Annual Review 2025
St John’s Church
The PCC of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Chilcompton Charity number 1178808
Annual Review 2025
Contacts
Parish Office 01761 502068 office@stvigorstjohn.church
St John’s Church Coach Lane Chilcompton Radstock BA3 4HP
Rector
Revd. Esther Smith 01761 233401 rector@stvigorstjohn.church
Socials
Website www.stvigorstjohn.church Facebook StJohnTheBaptistChurchChilcompton Instagram stjohnschurch.chilcompton
With grateful thanks to Chris and Tina for the photos of Messy Church. To Dan Owen for the photos of Monday Night Tea. To Rachel Grant for the photos of Root Connections Cookery Club.
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Annual Review 2025
Contents
| Contents | |
|---|---|
| St John’s Church | 4 |
| Rectors Report | 4 |
| Churchwardens Report | 7 |
| PCC Secretary Report | 8 |
| Sidepersons | 10 |
| Electoral Role | 10 |
| Treasurers Report | 11 |
| The New Life Project | 17 |
| Discipleship (Home Groups) | 18 |
| Monday Night Tea | 19 |
| Wednesday Men’s Group | 20 |
| Tea & Toast | 20 |
| Thursday Morning Communion & Coffee | 21 |
| Lunch Club | 21 |
| Messy Church | 22 |
| Bellringers | 23 |
| Root Connections Cookery Club | 25 |
| Safeguarding | 27 |
| School Report | 28 |
| Deanery Synod Report | 28 |
| Independent Examiner’s Certificate | 30 |
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Rectors Report
‘The joy of the Lord is our strength.’ Nehemiah 8:10
What a lot we have fitted into 2025, and in all the business we have sought to keep Jesus as our main focus, serving him with joy throughout the year. We have much to thank Him for, not least the completion of Phase One of the New Life Project. Thank you to everyone who contributed in any way to the final total of £78, 890 that it cost to replace the roof and the heating in the Hall, and so to ensure that it remains an asset for the Kingdom for many years to come.
An incredible number of people passed through our buildings for the Christmas celebrations this year; whether they were here to worship or to enjoy a social event, we pray that they were blessed by the welcome they received. From choir concerts to craft fairs; from meals to wreath making workshops, all were welcomed generously in Jesus’ name. An enormous percentage of our regular attendees (90%) belong to at least one rota to help run our services and activities and I am enormously grateful that this is how we collectively understand what it is to be church together, serving one another in Jesus’ name. Our fellowship has grown by around 2% in number and we find 32 of our 40 regular worshippers attend one of 4 midweek, homegroups ensuring our spiritual development deepens too.
In terms of pastoral services, it has been a busy year with 7 Weddings, a baptism and 13 funerals. It is a joy and a privilege to walk with people at these significant milestones in life. Rosanna Blewett completed her year of training with us and was ordained in the summer, moving on to a curacy in Paulton. We were delighted to welcome her back to help us organise provision for families in the hugely successful Deanery Service which we hosted in July. Although we enjoyed meeting Archdeacon Charlie, I think the puppets from Bubble Church stole the show at that service! We continue to support the wider Deanery in hosting events like the Marriage Preparation Day, and the Deanery Alpha Course. Thank
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you to all who offer support in practical ways to the whole ministry of this church family.
We are grateful to God for all that we see him doing in us and through us, and we look to the year ahead with anticipation, for the completion of Phase 2 of the New Life Project, and for all that will unfold as we seek His will for this church. I hope, as you read the attached reports, you will find you can join me in giving thanks to God for all his goodness and respond with hearts full of praise.
