KNOWLE WEST BAPTIST CHURCH (KNOWN AS THE CAIRN, THE CAIRN COMMUNITY)
TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT AND
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
Charity Number: 1173158
KNOWLE WEST BAPTIST CHURCH (THE CAIRN) (THE CAIRN COMMUNITY) YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
| CONTENTS | PAGES |
|---|---|
| Objectives and Activities | 3-4 |
| Achievements and Performance | 4 |
| Wider Partnerships | 5 |
| Financial Review | 5 |
| Reserves | 6 |
| Plans for Future Periods | 6 |
| Reference and Administrative Details | 7 |
| Structure, Governance and Management | 7 |
| Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities | 8 |
| Receipts and Payments Account | 9 |
| Statement of Assets and Liabilities | 10 |
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KNOWLE WEST BAPTIST CHURCH (THE CAIRN) (THE CAIRN COMMUNITY) YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
The Trustees are pleased to present their report together with the financial statements of the Charity for the year ended 31 December 2024.
Objectives and activities
As required by our constitution, The Cairn Trustees pursued the church’s main purpose of advancing the Christian faith, with regard to the principles of the Baptist denomination and the beliefs in the Baptist Union’s Declaration of Principle. The Trustees duly considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit under the Charities Act 2011 and, in particular, the guidance for charities on the advancement of religion.
Our aim remains to pursue God's vision for human flourishing in Inns Court and beyond, by living faithfully at The Cairn. We have been encouraged by many positive, incremental changes, as we look to see people and place transformed. Our commitment to our faith, as expressed in this way, remains undiminished by the uncertain times in which we live.
As 2024 began, we continued with our rhythm of life around:
1st Sunday, Gather , 11am, at The Cairn, including worship, communion and lunch; 2nd Sunday, Share , encouraging our community to host or be hosted; 3rd Sunday, Learn , 11 am at The Cairn;
4th Sunday, Send , 11 am at The Cairn.
Guitar led worship and prayer was often incorporated in these times. Guitar Club continued on a weekly basis, during term times.
Our activities were consistent with this context, and fully reflected those outlined in paragraph 5.2 of our Constitution, which include:
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regular public worship, prayer, Bible study, preaching and teaching;
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baptism, as defined in the Baptist Union’s Declaration of Principle;
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the Communion of the Lord’s Supper (now on a monthly basis);
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evangelism and mission, especially locally;
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the teaching, encouragement, welcome and inclusion of young people;
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nurture and growth of Christian disciples.
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education and training for Christian and community service;
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KNOWLE WEST BAPTIST CHURCH (THE CAIRN) (THE CAIRN COMMUNITY) YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
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giving and encouraging pastoral care;
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supporting and encouraging charitable social action; and
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encouraging relationships with and supporting Baptists and other Christians.
Our missional creativity and commitment was again recognised in the awarding of a Home Mission Grant, by the West of England Baptist Association. We provided a full report to the West of England Baptist Association which further demonstrated the public benefit of our activities.
Achievements and Performance
We continue to have a very faithful core community of around 20 local adults and two children. Around 40 local people connect with us regularly through Sunday morning, Guitar Club or our third Friday Man Friday. We are roughly half committed Christians and half those exploring faith. Phil continues to send a weekly text message (or WhatsApp) to that group and to a few others.
There was again a real sense of God's favour on our community throughout the Christmas season. We were pleased to welcome around 60 attendees at our four main Christmas events. Around 20 came along to our Sunday gathering, 15 to our Christmas Eve Celebration, 15 to Guitar Club Christmas Special and 10 to Christmas Day lunch.
This represented 45 different people, including 7 children, a HIA tenant, HIA befrienders, Cairn Trustees and other guests.
Man Friday, our men's group, continued in 2024, with around 16 men involved. Of these, 8 were already also involved in other Cairn events, 8 were not. There were also strong relational connections again with the health-funded Man Alive project, as well as with The Cairn Guitar Club and Sunday gatherings.
The Cairn celebrated its 10th Anniversary event on 30 June. We were pleased to welcome around 70 people (54 adults and 16 children) and the celebrations included four baptisms.
The Cairn website was maintained to ensure people were aware of ongoing changes to our activities.
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KNOWLE WEST BAPTIST CHURCH (THE CAIRN) (THE CAIRN COMMUNITY) YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
Wider Partnerships
This was another significant year for developing partnerships, Christian and secular, across Bristol and further afield. These included:
Baptist Home Mission - from whom we again received grant support. West of England Baptist Network
Baptists Together
Bristol Baptist College - we continue to welcome students from time to time.
InHope - Trustee involvement.
Hope into Action - discussions were held successfully with this new partner organisation, and a house was bought (as detailed below).
Man Alive – close involvement of Cairn community in this health-funded men’s group.
The Fishing Project (Hartcliffe and Withywood)
Haven Day Centre - A Cairn Trustee is also a Trustee at The Haven, and there are many strong relationships.
Lee Abbey Small Missional Community, Knowle West – valuable, local, Christian partner.
Other Local Churches - including St Barnabas, Inns Court CFC, Victoria Park BC. Christian Action Bristol - Trustee involvement.
Counterslip Cares Foodbank - Trustee involvement.
Counties - Chair of Trustees still chairs a local Counties Link Group.
Christians Against Poverty (CAP) – joint South Bristol churches project to support those with concerns around debt.
Knowle West Alliance
Bristol Noise – local social action project. Trustee involvement.
Transforming Lives for Good (TLG) - now supporting four children in a local primary school, through the coaching programme.
