# **2021 Report and Accounts for the Parochial Church Council of St Martin’s, Hereford Part of the Benefice of South Wye, Hereford** _1_ **2021 Report and Accounts for the Parochial Church Council of St Martin’s Hereford** ## _**Page**_ - 1 Parish and PCC Information 2 PCC Membership and Policies 3,4 Electoral Roll 5 Churchwardens’ Report - 6, 7 Treasurer’s Report 8 Examiner’s Certificate - 9,10 Return of Parish Finance 11,12 Assets and Liabilities 13,14 Receipts and Payments 5-19 Team Rector’s Report - 19 Vestry and APCM Agendas 20-22 Minutes of 2021 Vestry & APCM ## _**Parish Information**_ St. Martin’s Church is situated in Ross Road, Hereford. It is part of the Diocese of Hereford within the Church of England. The correspondence address is The Team Office 89 Ross Road, Hereford, HR2 7RJ The PCC is a body corporate (PCC Powers Measure 1956, Church Representation Rules 2006) and a charity registered with the Charity Commission. St. Martin’s Parochial Church Council (PCC) has the responsibility of cooperating with the incumbent, the Reverend Anne Dowdeswell, in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish, the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. The PCC is also specifically responsible for the maintenance of the Church Centre complex of St. Martin’s, Ross Road, Hereford, and our investment properties. ## _**St Martin’s PCC**_ The PCC is committed to enabling as many people as possible to worship at our church and to become part of our parish community at St. Martin’s. The PCC maintains an overview of worship throughout the parish and makes suggestions on how our services can involve the many groups that live within our parish. Our services and worship put faith into practice through prayer and scripture, music and sacrament. In particular, we try to enable the people of South Wye to live out their faith as part of our parish community through: Worship and prayer; learning about the Gospel; and developing their knowledge and trust in Jesus; Provision of pastoral care for people living in the parish; Missionary and outreach work. To facilitate this it is important that we maintain the fabric of the Church of St. Martin’s and the Church Centre. _1_ ## _**Membership**_ PCC members who have served at any time from 1st January 2021 until the date this report was approved are: _Ex Officio:_ Reverend Anne Dowdeswell _Team Rector_ Reverend Lauren Bell _Curate (July 2021 - present) Churchwardens_ Julia Ware Irene Goodman _Deanery Synod Reps_ Bev Merrett _Secretary_ John Eden _Treasurer_ Gillian Farlow _Elected Members_ Bev Merrett Irene Goodman John Eden Geoff Rawcliffe Gillian Farlow Julia Ware _Co-opted Member_ Clive Wilce ## The PCC meet bi-monthly. The Standing Committee has authority to transact business between meetings. ## _**Reserves Policy**_ It is the policy of the PCC to hold a minimum of £10,000 as a General Reserve to cover running costs in the event of a major problem, another £10,000 in a Restricted Building Fund to meet anticipated building maintenance costs and unforeseen repairs, and yet another £8,600 (3 months staff pay) to smooth out fluctuations in cash flow and meet emergencies. ## _**Church Workers Pension Fund**_ The Scheme is considered to be a multi-employer scheme as described in Section 28 of FRS 102. This is because it is not possible to attribute the Pension Builder Scheme’s assets and liabilities to specific employers and that contributions are accounted for as if the Scheme were a defined contribution scheme. The pension costs charged to the SoFA in the year are contributions payable by and on behalf of the only eligible member of staff (2020: £1,410). _2_ ## _**Electoral Roll**_ ## There are 69 members of the Electoral Roll |AUER|Frances Alexandria Ruth|HUGHES Valerie Mary| |---|---|---| |BAYLISS|Brenda Rosemary|HYDE Leslie Martin| |BELL|Daphne N|JONES Dafydd John| |BISHOP|Ann|JOSEPH Joan| |CLARKE|Elizabeth|KENNETT-WISE John Duncan| |COCKROFT|Susan Catherine|KENNETT-WISE Pamela Jean| |DAVIES|Gwendoline May (Jean)|LEESON Nora Betty| |DITCHFIELD|Margaret Rose|LEWIS Sarah Louise| |EDEN|John|LIBBY Ann Josephine| |EDWARDS|Geoffrey Charles|MARSHALL Paul| |ENGLISH|Marion Rose|MASON Doris Jean| |EVANS|Shirley