and who in 2026 in order to have one-third of members retire in each subsequent year (Rule M16(5) of the Church Representation Rules 2023).

Members of the PCC are either ex-officio or elected by the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) in accordance with the Church Representation Rules. PCC members for 2023 are listed below.

PCC members normally serve for three years – the terms of elected members are shown below in brackets – and afterwards may stand for re-election. Churchwardens are elected each year and may serve a maximum six consecutive terms of office.

PCC members

Incumbent and Chairman Fr. Jim Horton *

Churchwardens Katerina Plucknett-Nixon (2023 – 25) * John Speed (2020 – 2025) *

Elected Deanery Synod Representatives

Mike Harvey (2022 – 2025)

Elected representatives of the laity

Cathy Brill (2021 – 2027) re-elected 2024 Nicola C (2018 – 2026) * Kirsty Finch (2020 – 2025) Joycelyn Gage (2023 – 2026) Jenny Hopkins (2020 – 2025) * Richard Hopkinson (2020 – 2027) re-elected 2024 * Janice Massy (2020 – 2026) Martin Massy (2020 – 2027) re-elected 2024 * Jim May (2023 – 2026) Lea Menday-Kolozsvari (2022 – 2024) resigned 2024 Iris Shaw (2022 – 2025) Sharon Vanns (2023 – 2027) re-elected 2024 Honorary Treasurer Martin Massy (2019 to date) * PCC Secretary Richard Hopkinson (2024 to date) *

Members of the Standing Committee
18 -

Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024 for PCC of St. Mary’s, Hadlow

PCC STRUCTURE, MANAGEMENT AND GOVERNANCE

The church is governed by the Parochial Church Council (PCC). The PCC operates under the Parochial Church Councils (Powers) Measure 1956 as amended – which sets out the general functions of the PCC – and the model rules set out in the Church Representation Rules 2023.

The PCC comprises the “officials” of the parish (Incumbent, Curate, Churchwardens, Treasurer, Secretary), two elected representatives to the Deanery Synod and 12 members elected to represent the interests of church members (the laity; the Treasurer and Secretary may also be elected representatives of the laity).

The PCC normally operates through regular, bi-monthly meetings of the full PCC, supported by committees that meet regularly throughout the year, whose terms of reference are set out below. The committees provide a written report to the PCC after each meeting. The committees always have at least one PCC member, but also depend very much on the help of other members of the congregation. PCC members are strongly encouraged to join one or more of the committees. Reports by the Convenors of these committees, giving fuller details of their activities during the year, can be found in the separate APCM booklet.

A Standing Committee, comprising the Incumbent, Churchwardens and at least two nominated representatives of the PCC, meets when necessary in between meetings of the full PCC.

Standing Committee

The powers of the Standing Committee are defined in the Church Representation Rules: “The standing committee may transact the PCC’s business between meetings of the PCC; but may not discharge a duty of the PCC and may not exercise a power of the PCC which requires the passing of a resolution by the PCC.”

Communications Committee

The Communications Committee will facilitate open communication between the Church, Clergy, the Congregation and the wider community. The committee will be responsible for the advertising of Church services and events. This will be done by; maintaining a variety of communication tools in order to publicise and promote St Mary’s services, events and activities to a diverse audience both within the church and within the neighbouring community. The

Communications Committee consists of the Vicar, the Assistant Curate (as and when one is in post) a Churchwarden, the Administrator, members appointed by the PCC and coopted members as deemed necessary.

Fabric Committee

Supports the churchwardens in the discharge of their legal responsibilities relating to the maintenance and insurance of church fabric and in respect of any necessary faculty applications. Monitors the condition of the church and churchyard and arranges repairs and works as necessary; liaises with the civil parish council on the maintenance of the closed churchyard as required and similarly with the relevant diocesan committees.

Finance Committee

Supports the Treasurer in the preparation of the annual budget, monitors financial progress throughout the year, including gift aided giving, and advises the PCC on finance policy and the best use of the parish’s financial resources.

19 -

Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024 for PCC of St. Mary’s, Hadlow

Social and Fundraising Committee

This committee oversees the fund-raising events and some of the social activities held during the year. It initiates and organises fund-raising activities to help increase income for the church, but also to foster a closer relationship between the church and the parish as a whole. The social activities help to promote cohesion and a sense of community among church members.

Worship Committee

The Worship Committee is responsible for planning and reviewing the liturgy and assisting the Vicar with liturgical decisions including music. The Committee consists of the Vicar, the Assistant Curate (as and when one is in post) a Churchwarden, the Organist/Director of Music, a choir representative, a server representative, and members appointed by the PCC.

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

The objectives of the PCC are set out in The Parochial Church Council (Powers) Measure 1956, which defines the functions and powers of a PCC. Under the amended Measure, the principal purpose of the PCC is “promoting in the parish the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical.”

St Mary’s PCC therefore shares with the Incumbent the responsibility for:

(a) the promotion of the whole mission of the church – pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical - within the ecclesiastical parish of Hadlow,
(b) the efficient administration of the parish and its funds. The PCC is responsible for funding the maintenance and repair of the parish church.

The main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit are the celebration of religious services throughout the year and provision of services to the community through ministry and communal activities such as Coffee Pots & Tiny Tots and Café Plus (see section on Community on p.6). We rely heavily on volunteers to support and carry out activities.

The PCC has considered the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit and believes the guidelines have been met as the activities of the church are open to the public at large and are for public benefit.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

St Mary’s is known as a vibrant, active and welcoming church, serving members from round about as well as the local parish. Every PCC meeting begins and ends in prayer and our faith underpins all we do. St Mary’s continues to flourish, despite facing challenges of an ageing congregation gradually declining in numbers, and holds regular services throughout the year. Events organised by St Mary’s in church and around the village help bring the local community together.

