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2022-12-31-accounts

Annual Report 2022

Contents
Vicar’s Report Page 2
PCC Report Page 6
Church Wardens’ Report Page 8
St Peter’s Sub-Wardens’ Report Page 8
St Illtyd’s Sub-Warden Report Page 10
Webmaster Report Page 11
Churchyard Report Page 11
Choir report Page 12
St Peter’s Community Centre Page 13
Magazine Report Page 13
Thursday Club Report (no report) Page 14
Mothers’ Union Report Page 14
St Illtyd’s Ladies Guild Page 15
Keys’ Club Report Page 15
Children’s Activities Page 17
Parents/Carers and Baby Groups Page 18
Befrienders’ Café and Art Group Page 19
Parish 100 Club Page 19
Self-Denial Box Page 20
Operation Christmas Child Page 21
Benefice Accounts Report Page 22
St Peter’s Accounts Report Page 23
St Illtyd’s Accounts Report Page 26

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Vicar’s Report

Welcome to the 2022 Annual Report. After 2 annual reports dominated by Covid and its impact, this year we began moved into the new era of living with Covid.

I would like to begin by recording my thanks to the Benefice Wardens (Steve Davies and Sally Jones), PCC Lay Chair Maureen Casagrande, and PCC Secretary Sarah Picton, for their continued wisdom and support. Further I would like to record my thanks to the sub-wardens and treasurers who quietly work away making everything happen. The teams who care for our graveyards also deserve particular thanks as they have looked better this year than for many. To these people and all who have supported the life of our benefice this year– diolch yn fawr iawn i chi !

For me, the most significant event in 2022 for our life together as a benefice was the development of a 5-year vision. The process began in April with the Venerable Martyn Gough, late Chaplain of the Fleet to the Royal Navy, coming to St Peter’s. Through a series of consultations, the work of a Vision committee to write the draft vision, and then the

facilitation of Archdeacon Robert Williams, we were able to unanimously agree the vision in October. The product of this process is a document that we can use to steer our priorities. The full vision is included in this annual report, as well as the first evaluation of our progress.

Another major innovation this year has been bringing in Gabriel and Rachel Lanza, through Time for God. Gabriel and Rachel arrived in September and have provided invaluable support to the benefice through supporting the baby groups, leading assemblies, adding a new dimension to our musical worship at St Illtyd’s, visiting, leading the new home groups and much more!

Worship

As St Augustine wrote in his Confessions , “our hearts are restless until they find their rest in you”. As Christians, our primary purpose is to worship God. During 2022 we have continued to keep worship at the centre of our life together. The pattern of Sunday services (9.15am at St Peter’s, 11.15am at St Illtyd’s) is not ideal, but represents a sustainable compromise.

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The All Age service at St Illtyd’s continues to go from strength to strength, with approximately 50 worshippers attending, with up to 18 under 16s. I am grateful to Fforestfach Scout Group for their high level of engagement and support. The All Age service at St Peter’s was suspended during 2022 as it did not find a natural attendance. A weekly Sunday School has take its place and we have a higher average number of children now at St Peter’s.

The monthly Evensong congregation has held up well, usually in the mid20s. Up to the summer holidays we continued our series on heroes from the Bible with sermons on Ananias (the Rev’d Ian Folks), Elijah (the Rev’d Sarah Harris), the Ephesian tribune (the Rev’d Canon Dr Mark Clavier), Mary Magdalene (the Rev’d Jane deGay), Daniel (Mrs Sian Parkhouse), Peter (the Rev’d Dr John Evans), and James the Apostle (the Rev’d Ben Jones). In September we began a series on what we believe with Mandy Bayton (Incarnation), Matthew Richards (the Church), and the Rev’d Dr Adrain Morgan (the Trinity).

A full programme of seasonal worship went ahead. A highlight was Br George Guiver of the Community of the Resurrection coming for Holy Week and Easter. Br George preached and attended a variety of activities, not least the Keys Club where he was drafted into to speak when the speaker who had been booked did not arrive!

Morning Prayer on a Tuesday and Wednesday grew during 2022, with new people coming along to join in at 9am. Morning Prayer is open to everyone.

I’m very grateful to Eileen Jones as our organist and choir director at St Peter’s. The choir have beautifully support worship throughout the year. Despite attempts to encourage new members, we have not yet been successful. In August, Danny Yuan left from St Illtyd’s to take up a scholarship at Wellington College. We were delighted to welcome Acacia Thomas as the new pianist at St Illtyd’s.

I recognise that our local community is increasingly multi-lingual. During 2022 we used a smattering of Welsh within our worship. During the baptism of the Naseralivand family, asylum seekers from Iran, we held

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what must be one of the first bi-lingual English-Iranian baptism services. As part of our vision, we will look to increase the use of Welsh as many more young people are being educated through the medium of Welsh.