Jane|MC.CARTHY Claire Deanne| |EVANS|Geoffrey WIlliam|MERRELL Michelle Lynne| |FARLOW|Gillian Elizabeth|MERRITT Beverly Anne| |GILBERT|Dorothy Zoela|MORRIS Ann Elizabeth| |GITTENS|Catherine Grace Elizabeth|MUSSELL Irene Christabel| |GITTENS|Sarah Joan|NEVILL Jackie| |GOODMAN|Susan|PEMBRIDGE Elizabeth Mary| |GOODMAN|Irene Elizabeth|PRICE Marlene Mary| |GWYNNE|Caroline Ellen|RANYARD Susan| |HAMMETT|Sarah Jane|RAWCLIFFE Deanne Elizabeth| |HARDING|June Dawn|RAWCLIFFE Geoffrey Norman| |HARWOOD|Pauline Heather|RICKERS Barbara Joan| |HARWOOD|Victor|RICKERS William Kendall| |HEALEY|Irene Dorothy|ROGERS Margaret Doreen| _3_ SAUNDERS Beris Pamela SEYMOUR Janet Ethel SHARLAND Joan Margaret SHARPE Pamela SPICER SCOFIELD Andrea Joy SPICER SCOFIELD Marie Louise TALBOYS Margaret Edith TREHERNE Dianne Margaret WALKINGTON Claire WARD Gillian Mary WARE Julia Dawn WATKINS Debra Georgina WIGGINS Gaye Clare WILCE Clive Anthony WILCE Marion Elsie Jean WILCE Susan Caroline WILCOX Sarah WILLIAMS Heather Elizabeth WOODCOCK Alison _4_ ## _**Churchwardens’ Annual Report for 2021**_ Our report begins on January when Sunday services, Morning Prayer and Night Prayer were online. We are grateful to Rev’d Anne and the Missioners for keeping us in contact with one another during the Pandemic. On 27th April, Tuesday afternoon coffee began again at De Koffee Pot and continued there, the Wye Inn or outside St Martin’s Hall. This group now meets in the Narthex each Tuesday from 2-3:30pm. Messy Church began again on 17th September and it was lovely to see familiar families again. Our thanks to all who run this group. Pre-School Praise resumed on 4th October but as the children who had come before were now at school or nursery, those who came were new faces. The Easter draw was successful and the day we gathered in the hall for afternoon tea was enjoyed not only for the lovely food but also the company. Once again thanks to all who made this possible and worked hard on the day and before. Reverend Lauren was ordained on 4th July and joined us on the next Sunday. She has been a great help to Revd. Anne and has been a friend to us all and a very valuable and popular member of the team. The Christmas Draw was a successful fundraiser and the hall was packed for the Christmas Fair. The FoodShare has carried on as usual and is appreciated by many people. In April we attended a Churchwardens’ course on looking after the church building. With regard to the fabric of the church, the porch has been prepared and we are waiting for quotes to finish the work. The roof and gutters have been inspected by drone. The pump in the crypt has been replaced and is working well. The ground drains around the church which receive the water from the downpipes as well as the pump have been jetted. All the missing and faulty lightbulbs in the hall and the choir vestry have been replaced. The mouse man is still in attendance as part of a continuing contract. In January 2022 there was a fire in the church hall which caused a lot of smoke damage. Although a lot is covered by insurance, some of the infrastructure was not up to current fire regulations and this has resulted in us having to foot a _5_ large bill. This was one of the reasons for the Spring Draw to raise as much money as possible. There will be a need for more fundraising in the future. Meals on Monday has had to be suspended and now soup and snacks are served at the door of the Narthex alongside FoodShare. In October Michael Ranyard retired from running Meals at St Martin’s and David Bland took over. We would like to thank Michael and Sue for all they have done over the years. In conclusion we are sure that you would like to join us in thanking Reverend Anne, Lauren, David and all who help in any way at St Martin’s. _Irene Goodman & Julia Ware_ Churchwardens ## _**Treasurer’s Report on 2021 Accounts**_ Even though the pandemic disruptions continued to overshadow much of 2021, by the end of the year restrictions had eased enough for us to enjoy Christmas with our loved ones. Church services had returned to a “new normal” and our church community could look forward to our group activities starting up again in the new year. Continuing with these positive thoughts, we