Every blessing,
Esther Smith Rector
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Annual Review 2025 St John's Church Chilcompton A year in numbers £1.375 A revlew of the mlnlsty ot St John's Church 2025 gh•n to fthwlty & ml••lon Ch¥rth 32 90% 86 40 P•opl• b•low Fl•wl•r •n••8 P•opl• on our Young farnlll•• to ¢Jn• ol t04f r¥• foi•• Ekncior•l Rol• Inl•racl•d wlth ham•gro4>• M•My Church 10 15 Fwnlll•• hndlY MIgM T•• • SlJth TM & To• w••kty 255 Go•p•l publk•tlon• glvm io chlldrwb ol th• Plsh 1000 £78,890 P•opl• tt•nd•d Chrf•tm•• •v•nt• Ral••d lor lh• N•¥i Prol•ct Cosl ol Phas• On• 7 2 1 ,13 Well Done & Thank Youl
Annual Review 2025
Church Warden Report
‘Praise the Lord all you servants of the Lord who minister by night in the house of the Lord. Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord. May the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth bless you from Zion.’ Psalm 134
As I come to the end of 3 yrs as Church Warden and step down, I must first thank the Wardens’ Team without whom I could not have considered becoming the legally named person: Jill Bushill, Fred Corp, Rachel Grant, Margaret Holcombe and David Jones (who has taken on responsibility for Health & Safety). We have met every few months for a catch-up and check-in and I have also met with Rev. Esther Smith regularly. I also want to thank Leisa Thorne for becoming the 2nd named Warden in the past year and assure them all of my prayers in their ongoing voluntary responsibilities. I am not disappearing completely, but feel it is right to take a step back at this time. I am praying someone will be called to be a 2nd named Warden with Leisa, knowing that they will have a supportive Team behind them.
The role of Church Warden is not prescriptive; so is open to people bringing their particular gifts to that role. However, there are still a few specifics that must be attended to: Leisa (and Esther) have responsibility for keeping the ‘Terrier’ updated (any changes to church property; buildings and land) + on the most recent occasion completing and submitting the ‘Statistics for Mission’ required by the Diocese. The Men’s Group is keeping a ‘Logbook of Works’ and hopefully by the time you read this I will have completed the annual ‘Inventory Check’ (delayed due to the temperature in the Church not being conducive to counting bibles, hymn books, kneelers etc!)
The usual annual ‘housekeeping’ has taken place; some deepcleaning, servicing the fire extinguishers, electrical testing and ensuring the now defunct gas boiler is safe. In the kitchen, the ovens and dishwasher underwent a much-needed service. A fire drill has not taken place this year.
The Wednesday Men’s Group deserves recognition and my thanks
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for covering so many of the ongoing maintenance and improvements around the premises week by week. From past experience these can otherwise become the overwhelming responsibility of a Church Warden.
Everyone who administers and serves on the various Rotas also has my thanks and appreciation for the ‘well-oiled machines’ I have been able to rely on, especially when called upon to cover special events.
Obviously, the main focus this year has been the New Life Project and the various fund-raising events. It’s amazing that the Church Hall (Phase One) is complete, and particular thanks must go to Fred Corp, Sarah Williams and Mark Taylor (Church Architect) for steering that transformation. We look forward to the heating for the Church (Phase Two) being completed before too much longer.
Gathering all this together, I believe we truly are a church whose heart is to serve one another and the community around us in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you for enabling me to be a part of that in my official capacity as Church Warden.
Linda Van Peborgh Churchwarden
PCC Secretary Report
Firstly, may I offer thanks to Caroline Owen who stepped down from the role of PCC secretary in the summer 2025. Caroline brought her skills to provide an efficient PCC Secretary. I took over the role in September 2025 and look forward to documenting further meetings.
There have been 5 PCC meetings since the last APCM, and decisions were conveyed to the Congregation via PCC Jottings, available on the website. In January 2026 the PCC meeting discussed Safeguarding, this being an annual date for reviewing policies, procedures and any updates.
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Churchwardens - Linda Van Peborgh stood again for Churchwarden and was re-elected. Leisa Thorne was duly elected as the second Churchwarden.
St John’s PCC Term of Office
| Ex Officio | Esther Smith | Rector | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Churchwardens 2 wardens, elected annually, max 6 years |
Linda Van Peborgh Leisa Thorne |
2022-2028 2025-2028 |
|
| Laity Reps 6 reps, 3 year term, 1/3 retire annually |
Fred Corp Tina Collins Leisa Thorne Chris Collins Jill Bushill |
2023-2026 2025-2028 2023-2026 2024-2027 2024-2028 |
|
| Deanery Synod Reps 2 reps, 3 year term |
Linda Van Peborgh |
2024-2027 | |
Connie Moore PCC Secretary
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Sidespersons Report
We are grateful to a small group of people willing to welcome people to Church on a Sunday morning. If anyone would like to join this rota, please speak to me.
