## St. Oswald’s Church, 17 Malvern Way, Croxley Green, Herts. WD3 3QL **Annual Report and Financial Statements of the Parochial Church Council** for the year ended 31 December 2024 ## Charity number: 1182850 _Vicar_ : Rev’d Robert Riley-Braley The Vicarage, 159 Baldwins Lane, Croxley Green, Herts. _Bank_ : Barclays Bank _Independent Examiner_ : Ms Anna Maclean ACCA PQ, MAAT ## **Aim and Purpose** ## ’ St Oswald s - Here for Christ, Community and Creation St.Oswald’sParochialChurchCouncilisresponsibleforco-operatingwiththeVicarinpromoting Christ’s commission to preach, teach and live the gospel, involving pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical duties within the parish and mission projects world-wide. It also has maintenance responsibilities for St. Oswald’s Church buildings and grounds. The Parochial Church Council (PCC) is a charity registered with the Charity Commission. The PCC has taken account of the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit and, in particular, the supplementary guidance on charities for the advancement of religion. We seek to enable people to live out their Christian faith by being a joyful, prayerful and caring church, alive to the Holy Spirit, welcoming and accessible to all, building relationships with God and the community we serve. ## **PCC Membership** Church attendees are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll, and to stand (or nominate others) for election to the PCC. Members of the PCC are either ex-officio (Vicar, Churchwardens, Readers, and Deanery Synod representatives) or elected by the Annual Parochial Church 1 Meeting (normally for a three-year term). The Annual Parochial Church Meeting took place on Sunday 21st April 2024 and the churchwardens and representatives listed below were elected at that meeting. _Vicar_ : The Rev’d Robert Riley-Braley _Churchwardens_ : Mrs Helen McAlpine and Mrs Anne-Georgina Barnes _Deanery Synod Representatives_ : Mr Guy Parks, Mr Tony Barton, Mr Richard Doughty ## _Elected Members_ Mrs Debbie Clifford, Mr Steve Clifford, Mr Jonathan Cox, Mrs Margaret Cox, Mrs Val Edwards, Mrs Clare Hook, Mrs Vanessa Mackay, Ms Karen Pryse (Treasurer), Mrs Anne Thomas, Mr Brian Thomson (PCC Secretary) Mrs Lynn Williamson. ## **Committees** The PCC operates through several committees, which meet between PCC meetings: _Standing Committee_ : this is the only committee required by law. It has powers to act for the PCC between meetings unless directed otherwise by the PCC. _Finance & General Purposes Committee:_ handles financial matters, including annual accounts; deals also with practical matters relating to the upkeep and improvement of the Church, Hall, and Grounds, _Pastoral Committee:_ deals with a range of pastoral matters, including ecumenical links, youth work and education and allocation of donations to charities. ## **Church membership and attendance** In April 2024 (2023 in brackets) there were 102 (105) people on the Parish Electoral Roll. In 2024 (2023 in brackets) average Sunday attendance was 60 (59). 264 (258) attended Christmas Eve and Christmas services and 86 (83) at Easter. ## **REVIEW OF THE YEAR** ## **THE PCC** During the calendar year 2024 the full PCC met six times. The Finance & General Purposes Committee met five times and the Pastoral Committee met four times. Meetings addressed various aspects of the life and worship of the Church. In addition to the important matters dealt with in the reports from the Treasurer, Churchwardens, Safeguarding Officer, Deanery Synod and Churches Together, topics discussed included, in no particular order,ourMissionActionPlan,administrationandvolunteers,worshipmatters,newaudio-visual equipment, Shaftesbury Court parking, net-zero carbon emissions, introduction of MS Office 365, Trinity Project, Prayers of Love and Faith, church kneelers, arrangements for reporting of serious incidents to the Charity Commission, Holiday Club, replacement of the organ, and the Crib Service. In November the PCC met with Archdeacon Charles Hudson as part of his informal visitation to the parish, which included attending an assembly at Little Green School and preaching at the Wednesday morning Holy Communion service earlier that day and preaching 2 at the 8am service and the Christingle Family Service on the following Sunday. On behalf of the PCC, the Pastoral Committee has been working on a new Mission Action Plan. Three overarching objectives are proposed: - growth in numbers of the congregation; - deepening of our faith; - support for the wider community. Interestingly,theseobjectivescoincidenicelywiththoseofthediocesanLivingGod’sLovevision and with the Leading your Church into Growth (LYCIG) prayer which we use regularly. The Pastoral Committee recognise