The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of North West Swindon and Lydiard Millicent Trustees Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2022
The Vicarage The Butts Lydiard Millicent Swindon SN5 3LR allsaints-online.org.uk Tel 01793 772417 Reg. Charity no. 1182788
Annual Parochial Church Meeting Sunday 23[th] April 2023
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1 Organisation and Trustees
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PCC Member Retirement Reason Note
Tina Wheeler
(Treasurer) March 2024 Elected Member
Nicky Iddon March 2023 Elected Member
Vacancy March 2023 Elected Member
Beverley Belcher
(Secretary) March 2024 Elected Member
Heather Benn March 2023 Elected Member
John Lindsay March 2025 Elected Member
Vacancy March 2022 Elected Member
Vacancy March 2022 Elected Member
Vacancy March 2022 Elected Member
Rev Tudor Roberts Ex Officio Incumbent
Minister Licensed to
Rev Tricia Roberts Ex Officio Parish
John Halstead Ex Officio Churchwarden
Andrew Roberts Ex Officio Churchwarden
Ex Officio
Julian Wright (2025) Deanery Synod
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1.1 The trustees of All Saints Church were the Parochial Church Council (PCC), which had the responsibility of cooperating with, and supporting, the Vicar in promoting the work of the Church within the parish.
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1.2 A Standing Committee, comprising the Vicar, two Churchwardens, the PCC Secretary and the PCC Treasurer, met regularly, and as necessary, to conduct urgent business. The Standing Committee also managed some of the day to day business which otherwise would take up time at PCC meetings. The Standing Committee reported on all its activities to subsequent PCC meetings.
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1.3 The trustees are governed by the contents of Parochial Church Council Powers Measure (1956) as Amended and Church Representation Rules that came into force on 2 Jan 1957.
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1.4 The trustees also have had a regard to the Charity Commission’s Guidance on public benefit as directed in section 17(5) of the Charities Act 2011.
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1.5 The trustees are elected for a term of 3 years at the AGM from the membership. At the end of this period the trustee may seek re-election if they so wish.
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1.6 There are currently 8 trustees who have met 8 times during 2020 with good attendance at each meeting.
2. Aims and Objectives
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2.1 All Saints Church’s objective is Promoting in the Ecclesiastical Parish the Whole Mission of the Church.
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2.2 All Saints Church aims to make known and share the love of God within our communities
"Be Family, Make Disciples, Serve Others" means that we seek ......
- To be an integrated church family united through our faith in Jesus.
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- To encourage people into discipleship by demonstrating our
relationship with Jesus.
- To express our love for God in the service of others.
3. Activities and Achievements
3.1 Church Membership
The electoral roll currently stands at 90 as 2 members sadly passed away during the year.
(Beverley Belcher)
3.2 Sunday Worship
During 2022 we were able to restart the 8am Holy Communion Service and continued to offer a 10.30am service with Holy Communion on 2[nd] and 4[th] Sunday of each month.
3.3 Annual Sunday Attendance
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Year
Service
Attendance
8.00 Adult Ave 15 13 12 13 12 12 12 11 9 10 9 7 7 4
8.00 Adult 10 9 7 7 4
15 13 12 13 12 12 12 11 9
Norm
9.30 Adult Ave - - - - - - - 14 11 12 11 9 2
9.30 Adult [10] 10 2
- - - - - - - 14 11 [13]
Norm
9.30 Child Ave - - - - - - - 12 9 10 11 6 1
9.30 Child 11 12 6 1
- - - - - - - 12 9
Norm
10.30 Adult 70 61 62 59 54 52 52 52 50 [47] [47] 45 28 25 25
Ave
10.30 Adult [50] 41 30 23 25
62 54 59 57 49 47 45 43 48 [49]
Norm
10.30 Child 9 5 4 1 1 2
23 23 22 21 19 17 15 12 10
Ave
10.30 Child 7 6 2 1 1 2
20 21 20 20 17 16 14 13 11
Norm
6.30 Adult Ave 11 15 15 19 13 15 5 - - - 15 9 -
6.30 Adult - 15 10 -
10 12 9 8 6 5 5 - -
Norm
6.30 Child Ave 0 -
6.30 Child 0 -
Norm
Monthly Com 4 7 8
Ave
Monthly Com 4 7 8
Nor
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
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YouTube Total 319 128
number of 5 1
views
YouTube 80 53
average
weekly view
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The figures for 2006 to 2014 6:30 services include large figures at Partnership services.
The 6:30pm began to be reintroduced in 2019 but due to low numbers stopped again mid-2019.
*The YouTube numbers are the viewing figures as listed on YouTube on 11/3/2021. We do not know how many people may have viewed the service as a household or the age of the viewer.
The Monthly Communion Service was stopped completely in March 2020 and did not restart until mid 2021 due to Covid restrictions.
The 8am Holy Communion Service did not take place during 2021 due to Covid restrictions and restarted in February 2022.