ended the year with a substantial surplus of more than £43,000, largely due to several generous legacies and a number of Grants. A “Restart” grant of £4,668 from Herefordshire Council was to compensate for the loss of hall lettings during the various lockdowns. In light of the building deficiencies uncovered after the January fire this money will be invaluable. A £10,000 grant paid for the purchase costs of a refrigerated van for our busy FoodShare project. Several smaller grants are ringfenced for particular FoodShare schemes of which about £3,000 must be spent before this June. The FoodShare part of our activities is going from strength to strength. Another factor contributing to our year end surplus was that our “Offer” to the Diocese in 2021 was £7,000 less than the previous year. They had required this “Offer” figure in June 2020 just as we were gradually easing out of our first brutal lockdown. Having no idea of the ongoing financial impact we, the PCC, took the conservative decision to reduce our “Offer”. _6_ When I compared our 2021 year end surplus and adjusted for legacies, grants and “Offer” reductions, the 2021 Surplus is £2,200 more than 2020 and £1,120 less than 2019 (pre-pandemic). So not a vast difference. Because of the continuing restrictions in 2021 the only “in person” fund raising event we were able to enjoy together was the Christmas Fair. Thank you to Jackie Nevill and her team for all of their hard work. Everybody had a wonderful time and we raised £1,500. The Gift Day in the summer raised £2,300. The regular raffles during the year also helped with our fundraising efforts. Thank you Pam Sharpe and Heather Williams for organising and distributing the tickets. A Bonus Ball surplus of £1,500 went into PCC funds during 2021 thanks to Sue Cockroft and her tireless record keeping all through the year. Looking at the Statement of Assets and Liabilities the £3,829 under Liabilities/ Agency Accounts is all Wedding Deposits in the Fees Account and therefore not our money to spend. In line with PCC policy we have increased our Reserves to £43,832 from £9,829. We have transferred most of the money from the CCLA Property Savings Account to our NatWest Property Current Account due to the danger of falling into “negative equity”. We have also moved all of our Reserves into Restricted Reserve Funds (see page #2 of the Assets & Liabilities Statement). Rounding up all of the above, I am hoping that the fact that we were able to build up our Reserves in 2021 means that we should now be in a position to pay for all of the associated expenses incurred after the fire in January. Several issues were raised by the Fire Inspectors after the incident and these must be rectified before we can reopen. Finally, thank you for your patience, understanding and support during another challenging year. _Gillian Farlow_ PCC Treasurer _7_ Independent Examinerfs Certificate for the PCC Accounts Report tothe trustees of: ST. MAATIfv)S aoai P?rothial Church Coundl On a¢¢ountstor thÈyear ended.. CharityNumber lif applica￿￿1.. R•Sp•¢i￿a r•sponslbnttk5 of trust•es•nd •x•mln•r The charity's trustees are re5ponsiblefor the preparation Of theattouttty The tharlty's trustee5 ¢onsiderthatan audlt is not rÈqulred far thls year under sectlon 144 af theChèrltiesAcr 2011 Ithe CharltiesAttI and thatan Independent examination ￿ needed. It Is rny responsibllityto.. examlnethe account5under Section 145 of the Charities Act. to follow the prxedures laid down in the 8enerdl Diredions8nien by the Charty Commission (undèr SÈttion 14515llbl llf thÈ Charities Artl, and to State whether particullir matters have cometo my attention. Ooslsof lrtd•p*Ad•ni Myexamlnatlon wascarried E*Ut in aCcOrdan￿￿4th￿eneral Direction58iven by the Charfty •xnmkn*s slatem•Trit Commi55ion. An Èxaminatlrjn Ih¢ludÈ$3 r@¥lÈw tsf theac¢ountlnÉ rerords kept bythe charty and è comparlson of theaccounts presentedwlth those recordk It èlso IncludÈs sider4tlE>n of a￿¥ Ftem5 Or disd05ures in the aco)unts, and seeking explanations from the trUsteescontsml￿ anysuch matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all theevide*Trce that would be required in an audlt, and ConsÈqUent￿ no oplnion Is Iven as towhetber thearcourts present a'true and fairf wew andthe report 15 limited to thogè matters get Out In thestatÈmÈ#t below. Indwnd•rt•x•mlh•rS In connedion with my examinatlon, no matter has cometo myattentlon lotherthan thut st•t*m*rt dlstlosedbelow'l l. wh1rhg￿% me reasonable ouse to bellevethat In. anymaterièl resped, the following requirement5 have not been met.. to keEPa￿0￿￿tIng Tecords in accordancewith secknon 130 of the Charitie5Act.' to prepare accounts which attord with the accountiw records and complywlth the accountlng requirements of the CharitiesAct." to a¢count f¢r5tatutoryfees torrertlv. 