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2020-12-31-accounts

The Parish of Handsworth

The Church of St Mary www.handsworthstmary.org

THE PARISH OF HANDSWORTH (ST. MARY)

St, Mary’s Parish Church Registered Charity Number. 1171344

St. Mary’s Church Hall Registered Charity Number: L4/603/840

ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 31st December 2020

Rector:

The Revd Dr Robert Stephen BA BD MTh(Oxon) Handsworth Rectory 288 Hamstead Road Birmingham

Bankers: TSB plc Birmingham

Independent Examiner: Mr Laurence Parkes FCA

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CONTENTS

Annual Report
Report on the Fabric
Independent Examiner’s Report
Receipts and Payments Account (Consolidated)
Parish Balance Sheet
Parish Accounts (Unrestricted Funds)
Parish Accounts (Designated)
Parish Accounts (Endowments)
Parish Accounts (Restricted)
Parish Organisations - Mothers’ Union
Parish Organisations - Bell Ringers
Parish Organisations - Little Stars		 Page
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6
7
8
9
10
12
13
14
15
16
17

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Preamble

St. Mary ’ s Parochial Church Council (PCC) has the responsibility of cooperating with the Incumbent, the Reverend Dr Robert Stephen, in promoting in the Ecclesiastical Parish, the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical and also in co-operating with other faith communities. The PCC is also specifically responsible for the maintenance of the Church of St. Mary ’ s, Handsworth.

Objects and Activities

The PCC is committed to enabling as many people as possible to worship in our Church and to become part of our Parish Community at St Mary’s. The PCC maintains an overview of worship throughout the Parish. Our services and worship put faith into practice through prayer and scripture; music and sacrament; discipleship and service. We try to enable people to live out their faith as part of our Church through:

Worship and prayer; learning about the Gospel; and developing their knowledge and trust in Jesus. Provision of pastoral care for people living in the parish.

Sharing our faith and outreach work.

To facilitate this work it is important that we maintain the fabric of the Church of St. Mary’s as it is a physical and spiritual landmark within this community.

Worship and Prayer

When it has been possible, during a year with various lock-downs due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the pattern of services has continued with a Holy Communion at 8.00am every Sunday using the Book of Common Prayer (1662); The Parish Eucharist at 11.00am every Sunday using Common Worship (2000). All these services have viable numbers attending. It has not been possible to resume the pattern of the monthly Evensong. Ordinarily, Morning and Evening Prayer would be said in Church (with the bell rung to make the Parish aware): sadly, this too has not been possible during the majority of this year and we look forward to re-establishing the pattern of Daily Offices as soon as it is practicable.

All are welcome to attend our regular services and we are glad that our worshipping community remains diverse in age, ethnic origin, employment and family situations. Given the demographic of the area, where only 22% would identify as Christians and these are not all Anglicans, we can remain confident that the Parish Church still has a vital role in the community. There were 69 on the Electoral Roll (39 resident in the Parish and 30 non-resident) a decrease of 2 from the previous year.

The details submitted to the Church of England on our Annual Statistical Returns show how different the year has been:

2017 2018 2019 2020
Christmass Attendance 143 166 236 67
Easter Attendance 90 104 107
Average Week(October) 123 142 145 67
Usual Sunday 80 69 78
Baptisms 8 6 5 3
Marriages 2 5 2 1
Funerals 16 8 17 39

I have been glad to have had the support of my 4 licensed Readers who have assisted as Liturgical Deacons at the Parish Eucharist, have officiated at other services, have preached and have supported me in the pastoral care of the congregation.