that the church’s resources are already stretched and steps towards achieving these objectives will be more of a question of “tweaking” existing activities than embarking on major new initiatives. As a first step it was agreed to review how St Oswald’s existing activities support our objectives and how we might better do so in the future. The Vicar was delegated to write to all leaders and co-ordinators of church groups and activities to consider these questions with their members and report back. In recent years the Church of England has been considering the blessing of same sexrelationships in a process named Living in Love and Faith. In the autumn an open discussion group at St Oswald’s followed the 5 session Living in Love and Faith Course, providing background to discussion of the Prayers of Love and Faith now authorised in the Church of England for the blessing of same-sex relationships These sessions were not particularly well attended but a larger number (around twelve) came together for an additional meeting to specifically consider the Prayers of Love and Faith. Subsequently, at its December meeting, the PCC voted on the motion “This PCC supports the use of the Prayers of Love and Faith in appropriate circumstances within a regular church service as described in the pastoral guidance.” 14 members were in favour, and none against, with 2 abstentions. ## **WORSHIP** Attendance at main Sunday services has remained steady, though still not at pre-pandemic levels. It has been gratifying to see some new faces in the congregation and we continue to pray for the growth of our church, numerically, spiritually and in terms of our impact more widely, often using the LYCIG Prayer. In the light of continuing concerns and vulnerabilities in the wake of the Covid-19 Pandemic, we have continued to offer administration of communion by intinction for those who prefer, alongside the sharing of the common cup. Distribution of wine by intinction only has been retained at the 8am Sunday and the 11am Wednesday services. A suite of five new service booklets has been completed, to cover the seasons of the church’s year. As well as being slightly less “wordy” than the previous versions, they are printed on dyslexia friendly cream coloured paper and with a font style and size recommended for the partially sighted. Colin Nunn completed the diocesan Lay Leader of Worship training and it was a delight to commission him in this role in October, having received due authorisation from Bishop Jane. Colin conducted two wellreceivedTaizéservicesduringthecourseoftheyearandwillalsobeabletoleadthemonthly Evening Prayer and Services of the Word as need arises. Bishop Jane herself visited us at the end of November to preach at the 10am service and take part in an informal Q&A session afterwards. We were impressed by her humility and humanity. Another guest preacher was Fiona Penny from Watford Schools Trust who visited us on Education Sunday in September. The monthly 3rd Sunday “Spotlight” services have dealt with a range of different topics and involved visiting as well as local speakers: Volunteering or “Your Superpower” (with Canon Tim Bull),TheTrinityProject(withRevSimonCutmore),TheCross,TheHolySpirit(withArchdeacon Charles Hudson), “Count on Nature”, the Children’s Holiday Club, Ukraine, Environmental 3 Matters, Life in Prison (with prison visitors Jane and Martin Quicke), Homelessness (with Rebecca Palmer from New Hope) and the Childrens Society (this year’s Christmas Tree Pledge Scheme beneficiary) with a special focus on young refugees. These services have benefited from careful preparation by the organising team, the musical talents of our “band” – and the attendance of our friends from the Methodist Church. 1st Sunday Family Services likewise benefit from careful preparation by a dedicated team along with contributions from members young and older and are much appreciated. The theme this year was “Saints” and we learned about distinguished Christians from New Testament to more recent times including, as would be expected, our local Saint Alban and our patron Saint Oswald. In what is becoming a tradition, our August Family Service was “off-site”, this year in Stone’s Orchard, and included a litter pick. In September, the Family Service included a school bag blessing in what is hopefully another “tradition” in the making. The short service of Evening Prayer from the Book of Common Prayer on the 1st Sunday of each month continues to be appreciated by the small congregation who attend, as does the Wednesday morning 11am Communion Service. We are blessed in our worship by the musical talents of many in our congregation, both vocal and instrumental. The faithful offering of musical talents is much appreciated and