2. ttswhlch. In my oplnion. attention $I￿Uld be drawn sn order to enable a proper understanding of thÈ accountsto be ￿ached. Ple05e delete the word5 in the brucketsiltheydo notopply. SID•d.. D•t•'. aa gu￿[￿(atIOn(sI0r bodyllFanvl'. CPFA CIIC4RTE Ib)ST ITWTE Cs% Addr￿.. Ebs) bsAfEKY 6 PC¢.offtJpdeLllor￿s P￿)￿1 of 2 Return of Parish Finance Parish ref: 180075 Pari8h '. H•reford: St Martln January to December 2021 INCOMING RESOURCES UNRESTRICTED RESTRICTED oi Tax effr¢￿nI planned giving 18799 03 Collecd￿9 at seMce$ All othèr gi￿n9 and voluntary rewpts. Includlng $pedal appeals Irgcurring an¢ onfroff) Glft recovere(I 2553 2560 6308 12500 07 r8wwJ {cawial val￿) Grants Ilnclu¢Ye recurring an¢J one-offj 5408 14598 476$7 17168 Gross ino*me from fijndraising activiues 7892 10 DI¥￿en11s. interesl. In￿Me from property etc 34554 Statutory fees retained by the PCC Iwedclings. funerals etcl Gross income frorn trading le.g. hall leiting5. magazine, bc¥Jkstalll. NOT lundraislng. 19187 12 9837 13 Ott*r Incoming resour05 1 recelpts not al￿¢)Y listed UArèstrl¢te(I 119127 17164 TOTAL 136291 Number of tax efv"￿t F4anned g¢vw5 31 16 Numt* ol new lewes received Your diocese can suppty notes to explain wh8t 98Gh section is. These are con￿stent with the guidanc6 provid8d in PCC aCcounta￿lity, 2017. Contact (Phone or E Looking back across 2021, were there any ex¢eptlonal circumstances or slgnlfi¢ant change We a￿ ¢onb"nuing lo led the financial impad ol the COVIO 19 pandemic has teen par#alty offset ty 3 kl We have increased c¥Jr Reserves in line PCC pdicy an(1 national guidelines. A sole eltgible rnember ol staff Is eftrolled in the CWPF pe￿￿n 8uil¢Yer Scheme with penwon costs of £1,410 Our Charity commissi￿ Registra1￿ Number is .1179658. If thls fom Ss NOT completed on behalf of the entire parish, please list below the churches Induded, Deanery '. Hereford 618076Hereford.. St Martln DiorEse '. Hereford RESOURCES EXPENDED UNRESTRICTED RESTRICTED Ir4 17 Fund-raising aclivilies I￿Sts and payments) 1048 18 Mission givlng anrj donations Dlocesan parish share conthbudon Salartes. wages and honorarfa Clergy and stsff expensès 430 545 19 16000 20 16828 8574 21 22 Church expenses.. Mission antj evangelism costs Church Tunnlng expenses Church ulllty blll¥ Co8t5 of trading 4286 23 27120 24 1411 25 16663 27 Major repabrs Ics the church building Major repairs lo tho church hall or other PCC propgty, Indudlng redeo)ration 28 29 New building work to the church. church ha15, clergy houslno or any other PCC property JLrg.- 79498 13385 99 Other oulgolng resourGes I payments Unrestrlcted Restrfcted TOTAL 79498 1338S 92883 31 Cash and deposit balanc8 as at 31st December Investments as al 31st December 28904 51912 32 30 RECEIPTSAND PAYMENTS ACCRUALS ryi Date 14 Mar 2022 Name GILLIAN FARLOW >osilion HON TREASURER E-mail) ès that may have led to unusual figures? Please provlde detslls in the box below. (Ind leg8cles and s¢veral council grants. ,'harged to the SOFA In 2021. 10 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 1 1 8 8 8 1 1 * I I 8 8 14113 ro 13 fo uvzuzz 14 _**Team Rector’s Report on 2021 for the South Wye Benefice**_ 2021 was the second year when our lives, including our church and community lives were affected by the global pandemic of Covid-19. The extent of the impact on our community, especially on young people, will probably not all be clear for years to come, but we can be sure that some aspects of our church life have changed permanently. We entered January with onsite services once again suspended but through the year we have worked to safely (and legally) return to a more familiar pattern of