Our totals for occasional offices were:

Mission

The Good News of God is not something we should ever keep to ourselves. It is important that we seek to be a mission-orientated local church.

During 2022 we have undertaken 2 important courses which have helped equip each of us for growing in the faith and sharing it with others: Hope Explored (which ran in both churches during Lent and saw more than 30 people attend) and the Prayer Course. The plan to run an awayday focused on prayer had to be cancelled due to lack of interest.

The Light Party, our alternative Halloween event, and the Kids Summer Camp both engaged more than 20 local families and gave us the opportunity to share Bible stories with families. From September, Crafty Church became a monthly activity set on a Friday evening. This is taking time to build. It has been great to see a good pool of volunteers supporting Crafty Church.

On Good Friday, worshippers from the Benefice joined with worshippers from Gendros Baptist Church and Holy Cross RC Church for a walk of witness. We carried a cross from St Peter’s via the other churches, with 9 stops to hear Scripture, pray and sing a verse of a hymn. More than 50 people took part.

In May, I co-led a week of the GSUS Live project in Dylan Thomas School, which provided a bespoke RE class on Christianity to every child in the school. As a follow-up I assisted Cornerstone Church with running

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Youth Alpha in Dylan Thomas. I hope that more opportunities for engagement with Dylan Thomas will come in 2023.

The new parish magazine has been a full-colour window into the life of our churches. Its new design focuses on reaching out. Looking back from 2023, it is clear that we need to find better ways of making it visible.

Ministry

In June, we welcomed the Rev’d Ben Jones, as the new Curate. Ben is licensed to the Ministry Area, but predominantly works with Fr Ian in the other side of the Ministry Area.

In November, as part of our vision, we began two home group Bible Studies, facilitated by Gabriel and Rachel. I hope that we can expand these in 2023. It is belief that we should all take part in a weekly home group to support and deepen our faith and relationship with one another.

Providing an adequate level of visiting and home communions continues to be a challenge, giving the number of competing demands on me. At present we have no commissioned Lay Pastoral Visiting team or Lay Worship Leaders. As part of the vision we seek to address this, starting in 2023. I hope that volunteers will come forward. Gabriel and Rachel were very helpful in visiting the housebound following their arrival.

During 2022, the healing ministry in our churches has largely been left fallow. I hope that we can return to this in 2023.

A huge thank you to Colin and Anne Hammacott for enabling St Peter’s to be an Operation Christmas Child Church Collection Centre again in 2022. This year the hundreds of boxes collected were sent to the Ukraine.

Governance

The PCC have been very active in 2022. Major projects were prepared for, notably in bringing in Gabriel and Rachel through Time for God , starting the Community Centre redevelopment plan, getting the remembrance board installed at St Peter’s and much more.

2023 will see the Benefice formally disbanded and subsumed into a Ministry Area that is effectively a single benefice. This is likely to be our

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last annual report in this format. We will cease to be a charity at some point in 2023, and the Ministry Area will become a charity. Whilst a lot of this is cosmetic structural re-arrangement, it is our responsibility to push for structures and processes that keep is mission and ministry focused.

After a diocesan conference where our representatives were mere spectators, I hope that we will be able to play an active role in the development of our diocese and local ministry in 2023.

The Rev’d Dr Jonathon Wright Vicar

PCC Report

The year started with our PCC meetings alternating between St Peter’s and St Illtyd’s on a monthly basis. It was lovely to be back to normal! The year has been extremely busy for the PCC. Highlights of the year are shown below.

We agreed that we should explore having a memorial board at St Peter’s where we could affix memorial plaques. We asked Chance to Build to see if they could come up with a design and cost. This proved very successful and was duly completed by the end of the year.

We also agreed that we should resubmit a Time for God application. Hopefully this would be able to be find someone without Covid getting in the way! After holding interviews via Zoom we found Rachel and Gabriel Lanza, a married couple from Honduras. This was a decision that has proved extremely successful. Chris Bennett welcomed them both into her home in September as their host. A great partnership with St Peter’s & St Illtyd’s evolved. They have both thrown themselves into church life. They have both proved themselves to be very hardworking and have fitted in so very well.

A discussion was also held early in the year about holding a summer holiday club in August for 5-11 year olds. After many months of planning this very successful event took place over 4 days. This has progressed to holding a number of children activities throughout the year.

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We had plans drawn up for the proposed car park at the community centre after a consultation was carried out to see whether this was what people wanted. This is ongoing. We had new fire doors installed at the community centre too.

We employed Sarah Picton as our Children and Family Worker. Sarah took over this role at the end of April. Unfortunately, our Community Centre caretaker resigned later in the year. The position is still open and, to date, we have been unable to find a replacement.

