2023-12-31-accounts - The Parochial Church Council Of The Ecclesiastical Parish Of Christ The King Battyeford

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Christ the King Church Annual Report 2023

presented at the Annual Parochial Council Mee:ng on 14[th] April 2024

Vicar’s Report

2023 was a memorable year in the life of CtK, with its undisputed highlight the week-long celebra>on of the 50th Anniversary of the opening and consecra>on of the new church on 22 September 1973.

Months of planning and hard work behind the scenes came to wonderful frui>on in a series of memorable events. The week began on 17 September with an all-age service celebra>ng the 20th anniversary of the comple>on of the Rainbow Panel, during which a new, albeit s>ll temporary, artwork was unveiled. The “Tree of Hope” pain>ng, created by local ar>st Giovana Gra>no, echoed the colours of the Panel in the image of a phoenix beneath the colourful Tree of Hope, completed with the prayers of thanksgiving and praise of the whole congrega>on, wriPen on paper disks.

On Tuesday 19 September, the era of annual Musical performances at CtK from the 1970’s un>l 2001 was revived in a wonderful evening of video recordings of past shows interspersed with a live choir of former cast members. The evening not only brought back many good memories, but also brought people back to CtK who had been involved in the musicals but had not been through our doors for many years.

The weekend saw CtK open for the Flower Fes>val and Exhibi>on of books, photos, and memorabilia not only from the 50 years of CtK, but also from the life of Christ Church and St Peter’s before it. Many, many people contributed treasured photos and items, and even a wedding dress, to create a memorable collage of God’s goodness in and through the life of CtK. A “Call my Bluff” wine tas>ng evening on Friday 22 September saw the vicar be wrong about every wine he tasted, while Saturday saw the serving of a delicious and stylish AWernoon Tea, in two siXngs! We also launched our ini>a>ve “50 for the Future” encouraging everyone who came through our doors over the week to join in with puXng a pound in a small savings box every week for the 50 weeks un>l September 2024, to raise funds to support the work of CtK in the future.

Sunday 24 September brought the high point of the week with a Celebra>on Eucharist presided over by the very newly installed Bishop of Huddersfield, the Right Reverend Smitha Prasadam, with musical contribu>ons by the choir of BaPyeford Primary School and CtK’s own choir, aPended by a congrega>on of over 140 people. At the end of the service, a buffet was served, followed by Bishop Smitha burying a Time Capsule beside the flagpole which contained items and pictures from the celebra>on week, to be leW undisturbed un>l the 150th anniversary. Finally, Sunday evening brought the week to a close with a Songs of Praise service, interspersing the 9 most popular hymns as voted for by the congrega>on with stories and anecdotes told by speakers ranging from former vicars to members of the congrega>on, to a fireman who had aPended the night the old Christ Church burnt down, and who finally was able to replace the rose bush that had been destroyed during the efforts to put out the fire. The rose was delivered by a fireman in full uniform! Bubbly and a beau>ful 50[th] Anniversary cake was served aWer the service.

This mammoth undertaking was made possible by the enthusias>c support and ac>ve help of more people than can possibly be listed here. The vast majority of members of CtK were involved in one way or another throughout the week. But it would be remiss of me not to men>on in par>cular the work of the Social CommiPee, ably enthused by John Hornby, which not only put together the programme of events, but also worked >relessly to make each event a great success. Their energy and enthusiasm inspired all of us to join in and brought the community of CtK together.

But beyond and within all of our celebra>on shone out the light of God’s great goodness and blessing in and through the life of CtK over these 50 years, a goodness and blessing that shone out not only in the events we remembered, but in the events and services of the week themselves. The week brought home in new ways the realisa>on that if God was good in the past, then God will be good again in the days to come. If God blessed us once, then God will bless us again. And so, the week ended with a sense of hopefulness and an>cipa>on for what is to come, for the goodness and joy that we are yet to see.

There are also other highlights of 2023 to mark and give thanks for. Many of them you can read about in the reports below, which show the great variety of aspects to the common life of the family of CtK.

Here I would like to men>on in par>cular our ministry to families and children, which con>nued with a range of groups and events throughout 2023. The Caterpillars toddler group con>nued to aPract good numbers of parents and toddlers on a Friday aWernoon, picking up again towards the end of the year from a lull in the autumn. The Easter Family Fun Day brought upwards of 50 children and adults into church, while the weekly summer Breakfast Club run over 4 weeks in August aPracted close to 60 children and their adults each week. CtK Kids con>nue to meet on the first, second and fourth Sundays in the month, aPrac>ng between three and eight children each week. Family @ 10 has brought some new families into church; here children are taking an ac>ve role in our morning worship, alongside the newly formed music group. The end of the year saw the re-emergence of CtK Youth, with two well aPended social events aimed at our teenagers. Family @ 4 con>nued to aPract new families to CtK, to join in with ac>vi>es, a short service and food, focused on a par>cular biblical theme.

The rela>onship with BaPyeford Primary School con>nued to grow and strengthen, with Natasha Lee, our Children and Families Worker, and I regularly going into school to lead Collec>ve Worship and join in RE lessons in every class in every year group throughout the year. The school choir not only performed at the Celebra>on Eucharist but also at the Christmas Market and at Tuesday Cafe over Christmas, and each year group came into church for Harvest services and their Christmas performances. And I had the pleasure of trying to explain the incarna>on 6 >mes from Year 1 to Year 6, as well as discovering how many Nursery children can be hidden under one chasuble - 12, it turns out.

September also brought the sadness of the departure of Natasha Lee from her role, as she began her training for ordained ministry. While her enthusiasm and energy will be missed at CtK, we wish her God’s blessing for her new venture, in no doubt that she will be an asset wherever God sends her. Her departure also marks a new phase in the mission and ministry to families and children at CtK, and we look forward to all that God will bring in 2024.