on-site services and events. I’ve also returned to a more traditional format with this report, focussing a little more on our mission as a church and what we have been able to do, rather than what has been cancelled or postponed. ## **Mission and Community** **Foodshare and Meals** The Foodshare programme developed throughout the year and was successful with a number of grant applications to support the work. A regular pattern of weekly sessions has developed and is augmented by the ‘as and when’ table at St Martin’s which is stocked whenever there is produce available. The team of volunteers is growing and right at the end of the year a chiller van was purchased, enabling the safe storage and distribution of more produce. Following Michael Ranyard’s retirement from the administration of Monday Meals, David Bland took on this work. The shape of provision evolved through the year as restrictions changed. Many thanks are due to Michael and Sue for their dedication and hard work over the years. **Superstars** Up to 70 Superstars monthly packs, themed around the Church year, were distributed during 2021, and when restrictions permitted we were able to fit in some on site events too. The craft packs were particularly welcomed by families with children at home for long periods whilst schools were closed. **Chill’n’Church** In July we had a couple of trial sessions of Chill ‘n’ Church, our new youth group initiative. After a modest start it was decided that we would continue to hold the sessions weekly, during term time from September. Set up to be a space where all feel safe to express their identity and explore their beliefs and faith, it has been lovely to welcome them into the church where they feel comfortable and well-spirited. It has been a great delight to see the group continuing to increase in the number of attendees, with new faces _15_ showing up weekly. Whilst we had a retained 4 or 5 members in the first few weeks as an extension of the Chaplaincy work at The Hereford Academy, we are now regularly seeing 20 plus turning up, from a few different schools. Each week we attempt to do crafts and games based upon the lectionary readings for the upcoming Sunday; it has shown to be an effective way to get the teenagers to engage with scripture and reflect on it within their own context and we would love to support this further. Within the Chill ‘n’ Church sessions we also hold our daily compline service live on Facebook. Intriguingly this has been an inspiring tool for the youth to interact with; they seem to particularly enjoy night prayer and it is wonderful to have them joining online whilst on other nights of the week. _(Lauren_ ) **Chaplaincy at the Academy** Provision for Chaplaincy at the Hereford Academy developed through the year, guided by the school as to what they needed from us. Pre-recorded assemblies, online activities and on-site lunchtime sessions were offered at different times. Chill’n’Chat sessions lead to the development of Chill’n’Church. Through the year we worked on a funding proposal and application to be able to continue this Chaplaincy work after the end of the current IM project. **After School Club** When after school activities were possible during the year, this joint programme with Putson Baptist Church at St Martin’s School has continued and been very much welcomed by the children and the school. **PreSchool Praise** Our group for families with very young children restarted in the Autumn with an entirely new group of children. It has been an especial joy to be able to offer this chance for fellowship to children who have been very isolated from other youngsters for most of their short lives. **Young at Heart** Having spent a lot of time on Facebook and Zoom, through a period of ‘Rule of 6” coffee meet-ups, as more restrictions began to lift and socialization with others became more appropriate, the friendship group Young at Heart were able to once again start regularly gathering in person together. Due to the effects of the pandemic and many people still feeling uneasy about mixing with others, the number of members has slightly decreased but every get together continues to be filled with such joy, support and laughter. _16_ As a group it was decided that Young at Heart would meet twice monthly whilst it needed to adjust to a new pattern of meeting up. The first meeting is held on the first Thursday of each month and is currently lunch held at The Wye Inn. The second get together is currently held at the church on the third Thursday of the month, where there are opportunities for refreshments, to play games, quizzes and hear from guest speakers. ( _Lauren)_ **Tuesday Coffee** Facebook Coffee and Rule of 6 get togethers also evolved into the new Tuesday afternoon coffee group, which is meeting regularly and providing an important time of fellowship for members. **Newsletter** The weekly newsletter is now distributed to over 120 email addresses and 50 copies are delivered by hand or posted. It has proved a surprisingly useful way to keep in touch with ‘life events’ families as well as more established members of our church family. ## **Services and Liturgy** As we have moved between online, onsite and blended Sunday, weddings and funeral services in accordance with different levels of regulation, our primary objective has been to maintain the safety of those who attend church. We have worked within specific principles throughout the changes, some of which were nationally mandated by the government or the Church of England, whilst some were local decisions. Some services were able to take place outside, including a Palm Sunday procession in the Churchyard and post service coffee was offered out of doors for a period. Sunday congregations remained below previous levels, but we have some new attenders on a Sunday and at the online Daily Offices. Families have been slow to return. A new communion service was established at Belmont Community Centre and Tea Time Praise was re-established at the same venue. We returned to onsite services in 2021 for Easter Sunday, although singing was not permitted in services for some time. Our online provision continued, evolving into a live streaming of the morning service on Facebook Live. We continue to explore funding opportunities that might allow us to improve the quality and accessibility of what we offer. _17_ Baptisms and weddings were very varied through the year. There were periods when they were not possible and periods when what we could offer was extremely limited. As soon as it was permitted baptism bookings rocketed and we fitted in extra services wherever we could to accommodate the demand. Restrictions meant that we only had one family at each baptism and this has proved very popular and we will continue to do this whilst we can. Postponed weddings took place through the late Summer and Autumn. Funerals continued in Church through this year, although often restricted to 30 mourners, with masks worn in Church and no singing allowed. ## **Prayer and Spirituality** Morning and Night Prayer online have continued to draw a congregation of more established and newer members of the church. The overlap with Chill’n’Church has been a delightful and unexpected development. Our ‘Wye Lent’ course was offered as an online group, as a study booklet and supported by online talks and resources aimed at different groups and individuals. There were reflection activities and questions for each week and crafts to make. Course resources were distributed to Superstars and Messy Church families and congregation members. ## **Events and Fundraising** During 2021 we evolved our policy of separating fundraising from fun, which started as a response to the restrictions of 2020. Spring and Christmas Draws, the bonus ball and the gift day formed the basis of our fundraising efforts, thanks to Pam and Heather and Sue. The Fun Day and Afternoon Tea in the Summer offered important chances for reconnection. The Christmas Fayre was a glorious combination of fun and fundraising, and huge thanks are due to Jackie for her organizing skills, to everyone who helped and attended, and to the Recycling Group for Santa and his gifts. ## **Hall Use and Users** Almost all of our hall users, except ECHO fell into categories that could not continue to meet. Echo filled some of these slots as they had to leave some of their other halls and spread out to accommodate social distancing. No