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The significant addition to the provision of worship in this year has been the introduction of Live-Streaming on Face Book for the Parish Eucharist. This began after the Church was closed in the first lock-down in March and was initially from the Rectory dining room. Once we could be back in Church (without a congregation) we continued to do this and the demand rose. Live-Stream, as a delivered service, was deemed preferrable to Zoom or Teams where interaction with the service was possible, even required: watching meant fewer distractions than engaging with technology more directly. The on-line community that has gathered from the Parish, the UK and around the world raised the funds necessary for professional equipment to be installed in Church. It has been startling to note that in Holy Week, for a series of reflections that replaced the Daily Eucharist, there were in excess of 1,200 who joined that series of talks, while the on-line ‘attendance’ on Sundays has always been greater than we could ordinarily have expected to attend Church in person, it has been surprising that on some Sundays the ‘reach’ has been over 2,000 (which would be even larger if we were able to count when more than one person watched in a household).

To ensure that as many people as possible are able to join in the remote, yet corporate, acts of worship service orders and other material of concern to the Church and Parish have been distributed weekly.

Deanery Synod

2 members of the PCC sit on the Deanery Synod. This provides the PCC with an important link between the parish and the wider structures of the church.

Pastoral Care

During this year it has been very difficult to offer Pastoral Care in a traditional way, especial by visiting. It has been good to know that there have been numerous ways that have evolved in which people have supported each other and that this has ensured that those in particular need have had contact by telephone, email and in letters when in-person meetings have not been advised.

Safeguarding

The Safeguarding Policy was reviewed at the APCM. The website is compliant with the necessary local and Diocesan details on the page on which people first land on the site. Both the Safeguarding Officer, Mrs Ethel Lubin, and the Designated Person, Mrs Penny Stephen, have had all the necessary training. All those who have need of a DBS certificate have up-to-date documentation and we are satisfied that our policies and practices are compliant.

Financial Review

The details of the Parish and Church finances follow in this report. We are particularly grateful to those who, despite the lock-down, have continued to ensure that their offerings have been maintained and have either made the effort to deliver their envelopes or have set up Standing Orders to the Church. This has been a difficult year in that we have, in the same period, had to come to terms with the significant loss in our income due to the investing our capital reserves into the reordering of the building and the decline in income due to the lock-down.

Volunteers

This year there have been no major events and so we have had fewer opportunities to make use of the time and talents within the worshipping community. I must thank my Churchwardens, Keith and Doreen Hemmings, who have ensured that the life of the Church continues as far as it can; to Edna Simkin, our Treasurer, for her tireless work to keep us ‘afloat’; to Eddie Lear, who manages our investments and the Hall accounts; to Rosemarie Seadon for her work on the Gift Aid reclaim (as well as being Captain of the Tower); to Laurence Parkes, our new independent exmainer; to Margaret Thomas our PCC Secretary; and to Christopher Hazeley-Jones for managing the few Hall bookings in this year. The new tasks this year have been to complete the Risk Assessments and we are grateful to Rosemarie Seadon and Margaret Thomas for undertaking these; and to the Live-Stream Team, led by Adam Lubin. We look forward to calling on people as we can resume normal activities.

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Structure, Governance and Management

The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. At St. Mary s the membership of the PCC consists of the incumbent (our Rector), churchwarden(s), the readers and members elected by those members of the congregation who are on the electoral roll of the church. All members of the congregation are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and stand for election to the PCC.

The PCC members are responsible for making decisions on all matters of general concern and importance to the parish including deciding on how the funds of the PCC are to be spent. New members will receive initial training into the workings of the PCC. Given its wide responsibilities the PCC has a number of committees each dealing with a particular aspect of parish life.

The standing committee of the PCC is the Finance and General Purposes Committee and it is responsible to the PCC and reports back to it regularly with regular reports given to the full PCC and discussed as necessary. Other committees deal with safeguarding, pastoral matters and social activities. The PCC are responsible to the Diocese to act as Trustees for the Church Hall.

Administrative information

St. Mary s Church is situated on Hamstead Road, Handsworth, Birmingham. It is part of the Diocese of Birmingham within the Church of England. The correspondence address is The Rectory, 288 Hamstead Road, Handsworth, B20 2RB. The PCC is a body corporate (PCC Powers Measure 1956, Church Representation Rules 2006) and is an independent charity registered with the Charity Commissioners.