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3.4 Christmas Services
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Year
Service
Attendance
Christingle - Jan De
10 81 86 87 85 60 81 92 [12] 15 75 27 28 c
2 1 0
3
Children - Jan De
47 40 40 55 31 29 57 53 63 75 30 18 22 c
3
Carols 12 12 87 [12] 11 11 13 12 10 10 128 100 - 57 51
6 1 1 3 9 4 8 9 9
Children 26 20 20 23 21 25 34 69 19 37 12 7 - 6 5
Christmas 10 86 89 [14] 65 85 81 92 [12] 15 146 92 - 42 95
Eve 1 6 1 0
Children 66 63 46 48 15 35 57 53 63 75 40 44 - 16 50
Midnight 20
73 60 61 57 62 48 52 60 55 55 50 54 22
Comm
Children 0 0 1 0 0 2 0 2 1 3 3 5 0 1
Christmas 54 45 17 26 26
68 77 66 74 52 73 60 35 54 [66]
Day
Children 23 24 22 26 17 18 7 12 15 9 5 9 2 1 3
Youtube 59
Carol
Service
Youtube 51
Christmas
Day
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
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- NOTE: In previous years the Christingle and Crib Services have been the same service held on Christmas Eve. From 2018 there were two separate services so the attendances should be added together for each year;
In 2021 we did not hold a Christingle Service in December but it was held on 3[rd] January 2022.
In 2022 we held a Christingle Service in January and again in December.
In 2021 there was no Midnight Communion Service. YouTube services were stopped mid-2021.
3.5 Easter Services
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Year
2020 2021 2022
Service
Attendance
YouTube Maundy 42
Thursday
YouTube Good 58 43
Friday
Good Friday 18 7
Service
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Children 6 2
Last hour at the 15
cross
Children 0
Easter Day 42 41
Children 3 4
YouTube Easter 90 61
Day
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*The YouTube numbers are the viewing figures as listed on YouTube on 11/3/2022. We do not know how many people may have viewed the service as a household or the age of the viewer.
In 2020 there were no Easter Services in Church due to Covid.
Due to Covid there was no Service on Maundy Thursday in 2021. Once again this was available on YouTube. In 2021 a Good Friday service was held outside church along with a YouTube pre-recorded service.
Occasional Offices
During the year, there was one Wedding Service, two Wedding Vow renewals, four Baptisms and Tudor conducted nine Funerals.
3.6 PCC Secretary
During 2022 the PCC continued to meet and were pleased to be able to start meeting together at the vicarage once again. During the year we held 10 meetings and continued to follow the pattern of opening with a Bible reading and a prayer, a more focused section for prayer in the middle and ending with prayer. I am pleased to report that attendance has been good and most of us have not missed a meeting.
This year we have appointed a Church and Schools Children’s Worker, continued to work on reordering plans as well as looking at our response to Eco church. In the coming year will be focusing, amongst other things, on the Reordering and Transforming Church. In fact, by the time, you read this we will have had our first meeting dedicated to Transforming Church. Once again, I am grateful to Tina Wheeler who kindly proof reads for me. As always, we work on behalf of the church members so please speak to any of us about any concerns or ideas. Currently there are vacancies on the PCC so if you would like to be involved, please talk to one of us – you would be most welcome. ( Beverley Belcher)
3.7 Deanery Synod Report
Tudor and I attended most of the four annual meetings together and Bev Kauppinen, having been appointed as our Children’s Worker joined us in October for the one about ‘Education in the Diocese’.
Other topics covered over the twelve months were:
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Re-ordering project at St Mary’s Church Purton
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Environmental Challenges facing churches
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Transforming Church Together
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Other local priorities are reviewed at each meeting and these include: Eco Challenge, Racial Justice, Feeding Swindon Partnership & Warm Places, Cost of living crisis and the Swindon Uganda Link.
At our most recent meeting held in February 2023 the main topic was Transforming Church Together (TCT)
Next Steps.
Bishop Viv has invited everyone in the Diocese to join a conversation about our priorities, under God, for the future. The Diocese now has a Synodapproved strategy for the next five years starting from January 2023. This strategy will bring significant support to ministers and parishes, so that both can thrive and grow. They envisage a period of unprecedented ministerial and parochial revitalization, increased discipleship, positive social impact and long term environmental and financial sustainability. However, none of this can happen without parishes and benefices discerning what works for them.
To this end our PCC has been tasked to think what the future could look like and ask – ‘what do we need to do to get there?’
The TCT will offer particular support in parishes eg. parish administration, young people’s workers and school chaplaincies.
The diocese aims to recruit a number of staff to support parishes, and this will not be funded by the Parish Share. Clergy numbers will not be changing over that period.
3.8 Worship and Music Team
2022 saw further easing of the restrictions that had altered how we worshipped over the two years of the pandemic. What a joy it was to be able to take communion again, at first with individual disposal cups for the wine and in more recent months, sharing the common chalice. A new development saw John Lindsay licensed to take communion to the homes of those who are unable to join us on a Sunday.