The path at St. Illtyd’s was repaired during the year. The costs had escalated for this work and we struggled to find a company to carry out the proposal. Thankfully Alan Morris managed to find a company who were able to carry out the contract successfully.

In May we held our Vision Sunday. This was to determine where we saw the Church in 5 year’s time. Martyn Gough came as our facilitator. This progressed to us having a Vision Implementation Strategy and this was held in October. We now have this documented as our timeline.

A major concern has been St Illtyd’s bank accounts. This has resulted with a complaint being lodged, by us, with the bank ombudsman. This has taken over 18 months to resolve and is still awaiting resolution. Our thanks must go to Alan and Diane Morris who have been extremely frustrated by the attitude of the Bank and have soldiered on throughout this turmoil.

We were able to supply some Christmas hampers to families in need in Gors and Cadle Primary School. In all we supplied 62 hampers.

We approved work to be carried out at St Illtyds to alleviate the flooding in the boiler room. We also agreed work to be carried out on St Peter’s organ.

As you can see the PCC has been very active during the year. These are just the highlights and snapshot of some of the big ticket items. I hope you will find this enlightening.

Maureen Casagrande

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Church Wardens’ Report

Another year has flown by and sadly some people have failed to return to church for various reasons such is the effect of Covid 19 which is still impacting on our lives.

January saw the appointment of a caretaker at the community centre and Fr Jonathon was continuing to make progress into facilitating the creation of a car park at the rear of the community centre. We also learned of the passing of John Evans who was a faithful member of our congregation and the Keys club, John will be sadly missed. We also keep Monica Walters in our prayers after she suffered a Stroke and had to go into a nursing home.

February saw Storm Eunice hit the country and thankfully both churches avoided any damage. A refugee family was welcomed into the Parish and they attend St Illtyd’s on a regular basis. The end of February allowed the wearing of masks in church to cease.

March 1[st] St David’s day and Shrove Tuesday fell on the same day and Jonathon was seen to be expertly flipping pancakes after the morning service. The new Bishop of Swansea and Brecon John Lomas was enthroned on 5[th] March at Brecon Cathedral. March also saw our very own Dave Macken step down as Sexton after many years of Grafting and Caring for the grave yard. A party to celebrate Dave’s long service was to follow.

The Church in Wales allowed the chalice to be shared again in church for those that required it as Covid infection rates were now low. Guidance was provided by the Church in Wales. Hope Explored courses were successfully run at both churches with good attendance figures.

The annual Easter Vestry was held on Palm Sunday April 10[th ] and a new PCC was elected. We welcomed our holy week preacher Br George Guiver from the Community of the Resurrection, who helped us to navigate Holy Week prayerfully.

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May 1[st] saw the christening of Peter William Andrew Wright but unfortunately Jonathon was suffering from Covid and could not attend. Rev Mark Williams was able to cover and assist Bishop John Lomas with the service. Bishop John’s relaxed manner was welcomed by all.

May 6[th] Côr Curiad held a concert at St Peter’s but only 14 people were in the audience.

The Venerable Martin Gough attended our Vision Sunday service and after the service he facilitated over group discussions on our Benefice 5 Year Plan.

On June 12[th ] the baptism of Alys Picton took place during the service and we were able continue the celebration after the service in the Vestry. During this month we sadly lost 3 faithful members of our congregation and of the Keys club. They were Graham Evans , Colin Payton and Brian Lloyd they will be all sadly missed but not forgotten.

July 21[st] at St Illtyd’s the Bishop came along to explain the proposed changes to the Ministry Areas which gave the chance for question to be asked. This project is still ongoing.

July 23[rd] we celebrated Dave Macken’s long service as Sexton at St Peter’s.

August saw the Childrens Summer Camp take place and was a great success.

Sadly we lost Marjorie Fair this month who was another faithful member of our congregation.

September we were able to welcome the arrival of Rachel And Gabriel our Time for God Volunteers who are residing with Christine Bennett. We also mourned the death of our Sovereign Queen Elizabeth.

October 1[st] a Honduran night was held to get to know Rachel and Gabriel and the following day we celebrated Harvest at both churches. A light party took place in the community centre which gave the opportunity to engage with families to explain the good news of Jesus being the light of the world.

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November we had autumn fayres at both community centres on consecutive weeks. Also we were very appreciative for the huge effort put in by Colin and Ann Hammacott in organising Operation Christmas Child within the Benefice.

December saw the return of the Pop-up Nativity at Swansea Community Farm which was a great success.