bookings for one off events or parties were taken during the year. Plans for the hall have obviously been overtaken by events as we manage the consequences of the fire in early 2022. _18_ ## **Loss** For many of us 2021 started with the news of the tragically early death of Sian Mehlmann. Through the year we also lost several other members of the St Martin’s family, including Glenys Hackett , Pat Baulch, Barbara Wiggins, Janet Evans and Yvonne Pegler. We remember them with grateful affection and continue to keep their families in our prayers. ## **Staffing** The PCC’s employees worked in different ways through the different periods of restrictions. Bill’s hours in the Churchyard did not change. Sharron was furloughed for a period and worked partly from home at other times. Christine mostly worked from home with some office based time and spent some time on flexi-furlough. Office hours were re-scheduled as restrictions lifted so that for most of the time only one member of staff would be in the office at a time. Huge thanks are due to all our staff for their flexibility and dedication as they bore the administrative workload of the parish under such difficult conditions. Through the year the ministry of the parish was supported by so many people. Rev John Simpson provided holiday cover. Natalie Jennings joined us for a parish placement in April. Following her ordination as Deacon, Rev Lauren Bell joined us as Curate and has settled into her ministry, and the benefice, very well. Sadly ill health meant that Rev Penny Littlewood stepped back from her work in South Wye and Jo Child left her role as Intergenerational Missioner. We are very grateful to Penny and Jo for all their work and care for the benefice which was very much valued and made a real difference to us all. ## **Thanks** Once again, I have so many thanks to give – to Lauren, Jackie, Penny, Jo, David and John for their ministry and support of our onsite and online services. To Gillian, Irene and Julia for their support and help in so many ways. To Christine and Sharron. To the members of this PCC and the congregation for your patience and prayer. Thank you all, your support makes such a difference. _Anne Dowdeswell_ Team Rector _19_ ## **APCM for Calendar Year 2021 St Martin’s, Ross Road, Hereford Sunday 8th May 2022** ## **Vestry Meeting Agenda** Prayers Minutes of Previous Meeting pg21 Election of Wardens ## **APCM Agenda** Minutes of previous meeting pg 21 Treasurer’s Report included in Annual Report Churchwardens’ and Fabric Report included in Annual Report Incumbent’s Report included in Annual Report Electoral Roll included in Annual Report Election of PCC members Sidesmen and Women Deanery Synod Representation Child Protection Representation Appointment of External Examiner A.O.B _20_ ## **Parish of S Martin, South Wye, Hereford Minutes of EASTER VESTRY** ## **held on Monday May 10th 2021, 7pm, via Zoom,** **Present (** in person) The Rev A Dowdeswell and J Eden (Sec) (Zoom) Irene Goodman, Michael Ranyard, Jo Child, Phil Child, Jackie Nevill, Geoff Rawcliffe, Deanne Rawcliffe, Sue Cockroft, Julia Ware, Sarah Hammett, Gillian Farlow. The Meeting opened with prayer. The Minutes of the meeting held on Sunday 25th October 2020 at St Martin’s Church were approved. ## **Election of Churchwardens** There were two nominations - **Irene Goodman** and **Julia Ware** , both consented to their nomination and continuation in office. The meeting **APPROVED** the election of Irene and Julia. AD confirmed the arrangements for swearing in of Churchwardens, which was necessarily different in the current circumstances. The Parish Priests had delegated authority to swear in elected Churchwardens for the new term of office.AD thanked the wardens for the work they had done and continue to maintain parish and church life through the current COVID pandemic. Support regarding the reopening of the church to public worship was particularly appreciated. The meeting closed at 7.15pm ## **Parish of S Martin, South Wye, Hereford Minutes of ANNUAL PAROCHIAL MEETING held on Monday May 10th 2021, 7pm following the Easter Vestry, via Zoom** **Present** The Rev A Dowdeswell and J Eden (Sec) in person (Zoom) Irene Goodman, Michael Ranyard, Jo Child, Phil Child, Jackie Nevill, Geoff Rawcliffe, Deanne Rawcliffe, Sue Cockroft, Julia Ware, Sarah Hammett, Gillian Farlow. 