I commend the reports below to you - they provide a sense of the kaleidoscope of people and groups that make up the life of our community. Here I simply want to end with an expression of gra>tude - gra>tude to the many volunteers and helpers who make our common life possible, gra>tude for the ongoing and faithful giving of money and >me and energy by many in our community, and gra>tude for God’s rich blessing and unfailing love for every member of our family, and every resident in our parish. God has been good to us in 2023. And if God was good then, God will con>nue to be good in 2024. May you experience God’s love and blessing this year, and may we con>nue to share God’s love with all we come across - in CtK and in the community of BaPyeford and beyond.

Churchwardens’ Report by John Hornby and Robert Hirst

We would like to thank everyone who has supported the churchwardens over the past twelve months in this our 50[th] anniversary year. Many people work under the radar, and it is these church members, who along with more visible members, make CtK the great place it is!

As churchwardens we are required to report annually on the condi>on of the church and the grounds.

Work completed in 2023:

The ligh>ng in church was maintained, PAT tes>ng was completed.
The flagpole was repaired aWer damage caused by storms. A >me capsule was buried underneath as part of our 50[th] anniversary celebra>on.
Paving laid in the rear garden underneath our marquee, this was funded by the Bishops Development Fund.
A new fence was erected in the rear garden. All the fencing has now been replaced.
Six bird boxes were fiPed throughout the church grounds.
The disabled access to the front door was repaired, along with a push buPon access to the disabled toilet.
Two new projectors were purchased.
Our new art installa>on, ‘The Tree of Hope,’ was commissioned for our 50[th] Anniversary and is now displayed on the south wall.

Priori4es for 2024

Removal of eight trees at the front of church.
Due to having Mesipilus the large beech tree at the front of church has been condemned by Kirklees Council and needs to be felled.
Installa>on of sound absorbing panels in the community hall.
A new down spout on the exterior East wall needs fiXng.
Garage facia boards need replacing due to rot.
Drainage requirement to the graveyard access.

Considera>on for 2024

A new central hea>ng and hot water system.

Robert Hirst and John Hornby

Dewsbury and Batley Deanery Synod Report by Richard Bland

There were three mee>ngs of the Deanery Synod in 2023.

In January we met at St Philip and St James church, Scholes where the guest speaker was the Archdeacon of Halifax, the Venerable Bill Braviner who was aPending our deanery for the first >me since being appointed. He said his role was to be a permission giver, a catalyst, and a connector in helping parishes with their needs.

June’s mee>ng was held at St. Saviour Church, Brownhill with the main speaker, Janet Edmond, who spoke about the Parish Giving Scheme.

In October, the mee>ng was held at St Mary’s Parish Church, Mirfield, at which officers for the forthcoming period were appointed. Richard Bland and Erik Peeters were appointed to the standing commiPee. The speaker at the mee>ng was the Bishop of Huddersfield, the right reverend Right Reverend Smitha Prasadam who spoke about her life’s journey and gave the message that Christ is at the heart of all our mission work.

The Reverend Mark Umpleby who was our joint Area Dean leW to become Team Rector of Rothwell, LoWhouse, Maltby and Oulton.

Pastoral Care Report by Richard Bland, Lay Pastoral Minister

Pastoral care happens every day through the small acts of kindness we do for one another such as the telephone call we make, the trip to the shops or pharmacy we carry out for someone who is unable to get out.

CtK pastoral care team are here to try to make sure we all get the pastoral care we need, and no one is forgoPen. Home communions are con>nuing to be provided to those who wish to receive it including the monthly communion service at Fieldhead. Follow the Star booklets were distributed to all in church at Christmas, on our home communion list and available to those who aPended our Chris>ngle service.

Our aim is that pastoral care is available to everyone and if you think of anyone who may be in need, please get in touch with either Erik or myself. My special thanks to the team of Val, Dorothy, Meriel, Erik, Ian, Mildred and Stephen. We were delighted to welcome Mildred BuPerworth to join our team this year.

Choir and Music Report by Nigel Day

2023/24 saw our 50-year celebra>ons at CtK, and the choir has supported the special fes>val services which came along with it and con>nued to enhance our Sunday worship with a wide variety of anthems and songs. Whatever they have sung, they have brought to it a musicality, skill and dedica>on which has, I hope, beau>fied the liturgy. Thank you to those members of the congrega>on who across the year have offered words of encouragement and apprecia>on for their efforts: they are always gratefully received!

A regular highlight for our choir is the Carols by Candlelight service in December. This year, the music they aPempted was par>cularly challenging as well as beau>ful, and those pieces, interspersed with some thought-provoking readings and congrega>onal carols, made for a unique evening and a fiXng culmina>on to all the weeks of hard prac>ce. I hope those who aPended enjoyed the service.

Our choir members are a loyal and dedicated bunch, and I thank them for everything they have done over the year. The two or three minutes they occupy of each Sunday service is the >ny >p of an enormous iceberg of hard work, and the good humour with which they fall to it every Wednesday evening makes the task of choosing music and “leading” them a constant pleasure. Their numbers, however, remain small, and I would invite anyone who enjoys a good sing to consider joining them; you would be most welcome!

Once again, though, I have to pay special tribute to our Director of Music, Nic Bell. All our aPempts to bring music to CtK would come to nothing were it not for her enthusiasm and loving work. Her accompanying of our worship and the choir is only a >ny frac>on of what she contributes, and she does it all with good humour, a willingness to oblige and superb musical knowledge. She is a treasure to CtK – one who must be cherished – and we must remember that she does all her work for us while holding down a phenomenally demanding and >me-consuming job with Kirklees Musica. She thoroughly deserves her regular Sunday off which has allowed David Horsman to treat us to hearing our organ every fourth Sunday in the month. I thank David for his efforts all his help, too!