Steve and Sally (Wardens) Pat Hathaway and Mary Howard.(Sub Wardens)

St Illtyd’s Sub-Warden Report

Our best achievement was the arrival of Rachel and Gabriel, for both churches and Fr Jonathon, they have been a great asset. They have proved to be wonderful Christians, filled with God’s love, kindness, compassion, and knowledge. After the arrival of Rachel and Gabriel we had a Honduran night in St Illtyd’s and had a taste of Honduran cooking, Baleadas, lovely evening.

We hold a family service every month and enjoy the company of the squirrels, beavers, cubs and scouts. We had 4 baptisms at St Illtyd’s during the year.

Our pianist Danny left us to go take up a scholarship at a prestigious school, we miss him and wish him every success. However along came Acaicia, who is lovely, sweet, kind, and another great asset to us, and a very good pianist. (Many thanks to Eileen for helping our little flower)

We were given a grand piano by Helen, who continues to hold the music exams in our church.

The Bingo night was a great success, bringing community into the hall and sharing fellowship. We have had a few raffles to keep things turning over. A Christmas fate was held, but takings were down this year. We

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had a garden party which was forced inside the church hall because of the rain.

Our services have been brightened by Rachel and Gabriel with live music and song, so along with our screen, our services are joyful.

We have had some work carried out to the drainage of the church which has stopped the water flowing into the boiler room. We have had the brambles cut back on the side of the church in preparation for our community orchard. Looks better already. We continue with our Eco church, having received a water butt and a compost bin kindly donated by Sally. With these and our proposed orchard we are looking good for our Silver.

Chris Bennett

Webmaster Report

The beginning of the year saw more and more groups starting to get together again post Covid so the activities pages became visible to see on the website again. Also, the groups using the community centre and hall varied as some didn’t continue once we were open again.

Rachael and Gabriel have done a huge amount of work mapping out the graveyard at St Illtyds and this is now visible on the website. However with the use of social media becoming more and more popular the website has needed very little maintenance within the last year.

Next year I would aim to make the site more appealing starting with some updated pictures across the website.

Sarah Picton

Churchyard Report

2022 saw the retirement of Mr. Dave Macken, after 39 years of meritorious service as Sexton of the Parish. A loss so important, could not but speedily and severely be felt by the remaining members of the graveyard team.

Now, they say the Lord works in mysterious ways, and for the earlier part of the year, we were fortunate to be able to call on the services of Leon Evans, one of our newer members of the congregation, who it must be

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said, made a remarkable contribution to the upkeep of the graveyard, in working through areas, which up until then, had not been cleared in many a long year, and on the plus side, he also reduced the average age of the group from 77 years to 68 years........and that made us all feel better!!!

The continued contribution that our Church neighbour, Mr. John Davies makes, again cannot be underestimated, not only his work in the graveyard every Tuesday morning, but his constant surveillance of our Church, and its grounds through the year, his diligent emptying of the collection box, which is situated in the churchyard...........well done John.

The graveyard is now looking as good as it as its ever looked, and we look forward to another successful year in maintaining the high standards set by our forebears.

Roy Wydenbach

Choir Report

This year has proved to be healthier than the previous two years and the choir has continued to meet regularly for rehearsals.

I am extremely grateful to this small, but dedicated, choir who turn up in all weathers to rehearse and sing each week at Eucharist, Evensong and many of the special services throughout the year. There are few churches nowadays that have a choir and we are very fortunate to have a choir that can sing the Canticles, which are beautiful, but sadly is becoming a lost art in parish churches.

Our sincere wish is to increase our numbers. Everyone is welcome, from seven to seventy. We all have a voice: why not come along to choir practice - you may be surprised and enjoy it and of course you can be sure of a very warm welcome.

Eileen Jones

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St Peter’s Community Centre Report

The Community Hall was well used during 2022. Its use is only constrained by its size.

Evening period from 4 pm is the most popular time for booking sessions. A variety of groups use the hall; Dance groups both child and adult; Young persons theatre school, Baby group, Beekeeping classes, Kungfu, Slimming classes and also the Al Anon group which now meets twice a week.

Children’s birthday parties, large family gatherings and other church social group meetings too large to hold in the vestry are regular users.

We have seen an end to the long running yoga groups as Astrid has retired. They were always very popular so hopefully a new group can be started. We have had a new fire door fitted to replace the well-worn one! Look forward to the refurbishment of the toilets etc in 2023!

Caroline Riddler

Parish Magazine Report

The magazine committee met a number of times through the year to get each quarter’s edition of the magazine ready for publishing. Our first meeting each quarter is to discuss the content. We then meet to ensure that all the articles are ready and we use the meeting to edit the content. If we haven’t received all the articles we will then share them electronically to edit. We have been very fortunate in receiving articles from the parishioners and from people and groups in our community.