Current sidespersons
Elaine & Fred Corp Judy & David Jones Gill & Mike Bushill Robin Singh Connie Moore & Dett Saunders Margaret & Geoff Holcombe
Geoff Holcombe
Electoral Roll Report 31st December 2025
Following a full revision of the roll for the APCM of 2025, as at the 31st of December, we had 86 members on roll (79 at the end of 2024), 58 female (53) and 28 male (26).
If you would like to add your name to the Electoral Roll, forms are readily available from the Church Wardens or myself should you wish to take this next step. Once registered you are eligible to vote at the Annual Church Meeting and/or stand for election to the Parochial Church Council (PCC).
Nigel Wood
Electoral Roll Officer
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Annual Review 2025
Treasurer’s Report For the year ended 31 December 2025
Overview
At 31 December 2025, the balance on the Unrestricted (general) Account, used for the day-to-day running of the church, stood at £2,767 .
During the year, reserves increased by £8,000 , bringing t he total reserves to £13,318 . This increase was largely due to legacies received during the year totalling £12,500 . Without these one-off gifts, the General Account would have shown a deficit of £3,997 , wiping out the limited reserves previously held.
It is therefore important to recognise that the overall positive position at year end was dependent upon these exceptional receipts rather than an increase in regular income.
The New Life Project
Comparison with the previous year remains difficult due to the ongoing New Life Project , which results in substantial restricted income and expenditure outside normal operational activity.
During the year, Phase 1 of the project (Hall roof and heating) was fully completed. This was made possible through:
-
Living Legacies of £21,333 , together with £5,333 reclaimed through Gift Aid
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Grants totalling £16,200
-
VAT reclaimed on project expenditure of £4,546
These funds were restricted to the project and cannot be applied to general running costs.
Expenditure during the year amounted to £75,207
Unrestricted Funds (Day-to-Day Operations)
When considering only Unrestricted Funds:
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-
Voluntary receipts increased by £12,463 . However, this increase is entirely attributable to the legacies received during the year.
-
Regular planned giving remained broadly stable, which is not unexpected during a period of major capital works.
Income from fees (weddings and funerals) amounted to £5,342 , an increase of £1,312 compared with the previous year. However, reductions in other income streams meant that total income from these sources remained largely unchanged at £7,740 (2024: £7,732).
Expenditure
Overall expenditure in 2025 was £6,175 higher than in 2024.
The principal factors contributing to this increase were:
1. Parish Share (now Benefice Share)
The Benefice Share increased by £4,523 to £47,250 .
Under the revised calculation method, our assessed
contribution for 2025 would have been £54,102 . The calculated figure for 2026 is £57,432 , and we have pledged £50,000 for the current year.
2. Parish Administrator Salary
The salary of the Parish Administrator is now funded from general giving. Previously, this cost had been met by specific designated donations.
Reserves
At 31 December 2025, balances were as follows:
Unrestricted Funds – Total £16,171
-
Current Account: £2,767
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Designated Fund: £86
-
Reserves: £13,318
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Restricted Funds – Total £15,983
- Fabric Account: £14,176
Conclusion
The financial position at the year end remains stable. However, this stability is significantly dependent upon one-off legacy income rather than growth in regular giving. With rising Benefice Share contributions and ongoing operational costs, careful stewardship of resources and continued support through planned giving will be essential in the year ahead.