it has in particular been encouraging to see the participation of younger members in the band that plays at Spotlight and Family Services. We are also privileged to have an active choir and once again a highlight of the year was the Carol Service, enriched by the involvement of some younger members of our congregation as readers. New members of the choir are always welcome. Our organists Martin and Michael continue to serve us well, and the provision of a new organ through an anonymous donor has enhanced our worship. ## **CHURCH LIFE** The Lent course this year was once again an ecumenical affair under the auspices of Churches Together in Croxley Green, following material obtained from the John Ray Initiative on “A Christian Look at the Environment”. Meetings took place in each church successively on Wednesday afternoons and evenings. Members of the congregation were also encouraged to make use of the booklet of daily reflections “Watch and Pray” which followed the Church of England Lent theme for 2024. Holy Week was observed with a Taizé service on Palm Sunday, services of Evening Prayer on the first three weekdays and the usual services on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday. St Oswald’s once again sponsored the Churches Together Good Friday Walk of Witness and a small group from our Church participated in the Easter Monday Pilgrimage to the Cathedral. The Prayer Fellowship is a small group who pray regularly and confidentially for any in need of such support. A short course on “Spiritual Formation” was run in the summer, three Quiet Mornings were held in the Vicarage garden in August and there were Bible studies on the first two chapters of Luke’s Gospel during Advent. Christmas saw another slight increase in attendance at the traditional services: attendance at the Pop-Up Carols was respectable but nothing like the 100 who came the previous year! Thanks are particularly due to the team, young and not so young, who together put on the nativity play at the annual Crib Service. The splendid Carol Service has been mentioned above. Only two baptisms took place this year and one wedding. Eight funerals were conducted on behalf of St Oswald’s during the year, of which four were held in church. The annual All Souls’ Service of Loving Remembrance took place in November. The congregation was made up largely of church members but there were a few visitors. We were saddened by the deaths of a number of members or supporters of St Oswald’s in 2024: Derek Maclean, Bernard Rummery, 4 Maryel Curnow, Joan Morris, Malcolm Tilley and, though moved from Croxley Green, Jean Langston. In August the TOTO lunches (for Those On Their Own) resumed after a break of several years: around five to ten church members now meet monthly for a meal at a local hostelry. The Men’s Breakfast continues to meet on a monthly basis on a Saturday morning, with bacon rolls and interesting talks. Our Diocesan MU Group meets monthly on Thursday afternoons and is much valued by the ladies who attend. The Companions are now all “young adults”. They met for weekend retreats in March and September at Holland House and at the regular Christmas Day reunion. This year the commitment and achievement of our Eco-group, supported by the congregation, wasrewardedbytheawardofaSilverEcoChurchAwardfromARocha.Environmentalactivities included support for the Friends of Croxley Common Moor summer litter picks, continued provision of recycling bins for batteries, bras, pens and printer cartridges, and participation in the national Count on Nature Weekend in June, with a litter pick around the village and a species count in the church grounds. However, probably the most significant event was the organisation of a Hustings in June prior to the General Election, in which the first half was devoted to questions on environmental matters. This event was taken forward by Jon Cox who dealt ably with both anticipated and unexpected complexities and challenges such as the large number of candidates and the arrival on the evening of two suspicious seeming gentlemen who turned out to be official security hired by the Home Office! The hustings, chaired by John de Braux, proved to be a great success, appreciated both by the large audience and the candidates themselves. The social and fundraising side of the Church’s life included a Bring and Share Lunch after the Spotlight Service with Tim Bull in January, a Silent Auction in March offering an opportunity to “regift” unwanted presents, Café O at the Revels, a Jumble Sale in October, the now annual Beetle Drive in November, Harvest and Christingle Breakfasts and the Christmas Pudding and Craft Evening in December. The fundraising Parish Project this year was split equally between our own church