The committee is made up of myself, Margaret Lewis; Mary Howard, Pat Hathaway, Mary Millington; Sarah Picton and the Vicar. We are still hopeful to encourage more advertisers.

Maureen Cassagrande

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Thursday Club Report

Mary Howard

Mothers’ Union Report

Our speakers’ topics this year have been varied and interesting. We have been enlightened on the life of a classical concert singer/ music teacher/examiner, the history of the Cockett Amateur Operatic Society, life of a GP in the NHS and a retired District Judge’s journey around the country. St David’s Day was an enjoyable afternoon which we celebrated with a Welsh theme of poetry, readings and hymns followed by homemade welsh cakes and bara brith. We celebrated the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee by decorating the vestry, having a quiz and were fascinated by the stories of our members’ memorabilia.

Our annual meal was held at the Kingsbridge restaurant where we enjoyed fellowship to end our summer session. Our first meeting In September is always a Eucharist service followed by refreshments and a general catch up after the summer break. Our AGM was held in December when the current committee was re-elected, as follows:

Branch Leader: Doreen Boor Secretary: Margaret Lewis Treasurer/Social Secretary: Pat Hathaway Committee: Anne Hammacott, Dorothy Macken, Sue Burgum and Sally Jones

In February we gathered together in the Lady Chapel for the Wave of Prayer hour when five members each lit a candle as we prayed for members around the world. June saw us hosting the monthly Eucharist Service in St Mary’s Church which had reconvened this year following the Covid pandemic.

Once again we have supported the collection of toiletries for the Safe Houses which Sue Burgum has delivered to the organiser for distribution. We have also visited Gors School with surplus school uniforms for parents to kit out their children.

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We look forward to meeting again in 2023 at the new time of 2.00pm on the first Thursday of the month, new members welcomed.

Doreen Boor

St Illtyd’s Ladies Guild

Our Ladies Guild continues to meet on the first Wednesday of each month, apart from the month of August. We pay two pounds each time we meet, which includes tea or coffee, biscuits and a raffle. Sadly some of our members have not returned after the Pandemic, some are not well enough to attend and we sadly lost one of our faithful members, Maida Charlton.

We enjoy the fellowship when we meet, and we love listening to our speakers; this past year we heard from Dr. Dan Millington of his life as a G.P.. Julie George told us the history of C.A.O.S.. Mair Tovey read us some of her poems. We enjoyed a quiz with Rex Lloyd and Pam Duffy brought along her homemade jams and chutneys, which we bought. We enjoyed an afternoon with Billy who delighted us with his singing. On first of March we celebrated St. David’s Day with Welsh cakes, bara brith and teisen lap, and we all joined together with Welsh poems and songs that we remembered from our childhood. We went to the Taliesen to see the musical skits given by the C.A.O.S.. It was a fantastic performance. We also enjoyed a meal in the King’s Bridge Inn in July to finish the session, and also we had our Christmas dinner there in December.

If there is any lady who is at a loose end on the first Wednesday of the month, why not come along and join us in the parish hall at 2:30 pm. We would love to welcome you to our group.

Margaret Wellington

Keys’ Club Report

The past year has once again been a successful one for the Keys Club, with a vibrant programme of speakers and enjoyable social events coupled with the joy of welcoming some new members into our ranks.

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However, the year was tinged with sadness as we saw the passing of Colin Paton, one of our founder members, together with two other club stalwarts, Graham Evans and Brian Lloyd and we all mourn their passing. Throughout the year we have kept in touch with members through a much appreciated monthly newsletter.

Our 2021/22 programme continued in January when Ann Marie Thomas regaled us with medieval stories of Gower.

In February, our Sports Evening took the form of a successful sports forum with the panel made up of Swansea City and Welsh international legends Leighton James and Nigel Stevenson ably chaired by our own John Burgum who arranged the evening.

Robart Powell was our March speaker who told us of the exploits of the Swansea Pals, a local battalion who fought in the bloodiest battles of World War I.

In April, we were fortunate that Fr. George Guiver stepped into the breach when our speaker did not arrive and told us of his life and witness as part of the Anglican monastic community at Mirfield, West Yorkshire.

Our Annual General Meeting in May saw the re-election of all serving officers and we were delighted that the long vacant post of Vice Chairman was filled by Rev. Mark Williams. We continued to support charitable causes and following nominations by members at our AGM, we forwarded £100 cheques to Prostate Cancer Cymru, Forget Me Not Clubs, Mind Cymru, Swansea Young Single Homeless, Blood Bikes Wales and Swansea Asylum Seekers Support. Following the meeting we enjoyed a Fish and Chip Supper.

In June, we visited the Regimental Museum of the Royal Welsh at Brecon before adjourning for a meal and social evening at the Gwyn Arms. Abercrave.