Chris Collins
Treasurer, PCC of Chilcompton with Downside
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Annual Review 2025
St John's Church
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Re£¢ts and Payments A£tountslor perfod tst january to 31st Oecembw 1025
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Annual Review 2025 St John's Church Chilcompton Re¢elpts I Ch¥h Athths Chuiih Hall Ftes for weddiny Ind luntt•ls 853 5.342 6.195 853 5,342 6,195 4,019 5,621 P•ym•nts 2 Mbsslon •nd (h•fft•ble Chrisiian Aid CMS Tearlur RO CoThnealons Food 8ank 8lbles lor xhool 35 195 352 35 195 352 120 2,424 447 207 417 207 417 8arnabos Fund Childiens Society Othtr 73 75 3,622 75 1.37S 75 1.3C 3 Church lIty 11$ Ele¢tri¢lty Gas Water 7.245 1.269 553 9.067 7,245 1.269 553 9,067 2,260 336 4 Ch¥r¢h runnlrq *xpenMs lrtsurance Maintenance Software. website & copyrig licence Chuf£hyard oiher exper 2,434 1,299 893 1,59) 2,701 8,917 1.226 1.018 1.2 1.849 7.997 1.226 1.018 i.S8S 1,849 8,322 325 325 S M5551on •rKI evanyllsm a>sts Messy Church Other 494 494 120 614 501 iio 614 699 15
Annual Review 2025 St John's Church Chilcompton T¢tsl Trf 2025 2021 Cash Funds 8ank Current Account Reserves DeplE Fund 2,767 13.318 15,983 18,836 13.318 Other Monetary Assets PCC Fees to be received Other Monetary Liabililies 8&WD8olF- Statory Fee lo pay HMAC -2( 35,6C 15,037 15,983 31.11 Notes l The finahclal siatements of the PCC have been prepared in X(tydae with ihe Ctrwfch A¢¢ouhiin8 Regulation$ 2CQ6 using Ihe Receipts & Payments basis. 2 The movefflents in deSnIted and reslrbCte(I fund during the year were.. Bal. Blfwd Receipts Payments Restricied Fabric IFrienthl 8arnabas Fund Root Connections Childrens So¢iety 28.332 1.873 61A151 301 352 75,207 417 352 14.176 1,757 207 195 207 195 Tearfund Bibles lor CMS Adminisirator DownsKle (hvrchyard 35 297 -1.305 29.232 35 297 325 77.129 63. 15,983 Designated Charitsble Giving 14 161 75 14 Desi8nated fund represents sums set aside from Voluntary Receipts lor ¢haitable purposes. 16
Annual Review 2025
The New Life Project
We are very grateful to the charitable organisations, companies and individuals who have supported Phase 1 of our New Life Project, to replace the roof and heating in our church hall.
Together, we raised over £53,000, which enabled us to replace the roof tiles, skylights and install additional guttering.
We have also installed an eco-friendly air source heat pump system, with air conditioning units in the hall and office. This will ensure the hall is warm in winter and cool in summer.
Together, these will ensure our hall is fit for our purpose for many years to come, supporting church services, groups, functions and the community alike.
With very many thanks to those behind the scenes who made this possible.
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Discipleship (Home Groups)
I start this report as always offering a huge thank you to all who make it possible for us to run mid-week home groups either by offering hospitality of their homes or by leading the groups.
Our four groups meet on different days during the week including one day time group for those who find it difficult to get out in the evenings. We use a mixture of themes from sermon series to the Lectionary and the questions we discuss are usually based on the Sunday sermon from the start of the week.
The topics in 2025 included a study on Philippians based on A Life Worth Living by Nicky Gumbel and a series on the Sayings of Jesus. Over the summer we looked at different parables.
In September we hosted the Deanery Alpha Course and a number of the congregation either attended or supported by leading small groups or by providing food for the shared meal. It was an opportunity for us to re-examine our faith, to ask questions in a safe environment and to learn from one another.
There will be another Alpha course running after Easter and I would encourage you to take part if you haven’t done so, it can be truly life changing.
The home groups provide a place where faith can be strengthened and encouragement and support provided. If you do not presently belong to one do think of trying one out, those who attend certainly find them helpful and worthwhile as we share with one another what it means to follow Jesus in our everyday lives.
If you are interested, please speak to me or to Esther.
Kristin Marshall Reader
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Annual Review 2025
Monday Night Tea
St John’s Family Tea has enjoyed a wonderfully productive and fruitful year.
Meeting on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month, we continue to welcome an average of 25–30 people from nine local families, creating a vibrant and supportive community under St John’s roof.