At Easter we were able to hold a Maundy Thursday service, a Children’s’ Service and Service at the Cross on Good Friday. On Easter Sunday we held an all-age celebration with renewal of baptism vows.
We continued to have our worship led from the piano, organ and guitar at many services, with Worship Lyric Videos being used when musicians are unavailable. We have continued to make use of technology for our main services and despite some periodic gremlins, on balance this facilitates our worship and enables us to sing out without worrying about hymn books.
The Remembrance Day Service in early November is always a moving service and this last year was no exception.
In the run up to Christmas, Bev worked with the three schools: Lydiard Millicent, Peatmoor and Ridgeway Farm. Nineteen students from the three schools performed ‘Do they know it’s Christmas’ and ‘In the bleak mid-winter’.
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The band comprised of two drummers, a pianist and guitar player. Ginnie supported the group by playing the guitar and Ann Hutchinson played flute. In addition, Sue sang alto which added depth to the youngsters’ voices. They were supported by family members and friends which resulted in a packed church with standing room only. It was an amazing night with a fabulous atmosphere.
As usual, we held our traditional Nine Lessons and Carol Service in the week leading up to Christmas. A small choir led the carol singing with Emma and Heather again singing some beautiful carols before the service.
Those who select the hymns and songs for the services continue to find they are blessed by this, and we are grateful to Karen for the work she does towards the end of each week in laying out the service slides. If you have a favourite hymn or song, please let one of the musicians know this and we will look to include your choice at the appropriate time.
( Anne Dwight and Ginnie Heads)
3.9 Open the Book
Open the Book is a bible telling story programme in primary schools and part of Bible Society.
This year the Open the Book team continued to send in weekly online Open the Book assemblies to Peatmoor School until the end of the summer term. This started during the covid pandemic and our reason for stopping was that we had no more copyright free stories left that we could film.
In July the online resource of around 80 assemblies was given to school with a suggestion to watch some of the earlier ones made from the Christian Values series in the Autumn term. They were also gifted the Bible Societies Christian Values Story Book and Handbook containing the transcripts. They continue to enjoy watching an assembly from this resource every week.
Meanwhile from September 22 the Open the Book team began taking their assemblies into Peatmoor School every month in person. These are going very well, and I attach some photos of
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our assemblies. We hope to expand the team with a few more regulars and in time increase assemblies in Peatmoor school to fortnightly.
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Open the Book Assembly: Open the Book Assembly:
“A Sad Day” Oct 22 “A Special Promise” Nov 22
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(Heather Benn)
3.10 Children’s Church and Schools’ Worker Report
I started the role of children’s church, school worker on the first October 2022. Thanks to the incredibly positive relationships Tudor had already developed with all three schools; Lydiard Millicent, Ridgeway Farm and Peatmoor, I received a very warm welcome.
Initially, I supported Tudor with the weekly collective worship at Lydiard and Ridgeway and the less frequent afternoon worships at Peatmoor.
After attending a harvest worship at Ridgeway Farm, I shared with Tudor that for term two, I would like to get a band/singing group together, from all three schools, to be part of the All-Age service on Christmas Eve Tudor agreed. My aim was to get twenty youngsters from all three schools, to participate in the service on Christmas Eve, with the hope that parents would support the event. On the day we had nineteen youngsters; one member had pulled out poorly. I wasn’t complaining that we were one short of the number twenty!
All three schools allowed me to go into their premises, weekly, for a lunch time and after school rehearsal. I was trusted and given an incredible amount of freedom with the youngsters.
Whilst working on the two musical items, discussions ensued around the words that were being sung. One song made everyone think about how blessed we were at Christmas, compared with individuals in other countries who weren’t even aware it was Christmas due to their horrendous living conditions. Conversely, In the bleak midwinter’s words, particularly those of the last verse, prompted talks around the fact that all God asks from us is we give Him our hearts. I became increasingly aware of the privilege it was, having this role, being able to work with each individual and, unlike my role as an RE teacher, being allowed to share my Christian faith. In addition to the band work, Tudor and I, with help from some fabulous church members, were able to host all the students from Lydiard Millicent school, in church, over two
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days, for Experience Christmas. The student feedback, via school, was very positive.
Tudor and I also worked with year four students, at Ridgeway Farm and year three students at Lydiard Millicent on Christmas in the box. This programme allowed each child to visually experience and think about the Christmas story asking as many probing questions about God and the baby Jesus as they wanted; and they did!
We supported operation Christmas child for the early year’s students at Lydiard Millicent school.
2022 finished on a high note with the All Age Christmas Eve service packed to the rafters, with The Head from Ridgeway Farm school in attendance and a request from the youngsters that the band continue in 2023!
As I write, some of the band are in the process of producing a play for the all age Good Friday service, entitled ‘Why do Christians call the day Jesus died Good Friday?’ Others will organise four stations in church for youngsters and their parents to be able to participate interactively and the whole group will perform two possibly three songs.
I have attended Governor’s meetings at Ridgeway farm and am due to be officially accepted at the next meeting. I have been asked to consider taking responsibility for the area of SEND. I am teaching RE in that school every Wednesday afternoon to years four and six.