Following our summer break, we commenced our 2022/23 programme in September with a Holy Eucharist at St. Peter’s conducted by our President, Rev. Dr. Jonathon Wright followed by a Fish and Chip Supper at the Sketty Club.

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In October, Captain Andy Settle told us of his work and life in the Church Army in different parts of the country, helping young and vulnerable people.

At our November meeting, Robart Powell transported us back to 1958 and the heroic achievements of Welsh International football team on their journey leading up to and involvement in the World Cup Finals.

In December, we held our Christmas Dinner at the Sketty Club where the new in house chef Sam served up an excellent meal and we were thankful to Richard Nedin for making all this and all other social arrangements in his usual exemplary way.

Looking forward to our programme in 2023, when we celebrate our 60[th] Anniversary with a special church service and our anniversary dinner. Here’s to the next 60 years.

Club Secretary

Children’s Activities

It has been a good year seeing children’s ministry grow withing the benefice. Summer Club saw around 20-25 children a day across 4 days to explore some key bible stories/themes through the film the greatest showman. The children enjoyed learning about Creation, Zacchaeus, The Calling of the Fishermen and The Great banquet through an open the book story, action worship songs, crafts and games all linked to the days theme. Feedback from the children at the end of the week included that they enjoyed meeting new people and the open the book stories.

This year saw the beginning of Crafty Church (our version of messy church) so far, we have explored the stories of Noah, David and Goliath, The Creation, The Calling of the First Disciples and The Prodigal Son through songs, stories and crafts. The children who have attended have been enthusiastic and really enjoyed, taking their crafts home with them they often have a Bible verse attached to remember the key lessons from the evenings story. Hopefully we can continue to grow in numbers and keep having fun.

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All age services have a good attendance at St Illtyd’s however the decision was made during the year to stop the all-age service at St Peters. Sunday School have continued in St Peters learning a bible story with a craft during the morning service, and with the help of our Time for God volunteers Gabriel and Rachael Sunday School has also started again in St Illtyds.

Parents/Carers and Baby Groups

We have two playgroups in the benefice, one runs on a Tuesday afternoon at St Peters Community Centre, the other on a Friday morning in the church hall at St Illtyds. Both at only £1.50 per family it is very affordable compared to many groups in the area. Each group is set out over a number of play areas/mats, including a baby area, building area, reading corner, puzzles, cars/trains, a kitchen and a doll area. These are often rotated over a few weeks to keep the interest of the children and the longevity of the toys/books.

Since taking over the groups after last easter I have introduced a craft to both groups and often run a messy play station too. The craft will often be related to an event in the year such as, St Davids day, Christmas, Easter, the Jubilee or will have a link to a bible story and the story will be printed on the table for those who wish to read it.

Our playgroups have had a number of generous donations of toys over the last year. All of which are always graciously received, the generosity of this year’s donations has allowed me to expand our range of toys as well as update and replace some which had seen their better days. Friday’s group in St Illtyds remains popular with an average of 15-20 children weekly, St Peters Tuesday group has seen a drop in numbers due to some attending school or flying start. The aim is to re-advertise to give it another boost with some younger children to attend.

Sarah Picton

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Befrienders’ Café and Art Group

The Befrienders Cafe has had a comparatively quiet year, with no Pandemic problems and attendances regular. We have continued looking at Welsh Artists and had a visit from a very talented lady who is an expert on glass art. She told us the history of a lot of the stained glass and showed us examples of her own work. During the high increases in petrol last Spring/ Summer, we were in danger of closing down as the costs of driving were becoming more than I could afford. However, I was discussing the matter with a contact at the Glynn Vivian to try and apply for funding. To my surprise I was told that the Glynn Vivian would pay my expenses and for some of the materials the group use. I am now officially recognised as an Associate Community artist for the Glynn Vivian, and we have received some materials from them. For the Queens Jubilee celebrations we created bunting and in November we decorated the church with poppies for Remembrance Day. The group is thriving, with one new member attending, accompanied by a carer. Both Rachel and Gabriel have also attended our group meetings and we are looking forward to celebrating our 4th anniversary in May.

Christina Grant

Parish 100 Club

2022 was yet another successful year for this important area of fundraising for our two churches and we were delighted that membership increased by 10 from the previous year to 243 members.

Once again our annual Fish & Chip Supper and Grand Christmas Draw, which has become a firm favourite, was held in Cockett Community Centre where we were entertained to a musical quiz by our own Claire Hammacott accompanied by Clive Phillips, Musical Director of Cor Meibion Pontarddulais, with the occasion adding a healthy £300 to 100 Club funds.

Thankfully, our efforts over the year were once again financially successful, resulting in a profit of £2,110.00 to bolster the funds of St. Peter’s and St. Illtyd’s.

