Trustees Annual Report 2021
Windmill started 2021 with the pandemic restricting our meetings. Although it was still cold, the trustees agreed to meet outside in the grounds of St Mary’s church. By April, the restrictions were lifting so Children’s Church and meeting inside at the Chapel were discussed. By May, Windmill was having services inside at the Methodist Chapel in Bottesford but, influenced by the style of the outside services, used reduced technology and worshipped in a circle. The upheaval gave Windmill the opportunity to review times, days and venues for services; an earlier service on one Sunday was trialed but it did not have the effect hoped for and was less acceptable to regular attendees. By the end of the year, it was agreed to continue at 4pm on 2[nd] and 4[th] Sundays, with drama for children planned for 2[nd] Sundays. The Agape services continued on 5[th] Sundays.
Following the success of outdoor worship in the pandemic, LM, one of our Pioneer Ministers, began looking into Forest Church. In September 2021, a new Forest School opened in a nearby wood, and after discussions, Windmill Forest Church began in November 2021 as a collaboration between the Forest school provider and Windmill. The sessions proved an instant success, with 14 children, and their parents, attending the Forest Church Christingle in December 2021. Besides enjoying God’s creation and forest school activities, Windmill Leaders provide focused activities that help the families to draw closer to God. Forest Church is now held monthly on third Sundays.
Our trustee meetings featured learning from the Greenhouse course GodSend at the start of the year. GodSend is a national Anglican Church App that helps churches to assess how they are interacting with the community and how they are showing love. Windmill had already followed the suggested pattern and were onto a second cycle of the process with Forest Church to bring the love of Jesus into our community. The Forge for Pioneer training was also explored but was unable to be taken up this year by anyone. The Thursday Bible Study Group continued on zoom weekly and pastoral visits and support to members continued throughout the year.
Windmill continued to be a part of CTiB (Churches together in Bottesford) collaboratively producing Easter and Christmas Cards to be distributed to the whole village and participating in the World Day of Prayer and Christian Aid fundraising. On behalf of CTiB, Windmill coordinated a community outreach working with the Friends of the local Primary School to provide a Nativity Window trail on Christmas eve as the finale to the school’s Advent Windows. The windows were appreciated but not as enthusiastically attended as in 2020 due to Covid restrictions easing. Windmill also coordinated the annual village Christmas Carols and Tree lighting on behalf of CTiB, working alongside the other churches, Parish Council and Vale of Belvoir Lions.
Windmill ran an Easter egg trail with prizes for completion of the trail, which was well used and appreciated since many Covid restrictions still applied. In December 2021, Windmill launched ‘Nativity Rocks’. Over 100 rocks were lovingly hand painted with nativity pictures by local volunteers and these were then hidden with a message around Bottesford, Muston, Easthorpe and Normanton to be found by local residents. Finders of the stones were encouraged to post a photograph of their find on our facebook page, and 10 stones featuring Baby Jesus came with chocolate prizes. It was a hugely successful venture and another way of spreading Christ’s love and joy with community members who may not be church attenders.
Windmill ended the year hopeful as Windmill had continued to grow with families starting to come to Forest Church and another trustee added to the team. Windmill was also still highly valued especially by those who see Windmill as their main or sole place of Worship.
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examinerfs Report Report to the trusteesldirectorsl members of On accounts for the year ended Charity no.: 117 fv73 Company no.: Set out on pages I report to Ihe charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended Responsibilities and basis of report As the charills trustees of the Company (who are also Ihe directors of the company for Ihe purposes of company lawl, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in acwrdance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 {1he 2006 Acr). Having satisfied myself that the accounls of the Company are not required to be audited for this year under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for Indendent examination. I report in respect of my examination of your charitys accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ("Ihe 2011 Act.). In carying out my examination. I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 14515)(bl of Ihe 2011 Act. Independent examiner's statement Delete I l rf not applicable. I have completed my examination. I confim that no malerial matters have come to my attentio hich gives me cause to believe that.. ' accnunting records were not kept in accordance wth seclion 386 of the Companies Act 2006. or . the accounts do not accord wth such records.. or the accounts do not comply with relevant accounting requirements under section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 1rue and fairf view which is not a mattèr consideréd as part of an independent examination., or •lhe accounts have not been prepared in accordance with Ihe Charities SORP IFRS102). IER October 2018
I have no concems and have come across no othor matters In connèction with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. ' Ple8se delete the words in the brnck8ts rfthgy do not apply. Slgned: Date: Name: Relevant professlonal qualificalionls> or body (if any): Address: gr. /MA&iy. SPX Section B Disclosure Only complete if the examiner needs lo highlight material mallers of concern (see CC32, Independent examinalion of charity accounts- directions and guidance for examiners). Glve here brief detalls of any Items that the examlnerwishes to disclose. IER Ocl¢*er 2018
Yearfy Balance Tolals 2021 Balance cjf 1,653.76 Income HMRC Grants Cheque Oonalions Cash Donations BACS Donations PGS Don21ions 426.83 0.00 0.00 525.00¥ 20.00 2726.96 Total Income 3,698.79 5,352.55 Expendilu Purchases Payments to Diocese Hardship Fund Insurance Print, postage and Slalionary Donations AssetslEquipmenUResources Advertising TraininglAway Days Website Children's Activities Food Accountancy Fee5 Travel Expenses Rent Gifts £0.00 £320.00 5 £0.00 £218.286 £0.00 £250.00 £588.11 r £168.28 ¥ £0.00 £259.10 £260.00 ¥ £14.04 £0.00 £299.70 £240 00 ¥ £609.23 ¥ Total Expenditure £3,226.74 Balance 2,125.81