development projects and the Trinity Project, supporting local young people’s mental wellbeing. Communication with the congregation has continued via a weekly emailing, supplemented by a small run of printed sheets with an abbreviated version. The bi-monthly Parish Magazine provides a range of articles and news items, is available in printed and online versions and is received and appreciated beyond the regular congregation. Communication is also facilitated by posters and banners inside and outside the church and hall, by the church website, by our pages on the “A Church Near You” website and by regular postings on our Facebook page and engagement with local FB pages. This is an area of church life where more could be done towards communicating with our community but the role of personal invitation and warm welcome in drawing new people into our fellowship should not be underestimated. ## **CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE** The Brunch Club for teenagers after the morning service on the 1st and 3rd Sundays dwindled to one occasional attendee and so it was felt best to wind this group up. However the Sunday School continues to function and although numbers are currently few, the children who attend clearly enjoy their time together. This year’s children’s Holiday Club had the title “Hold the Front Page” and focused on five well known stories from the Old Testament with some amazing craft creations and lively singing. 5 Because of complications arising from schools finishing on different dates, it was decided to run the Club for three days instead of for a whole week, with longer sessions on Wednesday and Thursday and a lunchtime finish on Friday. Numbers were back to pre-pandemic levels, with 60 or so children who had a wonderful time together. Thanks are owed to all our volunteers, young and old, including some from Pinner and Bushey, but especially to Julie Carpenter and Vanessa Mackay who took on responsibility for leading the Club this year and brought fresh vision and enthusiasm. The Donut Club, launched in autumn 2023 in partnership with the Trinity Project and aimed at providing a place for new Year 7s to meet and socialise with friends from their old primary school, continued to meet monthly on Friday afternoons, having initially run weekly during the first half of autumn term last year. Donuts, hot chocolate, games and activities were provided for usually around 20 attendees. Such was the success of the Donut Club that around a dozen members, now in Year 8, continued to meet monthly at a new Hot Dog Club. Another Donut Club for the latest intake of Year 7s began in the autumn on a weekly and then monthly basis as before. Having been almost overwhelmed by 64 Year 7s turning up at the first meeting, numbers settled downtoaround20to30.TheDonutandHotDogClubsrepresentasignificantoutreachinitiative, serving the community, and seems to have inspired a fresh sense of purpose in the team who help run them. It really cannot be over-emphasized that all the above activities for children and young people depend heavily on the willingness, commitment and enthusiasm of volunteers from the church congregation, who deserve our appreciation and thanks. Activities and groups for this category also depend on the efficient practice of Safeguarding. Our thanks and appreciation should also go to Parish Safeguarding Officer Val Edwards, supported by Catherine Farman. The volume of work involved in administering safeguarding seems to be constantly increasing but Val copes with great efficiency and cheerfulness. The Rainbows, Brownies and Guides at St Oswald's had another busy year in 2024. We all got together for an Olympic event with the Little Green units, we had a great day. The Guides went on an indoor holiday in the autumn as well as a camp at Lees Wood in the summer. The Rainbows and Brownies enjoyed a silent disco at Christmas. The girls have completed lots of badges over the year with some of the Brownies and Rainbows completing their Gold award, this is the highest award that can earned. The Rainbows Group are on the lookout for new leaders as the current leader is leaving in the summer. Anyone interested is asked to get in touch. ## **SERVING THE COMMUNITY** Over the year Café O under the new leadership of Magdalena Pletsch and Christine Guy has continued to provide excellent coffee and cake and a “place to start the week” in good company and with friendly staff. Payment is now by donation and this does not seem to have had an adverse effect on income. The regular clientele has changed somewhat from earlier times, with a mainly older base. However, towards the end of the year we were delighted to welcome some of the Croxley childminders and their charges, who are now