But my biggest debt of gra>tude is, of course, owed to Nic, without whom my job would be impossible. Once again, as always, thanks, lovey!

Tuesday Café Report by Helen and Ian Grange

Tuesday Café has been running since July 2021. It is open each week from 11 am un>l 1:00 pm. Around 30 people come along to enjoy company and good food; morning coffee and/or a light lunch. There’s no booking and people come and go at whatever >me suits them.

Tuesday Café is very popular and much appreciated. There’s no charge as this is part of CtK’s mission and outreach to the community. However, customers make generous voluntary contribu>ons.

We provide a welcoming space where people of all ages can come and socialise in a friendly and relaxed seXng. During the winter months, we were among the ‘warm spaces’ offered by various churches in Mirfield.

Once again, Tuesday Café decorated a tree for CtK’s Christmas Tree Fes>val. Just before the Christmas holidays pupils and staff from BaPyeford CE (VC) Primary School came to sing carols and Christmas songs to apprecia>ve customers.

Each week a group of 5 volunteers work together to set up, prepare food, serve, and socialise. These volunteers are drawn from a pool of 18 people. Everyone’s con>nuing commitment and enthusiasm ensures Tuesday Café goes from strength to strength. However, to con>nue to open on a weekly basis, we need more people willing to take on the lead role of ‘facilitator’ and more helpers.

Thank you to everyone who works so hard to make Tuesday Café possible. It’s a privilege to be involved with this important part of CtK’s community life.

Helen & Ian Grange

Social CommiPee Report by Doreen Courtney

This very hard-working group of Social CommiPee members organised some great and exci>ng events throughout 2023, and, with the extra work aPached for the Church’s 50th Anniversary managed to raise over £6000.

Our first event was a Quiz Evening with a pie and pea supper. The amount raised was in the region of £1000 and was donated to the Turkey Earthquake appeal.

A Spanish Evening followed, a wonderful evening of fun and great food which raised £562.

CtK’s 50th Anniversary was celebrated in style by a variety of events.

The Film Night, a trip down memory lane, showing recordings of musicals performed by past and present members of CtK. A live choir also performed that evening.

*Call my Bluff, in the form of a Wine and Cheese evening, was enjoyed by a good gathering of people.

*Exhibi>on of past and present events and memorabilia at CtK was supported by different groups, young and old, responded to the invita>on to take part.

*AWernoon Tea

*Flower Fes>val

*Songs of Praise bringing a wonderful celebra>on of CtK to an end. We were joined by a number of former CtK vicars and past members from the community and further afield. The service culminated with celebratory fizz and cake.

All the above events marked with a * raised around £2300 and are included in the overall total of £6000.

Christmas celebra>ons included a Christmas Market and a Christmas Tree Fes>val which raised in the region of £2,500.

Thank you very much to everyone who has organised, helped or supported the events in 2023, and especially for making the 50th Anniversary so special. We were very grateful for the support we received from, not only our own members, but also the support from other churches and people from within the community.

There are lots of ideas already in the pipeline for 2024. Please do your part by suppor>ng the events and making them known to your family and friends.

Doreen Courtney and the Social CommiPee, Tricia Ashton, Derek Garner, John Hornby, Anne Lockwood, Meriel Pearmain and Meg Willard.

Environmental Report by Alan Stephens, Parish Environment Ofcer

During the previous 12 months, following encouragement from the Diocese of Leeds to inves>gate energy saving, a considerable amount of >me was spent examining the benefits or otherwise of installing Solar Panels and other forms of central hea>ng than gas fire boilers, which might be more environmentally friendly and cost effec>ve. The government at that >me had indicated gas boilers would be phased out in 2025.

A working party was formed to discuss all of the poten>al forms of hea>ng including heat pumps and contact was established with the Diocese to discuss financial aid. All available alterna>ve hea>ng systems considered poten>ally viable were inves>gated. The front runner was the Heat Pump but on inves>ga>on, fell short in its’ ability to viably heat large spaces such as a church. A Solar Panel / BaPery installa>on on the other hand represented a viable possibility that would cut cost by producing and storing a sizable por>on of our es>mated electricity usage thus reducing the load on whatever equipment was eventually selected as the main hea>ng source.

On the financial aid front it became clear that although grants were theore>cally available from the Diocese, nothing was likely to happen in the near future. Also, the government decided to amend its stated phase out date for gas boilers from 2025 to 2035, effec>vely taking the immediate pressure off the need for substan>al financial investments. This coupled to the fact that our exis>ng gas boiler needs to be replaced has temporarily halted any further inves>ga>on.

One major plus resul>ng from discussion with the Diocese was that we were made aware of an alterna>ve supplier for our gas and electricity, with whom we subsequently signed up and who now provide us with green electricity and an offset gas supply with a substan>al reduc>on in price from the previous supplier.

A Rocha Award Program: This Eco programme provides ‘best prac>ce‘ guidance for churches in five key areas of church life: Worship and Teaching, Building Management, Land Management, Community & Global Engagement, Lifestyle.

Each module sets a number of goals and expecta>ons and offers gold, silver and bronze awards for mee>ng the required criteria. Christ the King holds Gold in Worship and Teaching and is currently in the process of applying for gold in both the Land and Lifestyle modules.

Mee>ng some of the important criteria for the two remaining modules will pose challenges but examples of how individuals in our church contribute to our current level of achievement of these standards are – Sunday school children helping with the installa>on of bird boxes, bug hotels and hedgehog homes and the team of people who keep our grass areas in such good order plus general involvement with food banks to help those in need. Looking for new ways in which we can help one another, nurture wildlife and nature are always under considera>on.