1. The Rector opened the APCM, and the minutes of the meeting held on 25th October 2020 were **APPROVED** and signed. Proposed: Julia Ware Seconded: Sarah Hammett. All in favour. _21_ The Rector referred to the complete document, circulated in advance of the meeting, containing the Rector’s Report, the Financial Report, including the Return of Parish Finance and the Independent Examiner’s Report, and the Churchwardens’ Report. **2. Treasurer’s Report** Gillian Farlow referred to her report, which showed St Martin’s was in good financial position, having secured a number of grants from Herefordshire Council related to the COVID situation, and securing a number of savings related to ongoing expenditure. There were savings across a number of budget headings, relating to the cessation of ‘trading’ / operation of the building as a place of worship etc. We have come through COVID with a positive and focussed attitude. Gillian F thanked everyone in the parish for their support, both financial, and practical. AD thanked Gillian for her hard work and perseverance throughout a very challenging period, and asked that the meeting : - (a) Accept the Accounts (previously approved by the PCC) - (b) Note the Return of Parish Finance, to be submitted to the Diocese Outcome : **Accepted** , with no objections **3. Churchwardens’ Report** Julia Ware referred to, and read the report as it appears on page 8 of the reports document. Outcome: **Accepted** , no objections. AD thanked the Churchwardens for their help, support and commitment over the last year. **4. Rector’s Report** AD referred to her report, contained in the document previously circulated, and expressed regret that a number of schemes of work that were developing and embedding in parish life were disrupted and suspended due to the COVID pandemic. It is to be hoped that these activities will resume when restrictions are lifted further. GR thanked the Rector for her hard work during the last year, keeping the ‘show on the road’ and seemingly working very long hours, often well into the evening! **5. Electoral Roll** The latest Electoral Roll is available and data submitted to the Diocese as part of the Annual Return. _22_ **6. Election of PCC** The following had valid and complete nomination forms submitted prior to the APCM: John Eden, Gillian Farlow, Irene Goodman, Geoff Rawcliffe, Julia Ware Bev Merritt was ex-officio by virtue of membership of Deanery Synod. No nomination had been received for Clive Wilce, however it was agreed that, subject to his willingness to serve, he could be co-opted for the upcoming year and could be nominated in the usual way in 2022. Outcome: All elected, all agreed, no abstentions. ## **7. Sidesmen/women** : This parish does not elect to this role **8. Deanery Synod Representative** : Bev Merritt is content to continue, subject to the consent of the meeting. Outcome : All in favour/agreed ## **9. Child Protection Representative (actually Child and Vulnerable Persons** **Officer)** Currently, this role vacant and responsibility falls to Incumbent, however, Bev Merritt has indicated that she would be prepared to explore and take up the role in January 2022, upon retirement from her employment. The meeting agreed that this would be an excellent outcome. The meeting **approved** Bev Merritt as CVPO from January 2022, or as soon a practical thereafter. **10. External Examiner** The External Examiner has intimated that she does not wish to continue in this role after this year (ie her Report for this year will be the last). AD asked for suggestions as to who might be approached: Clive Wilce said he could approach a neighbour who is an Accountant. Geoff Rawcliffe also knows an Accountant who may be willing to undertake this work. The issue was referred back to the PCC for resolution and determination. **11. Any other business** Michael Ranyard suggested a vote for your favourite hymns Geoff Rawcliffe thanked John Eden and Gaye Wiggins for musical support for services and cheering up the worship at S Martins. Meeting closed with prayer at 7.28pm _23_