There have been several memorable highlights this year. One of the most rewarding for those involved was the Somerset Pilgrimage, where members of the group completed a 31-mile walk from Bath Abbey to St John’s Church, following the Bath to Glastonbury Waterway Pilgrimage route. Through this incredible effort, the group raised nearly £2000 towards the New Life Project.
Another special moment was the Light Up St John’s event at the end of November. Gathering together to illuminate the Christmas tree and the star atop the tower, we marked the beginning of Advent with joy, fellowship, and a sense of shared purpose.
A heartfelt thank-you goes to everyone who helps make our Monday night Tea what it is. Whether you set up, bake desserts, wash up, tidy away, or simply offer a warm welcome, your contributions shape the atmosphere that makes this gathering feel like a true family, brought together in community and held in God’s love.
Dan Owen
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Annual Review 2025
The Wednesday Men’s Group
This small fellowship group of retired men continues to flourish, meeting on Wednesday mornings at St John’s. Many tasks are undertaken which vary according to season. Outside work in the summer months. Inside tasks in the colder months. This may be painting, minor repairs, Christmas light decorations or looking into dark dusty corners, clearing out worn or redundant equipment. But whatever time of year coffee breaks, or once a month bacon bap breaks, with conversation ranging over many topics forms a most important and enjoyable part of the morning.
We are an open Group welcoming those who would enjoy this type of social activity.
Fred Corp
Tea & Toast
Tea & Toast continues to meet on Thursdays in Term Time to enjoy breakfast in a warm and welcoming environment whilst our toddlers play. A strong community spirit has developed between the 20 or so, parents, grandparents and childminders who regularly attend. Whilst some have moved on to school, new babies have arrived.
We have supported one another through traumatic life events such as redundancy and untimely death of a family member, and we have celebrated together over new births and wedding anniversaries. (I was delighted to be invited to arrange a wedding blessing and renewal of vows for one family.)
The group is run by a small and hardworking band of volunteers (thank you guys!) but is really ‘owned’ by the group participants who take an active role in the clear up process weekly. Where appropriate we share openly about our faith and often commit to pray for those we serve in this group. It has been a privilege to see
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these young families grow in confidence that this is their church, and to feel happy to spend time here and invite their friends to join them in our facilities.
We give thanks for the relationships that are blossoming in Jesus’ name. If you would like to explore joining this ministry, sharing His love in practical ways to the young families of the area, do speak to me.
Esther Smith Rector
Thursday Morning Communion & Coffee
A shortened form of Holy Communion taken from the Book of Common Prayer is celebrated on a Thursday morning in Church/Hall at 11am. A time to pause in our busy lives to be in God’s presence and reflect on the gospel for the day. The service is followed by tea and coffee and time to socialise.
Margaret Holcombe
Lunch Club 2025
Lunch Club continues to meet on the third Thursday of the month (except for August). The meal through the Autumn, Winter and Spring months is soup and a roll or Jacket Potatoes and various filings with a pudding and cream followed by tea or coffee. During the Summer months we have quiche and salad and a ploughman’s lunch. In December we had our usual Christmas meal of turkey with all the trimmings and a glass of wine or fruit juice followed by Christmas pudding and minced pies all topped with cream.
A group of children from St.Vigor & St John’s School came and sang carols which was greatly appreciated. We are very grateful to Mitchards butchers who cook the turkey crowns for us. We would
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also like to thank Hannah and Esther Smith for doing the clearing up in the kitchen after the meal.
Grateful thanks to the loyal people who each month help at Lunch Club. For further information please contact me, details are posted on the church website.
Margaret Holcombe
Messy Church
Messy Church continued to meet monthly throughout the year. Each session was well received and the children had fun whilst learning about Jesus.
2025 was a very encouraging year with 57 different Children from 40 different families (2024 - 60 Children from 33 families) We continue to attract families from a wide catchment area.
Each month of 2025 we explored a different area of Jesus' life and ministry as well as an Easter and Advent themed session. Our highlights of the year were the Easter egg hunt and our summer party.