Alan Stephens

Disability and Inclusion Report by Barbara Hornby, Parish Disability and Inclusion Ofcer

The disability and inclusion commiPee have registered an interest in the church becoming a pilot parish for the Disability Friendly Church Award. The Diocesan Disability Strategy, which is currently being reviewed, includes this award scheme. Once the new criteria are published, we will begin to work towards this award. Please share ideas and feedback, we are always happy to hear from members of the congrega>on.

Work to date:

We subscribe to: Through the Roof, a Chris>an disability charity, and Torch who provide access training, advice, and resources for people with sight loss in every aspect of church life as well as the Diocese Disability training programme.
A Facebook Group called “Diocese of Leeds Disability Network”, which is open to Parish Representa>ves and the wider congrega>ons. This no>fies people of events, as well as shares relevant ar>cles and news stories.
The resource pack, ‘A Welcoming Church’, is used for our disability audit.
A new resource pack to help churches bePer support people with disabili>es has recently been produced by the Diocese and churches across the Bri>sh Isles.
PCC members have completed disability awareness training and courses run by the Diocese and other agencies.
Improvements in the layout of the slides and to the projec>on of the service
Sound-absorbing panels for the community hall. It is hoped that these will mi>gate background noise and reduce the reverbera>on and echo in the space.
Defined space in the worship area for those who have access needs.

Future work:

To complete the installa>on of sound panels and monitor the effect.

To con>nue to look at ways in how we can con>nue to be a welcoming and inclusive church.

To work towards becoming a pilot parish for the Disability Friendly Church Award.

Any further comments/ideas as we how we can make our church more inclusive can be directed to Barbara Hornby or Doreen Courtney and Meg Willard (PCC representa>ves).

Safeguarding Report by Meriel Pearmain, Parish Safeguarding Ofcer

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.

The care and protec9on of children, young people and vulnerable adults involved in church ac9vi9es is the responsibility of everyone who par9cipates in the life of the church. (Church of England Safeguarding Policy Statement)

The PCC of Christ the King Church has complied with the duty to have ‘due regard’ to the House of Bishops guidance on safeguarding.

Safeguarding roles

Parish Safeguarding Officer – Meriel Pearmain

Deputy Parish Safeguarding Officer – Anne Lockwood

Policies and Procedures

All required policies and procedures regarding safeguarding have been adopted and will be readopted / reviewed in May 2024.

Ac:vi:es

Church Ac>vi>es and Non-Church Ac>vi>es held on church premises have been authorised by the PCC.

Safeguarding Policy Promo:on

Christ the King Church con>nues to meet the requirements regarding Safeguarding Policy promo>on. The House of Bishops ‘Promo>ng a Safer Church’ policy and other required informa>on is clearly displayed on no>ceboards in the entrance area of the church and also in the church hall. Informa>on is easily accessible on the church website.

PCC Mee:ngs

Safeguarding is a standing item on the agenda of all PCC mee>ngs and an update is given at each mee>ng. In addi>on, mee>ngs of the Safeguarding contact group comprising Revd Dr Erik Peeters (Incumbent) Meriel Pearmain (Parish Safeguarding Officer) and Anne Lockwood (Deputy Safeguarding Officer) have taken place during the year as have mee>ngs between Meriel Pearmain and Anne Lockwood to review / update informa>on e.g. risk assessments.

Parish Safeguarding Dashboards

We con>nue to use the online Dashboard to help with the administra>on and to keep us informed of local and na>onal changes in safeguarding requirements. Christ the King remains at Level 3 of 3.

DBS Checks

Checks are in place for all roles which require them.

Recent Church of England guidance requires DBS cer>ficates to be renewed every three years rather than every 5 years. All our checks are up to date.

Safeguarding Training

AWer a very busy year for training last year most people were up to date. Four people have renewed Founda>on training in the past year and two new volunteers have completed both Basic Awareness and Founda>on training.

There have not been any safeguarding incidents to report this year.

Thank you to the PCC, Revd Dr Erik Peeters (Incumbent), Anne Lockwood (Deputy Safeguarding Officer) and Barbara Hornby (Parish Administrator) for their support.

Meriel Pearmain (Parish Safeguarding Officer).

7TH Mirfeld Guide’s Report by Val Dickinson

Since the last report in 2023, we have, as usual, done so many ac>vi>es either in the Church Hall or outside elsewhere.

What have the guides been up to?

In March/April, we had made some sugar scrubs with a hint of scent, some chocolate truffles for Mothing Sunday and more craWs. This >me we made some bunnies, using large pom-poms, pretending to dig into the tub of soil which was planted with cress.

In May when the whole country was celebra>ng the King’s Corona>on; the Guides did lots of ac>vi>es rela>ng to the Corona>on followed by a royal tea party.

We also had our annual penny hike in Hopton Woods.

AWer nearly a 4-year break, we finally went camping. 22 Guides from the 7[th] , 4 from 10th Guides (St Andrews) and 12 from 2nd Mirfield Guides (St Marys) along with 6 leaders went to Midgely. The weather was a bit of a mixture but did not stop the girls and leaders doing anything. We made torches out of LED lights and baPeries and walked to the Coal Mining Museum and back. The girls really enjoyed their trip down the mine On Sunday the sun shone, and we were able to take down the tents in dry weather, and the girls enjoyed making a ship and an ouzit for their barbie dolls, the challenge being “Barbie goes cruising.” It was a very enjoyable camp thanks to the leaders who both planned the trip and gave up their weekend to allow this camp to take place.

Another outside ac>vity was one of our popular ones – the cookout at Bradley Woods.

To end the Summer Term, the Guides went ten pin bowling and had a great night.

In September, we recycled old shoes/boots, decorated them and then planted them with plants for the Church’s 50[th] Anniversary. The girls worked hard to decorate the shoes and Dixie went daily to put them outside as a trail from the entrance into the church. There was a display of photo albums of Guides too.