Tudor and I are, again, hosting all the Lydiard Millicent students at church. This time for Experience Easter, 2023. The Head is allowing me to train some students so they can lead two of the stations. The second day of this experience coincides with a SIAMS inspection and Tudor, and I have been asked to meet with the inspectors.
A new challenge is that The Head at Ridgeway farm has asked us to take Experience Easter to the school. We are delighted to have this opportunity to share the experience with the whole school. The challenge is the logistics of creating the six stations in the school hall rather than at church.
We had discussions with Peatmoor school and whilst a whole school Experience Easter was not possible in 2023, we are optimistic that we will be able to facilitate that in 2024. The encouraging news is we have been invited to lead morning assemblies, next term, covering the topic of Pentecost.
Nicky Iddon and I are planning four Ecco events to be held in church during 2023, with students from all three schools to be invited.
There has been much to celebrate in these first five months, with many highlights, none more so than a member of the band from Ridgeway farm school attending church with his family asking to be christened, with his baby sister.
Going forward I want to continue and develop the work we are doing, with the aim that the numbers of youngsters in the band translates to youngsters coming to church, having a lively, meaningful Sunday school and a youth worship band. (Bev Kauppinen)
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3.11 Bell Ringing
2022 saw bellringing return to ‘normal’ after the restrictions of Covid. We welcomed three new learners bringing our total number of ringers to 14.
Our learners made good progress and all were able to ring for the Queens Platinum (70[th] ) Jubilee in June and sadly a few months later for her funeral and also the Proclamation of Kings Charles III. We also rang for one wedding last year but have at least 4 lined up for 2023.
May 2022 saw us host the monthly Branch Practice with ringers from around the Swindon area and beyond come to ring our lovely bells. Several members of ASLM ring regularly in other towers around the area and have had the opportunity to ring on the bell simulator in Christchurch. This wonderful facility was installed just as Covid restrictions were lifting and is a great boost to practices and help us build new skills.
In December 2022 we also rang a Quarter Peal in memory of Nigel Margetts, church member and bellringer. We had planned to ring for him in early 2020 but due to Covid this was postponed. Family members came to listen and thank us for remembering him in this way.
Practices on Tuesday evenings are always well attended and we almost always have at least 7-10 ringers to ring for the Sunday morning service. This is to be commended as not all towers can ring a full quota of bells every Sunday. It is wonderful to be supported in this way.
We are currently practicing to ring for the coronation of King Charles 111 in May of this year.
(Ann Hutchinson and Jeanette Ferris (joint Tower Captains) ASLM)
3.12 Men's breakfast All Saints Men’s Bible Study and breakfast. Meeting 1[st] Saturdays at 8.00 am.
The group continued to meet under Covid online, and then during nearly all of the last year, we have met physically at Church. We meet on the first Saturday of every month in Church, with breakfast pre-cooked and brought down by car, and then hot drinks made in Church and served at 8am finishing by 9am. We are a diverse bunch with men from at least three nations, and although mainly from All Saints men are welcome from other churches too and do come.
For many Saturdays, we followed a book on seven Great men and seven Great women, and then on the 12 apostles, and now do whatever bible study is topical for the time of year. We normally gather, have breakfast and chat, do a short Bible study then pray and finally clear up and go.
Sometimes the themes we are looking at are serious like suffering or sin, and at other times more joyful like the birth of Christ or Easter. It’s great that at
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least eight men meet each first Saturday and sometimes more. It’s a great way to use our Church building and bring men together so that as Bible says, “iron sharpens iron”.
My hope is that group can continue to grow, no way are we a “closed group”. Several men have joined us over the last two years.
My prayer is that this monthly meeting continues to be a place where we can grow closer to God, laugh, and share together and be a blessing for the Church here and wider afield. We are all looking forward to getting the church re-ordered and a servery fitted, so we can make breakfast in the Church building and welcome even more men. ( Tudor Roberts)
3.13 Safeguarding
All Saints is committed to safeguarding children, young people and adults at risk and as a result regularly reviews our Safe Guarding Policy and follows safer recruitment practices.
It is a requirement that all who work with children, young people or adults at risk on to obtain a DBS check and this has to be renewed every three years. As well as this they all have to undertake Safeguarding Training at a level appropriate to their level of responsibility, which again has to be redone every three years.
In 2022:
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15 people obtained or renewed a DBS check
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5 people completed Foundation Safeguarding Training
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10 people competed Basic Safeguarding Training
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8 people completed Leadership Safeguarding
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8 people completed the Domestic Abuse Awareness Training.
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3 people were safely recruited to the Open the Book team
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Bev Kauppinen was safely recruited to be our Children Church and School’s worker
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John Lindsay was safely recruited to take Holy Communion to people’s homes.
Both the Basic and Foundation Safeguarding courses are available online and can be completed by anyone at a time convenient to you. Should you wish to do so please let me know and I will organise this for you.
I am also pleased to report that no safeguarding concerns were bought to my attention.