We need a large team, of 20 plus people each month, for Messy Church to happen. Most help with crafts on Sunday afternoons or by cooking food in the kitchen. Others help with cutting out and admin tasks at home. We are really fortunate to have such a brilliant team without their continued support Messy Church would not happen!
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Our end of term summer event last year was a Circus themed party. This took place on the hottest day of the year, which made setting up and tidying away challenging, but it didn’t stop those attending having a great time. We had a bouncy castle, water games and numerous circus themed games with hotdogs and ice cream for tea.
In December some of our team hosted the lady’s wreath making workshop this was a resounding success with £361 raised for the New life project.
We hosted the Christingle service. Which was a lovely way to end the year, it raised £94 for the Children's Society.
Tina Collins Team Lead
Bellringers
Bellringing at Chilcompton has continued regularly over the past year. Ringing takes place for Sunday morning services, with a practice or quarter peal attempt usually held on Sunday evenings, in addition to the weekly practice on Monday evenings. Many members of the Chilcompton band also support Sunday service ringing and weekly practices at Midsomer Norton, with ringers from Midsomer Norton similarly supporting ringing at Chilcompton. A ten-bell practice is also held at Chilcompton on the second Friday of each month, together with a fortnightly twelve-bell practice on Tuesday
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evenings at Midsomer Norton.
During the year, 43 successful quarter peals and three full peals were rung, with very few unsuccessful attempts. Chilcompton continues to serve as a centre for bellringing tuition at all levels. We are pleased to welcome two new members this year: Ed Pratt, who learned to ring at Chilcompton, and Jane MaKee, an experienced ringer who now lives near Warminster. We remain very grateful for the continued support of Nicki Lang and Robert Perry, both accredited teachers with the Association of Ringing Teachers (ART), for their assistance in training new ringers.
In March 2025, a team representing Chilcompton, together with ringing friends from surrounding towers, entered the National Twelve-Bell Striking Competition. At the qualifying round held at St Chad’s, Shrewsbury, the team placed fifth out of six competing bands. The team has also entered the 2026 competition, with the qualifying round due to take place on 28 March in Leicester. Participation in this competition provides a valuable opportunity to ring alongside skilled ringers from the surrounding area and to work towards improving the standard of our ringing.
The band also enjoyed two outings during the year. In March 2025 we visited London, ringing at St Martin-in-the-Fields (Trafalgar Square), St Mary-le-Bow (Cheapside), and St Michael’s, Cornhill. More recently we visited Yeovil, Taunton Minster, and St Mary’s Church, Bridgwater.
Bellringing remains a sociable activity and we regularly welcome visiting bands to Chilcompton, as well as continuing to provide training for ringers at all stages of learning. There is no age limit to learning to ring, and we are always pleased to welcome anyone interested in taking up this activity. As many younger ringers move away for university and other opportunities, we are always keen to welcome new members. Anyone interested is invited to attend the Monday evening practice between 7.15 pm and 9.00 pm to see what is involved.
Finally, we would like to pay tribute to Adrian Beck, who has recently stepped back from organising the regular ringing. Adrian has given
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more than 70 years of service to St John’s Church, including over 40 years as Tower Captain. Together with his late brother Robert, Adrian has led the Chilcompton ringers for many decades and has been an inspiration and source of encouragement to many. In recognition of his contribution to ringing, Adrian was recently elected an Honorary Life Member of the Bath and Wells Diocesan Association of Change Ringers. Even at the age of 82, Adrian continues to maintain the churchyard and dig graves by hand, despite the particularly stony ground.
We are really proud that Chilcompton is seen as a centre of ringing, particularly ringing education, and look forward to continuing our mission for the coming year. As always, we are exceptionally grateful for the support and flexibility of Esther and the wider church community.
Matthew Higby Tower Captain
Root Connections Cookery Club
Cookery Club meets on the 4[th] Monday of the month and has continued to develop throughout the year attracting participants across a wide age range. Our maximum capacity is 16 for cooking and lunch but despite having more people than this on our mailing list numbers always seem to work out.