regular attenders. Café O is a vital aspect of our service to the local community and thanks are due to Magdalena, Christine and all the team involved, not least to the regular cake bakers. St Oswald’s hosted a very successful Arts Café in April, supporting Christian Aid. The Church building hosts monthly U3A singing and current affairs groups and the weekly rehearsal of the Croxley Community Choir who gave a free concert in July, with donations invited and divided 6 between St Oswald's and the Alzheimer's Society. Members of the congregation variously volunteer at the Monday Foodbank based at the Baptist Church and for The Trinity Project and Croxley Parish Nurses. Church members were also involved with a fund-raising social event for the Parish Nurses at the Methodist Church in September at the Methodist Church and a “Musical Memories” afternoon tea organized by the nurses at Croxley Baptist Churchfor people living with dementia. Some members also assisted with some “Wellbeing Wonderland” lunchtime events at Croxley Danes School. Debbie Clifford organised a collection of unopened medicines and other items for Ukraine. Janet Staerck and the Mothers Union continued to supply recycled greetings cards to The Mount Prison. The Vicar has conducted occasional assemblies on behalf of the Church in Malvern Way Infant School and Little Green Junior. He was able to welcome six Year 7 classes from Croxley Danes School to visit the Church and took lessons in the school on Christian Attitudes to Wealth for two Year 11 GCSE sets. ## **LOOKING TO THE FUTURE** At the beginning of December, it was announced that the Vicar would be leaving St Oswald’s to take up the post of Associate Minister in the Benefice of Sawbridgeworth. He will be sad to leave Croxley Green after 17 years but is confident in the capable leadership of the Churchwardens and grateful to them and to all the Church Officers, PCC members past and present and Volunteers, and indeed all members of the church, who have blessed his ministry and made this congregation such a happy one to serve. ## **CHURCH GIVING TO CHARITIES** St Oswald’s supports a number of charities to further our Christian mission both in this country and abroad. We continued our practice of donating 10 per cent of our congregational giving to a number of charities which are selected according to a policy of balancing local, national and overseas beneficiaries and evangelistic, social and environmental causes. In 2024 we supported United Society Partners in the Gospel, Church Mission Society, A Rocha, Christian Solidarity Worldwide, the Marylebone Project of the Church Army, Alternatives Newham and the Watford Schools Trust. In previous years we have also supported ASCEND at All Saints’ South Oxhey. Now that ASCEND has become a project of the Watford and Three Rivers Trust, the funds which this charity would have received were divided between Croxley Parish Nurses CIO and The Trinity Project. As previously mentioned, our Parish Project fundraising in 2024 was split between our own development projects and The Trinity Project. At our Harvest Festival, items were collected for New Hope, supporting the homeless and preventing homelessness in and around Watford. This marks a change from previous years when we have supported Alternatives Newhamwhoarenolongerabletostorefood.However,itishopedtoarrangeacollectionofbaby products for Alternatives in Lent 2025. We also raised money for the Bishop’s Harvest Appeal run in partnership with The Leprosy Mission to support a project in Sri Lanka; for Christian Aid; and for the Children’s Society through the Christingle Service, the sale of Christmas cards and our Christmas Tree Pledge Scheme. At Easter, chocolate eggs were collected and delivered to the Church Army Marylebone Project for homeless women. ## **SAFEGUARDING** The Parish is committed to the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults and to supporting those who have been victims of abuse, as well as those who may present a risk to others. The PCC has complied with the duty under Section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline 7 Measure 2016 (duty to have due regard to the House of Bishop’s safeguarding guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and the Safeguarding Code of Practice (duty to comply)). The PCC has adopted all the House of Bishops’ Safeguarding Policies and Practice Guidance, as well as an up-dated “Promoting a Safer Church” (child protection and vulnerable adults policy) and the Domestic Abuse statement, at their meeting on 22 July 2024. The latter two documents are displayed on the notice board in the Church, the Church Hall and on the Church website. We have a Parish Safeguarding Officer and assistant Parish Safeguarding