I wish to thank all those who have responded to my requests to complete training, provide references or renew DBS checks without complaint and so promptly.
In the coming year we shall continue to raise awareness of Safeguarding issues and review our policies and practices. (Beverley Belcher)
3.14 Churchwardens’ Report
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With Coronavirus restrictions largely lifted, there has been less need for concern about numbers allowed in church, and the appropriate restrictions, although we do ensure that masks and hand gel are readily available.
John Halstead has been his usual helpful self and, as the practical one, the one who has ensured that any remedial work has been sorted quickly and efficiently. He has seen to the guttering and maintenance work inside and has also cleaned the paths with his jet hose, something which I shall continue, which saves the expense of bringing in outside work and help.
John also met with David Tapscott about the Swindon Food Collective comparatively recently. Verbal messages are now given weekly at the Sunday services and an email about the collective is also sent out weekly with requests. We are grateful to David and Margaret for their efforts with the Food Collective and other areas of church life but it is likely that I shall take over or help further with the Food Collective in the near future. I should also like to thank David and John for opening and closing the church when I am away.
Howard Benn has kindly agreed to take over the maintenance of the tower clock for which we are grateful. Plans are afoot, via the Parish Council, for a battery to be installed which will make life easier whenever there is a power cut.
After a couple visiting the church for the first time were nearly knocked down by a speeding van before they made it to the church, the PCC. agreed that I could complete the necessary Highways form and give it to the Parish Council for consideration. It seems that the form was accepted for lodging with a higher authority. It seems that there will be more emphasis and arrangements coming to the fore in other areas of the village where the same problem occurs.
Simon Belcher gave a helpful and informative talk to Sides people and other church helpers on fire training.
After a request from an interested genealogist, many members of the Standing Committee and PCC researched the Kibblewhite vault underneath the church floor and came up with some interesting information.
It was agreed that PAT testing would be carried out annually at a fee of £75 p.a. even though certain items only require a check every four years.
Julian Wright is gradually handing over certain responsibilities to me including the three-monthly check of interior items and exterior walls etc (which have been completed in a timely manner) and also the Health & Safety (whose document he has updated). Both of us would like to thank Julian for his unstinting work over many years and in many areas which has contributed greatly to the safety and legality of the church.
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Although we are not due for a Quinquennial inspection until May 2025, John and Julian have discussed the outstanding areas of painting, gutter and pedestrian gate repair. Julian is also doing his best to tie Rixon's down to a date for the work to be done.
The Parish Council have used the church for their regular meetings over the last year although March will be their last. We would like to thank them for choosing the church over the last year.
May I end by thanking the PCC for taking me on as the church cleaner. Since November, I have endeavored to take certain areas at different times (polishing all the pews and spray-cleaning the carpet) to give the church a thorough clean. (Andrew Roberts)
3.15 Reordering Project
Restoration and Renewal Report
The team includes Revd Tudor Roberts, Robert Bednarski, John Halstead, Nicky Iddon, Tina Wheeler and Julian Wright. We are committed to making our beautiful, ancient building accessible, hospitable and flexible so it can be used in all sorts of creative ways for God’s mission and provide a community hub at the heart of the surrounding area.
Renewal
In Spring 2022 the proposed plans were presented in church and feedback captured and discussed. A list of ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ published on the Church website. A press release was sent to local papers/magazines to raise awareness locally. The proposals and architects’ drawings were displayed in church and published on the website. We reviewed these in detail to ensure they reflected the vision and researched a list of potential funding bodies.
In summer, we engaged a consultant who wrote our ‘case for support’ to help with bidding and who extended our list of funding bodies. There are 70 funding bodies we can apply to. We also met with other churches who have reordered to learn from their experience. Our proposals were submitted to the DAC for a faculty.
In autumn, conservation bodies (Church Building Council, Historic England and the Society for the Preservation of Ancient Buildings) provided feedback on our proposals. They raised a number of concerns and as a result, our proposals have been adjusted. Key changes are; to have a natural stone floor (rather than wood), a lower floor level, not to extend the chancel area, remove the platform lift, leave pulpit where it is and retain the carved door frame near its current location. Our changed proposals have been resubmitted and we are waiting to hear back. We will then commence fundraising in earnest.
Restoration
In Feb 2023 our architect’s nave re-roofing Invitation to Tender was been sent out. We have received one quote and need to receive two more.
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I believe our plans will breathe new life into our church as a far more inclusive, warm, welcoming, hospitable and versatile space and secure its relevance for future generations.
( Tudor Roberts and Nicky Iddon)
3.16 ENVIRONMENTAL CHAMPION REPORT
We live on a beautiful planet which clearly reflects God’s amazing creativity. As stewards of God’s creation, we have a responsibility and a duty to do what we can to be environmentally responsible. To help us focus on this, Tudor began the year with a sermon series on Creation Care.
In April, Mark Claybrough from the Living Churchyards Project visited our churchyard and advised on what we could do in the churchyard; from this a Churchyard Environmental Plan was created.