PCC members who have served at any time from1st April 2020 until the date this report was approved are:

Ex Officio members:

Incumbent: The Reverend Dr Robert Stephen (Chairman)

Readers: Mrs Ruth Cooper; Mrs Eureka Drayton; Dr Stephanie Hayton; Mrs Penny Stephen Wardens: Mrs Doreen Hemmings; Mr Keith Hemmings (Vice Chairman) Miss E J Simkin (Parish Treasurer)

Mrs M Thomas, (PCC Secretary)

Elected

Mrs L Colwill (elected until 2023) Mrs Diana Duggan (elected until 2022) Mr D Holmes (elected until 2021) Mrs B Lear (elected until 2021) Mrs Camelia Paton-Devine (elected until 2023) Mr Richard Paton-Devine (elected until 2023) Mr A Lubin (elected until 2023) Mrs E V Lubin (elected until 2023) Mrs E Moore (elected until 2023) Miss R.J, Seadon (Electoral Roll Officer) (elected until 2022) Mrs S Taylor (elected until 2023)

Co-Opted

Mr V F Daniel Mr C Hazeley-Jones Mr E Lear OBE – Hall & Investment Treasurer Mr Raj Mahay Mr Thaddeus Ede Mr G Walters

Approved by the PCC on 13th April 2021 and signed on their behalf by the Reverend Dr Robert Stephen (PCC chairman).

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Report on the Fabric (Keith Hemmings)

This has, following on from the major re-ordering last year, been a quiet year. We were glad to have the final element of the re-ordering completed when the glass screens were installed to the refectory in the North Aisle. This will provide an area for smaller meetings and for refreshments, as well as the children during services.

We did have our Quinquennial Inspection in 2020 and it is heartening to note that there are no major items that need urgent attention. We have, however, kept up to date with all minor repairs that have arisen.

The only significant addition to the fabric this year has been the installation of the camera array and the other equipment so that we can record and broadcast service. We are grateful to Adam Lubin for his hard work in researching, designing and installing what was necessary and to the many people of the extended St Mary’s community for funding this.

The Finance & General Purposes Committee (as the only Standing Committee of the PCC) continues to carry most of the workload behind the scenes on behalf of the PCC. Currently serving on this committee are:

The Revd Dr Robert Stephen (Incumbent & Chair); Christopher Hazeley-Jones (Hall Letting Officer); Doreen Hemmings (Churchwarden); Keith Hemmings (Churchwarden); David Holmes (PCC Appointment); Eddie Lear (Hall & Investment Treasurer); Rosemarie Seadon (Gift Aid & Electoral Roll); Edna Simkin (Parish Treasurer); Shane Taylor (Social & Fund-raising Committee)

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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE P.C.C. OF ST. MARY, HANDSWORTH

This report on the financial statements of the Parochial Church Council (“PCC”) and St. Mary’s Church Hall Charity for the year ended 31st December 2020, which are set out on pages 9 to 16, is in respect of an examination carried out in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 (“the Regulations”) and the Charities Act 2011 (“the Charities Act”).

Respective responsibilities of the PCC and the Examiner

The PCC is responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The PCC considers that an audit is not required for this year under S.144 of the Charities Act and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to:

Basis of Independent Examiner’s Statement

My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission and Church Guidance. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the PCC and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from the PCC officers concerning such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a “true and fair view” and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

Independent Examiner’s Statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:

(1) Which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements

have not been met: or

Laurence E Parkes FCA Chartered Accountant

5 Crondal Place Birmingham

5th March 2021

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HANDSWORTH PARISH CHURCH(ST.MARY) HANDSWORTH PARISH CHURCH(ST.MARY)
YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER 2020
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT(CONSOLIDATED)
Unrestricted Restricted &
& Designated Endowment Total
Funds Funds Funds
£ £ £
RECEIPTS
Voluntaryreceipts 62,144 263 62,407
Activities forgeneratingfunds 5,068 - 5,068
Investment income 4,156 5,956 10,112
Other incomingresources 10,000 - 10,000
81,368 6,219 87,587
PAYMENTS
Church Activities 117,680 6,532 124,213
(Deficit)Surplus for theyear (36,312) (313) (36,626)
Change in value of investments - (7,630) (7,630)
Transfers 45,842 (45,842) -
Balances at 1st January2020 41,995 362,379 404,374
Balances at 31st December 2020 51,525 308,593 360,118
PREVIOUS YEAR
Unrestricted Restricted &
& Designated Endowment Total
Funds Funds Funds
£ £ £
RECEIPTS
Voluntaryreceipts 57,806 263 58,069
Activities forgeneratingfunds 14,835 - 14,835
Investment income 20,957 10,397 31,354
Other incomingresources 136,925 - 136,925
230,523 10,660 241,183
PAYMENTS
Church Activities 1,171,224 568 1,171,792
(Deficit)Surplus for theyear (940,701) 10,092 (930,609)
Change in value of investments 31,065 59,226 90,291
Transfers 264,581 (264,581) -
Balances at 1st January2020 687,050 557,642 1,244,692
Balances at 31st December 2020 41,995 362,379 404,374

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HANDSWORTH PARISH CHURCH(ST. MARY) HANDSWORTH PARISH CHURCH(ST. MARY) HANDSWORTH PARISH CHURCH(ST. MARY)
PARISH BALANCE SHEET as at 31st DECEMBER 2020
Unrestricted Restricted &
& Designated Endowment Total
Funds Funds Funds
PARISH FUNDS £ £ £
Capital Funds - 305,365 305,365
Church Hall Capital - 3,228 3,228
General Funds 51,525 - 51,525
Total Funds Held 51,525 308,593 360,118
Investments 39,677 305,365 345,042
Current Assets:
Amounts receivable 75 - 75
Bank balances 17,296 3,228 20,524
17,371 3,228 20,599
Current Liabilities:
Amountspayable 5,523 - 5,523
Net Current Assets 11,848 3,228 15,076
Total Net Assets 51,525 308,593 360,118
Previousyear:
Unrestricted Restricted &
& Designated Endowment Total
Funds Funds Funds
PARISH FUNDS £ £ £
Capital Funds - 359,151 359,151
Church Hall Capital - 3,228 3,228
General Funds 41,994 - 41,994
Total Funds Held 41,994 362,379 404,373
Investments - 359,151 359,151
Current Assets:
Amounts receivable 1,192 - 1,192
Bank balances 41,750 3,228 44,978
42,942 3,228 46,170
Current Liabilities:
Amountspayable 948 - 948
Net Current Assets 41,994 3,228 45,222
Total Net Assets 41,994 362,379 404,373