Scripture Union - Go Wild! Trustee involvement
SAT 7 - member involvement
Transforming Europe Network (TEN) - member involvement
Financial Review
The charity's income for the year ended 31 December 2024 was £24,811. This compared with £29,128 in 2023. Total expenditure for the year was £19,445. Expenditure for 2023 was £31,880.
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KNOWLE WEST BAPTIST CHURCH (THE CAIRN) (THE CAIRN COMMUNITY) YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
Reserves
The Trustees are fully aware of the need to consider an appropriate Reserves Policy as the finances and activities of the church develop. The total reserves held as at 31 December 2024 were £277,045 compared to £271,679 in 2023. The Trustees consider this to be an adequate sum. It is intended to invest the majority of this in a modern construction 2/3 bed house in the garden of the Cairn. The remainder is now invested in a part share of a Hope into Action: Bristol property, here in Knowle West.
Plans for future periods
The church intends to continue its activities within the community, and keep under review the viability of plans for building the manse. The church's primary source of income is, again, from the Home Mission Grant from the West of England Baptist Association, which allows for the provision of a minister, so the church is well-placed to continue sharing the gospel of hope at a time when it is most needed.
We continue to partner with Hope into Action, and InHope, in providing a house for three adult males who would otherwise be vulnerably housed, in Knowle West. This was achieved with the help of significant external investment.
We have an investment (£10,000) in the Hope into Action house (an InHope activity) and hold funds on behalf of all the investors. This is used to pay for items that the investors are responsible for. We also received the twice yearly return and distributed to the investors. These transactions are excluded from the statutory accounts. The amount received for this in 2024 was £5,813 (2023: £6,527) and the amounts paid in 2024 was £2,801 (2023: £7,495). At the year end the amounts held on behalf of HiA: investors was £4,635 (2023: £1,623).
We, as Cairn Trustees, are planning to buy some of the garden land at The Cairn, in order to build a modern construction home there, in conjunction with Agile Housing. The sale of the land will only take place once planning permission has been obtained.
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KNOWLE WEST BAPTIST CHURCH (THE CAIRN) (THE CAIRN COMMUNITY) YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
Reference and Administrative Details
Charity number: 1173158 Address: The Cairn, Inns Court Green, Bristol. BS4 1TF. Bankers: Unity Trust Bank, Four Brindley Place, Birmingham. B1 2JB.
Trustees
The Trustees serving during the year and since the year end were as follows:
P Lawrence (Chairman) vacancy (was R Nott) (Treasurer) R Nott resigned on 17 June 2024 A Street G Sims A Lawrence
Structure, Governance and Management
Governing Document
Knowle West Baptist Church was registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation on 24 May 2017, and is governed by its Constitution adopted in February 2017. It is more commonly known as The Cairn or The Cairn Community.
Recruitment and Appointment of Trustees
New Trustees are selected according to the experience and expertise they have, combined with their commitment to the Charity’s objects and values.
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KNOWLE WEST BAPTIST CHURCH (THE CAIRN) (THE CAIRN COMMUNITY) YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities
The Trustees are responsible for keeping sufficient accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the constitution. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by:
.........................................
Philip Lawrence, Chair of Trustees
Date: 21st October 2025
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Knowle West Baptist Church
YEAR TO 31 DECEMBER 2024
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT
----- Start of picture text -----
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds Total Funds
Funds Funds 2024 2023
INCOME FROM: £ £ £ £
Grants and Donations
Gifts from Individuals 5,670 - 5,670 4,070
Grants from organisations 2,000 10,413 12,413 15,920
Gift Aid 759 - 759 814
Investments
Interest/Return - 5,969 5,969 8,324
TOTAL INCOME 8,429 16,382 24,811 29,128
EXPENDITURE FOR:
Charitable Activities
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Stipend paid 15,620 15,620 15,620
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Ministry Expenses 1,030 1,030 1,295
Bank charges/fees/ insurance 1,065 - 1,065 352
Accountancy fees 780 - 780 -
Surveys and legal fees for capital build - 950 950 14,613
TOTAL EXPENDITURE 2,875 16,570 19,445 31,880
NET RECEIPTS/(PAYMENTS) 5,554 (188) 5,366 (2,752)
TOTAL FUNDS AT START OF YEAR 13,343 258,336 271,679 274,431
TOTAL FUNDS AT END OF YEAR 18,897 258,148 277,045 271,679
----- End of picture text -----
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Knowle West Baptist Church
YEAR TO 31 DECEMBER 2024
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
| 2024 £ Cash funds Petty Cash Current account Deposit account 7 Day Notice Deposit account 90 day Notice |
2024 £ 200 38,812 208,668 29,365 |
2023 £ |
2023 £ 200 39,315 204,019 28,145 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 277,045 | 271,679 | ||
| Gift Aid Debtor Investment in HiA:B house Liabilities Independent examiner's fee Accounts preparation fee |
- 10,000 - (1,800) |
750 10,000 (780) - |
Note: The Charity also holds an amount of £4,635 (2023: £1,623) on behalf of HiA:B investors.
| CASH RESERVES Unrestricted funds Brought forward Net receipts/(payments) for the period |
13,343 5,554 |
9,972 3,371 |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Restricted funds Brought forward Net receipts/(payments) for the period |
258,336 (188) |
18,897 | 264,459 (6,123) |
13,343 |
| 258,148 | 258,336 | |||
| Total cash reserves | 277,045 | 271,679 |
Signed on behalf of the trustees by:
………………………….
P Lawrence, Chair of Trustees
Date: 21st October 2025
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