Guides and leaders aPended the annual Division Event at Mirfield Community Centre where everyone did lots of ac>vi>es rela>ng to ‘Mighty Small Acorns to Big Great Oaks.’ Guides made fox notebooks, squirrels out of old car seat beads, decorated their bags with giant trees and modelled hedgehogs using fondant icing.

November saw the Guides and leaders aPending a very wet Remembrance Parade in Mirfield. This month also saw Dixie being awarded the 40 Service Award and Guides surprised Dixie with a party to

celebrate this. At the same >me, Dixie presented the highest Girlguiding award for Guides “Gold” to Belle and Hannah.

In December the Guides were busy making Christmas tree decora>ons for the Church’s Christmas Tree Fes>val. They designed so many different characters using mini clay plant pots. The Guides sang carols for Field Head Care Home but, as we were unable to visit again due to Covid, these were recorded by the leaders and sent to the home on a USB s>ck for which they were grateful. The following week was our Christmas Party.

At the beginning of 2024, the Guides went to Rokt in Brighouse where they did lots of bouldering, climbing and abseiling in the flour mill. It was a rather cold night, minus 4 inside, but they nevertheless enjoyed the ac>vi>es.

We were invited to see the Pantomime at St Mary’s Church Hall along with other members of Girlguiding in the District – oh yes, they did!

At the >me of wri>ng this report, the guides will have talked about Thinking Day around the world, and they will have researched Guiding in China, Spain, and Mexico. Thinking Day is celebrated on 22[nd] February, the birthdays of Lord Baden-Powell who founded the Boy Scouts Movement and Olave Baden-Powell (his wife) who was the first World Chief Guide. This is when we all think of our sisters and brothers around the world.

We have plans for Easter and taking the Guides roller blading at YMCA once again.

Val Dickinson (Dixie) Carole Wilson Helen Winsor Chelsie Riley Clare Townend Rachel Fishwick

1[st] Mirfeld Rainbow’s Report by Tracey and the Leaders

It’s been another fantas>c year at 1st Mirfield Rainbows. We’ve a booming Rainbow unit with lots of girls enquiring about joining. This is fantas>c and so lovely that the movement con>nues to grow.

We enjoyed a teddy bears picnic for our summer party and for Christmas we visited Royds Mill for a bouncy castle and disco party. We were very excited when Santa visited too. The girls have enjoyed a visit to the Mirfield Parish Pantomime when Girlguiding units in Mirfield took over the Pantomime and hired the whole hall on the Friday Night.

We have also aPended the Division Event which this year’s theme was from ‘Small Acorns to Mighty Oaks.’ The girls had an amazing >me and came home with a heap of goodies and a beau>ful badge.

We love our visitors and have had some great ones, such as Louise who came to do Mixed Media and created a colour wheel with us as part of our pain>ng badge. The Eco Hub visited to get us in the mood for recycling and we created our own pencil pot from a recycled >n can.

Mini Professors visited to help us create zip lines and experiments when we were working towards, I’m a Physicist Badge.

We were meant to have a visit from a hedgehog sanctuary but sadly it was cancelled. Instead, a lovely lady from the Badger Protec>on Group kindly offered to come. It did seem a tad ironic that we swapped to the hedgehogs only predator. The lady was fantas>c and had some great photos of badgers in her garden. She also had a stuffed baby badger that had sadly been in a road accident but had been preserved. It looked perfect and was used as part of a teaching aid so that the children could see what badgers looked like. The girls loved looking at it, with one rainbow declaring she too

wanted a badger and a text from a concerned mum asking if we had really had a dead badger at Rainbows did cause some amusement.

In the spring we had Ables Minis in with a whole host of fluffy animals. The girls loved the giant rooster best although one liPle girl ended up with five baby bunnies sat on her lap which was very cute.

Vanessa, from Hearzelt Ways visited to show us some mindfulness and we had a brilliant night learning about being thankful. We also tried chocolate yoga which was a huge hit.

The summer was enjoyed with an ice-cream night making our own crea>ons and ice-cream pots. With Safe Anchor Trust we learnt about water safety and finished off with a trip on the canal boats.

Rainbows love crea>ng, and we’ve made all sorts from kites to marble mazes and pancakes to wands. New games and songs have also been thrown into the mix.

We celebrated the Kings Corona>on with a princess night. Barbara, one of our helpers, wore the most splendid dress, looking every bit a princess and we had party games, craWs and finally a crown parade.

We’ve worked a lot on recycling and Helen showed the girls how to recycle an old T-shirt into a shopping bag which we had great fun decora>ng. Helen’s a big fan of Theme Nights, so we couldn’t let the mee>ng on leap year go a miss. It’s 2052 before we meet again in a leap year at Rainbows, so we made frog masks, jumping frogs, flying frogs and received a special badge to remember it.

Girls have completed a range of badges from leap year, I’m a physicist, science badge, recycling, glo in the dark, nature, skill builders, pain>ng, canal and river trust water safety and mindfulness to name but a few. They also take enormous pride in making their promise as a Rainbow with one liPle girl so excited to be a proper Rainbow she couldn’t stand s>ll.

We cram a huge amount into an hour a week and we are always keen for volunteers who may want to join in the fun. Please email www.girlguiding.org.uk for further informa>on on volunteering.

7TH Mirfeld Brownies Report by Tracey and the Leaders

We’ve had a busy year at 7th Mirfield Brownies: we con>nue to have a large full unit due to a thriving Rainbow group and lots of girls in Mirfield eager to join Brownies here. On the 22nd of February we celebrate Thinking Day. All the schools in Mirfield were kind enough to let the girls aPend in uniform, the excitement at going to school in your Brownie uniform was unbelievable. It was so lovely to be able to promote what a special movement we are part of and a sense of belonging in the community.