In May, Ivan Randall from the Living Churchyards Project visited the churchyard to identify the flora. He identified 43 different species of flora and grasses. A document listing these together with why these are good for pollinators is available on the noticeboard at the back of the church, together with advice on the best plants to attract pollinators into your garden. Paths were mown through the wildflowers at the back so people could enjoy the them close up.
In June, there was as short talk on Fairtrade/ethically sourced goods. A leaflet was distributed on Fairtrade/ethically sourced goods, why they matter and where to find them. Fairtrade/ethically sourced coffee, tea and chocolates were served after the service. The church and vicarage have been supplied with Fairtrade tea and coffee to use for hospitality. Fairtrade, palm-oil free and slavery-free chocolates have been given out after a number of services.
Heather and I held a session with the children on caring for the environment where they built their own bee-hotels.
In July, The Church gained an Eco Church Bronze Award which recognised our commitment to caring for the plant in our Worship and Teaching, Buildings, Land and Community and Global Engagement. Sustainability has been built into our Reordering Plans. The certificate is displayed in the church and a webpage and eco badge added to the website. An article on this was published in the Parish Magazine.
In September, the seeds from the churchyard were harvested and made freely available at the Seed Swap Event.
In October, the main flower beds at the back of the church were dug over and wildflower seeds planted, using seeds harvested from last year plus a few new varieties for extra colour. Additional seeds were also planted across the churchyard and two buddleias were planted to support butterflies.
A huge number of bees and butterflies could be seen on the wildflowers in the summer. I even found four frogs. It was lovely to see villagers and others
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coming to view the wildflowers at their height and take photographs. (Nicky Iddon)
3.17 Vicar’s Report
Acts 14:26-28 -Luke writes in Acts:
“26 From Attalia they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work they had now completed. [27] On arriving there, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. [28] And they stayed there a long time with the disciples”.
Looking back to this time last year the Church in Lydiard Millicent and NW Swindon has been on a journey. That is of course a much-used illustration, beloved by many clergy and preachers. Why? Because the Bible records the People of God; Israel with Moses and Joshua, leading them on a journey, or in the Gospels with Jesus going ahead with his disciples on a journey, and in the New Testament as Paul set off on his missionary journeys. So, the illustration works, and it’s true today.
As I reflect on 2022/23, we are still emerging from the effects of Covid 19, and the Nation is still feeling the negative effects of Brexit and the Ukraine war.
During Covid, we started sending out YouTube videos and having meetings on Zoom. Covid is not over, it is still lingering. But I believe the local and national church is re-awakening to the need to be true to the gospel and also to regain confidence in that Gospel as people begin to come back to Church. Baptisms are booked, and we are now celebrating full Holy Communion.
I am so proud that from bellringers to sides people, musicians to those who visit, the reordering and roof team to those who work with children, the work that Churchwardens do and to those who put flowers out and help get services together, there is a great reason for thanks and joy.
The PCC has met nearly every month either on Zoom, in Church or the Vicarage. The Belltower has practiced on a Tuesday, rung on Sundays, at weddings and on the day of the Queen’s funeral. The reordering team has met as a team regularly and also with the architect twice. Bev Kauppinen has started work in Schools and as her report tells us there is much reason for encouragement already. Three people from All Saints are foundation
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governors. Please, if anyone would like to be a Foundation governor; we now have a vacancy on the Board of Governors for Lydiard Millicent C of E Primary School. Several people, as Heather Benn’s report tells us, serve on an Open the book team across the wider parish and beyond, this is another great way of serving Schools in this parish.
This year has seen the strain on people’s finances reach epic proportions, and David Tapscott is to be commended for having done a sterling job as Swindon Food Collective co-coordinator helped by Margaret. Others have flown the flag for Sat 7, and for Bible Society, and Julian has continued to coordinate the work of the Filling station, so that once every quarter food and drink is sent out to people living on the breadline. Thank you, David and others, for all you have done.
Sally Griffiths has helped coordinate the amazing flower team and Jane Halstead and the cleaning team have kept the Church tidy, that has now been handed on to Andrew who is doing that job each week.
Thanks are due to Karen Johnston who does my admin, to Howard who keeps people’s IT running, and to both my Churchwardens for the way they use their differing gifts to keep Church and Vicar on an even keel.
Tina has done an amazing job not just as Treasurer but also as reordering Project Director ably assisted by Nicky Iddon and the team including Robert Bednarski and John Halstead our two engineering experts. Tina is due our thanks for the multi-roles she has done this year and she has now taken on the role of direct communication for the reordering with Emma Bakewell at the Diocesan advisory committee(DAC) and Rob Toal from our reordering architects. Julian Wright at the same time has taken on almost all of the communication with Annie for the Nave roof project, as well as getting an agreement with the Parish Council on the Clock.
We have hosted funerals baptisms and weddings as any Church would. Also, I am so pleased the Church has been used for Experience Christmas and Easter and concerts and will do so in the future too.