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We wish to record our thanks to those church members who pitched in and helped make our Christmas event such a success. Special thanks to those members of both churches together with their families and friends for their unstinting and loyal support for the 100 Club, we are most grateful to you all.

Colin & Anne Hammacott & Pam Brain

Self-Denial Box

The Self Denial Box supports a different charity each month. This £1,271.11 was raised and given to the following charities:-

Transforming lives for good £27 Christians against poverty £51 Mercy Ships £125 Prostate Cancer Research £79 Ukraine Appeal £396 Pakistan Appeal £160 Water Aid £70 Zac’s Place £161.84 Christian Aid £200.77 Total £1271.11

We also sent contributions to Barnabas Fund (£44.50) and Ty Hafan (£116.87).

These are also ongoing charities which are sent every year. Jars for contributions are at the back of the church. Ty Hafan is totally funded by charitable giving, and needs three million plus each year to maintain and fund this very important service for parents and families when a child has cancer. The Barnabas Fund supports Christians who face discrimination or persecution as a consequence of their faith.

Pat Hathaway

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Operation Christmas Child

Once again in 2022, the Parish of Cockett participated in Operation Christmas Child and for the second year in succession, we agreed to St. Peter’s acting as a Collection Centre for the west of Swansea and opened for three days to allow the public to drop off their shoe boxes.

As in the previous few years, in order to maximise our contribution to the total of shoeboxes we dispatched, we provided a shoebox packing service for those church members, who, for various reasons, were unable to go shopping as often as they would wish. Again this proved to be remarkably successful as we purchased toys and packed 60 boxes. However, the period when we and others were shopping for toys to fill our boxes, took place against a backdrop of the government’s disastrous mini budget which caused instability in the financial markets, therefore we were fearful that this would have an impact on support from the general public and sadly it did.

We managed to send off 165 boxes (2021 – 186 boxes) from the Parish together with a further 91 boxes (2021 – 130 boxes) from other places of worship and the general public making a total of 261 boxes (2021 – 316 boxes). Therefore, we were able to put a smile of the faces of 261 Ukrainian children whose lives have been ravaged by war.

Our sincere thanks to those volunteers who staffed the church over the three days we were open for the public to drop off their shoe boxes and a massive thank you to those members of the congregations of St. Peter’s and St. Illtyd’s who so generously supported Operation Christmas Child once again.

Thank you also to those who purchased bobble hats and mittens for their boxes kindly knitted by Anne Hammacott, Joan Harris and Dorothy Macken which enabled us to send a donation of £125 towards the work of Operation Christmas Child and a donate a further £300.00p towards church funds which with gift aid increased to £360.00p.

Colin & Anne Hammacott

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Benefice Accounts

Financial Activities

January - December 2022

Financial Activities
January - December 2022
Total
INCOME
Church contributions 36,245.40
Donations and legacies 1,745.08
Grants 5,000.00
Refunds 12.06
Rent 5,327.69
Tax Refunds 9,019.41
Total Income 57,349.64
EXPENDITURES
Bank charges 63.40
Clergy Expenses 3,616.32
Dues and Subscriptions 78.00
Emergency Fund 2,400.00
Insurances 1,661.37
Mission 52.16
Office/General Administrative Expenses 976.64
Parish Share 47,755.65
Parsonage 1,562.47
Tax refunds reimbursement 1,385.82
Time for God 3,651.50
Total Expenditures 63,203.33
NET OPERATING INCOME -5,853.69
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) £ -5,853.69

Balance Sheet

As of December 31, 2022

Balance Sheet
As of December 31, 2022
Total
FIXED ASSET
Total Fixed Asset
CASH AT BANK AND IN HAND
HSBC Business Current Account 70,826.47
Total Cash at bank and in hand 70,826.47
NET CURRENT ASSETS 70,826.47
NET CURRENT ASSETS(LIABILITIES) 70,826.47
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES 70,826.47
TOTAL NET ASSETS (LIABILITIES) £70,826.47
CHARITY FUNDS
Opening Balance Equity 76,680.16
Retained Earnings 0.00
Surplus/(Deficit) -5,853.69
Total Charity funds £70,826.47