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HANDSWORTH PARISH CHURCH (ST.MARY)
YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER 2020
PARISH ACCOUNTS (UNRESTRICTED FUNDS)
2019
St. Mary's Church Hall Total St. Mary's Church Hall Total
RECEIPTS £ £ £ £ £ £
Regular Giving:
Gift Aided Receipts 20,507 20,507 24,581 24,581
Other Pledged Giving 9,760 9,760 7,283 7,283
Income Tax recovered 10,628 10,628 9,633 9,633
Open 2,004 2,004 4,909 4,909
42,899 42,899 46,406 46,406
Other voluntary receipts:
Special collections - - 1,493 1,493
Baptisms, Weddings & Funerals 4,217 4,217 2,825 2,825
Donations 10,022 10,022 7,081 7,081
Handsworth Charity grant 3,000 3,000 - -
Live Streaming 1,850 1,850 - -
19,089 19,089 11,399 11,399
Receipts from activities for generating funds:
Lettings - 4,015 4,015 - 11,585 11,585
Fundraising 1,053 1,053 3,250 3,250
1,053 4,015 5,068 3,250 11,585 14,835
Receipts from investments:
Trust income 2,671 2,671 15,607 - 15,607
Parish Reserve investments - - - 3,344 - 3,344
Substation rent - 75 75 - 75 75
Interest CFB - - - - 9 9
Interest TSB - 75 75 - 95 95
2,671 150 2,821 18,951 179 19,130
Other incoming resources:
Sundry receipts 156 156 174 174
Total Receipts 65,867 4,165 70,032 80,180 11,764 91,944
Total Payments 35,362 6,696 42,058 68,036 8,893 76,929
Surplus (Deficit) for the year 30,505 (2,531) 27,974 12,144 2,871 15,015
Transfers (18,446) - (18,446) (57,853) - (57,853)
Balances brought forward 20,828 21,167 41,995 66,537 18,296 84,833
Balances carried forward 32,887 18,636 51,523 20,828 21,167 41,995
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HANDSWORTH PARISH CHURCH (ST.MARY)
YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER 2020
PARISH ACCOUNTS (UNRESTRICTED FUNDS)
2019
St. Mary's Church Hall Total St. Mary's Church Hall Total
PAYMENTS £ £ £ £ £ £
Common Fund 500 500 30,000 30,000
Church Service:
Service expenses 3,264 3,264 3,521 3,521
Ecclesiastical requisites (donated) 1,697 1,697 5,724 5,724
Organist 2,020 2,020 4,686 4,686
Organ maintenance 70 70 282 282
7,051 7,051 14,213 14,213
Church Maintenance:
Electricity 1,205 1,205 5,266 5,266
Gas 2,627 2,627 1,095 1,095
Insurance 9,475 9,475 7,828 7,828
Sundry repairs & maintenance 5,482 5,482 1,915 1,915
Cleaning 1,305 1,305 90 90
Other expenses - Welcome 120 120 120 120
20,214 20,214 16,314 16,314
Clergy Housing:
Water rates & insurance 373 373 373 373
Utilities 552 552 605 605
Alalrm service 367 367
1,291 1,291 978 978
Clergy Expenses
Telephone 239 239 213 213
Motor & travelling expenses 526 526 780 780
765 765 993 993
Church Hall Maintenance
Cleaning 861 861 826 826
Water charges 224 224 114 114
Electicity 430 430 545 545
Gas 1,531 1,531 1,370 1,370
Repairs and maintenance 2,351 2,351 2,486 2,486
Refurbishment - - 1,758 1,758
Insurance 1,217 1,217 1,171 1,171
Other expenses 81 81 623 623
6,696 6,696 8,893 8,893
Other:
Printing, stationery & postage 3,746 3,746 3,044 3,044
Sundry expenses 2,560 2,560 2,494 2,494
6,306 6,306 5,538 5,538
Total Payments 35,362 6,696 42,058 68,036 8,893 76,929
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HANDSWORTH PARISH CHURCH (ST.MARY)
YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER 2020
PARISH ACCOUNTS (DESIGNATED)
2020 2019
St. Mary's St. Mary's St. Mary's Parish 2019
Special Projects Special Projects Churchyard Reserve Total
RECEIPTS
Investment income:
CBF investments 1,335 1,827 1,827
Other income:
Insurance claims - 130 130