Church Attendance 2024

The Electoral Roll was revised in 2024, recording a roll 112. We would like to record our thanks to David Lear for once again acting as Electoral Roll Officer.

Around five people continue to follow services via Zoom. Sunday attendance in person averaged 59, although this was swelled by special, non-Eucharistic services such as Teddy Bear service, Backpack Blessing and Harvest Festival, and school services with a total of 480 attending from

20 -

Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024 for PCC of St. Mary’s, Hadlow

either the college or the primary school including 333 young persons. In addition Carols in the Square, our annual event was a huge success with approximately 300 people attending including many children and young persons.

Review of the Year

GOVERNANCE : Fr. Jim Horton has been our vicar since his installation on 23 November 2022.

The full Parochial Church Council (PCC) met six times during the year – January, March, May, July, September and October – and the Standing Committee met once, in February. The 2023 Annual Parochial Church Meeting took place in church (with additional participation online) after the Sunday service on the 24th April 2024.

Committees: Reports on their activities are included in the separate APCM booklet.

SAFEGUARDING: The safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults is a high priority at St Mary’s. We are working to promote a safe culture for all members of the congregation. The PCC have adopted a safeguarding policy in line with the House of Bishops ‘Promoting a Safer Church’.

Cathy Brill is our Parish Safeguarding Officer and a member of the PCC. Safeguarding is a standing item on the PCC agenda. Cathy has completed courses on Safeguarding Induction, and Safer Recruitment and People Management. She regularly joins Zoom meetings with the Rochester Diocesan Safeguarding team, who provide valuable support and information. Volunteers continue to complete national Church of England safeguarding training courses online as required.

We will continue to use the Parish Safeguarding Dashboard Scheme, which provides a profile and checklist of areas for compliance and development.

Cathy Brill

WORSHIP : Regular services are held on Sundays at 10am. These are live streamed (audio plus presentation of the order of service, which enables people who are otherwise unable or unwilling to attend in person to participate). Other regular services comprise morning prayer Tuesday to Thursday, Holy Communion on Wednesday mornings, Compline on Thursday evenings and Messy Church on some Sunday afternoons. Special services helped attract more children: Backpack Blessing (3 Sep, 10 children), Harvest Festival (1 Oct, 37 children), Teddy Bear service (3 Dec) and the Crib service on Christmas Eve (25 children). Attendance at Harvest Festival and Remembrance Sunday is boosted by the “uniformed organisations”, e.g. Scouts.

COMMUNITY : The church is open to visitors every day, normally between about 10am and 3pm.

Coffee Pots and Tiny Tots (CPTT) is held every Wednesday morning 10.30 – 12 noon, where parents and other carers can meet socially while their babies and pre-school children play. CPTT is run by a dedicated team of volunteers from within the church and local community.

We are fortunate in having Jenny Hopkins as our Anna Chaplain. Anna Chaplaincy supports older people emotionally and spiritually. Jenny leads Friday coffee mornings for seniors on the first and third Friday mornings each month, Tea@3 for seniors on the third Sunday afternoon of each month, as well as Holiday at Home over two days in August or September. She also coordinates home visits and home communions.

Café Plus meets on the second and fourth Wednesday afternoons each month for craft activities and a chance to socialise, plus excursions, e.g., to the seaside. We are lucky and very grateful to have Sally Bentham leading activities and to Involve Kent for generous financial support (£3,000). Future funding post-March 2025 is looking unlikely as KCC looks for savings in its budget.

21 -

Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024 for PCC of St. Mary’s, Hadlow

The food bank is open on Thursday mornings and each week gives food bags to around six to seven people on average. It is staffed by volunteers and run by Iris Shaw; many thanks to all (see p.13 for more information). We are also very grateful for financial support for the food bank from Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council.

Events help to raise funds for the church and also attract many members of the local community. Events during 2024 included concerts Quizzes, cream tea in the churchyard. Carols in The Square on Christmas Eve, organised by St Mary’s, was enjoyed by several hundred people and raised over £800, which was shared equally between St Mary’s and Macmillan Cancer Support.

The Hospital Car Service run by St Mary’s helped 391 people to attend appointments, a wonderful effort (see p.14).

St Mary’s hosted carol services for local schools – Hadlow College and Hadlow Primary School with over 330 students teachers and children attending.

We sent a donation of £880 to help our friends at the Delhi Brotherhood Society (DBS) in Delhi, India, which St Mary’s has supported for over 30 years (further information in the DBS report on p.12). Fr. Monodeep Daniel, who is head of the Brotherhood, and Rev’d Samuel spent three days with us in July; it was good to see them. We were unable to visit our link parish in Kibakwe, Tanzania in 2024 and maintaining contact is challenging owing to changes in personnel and language difficulties (see Kibakwe link report on p.13).

STEWARDSHIP: We are fortunate to have the support of church members in the spirit of generous giving to thank a generous God from whom all things come.

THANKS : We thank all members of the Ministry team, Fr. Jim as vicar, Jenny as Anna Chaplain, and the Rev’d Christopher Miles, who is always ready to help by presiding and preaching or carrying out practical maintenance tasks (especially relating to lightning protection!).

We are lucky to have John and Katerina as our churchwardens, who support the vicar admirably – we thank them for all that they are doing. We also thank all those others who help keep the show on the road in so many ways and are grateful for the support of many volunteers who help with all the activities, although we could always use more!