Root Connections is at Manor Farm in Stratton on the Fosse. The organisation aims to improve health and wellbeing for the vulnerable adults who have been homeless and rough sleeping who come to the Dairy House homeless hostel. Through the vegetable and flower gardens on site the residents and community volunteers receive creative opportunities to develop social and practical skills. The sale of vegetables and flowers through the veg box and flower scheme come back into the project to enhance the positive social impact of the organisation which is one of our mission partners. In 2025 Root
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Connections attracted significant National Lottery funding to develop its work.
During 2025 a year’s worth of recipe cards developed, trialled and photographed by cookery club were printed up and are a welcome addition to the veg boxes sold by the Farm.
During 2025 the cookery club ran five pop up cafes – two at Root Connections in the Spring and Autumn, alongside the church table top sale back in March and as a welcome end point for the Chilcompton Open Gardens event.
All of these cafes raised funds for Root Connections with the big fundraiser being the Christmas market café alongside the Christmas market which happens at St John’s.
Rachel Grant
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Annual Review 2025
Safeguarding Report
It is with a grateful heart that I am able to report that there have been no safeguarding issues that have been brought to my attention, in the past 12 months. Having attended courses with PSO’s from many different parishes, I have become increasingly aware of the many complex challenges that some parishes face, and St John’s have not. However, this doesn’t allow for complacency. Routine training continues to be done by those who need to do training, and DBS checks are up to date, again for those roles which require such checks. PSO online forums are regularly held by the Diocese, and I do my best to attend as many as I can. These often comprise of lecture/seminar on different subjects, and whilst not formal training, are often interesting and informative.
Last Summer, Leisa and I attended Wells Cathedral for a service of thanks for the work of Parish Safeguarding Officers. Afterwards we were able to discuss with Bishop Michael our roles at St John’s and enjoyed some light refreshment.
Safeguarding Sunday on November 16[th] 2025 focused on what it means to feel ‘safe’ and a video was shown of a poem about safeguarding, which told about its success and failure in churches. It was food for thought.
The PCC meeting in January was primarily concerned with looking at Safeguarding, and policies and practices were reviewed and updated.
Again, I give thanks to everyone who complies with their training requirements and who consent to DBS checks. St John’s continues to be a safe church.
Connie Moore
Parish Safeguarding Officer
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Annual Review 2025
School Report
St Vigor’s & St John’s School, continues to thrive as our village school in Chilcompton. Dan Owen and I represent the Church as Foundation Governors, meeting every other month, but we are not the only people of faith on the Governing body of 6 non-staff members. The Christian faith and ethos of the school was affirmed by a very complimentary SIAMS Inspection (Church Schools Inspection) in March which noted the very good and supportive relationship between the church and the school. Once again, St John’s gifted bibles to each child and at Christmas Gospel Comics sharing the Nativity story through puzzles and activities were very warmly received. The school visits the church buildings for worship regularly throughout the year and is always full and of joy and laughter on these occasions.
Esther Smith
Vice Chair of Governors
Deanery Synod Report
Synod met 3 times in 2025 (March /June / Oct); attended by Esther and myself. Minutes are circulated to the PCC and now include a report from the General Synod too. A summary of relevant points appear in the PCC Jottings on the church website.
Each meeting started with a time a worship, usually followed by focussed small groups discussion and feedback regarding activities in the various parishes, covering both encouraging stories and sharing disappointments. A time to encourage each other and share ideas.
Much of 2025 was occupied with Parish Share concerns and the likelihood of fewer ordained clergy covering more parishes ie. more joint benefices. One solution is to train Service Leaders to cover
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non-eucharistic services; a programme that has already seen such a group taking responsibility for the Joint Deanery Service in the summer. It is clear we will all need to embrace these changes.
We are currently short of one Deanery Synod Rep for St Vigor and St John's Benefice. Please speak to Esther if you are interested in taking on this responsibility.
Linda Van Peborgh Deanery Synod Rep
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Annual Review 2025 St John's Church Chilcompton Independent Examinerfs Certificate for the PCC Accounts lthmwiif•K••Y•l * 11)OJ l&). I i? oj Iv www.stvigorstjohn.church 30