Donations and grants 10,000 136,621 136,621
10,000 136,751 136,751
Total Receipts 11,335 138,578 138,578
PAYMENTS
Church activities:
Accanthus Clews Architects 529 43,721 43,721
EEP Heating 11,039 32,250 32,250
Allen Organs - 109,403 109,403
Stone Edge - 972,364 972,364
Bates & Lambourne pews - 106,301 106,301
Site Clearance - 10,560 10,560
Asbestos Survey - 1,074 1,074
Hydro Heating 19,818 - -
IQ Glass 33,580 - -
Other expenditure 20,884 10,163 10,163
85,850 1,285,836 1,285,836
Value Added Tax recovered (10,227) (191,542) (191,542)
Total Payments 75,623 1,094,294 1,094,294
(Deficit) for the year (64,288) (955,716) (955,716)
Change in valuation of investments 2,277 3,760 25,028 31,065
Transfer from (to) other Reserves 64,288 729,146 (5,121) (401,591) 322,434
Balances brought forward - 224,293 1,361 376,563 602,217
Balances carried forward - - - - -
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Total 2019 1,625 568 1,057 60,924 456,439 323,116
(195,304)
- - 351 -
(4,492) 4,141
Coffee House Income
- - -
Coffee House Capital 1,277 (11,260) 9,983
- - 172 -
(1,735) 1,563
Small Trusts Capital
- - -
(5,575) 5,575
Assistant Clergy Income
53
- - -
Total 2020 (532) (480) (11,272) (6,000) 323,116 305,364 Vaughton Bequest Capital 10,190 (106,456) 96,266
53 53 - 379 -
(2,501) 2,828 1,566 1,566 6,576 (57,286) 51,972 2,828
Residue Capital Residue Capital
Church Hall Church Hall
.00
- - - - -
(3,486) 3,486 3,486 3,486
James Watt Income James Watt Income
.00 529 - - -
7,650 8,179 1,207 6,443 7,650
James Watt Capital James Watt Capital
.00
- - -
2,543 36,837 39,380 8,264 28,573 36,837
Clergy Capital Clergy Capital
Assistant Assistant
.00 13 59 59 13
- (13) - - (8,500) 8,454
Arrand Legacy Income Arrand Legacy Income
.00
- - -
(11,484) 73,157 61,673 9,433 63,724 73,157
Arrand Legacy Capital Arrand Legacy Capital
.00 - 568 -
(532) (532) (2,860) 199,145 195,753 (568) 23,454 176,259 199,145
Timms Bequest Capital Timms Bequest Capital
HANDSWORTH PARISH CHURCH (ST.MARY) YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER 2020 PARISH ACCOUNTS (ENDOWMENTS) RECEIPTS Investment income: CBF interest PAYMENTS Investment management fees Surplus (Deficit) for the year Change in value of investments Withdrawal Balances brought forward Balances carried forward Previous Year RECEIPTS Investment income: CBF interest PAYMENTS Investment management fees Surplus (Deficit) for the year Change in value of investments Transfers Balances brought forward Balances carried forward
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HANDSWORTH PARISH CHURCH (ST.MARY)
YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER 2020
PARISH ACCOUNTS (RESTRICTED)
St. Mary Church Hall Total St. Mary Church Hall Total
Fabric Capital 2020 Fabric Capital 2019
RECEIPTS
Voluntary income:
Gift Aid Receipts 210 210 210 210
Income Tax recovered 53 53 53 53
263 263 263 263
Investment income:
Tims Trust income BISL 5,903 5,903 6,536 6,536
Vaughton Trust income - 1,494 1,494
Dividends CBF 742
5,903 5,903 8,772 8,030
Surplus for the year 6,166 6,166 9,035 9,035
Change in valuation of investments 3,642 3,642 (1,697) (1,697)
Transfers (45,843) (45,843) (61,764) (7,513) (69,277)
(36,035) (36,035) (54,426) (7,513) (61,939)
Balances brought forward 36,035 3,228 39,263 90,461 10,741 101,202
Balances carried forward - 3,228 3,228 36,035 3,228 39,263
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Report from the Mothers’ Union (Penny Stephen)