22

St Peters Accounts

£46,500.00 £3,020.59 £106.67 £1,206.00 £139.20 £24.39 £1,432.48 £318.97 £1,211.07 £1,046.70 £3,148.84 £56,943.84
£1,079.55 £1,739.58 £201.46 £960.00 £246.00 £55.96 £120.00 £59.00 £21.00 £63.01 £33.85 £15.00 £240.00 £20.00 £3.75 £20.00 £20.00 £47.00 £28.06 £21.78 £32.17 £220.09 £245.00 £100.00
Payments Central Fund Services Electricity Gas Water Rate Altar Requirements Wafers Music Organist Organ Tuning Stationery Weekly envelopes Refreshments Tea/coffee/sugar Charities See contra entry Maintenance Fire check Wales Servicing Alarm System Pat testing New light Toiletries/cleaning materials Charities (see contra entry) Miscellaneous Keys cut Mothers' day flowers Visiting preachers/travelling expenses Oasis Tea light Poppy wreath Oranges/sweets Christingle Air Ambulance (funeral) Sweets/drinks Light Party First Aid Kit Advent candles Sanctuary candles Visit to farm pop-up Nativity Gift Balance at Bank 31.12.22
£15,670.45 £35,058.67 £2,440.00 £1,131.82 £575.30 £1,432.48 £635.12 £56,943.84
£32,818.00 £2,074.07 £55.00 £111.60 £1,120.00 £1,320.00 £200.00 £100.00 £20.30 £255.00 £27.00 £51.00 £125.00 £79.50 £396.00 £160.00 £70.00 £161.84 £116.87 £44.50 £200.77 £211.12 £52.50 £324.50 £47.00
Receipts Balance at Bank 1.1.2022 Collections Envelopes Loose Gift Aid Special Fees Wedding/deposits Funerals Tax Refund Donations Thursday Club Mothers' Union Painting for Pleasure Charities Transforming lives for good Christians against poverty Mercy Ships Prostate Cancer Ukraine Appeal Pakistan Appeal Water Aid Zac's Place Ty Hafan Barnabus Fund Christian Aid Miscellaneous Sale of Jam/books/cards Fairtrade cards/chocolates From Brecon for pop-up Nativity Air Ambulance (Funeral

23

£979.00 £40.00 £3,238.52 £4,257.52 £2,832.00 £196.00 £840.00 £30.00 £27,439.27 £31,337.27 £13,978.20 £13,978.20
BUILDING FUND Payments £15,408.70
Repair to Organ (deposit)
£2,850.00		 £1,244.30 £300.00 £1,554.00 £1,000.00
Balance at Bank 31.12.2022
£16,657.00		 £19,507.00
£19,507.00		 MAGAZINE ACCOUNT Payments £3,349.52
Printing of Magazine		 £400.00
Interpreter for article		 £508.00
Balance at Bank 31.12.2022		 £4,257.52 CHURCHYARD ACCOUNT £29,418.27
Work in Churchyard		 Tools £1,919.00
Memory Board		 Fee to Vicar Balance at Bank 31.12.2022 £31,337.27 EMERGENCY FUND Payments £11,578.20 £2,400.00 Balance at Bank 31.12.2022 £13,978.20
£100.00 £213.00 £931.30
Receipts Balance at Bank 1.1.2022 Events Concert Cor Cymraeg Jubilee Tea Autumn Fayre Sale of Bobble hats 100 Club In memory of Gaynor Griffiths Receipts Balance at Bank 1.1.2022 Adverts Contributions Balance at Bank 1.1.2022 Fees for both churches Receipts Balance at Bank 1.1.2022 From Parish Account

24

£1,296.00 £2,824.80 £1,754.07 £685.78 £2,429.10 £1,878.83 £35,175.23 £46,043.81
£264.00 £1,032.00 £1,067.64 £686.43 £100.00 £100.36 £1,700.00 £59.00 £93.74 £46.00 £330.00 £137.09 £100.00 £576.00 £906.67 £35.00 £21.78 £102.29
Payments Booking Secretary Cleaner Caretaker Services Gas Electric Insurance Maintenance Replacement of window Fire Check Wales New Firedoors Pat testing Toiletries/cleaning materials Unblock toilet 2 new hand dryers Miscellaneous Music licence Petty cash for Lucy Survey of grounds 6 new tables Refund to Craft Fayre First Aid kit Lock/keys/padlock Balance at Bank 31.12.2022
£32,599.43 £11,618.38 £1,826.00 £46,043.81
Receipts Balance at Bank 1.1.2022 Hire of Hall Miscellaneous Grant from Brecon towards survey

25

St Illtyd’s Accounts

26

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£522.25 £135.00 £86.00 £2,501.03 £17,981.85 £21,226.23
__
£522.25 £65.00 £70.00 £66.00 £20.00
_ _ ___
ANNUAL YEAR END 2022 PAYMENTS Services Gas Maintenance Security Boiler Service Miscellaneous Expenses Bank Charges Balance at Bank 31/12/2022 CAF Bank HSBC Bank
£1,780.07 £3,417.16 £21,226.23
_
£1,417.16 £2,000.00
_
ST ILLTYDS HALL ACCOUNT RECEIPTS Balance at Bank 1/1/2022 Breakdown Hall Hire Miscellaneous
----- End of picture text -----

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