I hope that the 11-year journey we have been through seeking to get the reordering and roof done will soon go for Faculty, though as I write Heritage England seem to be asking questions yet again, I hope these will be answered and we can proceed, especially with encouragement from the DAC.
Bishop Lee retires after Easter; thanks are due to him for all the support and encouragement he has given all Saints over the years. There have been other changes in Swindon Deanery with some long-standing clergy such as the Vicars of Highworth and Haydon Wick retiring, and a new priest for mission joining St Marks and a new appointment at Parks and Walcott.
I am very grateful this year for a lot of work going on in the background. Beverley Belcher is doing an outstanding job as PCC secretary and along with Karen and Tina helped get the admin done for Bev Kauppinen’s appointment.
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Beverley also does an excellent job safeguarding. Personally, speaking my Family: Tricia, Theo, and Harriet are a constant encouragement to me.
So together we are all on a journey with Jesus and together helping to build the kingdom of God in this parish and globally with our mission links. I am hoping to take a group to Uganda in October so people can get a fresh understanding of what God is doing worldwide.
I am so encouraged by:
The success of the Bible Course and the way so many people serve God so generously at All Saints. By Experience Christmas and Experience Easter.
The sense that despite challenges, the Church of England is in good heart and people want to see Churches transformed. As I write this we are heading toward Easter, as Jesus headed to Jerusalem Luke recorded this:
“He went on his way through towns and villages, teaching and journeying toward Jerusalem” Luke 13:22
May we take up the Invitation to continue on our journey with Jesus? He is faithful.
(Tudor Roberts)
4.0 Financial Review
4.1 Financial Arrangements
Banking Facilities: Barclays Bank, Regent Street, Swindon Planned Giving Organiser: Tina Wheeler
Independent Examiner: Nikoleta Bates, King Charles Road, Swindon
4.2 Treasurer’s report
In my report last year, I forecast a deficit of £10,000 in the general fund for 2022, but we were very fortunate to end the year with a small surplus. This allowed us to tithe 10% of our income and give an extra £1,000 towards our Parish Share.
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The budget for 2023 is again showing that we will end the year with a deficit. This is based on our current known income and anticipated expenses. We are fortunate that I signed up to a new fixed rate contract for Gas and Electricity before all the rates increased. We have agreed to pay our full Parish Share to the Diocese in 2023 which is part of the reason we have a forecasted deficit at year end.
Most years when I prepare the budget it will show an anticipated deficit but usually, I find that we have unexpected income, some of the anticipated expenses do not take place and we end the year with a small surplus.
Thanks to a generous donation we have been able to employ a Children’s worker and funds for that are held separately in the accounts, along with other restricted funds, such as Building and Bell funds.
We are holding £242,564 towards the Nave roof repair and the reordering. Once we get the faculty application approved, we will need to concentrate on fund raising for this project.
The PCC have approved the reserves policy which states why we are holding reserves and how much. It is a requirement of the charity commission that members are aware of this policy.
Thank you to everyone who has helped our finances to remain healthy during 2022.
(Tina Wheeler)
4.3 Reserves Policy
All Saints Church Trustees Annual Report - Reserves Policy 2023
The Reserves Policy deals with our General Fund of £55,165 at the end of 2022.
Other funds also held which are NOT required to be included in our reserves are:
-
Building Fund £5,666 (Restricted)
-
Bell Fund £3,031 (Restricted)
-
Building Fund £241,664 (Designated)
-
Puppets £313 (Designated)
-
Children’s Work £26,244 (Restricted)
Our Reserves
The PCC have agreed that we hold sufficient money in reserve, in our general fund, to cover six-months of expenditure (£48,000). The reason for this is twofold:
- The church income in the last couple of years has not been sufficient to cover the month’s average expenditure for normal running costs, including the Parish share.
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- In order to be able to adapt to any changes in the income and expenditure of the church in 2023.
The remaining £7,165 held in the general fund will be used to subsidise the projected 2023 income to allow us to meet our commitments. Other Funds held for Specific Purposes
Restricted funds (Children, building and bell funds) can only be used for the purpose for which they were donated.
Designated funds are funds which have been set aside for a particular reason but can be used in an emergency.
We currently maintain a designated building fund which is for the planned refurbishment of our building and the repair of the Nave roof. The estimated total cost of this work is £750,000 of which we currently hold £241,664. The remainder will be raised by grants and donations.
The Puppet’s designated fund is the residue from the puppets account which is being held until it is decided if the group will continue.