Richard Hopkinson, PCC Secretary

22 -

Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024 for PCC of St. Mary’s, Hadlow

Financial Review

This financial review concerns the unrestricted funds; the Statement of Financial Activities on p.27 and the Notes to the Accounts provide information about restricted funds, whose use is restricted to the purposes of the fund (see Notes 1.2 and 0). Unrestricted funds comprise the General Church Fund plus designated funds that represent monies set aside by the PCC for specific purposes such as church repairs. Annual results are shown in the Statement of Financial Activities and Balance Sheet on pp. 27 and 28, with further breakdown of income and expenditure for unrestricted and restricted funds at the end of this report (p. 36 et seq.).

The financial results for 2024 show an overall surplus of £11,499 (£7,849 in 2023), enabled by a lower contribution to the Diocese of Rochester than the requested “indicative offer”. The indicative offer is calculated by the diocese to cover the cost of ministry (clergy stipends, pensions, housing, etc.), provision of diocesan services and mission in the diocese. Aside from fundraising, we are only able to “balance the books” through the annual budget process and calculating what we can afford to give to the diocese as our parish offer. For 2024 we were only able to budget for £37,800, £29,373 short of the £67,173 requested, a 44% shortfall.

£13,952 of the available reserves was used to fund the lighting project, leaving a £23,317 balance in the unrestricted General Church Fund at the end of 2024, £4,128 more than at the end of 2023. These “free reserves” exceed our revised reserve policy level by £5,317. However, we have budgeted to use around £4,000 of that balance in order to increase our parish offer in 2025.

Designated funds hold a total of £30,101, including £17,281 set aside in the Church Repair Fund, £5,000 for Projects and £4,897 from funding received from Involve Kent over the last two years to support the provision of wellbeing services through Café Plus, Seniors’ Coffee, Hadlow Carers Together and the village library’s Knit & Natter group (see Note 0 on p.34).

Total unrestricted income in 2024 was £81,269, 10% less than 2023 (£89,910). 84% of our income came from voluntary giving and Gift Aid. Like many other churches, St Mary’s faces a continuing slow decline in numbers and hence in voluntary giving, which was £4,078 less than in 2023 (see p.21). Fundraising events raised £3,903 net of costs, £2,967 less than in 2023.

Total unrestricted expenditure was 15% lower at £69,770 (£82,061 in 2023), the big difference being a £10,200 lower parish offer. We spent £949 more on maintenance of the church and organ, mostly following on from the Electrical Inspection Condition Report. But we spent £2,698 less on administration. Our energy costs more than doubled compared with 2023 as our pre-pandemic contracts expired, ending£2,164 higher.

Gift Aid is a valuable source of income, providing 17% of the 2024 total. Many thanks to the 31 people who had joined the Parish Giving Scheme (PGS) by the end of the year (just three more than 2023). The PGS collects Gift Aid on our behalf every month, which reduces our administrative burden and improves cashflow. The PGS is a direct debit scheme, owned by the Church of England, with the same DD guarantee as banks and other organisations. Could all taxpayers please use the PGS in preference to other ways of giving (N.B., they can also accept one-off donations).

We are very grateful to the many loyal church members who support St Mary’s so generously. Thanks are also due to the finance team – David & Gabrielle Lear, Duncan Murray, John Speed – for their kind assistance over many hours.

Martin Massy, Hon. Treasurer

23 -

Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024 for PCC of St. Mary’s, Hadlow

Reserves Policy

The PCC updated the reserves policy in September, agreeing a level of free reserves for 2025 of £18,000 to cover the possibility of higher costs and lower income from various causes. Additional reserves include the Church Repair Fund, a Designated Fund that holds £17,281, for larger repairs resulting from, for example, a quinquennial inspection (a QI took place in 2024 and we and the diocese will assess the likely cost and urgency of repairs) and a designated fund for Current Projects, which holds £5,000. Designated Funds, although a class of unrestricted fund, are intended by the PCC for specific purposes and do not form part of the free reserves (see Charity Commission guidance CC19).

The PCC aims to review the reserves policy annually and to take steps aimed at maintaining the free reserves as necessary to the level indicated by the review.

Risk Management

There are a number of risks to which the PCC is exposed at any time in respect of (a) safeguarding, (b) health and safety, (c) buildings and other issues. The PCC continues to assess risks through regular review and takes appropriate steps to deal with or lessen any risks that come to light.

Safeguarding: The PCC complies with its duty under section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016 to have due regard to House of Bishops’ guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. A volunteer acts as Parish Safeguarding Officer, monitoring the level of safeguarding training needed and undertaken and acting as point of contact for any safeguarding issues. The PCC renews its commitment to safeguarding annually.

Health & safety: Risk assessments are carried out for new activities and reviewed for current activities. Recommendations made to mitigate risks identified by each risk assessment are then implemented.

Fabric: Risk to the fabric of the building is mitigated by insurance for the church building (with Ecclesiastical Insurance) plus electrical, lightning protection and other testing carried out at recommended intervals and quinquennial inspections by a conservation architect.

PCC Financial Responsibilities

Individual members of the PCC are charitable trustees and have a duty to comply with charity law. Each year, at the first meeting after the APCM, each member of the PCC signs a document to record their understanding of their responsibilities.

Charity law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year that give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and its financial activities for that period.

In preparing those financial statements the Trustees are required to:

select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

state whether the policies adopted are in accordance with applicable accounting standards, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;

prepare financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to assume that the charity will continue in business.

24 -

Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024 for PCC of St. Mary’s, Hadlow

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity and to enable them to ensure reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act. They are also responsible for that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud or other irregularities. and detection of fraud or other irregularities.

The PCC adopted this Report and Accounts on 17 March 2025. The PCC adopted this Report and Accounts on 17 March 2025. Signed on behalf of the PCC Signed on behalf of the PCC Fe pieAnalene! Steer| VSSpee

The Reverend Jim Horton, Vicar The Reverend

25 -

Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024 for PCC of St. Mary’s, Hadlow

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE PCC OF ST MARY’S CHURCH HADLOW FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

This Report on the financial statements of The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St. Mary, Hadlow (PCC of St Mary’s, Hadlow, charity number 1170577) for the year ended 31 December 2024, as set out on the following pages, is in respect of an examination carried out in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 (“the Regulations”) and S145 of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).