Last year Diane Creaser, one of our leaders, gained her adult leadership qualifica>on so it was lovely to see her presented with her badge in the unit.

The highlight of our year is always a pack holiday when we take 28 girls away for the weekend. This year we went to Fan Wood in the Autumn and enjoyed a Roald Dahl themed pack holiday, with craWs galore from baking to pain>ng and a spot of slime making.

Due to several leaders training as instructors, we were also able to enjoy grass sledging , bouldering, and the night line whilst on pack holiday. Great fun was had by all!

We love a party here so enjoyed an ArPas>c art themed party with Gio from ‘ Art Gio for Christmas.’ In the summer we held a fun games night complete with a surprise visit from Sando’s ice-cream van.

We also had a rather royal night when we celebrated the King’s Corona>on with crown making, union jack themed craWs and a spot of food.

Our unit celebrated 50 years during lockdown so never quite had the celebra>on we had hoped for. Instead, we joined forces one sunny February aWernoon with 1st Mirfield Brownies who celebrated 100 years, 2nd Mirfield Brownies who celebrated 50 years along with 14th Mirfield Brownies and had a Brownie Bash. It was a super day with Bricktopia helping us make mosaic logos, Louise Art making rangoli paPerns, Jumping Clay making mini-Brownie buddy bears and mini professors showing us po>ons and slime. It was a super day funded by a grant from Mirfield Co-op.

In our weekly mee>ngs we like to cram lots in to give the girls as many adventures, fun, skills, and friendship as possible. We held a bubble night on na>onal bubble day, making bubble snakes, our own bubble wands and the ever-popular bubble tea. We enjoyed a chip shop walk to Nab Lane fisheries complete with glo s>cks so we could be seen, West Yorkshire Print Workshop visited to teach us lino prin>ng, Phillippa Hartley kindly helped us put on our own Talent Show and complete our performed badge which was a huge hit.

We’ve completed a mass of badges, from Parliament Week, geXng our voices heard and vo>ng on topics that affect us. We had a lady visit from Mini Medics to show us first aid and learn about defibrillators. We held a Guiding Tradi>ons night with each leader binging in items from their Guiding >me, the girls loved trying Tracey and Helen’s old brownie uniforms on. We’ve also completed many skill builders and challenge badges such as in the dark night, archaeology, baking and many more.

Our annual fundraiser CraW Fair was sadly cancelled due to the heavy snow. The girls were troupers and the baking they had done was donated to neighbours and the elderly. Two weeks later they were superstars and baked again.

We had a crazy night with a visit from an Animal PeXng Farm, baby bunnies, chicks, a rooster, guinea pigs, you name it were set lose in the hall. The girls loved cuddling the baby animals.

We con>nue to enjoy the love of food and craWs celebra>ng na>onal pizza day with pizza bookmarks, pizza muffins and craWs to mark the special occasions in the year from Father’s Day to Easter. We challenged ourselves at Christmas when we had a visit from Alex to create our own fused glass tree decora>ons that girls can keep for years to come.

We con>nue to be part of the community, joining in with a display at the Christ the King Flower Fes>val, Christmas Tree Fes>val, Mirfield in Bloom, Random Acts of kindness, and the Christmas Fun Session aWer the Toy Service.

Finally, a huge thank you to the fantas>c volunteer team that make all this possible. Helen, Diane C, Rebecca, Charlie, Diane Collins as well as Jess and Phoebe, our young volunteers, and the fantas>c parents that support us so well.

BaPyeford Scout Group Report by Liz and the Leaders

BaPyeford Scout Group is s>ll thriving, numbers are good, and we have enough in the group to keep us all busy. A few more leaders or helpers would be a bonus, even if they cannot make it every week, even one session would help.

Beavers age group is 6-8 years and the leaders run hourly sessions each week in term >me and take part in team building and games, craWs, and lots of outdoor ac>vi>es. In September the Beavers joined the Cubs and Scouts for an adventure filled day at the Group Camp at Silverwood Scout Camp Silkstone near Barnsley, a beau>ful haven un>l the Scouts appeared.

The Beaver leaders Simon, Andrew and Emma make their sessions fun and the young people gain skills for life. To end the summer term the Beavers walked on the canal and up into the woods with the Cubs, finishing at the chippy. Luckily the weather was on our side. The Beavers have completed lots of badges throughout the year.

The Cubs have also gained lots of badges, a lot of sewing for mum or dad. The leaders, Charlie and Liz, have taught them how to iron their neckers, lay a table, make a cuppa and >dy their bedrooms to gain their skills challenge badge.

We camped out at Silverwood and had a very busy weekend pretending to be spies. The Pennine Canoe club held taster sessions for the cubs at Dewsbury swimming pool. At Christmas the Beavers and Cubs descended on Krazy Kids in Heckmondwike for their Christmas party, I think they all slept well that night. The Cubs and Beavers recently took part in a mar>al arts session provided by Mar>al Arts Method and learnt some basic skills.

Our Scout Troop is led by David, Berin and Elizabeth and con>nues to meet regularly with a troop of around 10 Scouts (3 girls and 7 boys). We run a mixed program balanced between tradi>onal Scou>ng skills such as, first aid, pioneering, cooking and naviga>on skills along with other ac>vi>es relevant to the Scout’s training program.

During the year we have joined with the Cubs for group camp in September and camped as a troop at Bradley Wood in June. During the final weeks of the summer term the scouts all learned to kayak, thanks to the support of Pennine Canoe Club.

The group would like to thank the church for con>nuing to provide our mee>ng place. We are very lucky to have such a facility to use. (The Leaders, BaPyeford Scout Group).