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4.4 Accounts for the year 1 January 2022 – 31[st] December 2022
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Statement of Assets and Liabilities (by fund) As at: 31 December 2022
Previous balance Balance
Cash at bank and in hand
| 6504: RO Account•Asset Reordering Designated 6505: Barclays Bank• Asset Generalfund Unrestricted Building Fund Designated Building Fund Restricted Bell Fund Restricted Puppets Designated Agency collection Restricted Children's Work Restricted Cash at bank and in hand |
40,100.00 40,100.00 30,912.82 588.20 5,630.55 3,031.18 313.68 153.22 25,594.79 66,224.44 106,324.44 |
|---|---|
Debtors
205: Accounts Receivable • Asset Genera Unr 3,968.70 l fund estri Buildin cted 3,799.99 g Fund Desi 108.00 Buildin gnat 36.00 g Fund ed Childre Rest 36.00 650.00 n's ricte Work d 4,762.70 Rest ricte 3,835.99 d D 4,762.70 e Investments bt 3,835.99 6501: CBF Deposit or Account • Asset s General fund Unrestricted 20,532.32 Building Fund Designated 201,344.08 221,876.40 Investments 221,876.40 Agency accounts 669 Agency 9:
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collections • Liability Agency collection 153.22 Restricted 153.22 Agency 153.22 accounts
Previous Balance balance
Creditors: Amounts falling due in one year
6670: Cheques not cashed - Liability General fund Unrestricted
General fund Unrestricted 110.00 110.00 204: Accounts Payable - Liability Gener Unr 138.03 al estr 475.66 fund icte 613.69 Buildi d ng Des Fund ign ate d
Creditors: Amounts falling due in one year
723.69
Grand Total 332,086.63 310,675.27
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All Saints Lydiard Millicent - 1182788
Analysis of income and expenditure
Selected period: 01 January 2022 to 31 December 2022
| Receipts Planned giving 0101 - Gift Aid - Bank 0110 - Gift Aid - Envelopes 0120 - Gift Aid - Restricted 0201 - Non Gift Aid Planned giving Totals Collections and other giving 0301 - Cash GASDS Collections and other giving Totals Other voluntary receipts 0501 - One-of G Fund 051O - One-of Designated 0520 - One-of Projects Other voluntary receipts Totals Gift Aid recovered 0601 - Tax Recovered - GF 0610 - Tax Recovered - RF 0620 - Tax Recovered - DF 1001 - Dividends 1020 - Bank Interest Gift Aid recovered Totals Other receipts 08A1 - One-of grants Other receipts Totals Receipts from church activities 1101 - Ministry Fees Receipts from church activities Totals Receipts Grand totals |
Total Unrestricted Designated Restricted Endowment Thisyear Last year |
|---|---|
| 54,409 54,409 55,047 2,847 2,847 1,926 7,924 7,924 576 676 676 720 |
|
| 57,932 7,924 65,856 58,269 1,607 1,607 1,970 |
|
| 1,607 1,607 1,970 2,802 2,802 4,165 41,395 41,395 313 20,025 20,025 |
|
| 2,802 41,395 20,025 64,223 4,478 15,502 15,502 15,72 1 1,546 1,546 144 216 216 (21,785) (21,785) 36,089 266 266 10 |
|
| 15,769 (21,568) 1,546 (4,253) 51,966 298 |
|
| 298 1,622 1,622 1,250 |
|
| 1,622 1,622 1,250 |
|
| 79,733 19,826 29,495 129,055 118,23 3 |
Payments
Missionary and Charitable Giving
There may be minor discrepancies in the totals if the pence are not
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| 1850 - Tithe Giving Missionary and Charitable Giving Totals Parish Share 1910 - Diocese Parish Share Totals Clergy and Stafng costs 2002 - Organists & Speakers 2110 - Incumbent Expenses Clergy and Stafng costs Totals Church Running Expenses 2201 - Young Peoples Work 2210 - Church Groups 2220 - Outreach 2270 - Training 2301 - Church running - Ins 2302 - Admin - Licences etc 2303 - Admin - Printing etc 2320 - Organ_I_piano tuning 2331 - Gifts Misc 2370 - Sundries Expenses 2401 - Utility - Electric 2410 - Utility - Gas 2420 - Utility - Water Church Running Expenses Totals Church Repairs& Maintenance 2310 - Church Minor Repairs 2311 - Church Furnishings & Eqp 2312 - Churchyard Maintenance Church Repairs& Maintenance Totals New Building work 2701 - Church Major Repairs 2901 - Architect's/Consultant Fees 2910 - Church Enhancements New Building work Totals Other Payments 1701 - Fundraising Costs Other Payments Totals Payments Grand totals |
6,731 6,731 2,008 6,731 6,731 2,008 Tota l Unrestricted Designated Restricted Endowment Thisyear Last year |
|---|---|
| 56,100 56,100 64,260 |
|
| 56,100 56,100 64,260 2,552 2,552 81 2,323 2,323 1,858 |
|
| 4,875 4,875 1,939 114 2,505 2,619 8 21 21 320 235 2,218 2,218 2,134 760 20 780 981 717 717 52 162 162 300 57 57 156 901 901 523 757 757 730 752 752 470 241 241 163 |
|
| 6,706 2,525 9,231 6,075 9 9 36 1,030 65 1,095 237 120 120 337 |
|
| 1,159 65 1,224 611 3,022 28,913 28,913 783 544 544 |
|
| 29,457 29,457 3,806 25 25 |
|
| 25 25 |
|
| 75,571 29,482 2,590 107,644 78,70 1 |
There may be minor discrepancies in the totals if the pence are not
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