Respective Responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner

As the members of the PCC you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements; you consider that the audit requirement of the Regulations and S145 of the Act does not apply. It is my responsibility to issue this Report on those financial statements in accordance with the terms of the Regulations.

Basis of Independent Examiner’s Report

My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission under S145 of the Act, and to be found in the Church guidance, 2006 edition. That examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the PCC and a comparison of the accounts with those records. It also includes considering any unusual items or disclosures in the financial statements and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.

Independent Examiner’s Statement Independent Examiner’s Statement

In connection with my examination I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention: In connection with my examination | confirm that no material matters have come to my attention:

i. i. | which which give me cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements give me cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements
to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Act; and = to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Act; and
to prepare financial statements that accord with the accounting records and comply with the = — to prepare financial statements that accord with the accounting records and comply with requirements of the Act and the Regulations, the requirements of the Act and the Regulations,

have not been met; have not been met;

or or

ii. ii. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

...................................................... Dated: .............................. 2025 free Dated: 21 March 2025 Jason Foxwell, FCCA, FCIE Jason Foxwell, FCCA, FCIE

Chartered Certified Accountant and Fellow of the Association of Charity Independent Examiners

PO Box 9846,

Poole,

BH15 9JZ

26 -

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES, 1 JAN 2024 TO 31 DEC 2024


01-Jan-24 –31-Dec-24
Unrestricted Funds £ 68,205 526 2,580 3,903 807 4,128 1,120 81,269 - 1,434 302 53,209 8,849 4,856 1,120 69,770 11,499 (13,952) (2,453) 55,871 53,418	Restricted Funds £ - 8,384 - - 180 - - 8,564 2,152 2,864 - 96 - 16,462 - 21,574 (13,010) 13,952 942 28,053 28,995	Total Funds £ 68,205 8,910 2,580 3,903 987 4,128 1,120
		89,833
		2,152 4,298 302 53,305 8,849 21,318 1,120
		91,344
		(1,511) -
		(1,511) 83,924
		82,413

Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024 for PCC of St. Mary’s, Hadlow

BALANCE SHEET AT 31 DECEMBER 2024

==> picture [391 x 559] intentionally omitted <==

----- Start of picture text -----
||||||||||||||| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |31-Dec-23|31-Dec-23|31-Dec-24|31-Dec-24|31-Dec-24|31-Dec-24|31-Dec-24|31-Dec-24| |£|Note|£|Note|ASSETS|ASSETS AND LIABILITIES|AND|LIABILITIES|£|£|£|£|£|£| |Investments|Investments| |7,867|7,867|8|8|CBF|CBF Investment Fund|Investment Fund|8,047|8,047| |CU|RRENT|CURRENT ASSETS|ASSETS"| |Debtors|Debtors| |21,892|21,892|4|4|Debtors|Debtors|18,307|18,307| |Diocesan|Diocesan Church Repair Fund|Church|Repair|Fund| |13,960|13,960|6|6|Church|Church Repair Fund Savings Acc|Repair|Fund|Savings|Acc|14,663|14,663| |=|-|Cash|Cash At Bank and In Hand|At|Bank and|In|Hand| |6,207.|6,207|7|7|General|General Current Account|Current Account|6,370|6,370| |33,490|33,490|7|7|FWOCurrent|FWO Current Account|Account|29,590|29,590| |2,354|2,354|7|7|Young|Young People’s Work Current A/C|People’s Work Current A/C|2,473|2,473| |71173,|7,173|7|~~|7|Caprtal|Capital Reserve Account|Reserve Account|73277|7,277| |2|-|Rochester|Rochester Diocese Deposit A/C|Diocese|Deposit A/C|z|-| |125|HyperJar Account|125| |125|HyperJar Account|125| |80|80|Petty|Petty Cash in Hand|Cash|in|Hand|100|100| |63,389|Total|Cash|at|Bank and|In|Hand|60,598| |63,389|Total Cash at Bank and In Hand|60,598| |85,281|Total|Current Assets|78,905| |85,281|Total Current Assets|78,905| |CURRENT|LIABILITIES| |CURRENT LIABILITIES| |Cr|editors|Due Within|One|Year| |Creditors Due Within One Year| |(9,224)|(9,224)|§|5|Sundry|Sundry creditors|creditors|(4,539)|(4,539)| |76,057|NET CURRENT ASSETS/LIABILITIES|74,366| |76,057|NET CURRENT ASSETS/LIABILITIES|74,366| |83,924|TOTAL NET ASSETS|82,413| |83,924|TOTAL NET ASSETS|82,413| |REPRESENTED|BY|FUNDS| |REPRESENTED BY FUNDS| |9|Unrestricted|Funds| |19,189|9|General|Unrestricted Funds|Church|Fund|23,317| |19,189|General Church Fund|23,317| |2,925|Young|People’s Work|2,908| |2,925|Young People’s Work|2,908| |16,474|Church|Repair Fund|17,281| |16,474|Church Repair Fund|17,281| |3,331|Involve|Kent|4,897| |3,331|Involve Kent|4,897| |J|Away Giving|15| |-|Away Giving|15| |13,952|Current|Projects|5,000| |55,871|13,952|Total|Current Projects|Unrestricted|Funds|5,000|53,418| |55,871|Total Unrestricted Funds|53,418| |10|Restricted|Funds| |808|10|Away|Restricted Funds|Giving|(Restricted)|808| |806|808|Choir|Away Giving (Restricted)|Fund|799|808| |7,867|806|Chancel|Choir Fund|Emergency|Fund|8,047|709| |12,276|7,867|Church|Chancel Emergency Fund|Improvements|10,617|8,047| |12,276|822|Beacon|Church Improvements|822|10,617| |1,900|822|Kibakwe|Beacon|1,900|822| |1,012|1,900|Delhi|Kibakwe|Brotherhood|1,132|1,900| |261|1,012|Anna|Delhi Brotherhood|Chaplaincy|261|1,132| |2,301|261|Food|Anna Chaplaincy|Bank|4,699|261| |28,053|2,301|Total|Food Bank|Restricted|Funds|4,699|28,995| |28,053|Total Restricted Funds|28,995| |83,924|TOTAL FUNDS|_|[82,413]| |83,924|(See|TOTAL FUNDS|notes on|following pages)|82,413|