Sta:s:cs from the Mission Dashboard

- APendance Summary (2013 2023)

2023

Christmas – 250 Easter - 120

Average week Oct - 120

Usual Sunday - 70

- Worshipping Community (2015 2023)

2023 Total - 175

Aged 0 - 17: 25 people Aged 18 - 69: 63 people Aged 70+: 85 people.

Joiners – 15

Leavers - 5

- Usual Sunday APendance (2013 2023)85

2023 Adults - 70 Children - 3

- Average Weekly APendance (2013 2023)

2023 Adults – 120 Children – 9

Adults school - 6 Children school - 83

– Percentage children (2013 2023)

2023 Usual Sunday – 7.5%

Average week October Excluding school – 7.5% Worshipping Community – 7.5%

Bap:sms – 4

Marriages – 6

Funerals – 11

Electoral Roll

2023 – 140

Christ the King Battyeford Parochial Church Council Annual Report and Accounts For the year ended 31st December 2023

Parochial Church Council of Christ the Kln& Battyeford ststement of financial atthrftles Forthe year endlng 3ts1 December 2023 Unrtstrlcted. Funds Re5trl(ted Fund5 Total 2023 Total 2022 Note INCOMING RESOURCES Voluntary Income Artlvltles for generatingfund5 Income from Investiiients Church actlvltle5 Other Incoming resources 2a 2b 51,669 13,683 2,726 22,122 48 10,199 61.868 13,683 2,726 22,122 48 57.728 12.567 591 21.S35 2.282 2c 2d 2e TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES 90,248 10,199 I.447 94,703 RESOURCES EXPENDED Church actlvities Construction of and equlpment for Communlty Centre Fund ralslng costs 3a 98.584 10.199 108,783 105,948 3b 3c 4.973 4,973 4,925 TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED 103,557 10.199 113,756 110,873 MOVEMEwfoF FUNDS BALANCES BIFWD 1st JANUARY 13,309 108,519 13,309 108,519 16,170 124,689 BALANCES CIFWD 31st DECEMBER 95,210 95,210 108,519 The notes on pages 4 to 7 form part ofthe accounts Page 2

Parochlal Church Council of Christ the King, Battyeford alance Sheel at 31st Deceniber 2023 Unrèstrlcted Funds Restrlcled Funds Tolal 2023 Totsl 2022 Note CURRENT ASSErs Debtors Short-term deposit5- CBF. Cash at Bank and In hand 10,403 71,270 14,933 175 10,578 71.270 26,415 11.880 71.270 33.504 11,482 96.606 11,657 108,263 116,654 LL4BILrriES Credttors: amountsfalllng due In one year L396 11,657 13,053 B,135 Net wrrenl assets 95,210 11.657 95,210 lo819 Credltors '. amounts fallln8 due after one year TOTAL NET ASSErs 95,210 952lQ PARISH FUNDS Unrestricted Restrlcted 95.210 95.210 108.519 95,210 95,210 108,519 Approved by the Parothlal Church CoLtndl on and 518ned on its behalf bv The Revd Doctor Erlk Peeter5 {PCC chalmianl The notss on pages 4t0 7 fom part of the accounts Page 3

Paro¢hlal Church Councll of Chrfst the Klngp BattyefoTd Notss to thefinanclal slatemer Forthe year endlnB 31st December 2023 I ACCOUNnNG POUaES The financlal stalements have been prepared In accordarjce wlth the ChurchAccoundng Re8ulatlons 21XJ6togetherwlth appllcable accountinB Standards and theSORP 2005. The flnanclal ststsments have been prepared under hlstorlcal Costconvenon. Theflnandal tatements Indude all transactlons,assets and Ilablutles for whlch the PCC Is respon51ble In law. They do nol Include the attounts of chur.ch youpsthat owetheir maln affiltstion to arTrother by, nor those thatare Informal 8atherlngs of churth members. Funds RestrtL*ed funds represent lal Incomefrom grant rna8 bodle5 Includln8 The.Blg LottEry Fund. KiTklees Metropolltan Councll and m[eld Town Counal whlch may only be expended onlyon those restrlcied obletts provlded in the terms of the grant, and Ibl donauons recelved for a speclfic oblect or Ited bythe PCC fcf a speclfitobject. The funds mayonFybe expended onthe spetlficoblettfor whlch they were glven. Any balance remalnlng unspentatthe end of the year must be carried foryjard as a balance on thatfvnd. The PCC has Investedsepèratel0r each malorfvnd. Unrestrlcted funds are 8enerated fvnds whlch fan be used for PCC ordlnary purpose5. In¢omln£ resourt•s Planned glvlng,colledon and donatlons are recognlsed wheh recelved. T8x refunds are reco8ni5ed when the Incoming iesource to whlch thÈyrelate15 recelved, fjrants and legacies are accounted for when the PCC 15 legally entltled tothe amounts due. Inteiestls accounted for when recelvable, as Is all other Income. All Intoming rotslpts are 2¢nted for8ross. Resour¢e$ oxpended The dlocesan parish share Is atcounted for when payable. All other expendlture k% 8enèrdlly recogn15ed when It Is Inujrred and is acctsunted for gross. Axed Assets Consecrated and benefice property Is not Induded In the accounts In accordance wlth sS612llal of the Charitle5 Art 1993. Movable church furnlshlne5 held bythe ear and £hurchwarden5 on speclal trust forthe PCC and whlch reqlre a faculty fordlsposal are Inallenable property, Ilsted In the churc .5 Inventory. whlch can be Inspected lat a reasonable tlmel. All such expendlture hès been wrltten off en Ina¢rred'. Page4