HANDSWORTH PARISH CHURCH (ST MARY) ST. MARY ’ S MOTHERS’ UNION YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER 2020

Officers:

Branch Leader : Ruth Cooper Secretary : Penny Stephen Treasurer : Edna Simkin Chaplain : The Revd Dr Robert Stephen, Rector

Secretary’s Report:

Although we have not met since lock-down, members have remained in touch with each other and have received the updates from the Diocese and the national Mothers’ Union. We look forward to being able to provide an engaging programme when we can meet again.

Treasurer’s Report:

Receipts: Diocesan Subs @ £24 per member £312.00
Branch Subs £ 58.00
TOTAL £370.00
Payments: Diocesan Subs @ £24 per member £312.00
Branch Running Costs £ 15.00
TOTAL £327.00
Balance at 1
stJanuary 2020		 £262.41
at 31
stDecember 2020		 £305.41

Prepared by Edna Simkin (Treasurer) Approved by Ruth Cooper (Branch Leader) Independently Examined by Rosemarie J Seadon

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Report from the Bellringers (Rosemarie Seadon)

HANDSWORTH PARISH CHURCH (ST MARY) ST.MARY ’ S BELLRINGERS YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER 2020

BELL TOWER FUND

Receipts: Birmingham School of Bell ringing £ 70.00 £ 70.00 Payments: £ 0.00 £ 0.00 Balance in hand at 1st January 2020 £1819.20 Balance in hand at 31st December 2020 £1889.20 Cash in hand £ 32.59 TSB Bank £1856.61 £1889.20

OFFICERS Rosemarie Seadon

David Holmes

AIMS

To ring the Church bells prior to services to ‘ call people to worship ’ . We aim to ring every Sunday from 10.40 – 11am. To ring for weddings when requested.

To teach new recruits to ring to ensure continuity of the band. New members are always welcome.

To ring commemorative quarter peals or peals to mark special events.

To maintain the ring of bells in good working order. To this end we have a bell tower fund in which we collect fees for weddings and from visitors who make a donation when they ring quarter peals, peals or visit on an outing. This money can then be used for repairs, e.g. new ropes and stays.

ANNUAL REPORT

We started 2020 by ringing on New Year’s Eve/day and continued to ring for the 11am service on Sundays up until and including 15th March when we entered the pandemic lockdown.

When the Church reopened for services in September, we carried out an inspection of the bells and a detailed risk assessment to establish what ringing was possible. We concluded that a maximum of 4 bells (alternate bells in the circle) could be rung while maintaining social distancing and we needed to wear masks, open the windows, keep apart on the stairs and sanitize well! We rang for four weeks until we entered a higher tier and abided by the Central Council advise that we should not be ringing. As the year ended and rules tightened yet again it was impossible to judge when it would to possible to ring again.

There has been no news from the rope makers as to when our new ropes ordered towards the end of 2019 would be delivered.

With no practices to attend on Wednesday evenings those of us with the technology have been joining the St Martin’s Guild Zoom sessions and had some interesting talks on a wide range of bell topics.

When things are back to ‘normal’ and ringing resumes we will have an open evening and aim to welcome new learners.

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Report from Mums & Toddlers (Ron Hollins)

HANDSWORTH PARISH CHURCH (ST MARY) ST.MARY ’ S TODDLER GROUP YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER 2020

FINANCIAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDING 2020

Opening Balance, 2020, Lloyds TSB, Great Hampton Street Branch, Closing Balance at the 31st December 2020,

£1211.81 £1392.36

Date Outgoings Income Balance
Term 1: January 9
th- February 13
th		 £16.95 £142.50 £125.55
Term 2: February 27
th- March 12
th		 nil £55.00 £55.00
TOTALS £180.55

Outgoings:

Milk & Bread: £16.95

RW Hollins, Treasurer Mrs D Hemmings, Volunteer Leader Mrs R Cooper, Volunteer Leader

AIMS

To promote a safe and friendly church-based playgroup for pre-school children; a place, not only for mothers and carers to meet, but also a place where their children will have the opportunity to learn, to share in activities and to respect the beliefs and cultures of others and so enrich their lives within the rich diversity of our local community.

REPORT

We entered our third year since the Hall refurbishment but at the beginning of the year we could not have foreseen the devastating effect that the Covid Pandemic would have on our group. For safety reasons we were forced to close and 12th March 2020 was our last meeting. The future is uncertain and we are continuing to review the situation month by month.

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