Officer, a Lead Recruiter and two trained assistant Recruiters. Those who work with vulnerable groups in the Parish are recruited in accordance with the PracticeGuidanceSaferRecruitmentJuly2021. DBSclearancesarecheckedeverythreeyears and renewed if required. All those who have been safely recruited and all members of the PCC, have undertaken the appropriate safeguarding training within the last 3 years. Safeguarding information and contact details are displayed in the Church, Church Hall and on the Church website. There is adequate insurance cover for all activities involving children or adults undertaken in the name of the Parish. ## **FINANCIAL REPORT** This year the church's normal expenses exceeded our unrestricted income by £3,892. (See receipts and payments account p.10) There were several unexpected large building expenses for the hall as well as some hugely increased gas bills for the church. We have paid all our parish share to the Diocese and we have made our payments to all the 10% charities who undertake the Christian outreach that we cannot do but can support. In addition we completed three significant projects at a cost of over £40,000: the refurbishment of the church kitchen, updating the audio-visual system and installation of a new organ. These were paid for through donations, bequests and funds set aside by the PCC for the kitchen refurbishment (see page 16). Close to year end we have been the beneficiary of a large bequest which has certainly helped the cash flow. A group has been set up to try and find some further ways to use the church building to add further incomestreamsandhopefullyideaswillbecomeessentialincome. Theprayerfulgenerosityand support of the congregation is very much appreciated as the costs of running the church and hall continue to rise at an ever increasing speed. The members of the PCC declare that they have approved the report, and the Accounts on the following pages, which form an integral part of this document. Signed by the Revd Robert Riley-Braley on behalf of St. Oswald’s Parochial Church Council 23 March 2025 8 ## **Independent examiner's report on the accounts** **Section A Independent Examiner’s Report** **Report to the trustees/** The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiatical Parish of St Oswald, **members of** Croxley Green **On accounts for the year** 31st December 2024 **Charity no** 1182850 **ended (if any) Set out on pages** (remember to include the page numbers of additional sheets) I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 31/12/2024. - **Responsibilities and** As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation of **basis of report** the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. **Independent examiner's statement** I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect: - accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or - the accounts do not accord with the accounting records I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. **Date:** 12/02/2025 **Signed:** Anna Maclean **Name:** Anna Maclean **Relevant professional** Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) **qualification(s) or body (if any): Address:** 67 Springwell Avenue, Mill End Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire WD3 8QD 9 **----- Start of picture text -----**
£ 68443 19482 3540 33552 1473 286 126776 9133 101586 110719 16057 79235 95292
2023 Total
£ 76617 25400 6619 29807 2916 583 141942 11362 154229 165591 -23649 95292 71643
Total
4135 0 1914 0 0 387 6436 4496 3104 7600 -1164 6121 4957
£
Restricted
2024 7417 23494 2219 0 1944 0 35074 6866 46801 53667 -18593 66827 48234
£
Designated
£ 65065 1906 2486 29807 972 196 100432 0 104324 104324 -3892 22344 18452
Unrestricted
Note ref 2(a) 2(b) 2(c) 2(d) 2(e) 2(f) 3(a) 3(b)
Receipts and Payments Account
to further the Council’s objectives to generate funds
St Oswald’s Parish Church, Croxley Green Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024
Incoming receipts from donors Other voluntary incoming receipts Incoming resources from operating activities income from investments Other incoming resources TOTAL RECEIPTS Grants and donations Activities directly relating to the work of the church TOTAL PAYMENTS SHORTFALL(EXCESS) RECEIPTS OVER PAYMENTS BALANCES BROUGHT FORWARD 1 JANUARY 2024 BALANCES CARRIED FORWARD 31 DECEMBER 2024
Receipts Payments
**----- End of picture text -----**
10 **----- Start of picture text -----**
312 30479 13804 50697 95292 22344 66827 6121 95292
£
2023
16129 15419 17695 10718 6866 0 2355 1477 220 1319 0 750
£
2023
945 32859 14451 23388 71643 18452 48234 4957 71643
£
2024
14265 10954 0 13404 7417 2194 1994 1559 65 1339 0 0
£
2024
Note Ref 4(a) 4(b) 4(c) 4(d) 4(e) 4(f) 5(a) 5(b) 5(c) 5(e) 5(g) 5(h)