Parothlal Chur¢h Coundl of Chrlstthe Kingp Battyelord Notestots finan¢lal ateme1 Icontlnu4dl For the year endlni 3tst Dernber 2028 INCOMING RESOURCES Unreslrl¢led Funds Restrkted ' Funds Total 2023 Total 2022 2a Voluntary In¢omé Planned giving Direct Glft Atd and Envelopes Tax recoverable Collecllons (open platel Grants Donatlons. appea15 etc Legacles and historlc funds 37,1fj5 iOA04 3.911 700 175 2,158 5.258 37,865 10,579 6,069 5.258 35.687 10.911 5.016 3,200 914 2,IKJO 1,908 1,908 ' 51.669 10.199 61.868 57,728 2b Acllvltles for 8eneratln# funds Soclal events and other and lund ralslng Sundry sales 13.683 13.683 12,567 13,683 13,683 12,567 Income from Inveslm8nts Interest 2,726 2.726 591 2d Income from church atthfftlas Lettlngs Fees Refreshments 18,012 2,913 1.197 18,012 2,913 1,197 16,810 . 3,842 883 22,122 22.122 21,535 Other Incomlni resources 48. 'A8 2,282 Total Incomlni resovrc 90248 10,199 l(N).447 94,703 Page 5

Parochlal Churth Council of Christ the Kln81 Battyeford Notesto the flnan¢lal ststsmehls l¢ontlnuedl Forthe year endlng 31st DecembLY 2023 RESOURCES EXPENDED Unrestrlcted Fund$ Restrkted Fund5 Totsl 2023 Total 2022 Church acilvAles Mlsslonary and charitable givings Leeds Diocese Klrkwood Hosplce .1,324 300 1324 300 3,969 120 Children'5 Society Chrlstian Aid RefuBee Appeal 273 1,136 273 1,136 172 135 125 Mlnlstry: Dlocesan Parlsh Share Other mlnlstry cost5 Church Nnnlng and malntenance Chur¢hyard upkeep 50.710 11.852 35,847 175 50.710 17.110 37.755 175 46,224 14,879 39,866 458 5,258 1.908 98,$84 10,199 108,783 105,948 3b ' Constructlon of and equlprnentfor the Communlty Centre Building costs other costs and equipment 3c Fun&ralsln8¢0sts 4.973 4,973 4.925 Total sOurceS expended 103,557 10,199 113,7S6 110.873 Page 6

Parochlal Church Coun¢ll of Chr15t the Kln& Battyeford Notes to the Ilnandil statements Icontlnuedl Forthe year endlng 31st December 2023 Unre5trlcted Funds Rèstricted Funds Total 2023 Total 2022 DEBTORS Gift Aid Recoverable other debtors 10,403 175 10,578 10.gJ9 971 11,880 10,403 175 10.578 UABIUTIES Amounts falllng due In one year Accruel for utlllty costs Other credltors Blshop's Fund Rev B Wllson Fund Ènvlromental Fund 1,396 1,396 230 2,516 3,911 5,OCK) 13053 2,277 3,084 2.774 230 2,516 3,911 .5.000 11,657 1,396 4135 FUNDS Unre5trktad Fund Movement Balancè tstjanuary 2023 los19 Deftclvfor the year endlng 3tst December 2023 13.309 Balance atst December 2023 95,210 srAFF cosrs 2023 2022 Wages and salaries 10,S07 084 Durlng the yearthe cost of varlous wa8es and salarles were not large enough to attract Soclal Securlty Costs. Page 7

Parochlal Church Coun¢ll of Chrlst the Kln& 8attyelord Independent ExamlneVs Reportto the Pccof Chr15tthe Klngl Battyoford This rert on the financial Statements of the PCC for the year ended 31st December 2023 whl¢h are set out o pages 2 to 7, Is Sn respert of an examlnatlon carrled out In accordance wlth the Church Accountlng Regulatlons 20061" the Regulatlons'l and s.43 of the Charltles Act 19931" the Att'l Respertlve Te5ponslblUtles ol the PCC and the Examlner As members of the PCC you are responslble for the preparatlon of the financial Statements. You conslderthat the audlt requlrement of the Re8ulatlons and s.42121 of the act does not apply. It15 my resonsibilityto issue thls report on those flnanclal statements In accordance wlth the terms of the regulatlons. B#sls of thi5 report My examlnatlon was carrfed out In accordance wlth the General Dlrectlons glven bythe Charity Commission under s.4317)Ibl of the Act and to bè found in the Church Guldance 2006 edltlon. That exarnlnatlon Includes a revlew of the a¢countlnB records kept bythe PCC and a comparlson of the accounts wlth tho* records. It also Include5 consldering any unusual Items or d15cIosures In the f5nancial Statements and seeklng explanatlons from you as tNstees conslderlng any such matters. The procedu$ undertaken do not provldè all the evldence that would be required in an audlt:and consequently I do not express an audlt oplnlon on the vlew glvetl'by the as trustees conslderlng any such mattÈts. The procedures undertaken do not provlde all the evldence that would be required In an audlLand consequently I do not exprè55 an audlt opinion on the view glven bythe accounts. Ind•pendent èxamlners'5 Statom•nt In connectlon wlth my examinatlon, no matter h85 cometo my attentlon: I whlch gfves me reasonable cause to belleve that In any materlal respert the reqU1meThts to keep accountlng records in accordanaFbce with sectlon 41 olthe act and to prepare flnan¢lal statements, whlch accord wlth the accountlng records and comply wlth the requlrernent of the Act and the Regulatlon have not been met, or 2 to whlch, In my oplnlon,attentlon should be drawn In orderto enable a pmper understandln8 of the accounts to be reached. SS8ned KA Steeples 6 Dunbottle aose Mlrfield West Yorkshlre WF14 9JD

Christ the King Battyeford Parochial Church Council Annual Report and Accounts For the year ended 31st December 2023