----- End of picture text -----

(See notes on following pages)

The PCC approved these accounts on 17 March 2025. Signed on behalf of the PCC Signed of wi the PCC f ……………………………………………… ……………………………………………… The<= The Reverend Jim Horton Jim Horton Martin Martin Massy, Hon. Treasurer Massy, Hon. Tikes} rer

28 -

Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024 for PCC of St. Mary’s, Hadlow

Notes to the Accounts and the Accounting Policies for the year ended 31 December 2024

Accounting Policies

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 together with applicable accounting standards and the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP): Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the financial reporting standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) issued January 2022 and with the Charities Act 2011.

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, except for investment assets, which are shown at market value. All figures are stated in pounds sterling (£).

1.1 Funds

Unrestricted Funds represent the funds of the PCC that are not subject to any restrictions regarding their use. The General Fund is applied for the general purposes of the PCC. Funds designated for a particular purpose by the PCC (Designated Funds) are also unrestricted and may be repurposed by the PCC.

The purpose of restricted funds is as defined by the fund. All donations made to a fund must be used for the purposes of the fund.

The accounts include all transactions, assets and liabilities for which the PCC is liable in law. They do not include the accounts of church groups that owe their main affiliation to another body, nor those that are informal gatherings of church members.

1.2 Income

Income is accounted for depending on its category as follows:

Voluntary Income and Capital Resources

Collections and donations are recognised when received by the PCC (although they may not be paid in to the bank until the following year).

Gift Aid receivable under planned giving arrangements, for special donations and the small donations scheme is recognised when the income to which it relates is received.

Grants and legacies are accounted for as soon as the PCC is notified of its legal entitlement and the amount due.

Other Ordinary Income

Income from the letting of the Upper Room or church is recognised when the rental is due. Income from external funding is recognised in the period to which it relates.

Sales of books, magazines or any other items are accounted for gross.

Income from Investments

Dividends and interest are accounted for when receivable.

Gains and Losses on Investments

Realised gains and losses are recognised when investments are sold. Unrealised gains or losses are accounted for on revaluation of investments at 31 December.

29 -

Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024 for PCC of St. Mary’s, Hadlow

1.3 Expenditure

Grants

Grants and donations to charities are accounted for when paid over, or when awarded if that award creates a binding obligation on the PCC.

Activities relating to the Work of the Church

The Parish Offer paid to the diocese of Rochester is accounted for when payable. Any share unpaid at 31 December is provided for as an operational (though not a legal) liability and as a creditor in the balance sheet.

1.4 Fixed Assets

Consecrated Land and Buildings and Moveable Church Furnishings

Consecrated and beneficed property is excluded from the Accounts by s.96(2)(a) of the Charities Act 1993. No value is placed on moveable Church furnishings held by the Churchwardens on special trust for the PCC and which require a faculty for disposal as this is regarded by the PCC to be inalienable property. All expenditure incurred during the year on consecrated or beneficed buildings and moveable Church furnishings, whether maintenance or improvement, is written off as expenditure in the Statement of Financial Activities and separately disclosed.

1.5 Other Fixtures, Fittings and Equipment

Items with a purchase price of £2,000 or less are written off when the asset is acquired. Other equipment is depreciated on a straight-line basis over four years.

1.6 Investments

Investments are valued at market value at 31 December.

1.7 Current Assets

Amounts owing to the PCC at 31 December are shown as debtors, less reasonable provision for amounts that may be uncollectable. Short-term deposits include cash held with Diocesan Board of Finance, Church of England Funds or at the Bank.

Income

2.1 Voluntary Income

Total unrestricted voluntary income is shown in the Table below, with comparative figures for 2023.

2023.
Unrestricted Voluntary Income	2023 (£)	2024 (£)
Cash Collections	4,335	3,602
Planned Giving	49,532	47,473
Gift Aid Recovered	15,395	13,583
Sundry Donations	2,699	3,257
YPW Fund Donations	250	120
Church Wall Boxes	72	170
TOTALS	72,283	68,205

30 -

Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024 for PCC of St. Mary’s, Hadlow

2.2 Special Collections and Donations

Special collections and donations raised £7,533 for the Food Bank and Away Giving by St Mary’s (Note 3.1 explains the grants made to charities during the year).

Special Collections/Donations	2023 (£)	2024 (£)
Children’s Society	-	742
Delhi Brotherhood Society	750	999
Christian Aid	-	-
Kibakwe Link	-	-
Food Bank	3,635	5,262
Church Improvements	10,000	851
Other	1,118	1,056
TOTALS	15,503	8,910

2.3 Income from Church Activities

Church activities include weddings, funerals and baptisms and income from events that are part of the Church’s usual activities, but whose primary purpose is community outreach rather than fundraising. Total income from church activities was £2,580 in 2024, £729 less than 2023. Weddings and funerals accounted for £1,824 (£2,235 in 2023). Gross receipts from the sale of, or contributions received towards, refreshments and from Outreach Events was £652 (£1,074 in 2023).