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
St Oswald’s Parish Church, Croxley Green – year ended 31 December 2024
ASSETS Cash in hand Bank Current accounts Bank Deposit Accounts Other Deposit account FUNDS AND RESERVES General Fund Designated Funds Church Reserves Fund Hall Reserves Fund Church Kitchen Fund Bequests and Donations Fund 10% giving fund Hall kitchen Fund Restricted Funds Charitable Donations Fund Choir Fund Flower Fund cash Youth Work St Albans DBF fees Locality Scheme Budget Grant TOTAL FUNDS AND RESERVES
**----- End of picture text -----**
11 12 ||St Oswald’s Parish Church, Croxley Green|St Oswald’s Parish Church, Croxley Green|Financial Statements for the year ended|Financial Statements for the year ended|Financial Statements for the year ended|31 December 2024|31 December 2024|| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| ||Notes to the Accounts|||||||| |||note Ref||2024||||2023| |3 Resources Expended|||Unrestricted|Designated|Restricted||Total|| ||||£|£|£||£|£| |3(a)|Grants and donations|||||||| ||USPG||0|1372||0|1372|1373| ||Ascend||0|0||0|0|1373| ||Parish Nurse CIO||0|1372||0|1372|0| ||CMS||0|687||0|687|686| ||CSW||0|687||0|687|686| ||Church Army Marylebone Project||0|687||0|687|686| ||Alternatives Newham||0|687||0|687|686| ||Watford Schools Trust||0|687||0|687|686| ||A Rocha||0|687||0|687|686| ||Bishop’s Harvest Appeal||0|0||425|425|321| ||Christmas Tree Appeal 2023||0|0||0|0|605| ||Christmas Crib Service 2023||0|0||1120|1120|124| ||Christian Aid -Earthquake appeal||0|0||0|0|316| ||Wateraid||0|0||0|0|207| ||Stroke Association||0|0||0|0|385| ||CALM (imo N Swaisland)||0|0||0|0|157| ||MIND (imo N Swaisland)||0|0||0|0|156| ||Children’s Society||0|0||85|85|0| ||Parish Nurse CIO||0|0||255|255|0| ||Christian Aid – Art Cafe||0|0||256|256|0| ||Mariners Trust||0|0||2355|2355|0| ||||0|6866||4496|11362|9133| |3(b)|Activities directly relating to the work|of the church||||||| ||Diocesan Parish Share (quota)||70200|0||0|70200|68475| ||Clergy expenses||1500|0||0|1500|1085| ||Fees and Wages||289|0||1914|2203|3230| ||Education, books and music||1555|0||0|1555|1517| ||Outreach||300|0||0|300|426| ||Altar requisites||107|0||0|107|256| ||Cafe O|6(c)|17|0||0|17|134| ||Remembrance book||207|0||0|207|63| ||Church and hall running cost6(a)||28212|0||750|28962|22491| ||Communications||264|0||0|264|257| ||Administration||1100|0||0|1100|1403| ||Stationery and printing||119|0||0|119|696| ||Gifts||0|0||0|0|200| ||Sundry||454|0||440|894|1353| ||AV equipment||0|13751||0|13751|0| ||Church kitchen refurbishment||0|18588||0|18588|0| ||External repairs||0|4320||0|4320|0| ||New Organ||0|8572||0|8572|0| ||Smaller items of repair||0|1570||0|1570|0| ||||104324|46801||3104|154229|101586| |||||||||| ||Total Resources Expended||104324|53667||7600|165591|110719| ||Fees and wages in unrestricted expenses are net of the value due to St Albans Diocesan Board of finance in|||||||respect of| |nb|wedding/funeral fees.|||||||| 13 |St Oswald’s Parish Church, Croxley Green Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024
Notes to the Accounts
DESIGNATED FUNDS
2024
2023
£
£
4(a)
Church Reserves Fund
BALANCE AT 1 JANUARY
16129
19053
Receipts
Interest
972
491
Donations
0
972
0
491
Payments
AV equipment
-1973
-3415
church kitchen refurbishment
(Part of £18k cost)
-473
church kitchen items
-390
-2836
Transfers
Transfers from General funds
0
0
BALANCE AT 31 DECEMBER
14265
16129
4(b)
Hall Reserves Fund
BALANCE AT 1 JANUARY
15419
15217
Receipts
Interest
972
491
Payments
Window unit
-289
fire exit door repair
-150
external repairs and paintwork
-2244
water tank
-820
roof edge repairs and decorate
-2076
toilet flooring
-147
-5437
Transfers
Transfers from General funds
0
0
BALANCE AT 31 DECEMBER
10954
15419
4(c)
Church Kitchen Fund
BALANCE AT 1 JANUARY
17695
Receipts
Donations
0
15510
Fundraising
0
2507
18017
Payments
Fundraising costs
0
322
-322
Spend money – repairs and
maintenance
-17695
(used towards sum of £18919)
0
17695
4(d)
Bequests and Donations Fund
BALANCE AT 1 JANUARY
10718
10218
Receipts
Donations
9120
500
bequests
14374
23494
Payments
Table for Payazz machine
-458
0
AV equipment
-11778
Organ
-8572
-20808
BALANCE AT 31 DECEMBER
13404
10718
Represented by:
Bequests
12374
6867
Donations
549
3370
Donations – Rickmansworth Bereavement
481
481
13404
10718|St Oswald’s Parish Church, Croxley Green Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024
Notes to the Accounts
DESIGNATED FUNDS
2024
2023
£
£
4(a)
Church Reserves Fund
BALANCE AT 1 JANUARY
16129
19053
Receipts
Interest
972
491
Donations
0
972
0
491
Payments
AV equipment
-1973
-3415
church kitchen refurbishment
(Part of £18k cost)
-473
church kitchen items
-390
-2836
Transfers
Transfers from General funds
0
0
BALANCE AT 31 DECEMBER
14265