2.4 Fundraising Activities

Income from fundraising activities is presented net of costs and raised £3,903 for St Mary’s compared with £6,870 in 2023. It is unlikely that the annual Boot Fair will be reinstated; it had typically generated income of £800-£1,000.

2.5 Income from Investments

Income from investments comprises bank interest and dividends on deposits (£807) and the unrealised gain in the value of investments held in the CBF Chancel Emergency Fund (£180).

2.6 Other Ordinary Income

Other sources of income comprised hire of the Upper Room and church (£1,128 compared with £536 in 2023), and £3,000 (£4,050 in 2023) from Involve Kent in support of Café Plus, Friday coffee mornings for seniors and other activities for over-55’s.

2.7 Fees for Choir, Organist, Bells and Verger

This category reflects fees that the church receives on behalf of, and then pays on to, those providing music, bells, etc. at weddings, funerals and other special services. There is no administration charge for handling those fees, which are passed on in full.

Expenditure

3.1 Away Giving

This category consists of grants made from money raised by special collections or events (restricted) and donations from general (unrestricted) funds. See also Note 1.2, Special Collections and Donations. The PCC is no longer able to provide funds from general income for grants to charities but continues to raise significant amounts from regular giving, fundraising events and special collections / donations. As well as Children’s Society and the Delhi Brotherhood

31 -

Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024 for PCC of St. Mary’s, Hadlow

Society, the charities supported in 2024 (£530) were: Dementia UK, Christians Against Poverty and the Royal British Legion.

the Royal British Legion.
Away Giving	2023 (£)	2024 (£)
Children’s Society	-	742
Delhi Brotherhood Society	-	880
Other	2,901	530
TOTALS	2,901	2,152

3.2 Fund Expenses

Expenses for the Food Bank, Anna Chaplaincy and Involve Kent funds are shown below. Expenses for Involve Kent include a contribution to energy costs of £650.

Fund Expenses	2023 (£)	2024 (£)
Food Bank	3,179	2,864
Anna Chaplaincy	25	-
Involve Kent	1,712	1,434
TOTALS	4,916	4,298

3.3 Training, Education and Support

Expenditure on training, education and support was £302 (£0 in 2023).

3.4 Church Activities

The largest component of expenditure on church activities was our contribution to the diocese, known as the parish offer, of £37,800 (£48,000 in 2023). Utilities (gas, electricity, water, wastewater) and insurance for the church cost £8,565 (£6,208 in 2023). Energy costs are much higher than they were as the old contracts came to an end in 2024. Vicarage expenses for water and council tax amounted to £3,826. General church and other expenses amounted to £3,114. For full breakdown see Note 14 (p. 36 et seq.).

3.5 Management and Administration

Administration costs amounted to £8,849 as set out in the Table below, taken from Unrestricted Funds –Expenditure on p.22. Professional & Legal Fees are for the Independent Examiner. The Secretarial Honorarium is the salary paid to the Parish Administrator.

The Parish Administrator is the only employee. No pension schemes were involved (see Note 0 on p.35).

Management and Administration	2023 (£)	2024 (£)
Printing, Stationery, Copier	5,704	3,779
Professional & Legal Fees	675	695
Gift Aid Envelopes	98	-
Post/Phone	450	440
Secretarial Honorarium	4,620	3,935
TOTALS	11,547	8,849

3.6 Church Repair and Maintenance

General repairs and maintenance are paid from General Funds. Church maintenance during 2024 included maintenance and tuning of the organ, fire protection inspection, repairs and cleaning of the Church roofs, gullies and gutters, and boiler maintenance. The total of £4,856 compares with

32 -

Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024 for PCC of St. Mary’s, Hadlow

£3,907 for 2023 and includes a credit of £892 for VAT reclaimed through the Listed Places of Worship scheme.

3.7 Trustees

No Trustee received remuneration for acting as trustee. Trustees are reimbursed for expenses incurred on behalf of the PCC. Janice Massy, the wife of Martin Massy, who is a PCC member and Treasurer, received £3,935 in 2024 for her role as Parish Administrator. Mrs. Massy was elected to the PCC in October 2020; the Charity Commission confirmed that because she was already employed as Parish Administrator before becoming a trustee then the payment is not a benefit arising from the trusteeship. The PCC is aware of the conflict of interest, and neither Mr. Massy nor Mrs. Massy participates in her salary review. Mrs. Massy’s hours worked, which are the basis for her remuneration, are approved in writing by the vicar, or, in the absence of an incumbent, by both churchwardens.

3.8 Food Bank

St Mary’s operates a weekly food bank. Expenditure in 2024 was £2,864. To avoid volunteers having to spend their own money and reclaim the cost through expenses we have a pre-paid credit card. The advantages of the card include being able to maintain a comparatively low amount of credit when compared to a conventional credit card, not being able to use the card to withdraw cash and a simple mechanism to top up from the general current bank account. The company providing the credit card, HyperJar, provides them only to individuals, not organisations. The card is therefore in Martin Massy’s name (the Hon. Treasurer) and regular payments are made from the General bank account to the card to maintain a balance of £125; the card is used only by food bank volunteers and only for purchases of food and toiletries for the food bank. The PCC is fully aware of this situation. The Treasurer reports all credit card transactions to every PCC meeting and retains copies of all receipts.

Debtors and Prepayments

Tax recoverable means Gift Aid and includes Gift Aid relating to 2024, which was received in January 2025. Donations are those received in the 2024 financial year but banked in 2025. Fundraising proceeds relates to income from events held in 2024 received in January 2025. Involve Kent fees receivable relate to funding for Café Plus and Friday Seniors. Room lettings relate to payment for hire of the church in 2024 and received in 2025. Prepaid electricity relates to credit with our previous electricity supplier, Smartest Energy (SE), which was refunded in 2024. VAT recoverable relates to a claim (since received) via the Listed Places of Worship scheme for VAT paid on church maintenance. Prepaid insurance relates to a three-year warranty extension for the stairlift, which expired at the end of 2024.

	31-Dec-23 (£)	31-Dec-24 (£)
Tax recoverable	18,256	16,044
Donations	1,421	125
Fund Raising Proceeds	-	622
Involve Kent Fees Receivable	250	250
Room Lettings	-	150
Prepaid Electricity	1,207	-
VAT Recoverable	558	1,116
Prepaid Insurance	200	-
TOTALS	21,892	18,307

Creditors

33 -

Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024 for PCC of St. Mary’s, Hadlow

Creditors for general church expenses include £695 for professional fees for the Independent Examiner, £1,071 for administration, £915 for gas and electricity, £537 of fundraising expenses incurred prior to the year end and paid in 2025 and £554 of miscellaneous expenses paid in 2025. Statutory fees are the fees payable to the Diocesan Board of Finance for weddings and funerals, which were paid in February 2025.

	31-Dec-23 (£)	31-Dec-24 (£)
General Church Expenses	5,515	3,772
YPW Expenses	63	120
Away Giving	2,761	113
Involve Kent Expenses	164	330
PAYE	-	46
Statutory Fees	721	158
TOTALS	9,224	4,539

Church Repair Savings Account

The Church Repair Savings Account is a savings account with the Diocese, which is maintained to help meet the cost of repairs arising from a Quinquennial Inspection. Dividends and interest of £703 in this account were received in 2024 (£603 in 2023) giving a balance at the end of the year of £14,663.

Bank Accounts

The PCC holds four bank accounts with NatWest bank. Two general current accounts together held £35,960 at 31 December 2024 and an account for young people’s work held £2,473. The Capital Reserve Account is a savings account for funds notionally intended to be used for major capital building projects; the balance at 31 December 2024 was £7,277.

Trust Funds

The CBF Investment Fund – Income Shares

The only investment fund now remaining is the Chancel Emergency Fund. This is a permanent endowment restricted fund which came about from section 31 of the Tithe Act 1936. The income from this trust is intended “to provide for insurance on the structure, to cover the cost of reinstatement if destroyed and to pay for repairs to the Chancel”. As the fund value is below £25,000 the PCC may resolve to spend the endowment as well as the income from it, provided the purposes of the fund can be achieved more effectively by spending the fund itself rather than just spending the income. The fund is included in the accounts at the current market value.

			Value at	Value at
Fund Name	No. of shares		31 Dec 2023 (£)	31 Dec 2024 (£)	Gain/(Loss) (£)
Chancel Fund		348	7,867	8,047	180

Summary of Unrestricted and Designated Funds

The Young People’s, Church Repair, Current Projects and Involve Kent funds are designated funds, which are unrestricted funds that the trustees have set aside for a particular purpose. Designated funds can be undesignated or re-designated. The Away Giving designated fund is used when the PCC sets aside money from general funds for giving to other charities. There is also a separate restricted fund for Away Giving. The Church Repair Fund is invested through the diocese and is intended for major repairs arising from, typically, a Quinquennial Inspection. The General Church Fund made a surplus in 2024 of £9,128, and designated funds overall increased by £2,371

34 -

Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024 for PCC of St. Mary’s, Hadlow

mainly due to income from Involve Kent. Regular small, specific monthly donations continue to be made to the Young People’s fund. Funding from Involve Kent is provided to improve the wellbeing of older residents – church activities that support this objective include Café Plus and Friday coffee mornings for seniors. £13,952 was transferred to the restricted fund for church improvements to pay for the lighting scheme installed in early 2024.

	Unrestricted	Designated					Total
	General Church Fund	Away Giving (Designated)	Young People’s Work	Church Repair Fund	Current Projects	Involve Kent
	(£)	(£)	(£)	(£)	(£)	(£)	(£)
Balance at 1 Jan 2024	19,189	-	2,925	16,474	13,952	3,331	55,871
Movements in Funds	9,128	15	(17)	807	-	1,566	11,499
Transfers	(5,000)	-	-	-	(8,952)	-	(13,952)
Balance at 31 Dec 2024	23,317	15	2,908	17,281	5,000	4,897	53,418

Summary of Restricted Funds

The Beacon and Food Bank funds are “restricted”, the Beacon fund being designed to track expenditure from a Bishop’s Fund for Mission grant received some years ago. The Beacon Fund was previously known as the Lighthouse 2 Project Fund and is intended to support work with young people. Expenditure and associated fund transfers under the Church Improvement Fund relate to the lighting scheme installed early 2024. Donations plus Gift Aid for the food bank during 2024 were £5,262, including £2,600 from Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council, as against £2,864 expenditure.

	Away Giving	(Restricted)	Beacon	Choir Fund	Church Improvement Fund	Chancel Emergency Fund	Delhi Brotherhood	Kibakwe	Food Bank	Anna Chaplaincy	Total
		(£)	(£)	(£)	(£)	(£)	(£)	(£)	(£)	(£)	(£)
Balance at 1 Jan 2024	808		822	806	12,276	7,867	1,012	1,900	2,301	261	28,053
Movements in Funds		-	-	(97)	(15,611)	-	120	-	2,398	-	(13,190)
Increase/(Decrease) in value, investments		-	-	-	-	180	-	-	-	-	180
Transfers		-	-	-	13,952	-	-	-	-	-	13,952
Balance at 31 Dec 2024	808		822	709	10,617	8,047	1,132	1,900	4,699	261	28,995

Summary of Assets by Type of Fund

	Unrestricted and
Asset	Designated Funds Restricted Funds		Total Funds
	(£)	(£)	(£)
Investments	-	8,047	8,047
Current Assets	57,844	21,061	78,905
Current Liabilities	(4,426)	(113)	(4,539)
Totals	53,418	28,995	82,413

Pension Act 2008

35 -

Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024 for PCC of St. Mary’s, Hadlow

During the year 2018, the PCC complied with its responsibilities under the provisions of the Pension Act 2008 to inform its part-time employees (i.e. the Parish Administrator and the Choir Director at the time) of their right to ask to join a workplace pension scheme which, under the abovementioned statute, the PCC would be obliged (a) to facilitate if those employees so requested, and under certain circumstances (b) to contribute to the pension scheme on their behalf (this is now a legal obligation applying to all UK employers, even where the employer has only one employee). The basis under which the PCC is obliged to make this offer was explained to the PCC’s employees in a detailed letter in September 2018. The Government’s Pension Regulator was informed, as required under the Act, to confirm the PCC’s compliance with the requirements of the Act. A statutory re-declaration of compliance with the Act, due every three years, was lodged with the Pensions Regulator in August 2023.

The Parish Administrator, now the only employee, has opted not to pursue this opportunity, and the above position remained unchanged in 2024.

PCC as a ‘Going Concern’

The PCC is a “going concern”; St Mary’s is an active church serving regular worshippers and the community at large. However, like many churches, falling attendance accompanied by falling income and increasing costs present a continuing challenge.

The church building is in good condition and is used by several community groups as well as the regular congregation. PCC plans for net zero sustainability and improved accessibility will depend on local support and grant funding.

Income and Expenditure Accounts

The following pages show the income and expenditure accounts for Unrestricted and Restricted Funds.

36 -

Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024 for PCC of St. Mary’s, Hadlow

UNRESTRICTED FUNDS – INCOME

UNRESTRICTED FUNDS – INCOME
INCOME FROM : VOLUNTARY GIVING Cash Collections Planned Giving Tax Reclaim Sundry Donations YPW Donations Wall Boxes Choir Fund Donations SPECIAL COLLECTIONS CHURCH ACTIVITIES Outreach Funerals Weddings Other Fees FUNDRAISING INVESTMENTS Bank Interest OTHER INCOME Room Letting Involve Kent Fees CHOIR/ORGANIST/BELLS/VERGER TOTAL INCOME TOTAL EXPENDITURE (from SOFA) SURPLUS/(DEFICIT) TRANSFERS (TO)/FROM: Restricted Funds TOTAL SURPLUS/(DEFICIT)	2023		2024
	£ £ 4,335 49,532 15,395 2,699 250 72 - 72,283 743 1,074 935 781 519 3,309 6,870 689 689 536 4,050 4,586 1,430 89,910 82,061 7,849 - 7,849		£ £ 3,602 47,473 13,583 3,257 120 170 - 68,205 526 652 832 692 404 2,580 3,903 807 807 1,128 3,000 4,128 1,120 81,269 69,770 11,499 (13,952) (2,453)

UNRESTRICTED FUNDS – EXPENDITURE

37 -

Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024 for PCC of St. Mary’s, Hadlow

EXPENDITURE ON : AWAY GIVING Various Charities FUND EXPENSES Involve Kent TRAINING AND EDUCATION Sunday Clubs and Young People Adult Books and Resources CHURCH ACTIVITIES Children & Young People - Activities Visiting Clergy Diocesan Offer YPW and Beacon Clergy Expenses Vicarage Expenses Sacristy Insurance Gas/Electric/Water Upper Room Expenses Choir Director/Organists Outreach & Social Events General Church Expenses ADMINISTRATION Printing, Stationery, Copier Professional & Legal Fees Gift Aid Envelopes Post/Phone/Fax Secretarial Honorarium MAINTENANCE Church General Organ/Piano CHOIR/ORGANIST/BELLS/VERGER TOTAL EXPENDITURE	2023		2024
	£ £ 2,901 1,712 1,712 - - - - 101 65 48,000 - 594 3,892 812 3,874 1,684 - - 556 986 60,564 5,704 675 98 450 4,620 11,547 3,204 703 3,907 1,430 82,061		£ £ - 1,434 1,434 140 - 162 302 - - 37,800 - 790 3,826 312 4,067 4,498 331 200 310 1,075 53,209 3,779 695 - 440 3,935 8,849 4,452 404 4,856 1,120 69,770

38 -

Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024 for PCC of St. Mary’s, Hadlow

RESTRICTED FUNDS – INCOME & EXPENDITURE

INCOME FROM : SPECIAL DONATIONS/COLLECTIONS Delhi Brotherhood Christian Aid Children’s Society Kibakwe Link Food Bank Choir Anna Chaplaincy Church Improvements Others FUNDRAISING INVESTMENT INCOME Chancel Fund TOTAL INCOME EXPENDITURE AWAY GIVING SPECIAL COLLECTIONS Children’s Society Delhi Brotherhood Kibakwe Link Other Special Collections FUND EXPENSES Food Bank Anna Chaplaincy CHURCH ACTIVITIES Choir Books/Activities Church Improvements Other Activities TOTAL EXPENDITURE SURPLUS/(DEFICIT) TRANSFERS (TO)/FROM: Current Projects Fund TOTAL SURPLUS/(DEFICIT)	2023		2024
	£ £ 750 - - - 3,635 375 - 10,000 - 14,760 - 677 15,437 - - - - - 3,179 25 3,204 - - - - 3,204 12,233 - 12,233		£ £ 999 - 742 - 5,262 - - 851 530 8,384 - 180 8,564 742 880 - 530 2,152 2,864 - 2,864 96 16,462 - 16,558 21,574 (13,010) 13,952 942

39 -