16129
4(b)
Hall Reserves Fund
BALANCE AT 1 JANUARY
15419
15217
Receipts
Interest
972
491
Payments
Window unit
-289
fire exit door repair
-150
external repairs and paintwork
-2244
water tank
-820
roof edge repairs and decorate
-2076
toilet flooring
-147
-5437
Transfers
Transfers from General funds
0
0
BALANCE AT 31 DECEMBER
10954
15419
4(c)
Church Kitchen Fund
BALANCE AT 1 JANUARY
17695
Receipts
Donations
0
15510
Fundraising
0
2507
18017
Payments
Fundraising costs
0
322
-322
Spend money – repairs and
maintenance
-17695
(used towards sum of £18919)
0
17695
4(d)
Bequests and Donations Fund
BALANCE AT 1 JANUARY
10718
10218
Receipts
Donations
9120
500
bequests
14374
23494
Payments
Table for Payazz machine
-458
0
AV equipment
-11778
Organ
-8572
-20808
BALANCE AT 31 DECEMBER
13404
10718
Represented by:
Bequests
12374
6867
Donations
549
3370
Donations – Rickmansworth Bereavement
481
481
13404
10718|St Oswald’s Parish Church, Croxley Green Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024
Notes to the Accounts
DESIGNATED FUNDS
2024
2023
£
£
4(a)
Church Reserves Fund
BALANCE AT 1 JANUARY
16129
19053
Receipts
Interest
972
491
Donations
0
972
0
491
Payments
AV equipment
-1973
-3415
church kitchen refurbishment
(Part of £18k cost)
-473
church kitchen items
-390
-2836
Transfers
Transfers from General funds
0
0
BALANCE AT 31 DECEMBER
14265
16129
4(b)
Hall Reserves Fund
BALANCE AT 1 JANUARY
15419
15217
Receipts
Interest
972
491
Payments
Window unit
-289
fire exit door repair
-150
external repairs and paintwork
-2244
water tank
-820
roof edge repairs and decorate
-2076
toilet flooring
-147
-5437
Transfers
Transfers from General funds
0
0
BALANCE AT 31 DECEMBER
10954
15419
4(c)
Church Kitchen Fund
BALANCE AT 1 JANUARY
17695
Receipts
Donations
0
15510
Fundraising
0
2507
18017
Payments
Fundraising costs
0
322
-322
Spend money – repairs and
maintenance
-17695
(used towards sum of £18919)
0
17695
4(d)
Bequests and Donations Fund
BALANCE AT 1 JANUARY
10718
10218
Receipts
Donations
9120
500
bequests
14374
23494
Payments
Table for Payazz machine
-458
0
AV equipment
-11778
Organ
-8572
-20808
BALANCE AT 31 DECEMBER
13404
10718
Represented by:
Bequests
12374
6867
Donations
549
3370
Donations – Rickmansworth Bereavement
481
481
13404
10718| |---|---|---| ||16129
15217
491
-289
0
15419
15510
2507
18017
322
-322
17695
10218
500
0
10718
6867
3370
481
10718|16129| |||| |||17695| |||10218
500
0| |||10718| |||6867
3370
481| |||10718| |||| 14 ||St Oswald’s Parish Church, Croxley Green Financial|St Oswald’s Parish Church, Croxley Green Financial|Statements for the year ended|Statements for the year ended|31|December 2024|| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |||Notes to the|Accounts||||| |DESIGNATED FUNDS (continued)|||2024|||2023|| ||||£||£||| |4(e)|10% giving fund||||||| ||balance at 1 January|||6866|||6862| ||Receipts|10% of voluntary receipts||7417|||6866| ||Payments|USPG|1372|||1373|| |||Parish Nurse CIO|1372|||0|| |||Ascend|0|||1373|| |||CMS|687|||686|| |||CSW|687|||686|| |||Church Army|||||| |||Marylebone Project|687|||686|| |||Alternatives Newham|687|||686|| |||Watford Schools Trust|687|||686|| |||A Rocha|687|-6866||686|-6862| ||Balance at 31|December||7417|||6866| ||Represented by:||||||| ||USPG|||1483|||1372| ||Parish Nurse CIO|||742|||| ||Trinity Project|||742|||| ||Ascend|||0|||1372| ||CMS|||742|||687| ||CSW|||742|||687| ||Church Army Marylebone Project|||742|||687| ||Alternatives Newham|||742|||687| ||Watford Schools Trust|||741|||687| ||A Rocha|||741|||687| |||||7417|||6866| |4(f)|Hall Kitchen fund||||||| ||balance at 1 January|||0|||| ||Receipts|||2219|||| ||Payments|||-25|||| ||BALANCE AT|31 DECEMBER||2194|||| ||||||||| 15 |St Oswald’s Parish Church, Croxley Green Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024
Notes to the Accounts
RESTRICTED FUNDS
2024
2023
5(a)
Charitable Donations Fund
BALANCE AT 1 JANUARY
2355
277
Receipts
2023 Project Mariners Trust
0
2355
2024Project Trinity Project
1994
Bishop’s Harvest Appeal
425
357
Christmas Tree Appeal 2022 (CHIPs)
0
605
Christmas Crib Service 2023 (Toybox)
1120
124
Christian Aid (Earthquake Appeal)
0
316
Wateraid
0
207
Stroke Association
0
385
4349
Parish Nurse CIO (taize services)
255
Christian Aid Art Cafe
256
Children’s Society (christingle)
85
4135
Payments
Bishop’s Harvest Appeal
425
321
Christmas Tree Appeal 2022 (CHIPs)
0
605
Christmas Crib Service 2023 (Toybox)
1120
124
Christian Aid
0
316
Wateraid (imo M Cowlard)
0
207
Stroke Association(imo A Sedgwick)
0
385
CALM (imo N Swaisland)
0
157
MIND (imo N Swaisland)
0
156
Mariners Trust appeal 2023
2355
Parish Nurse CIO (taize services)
255
Christian Aid Art Cafe
256
Children’s Society (christingle)
85
-4496
-2271
BALANCE AT 31 DECEMBER
1994
2355
Represented by;
2024 Project Trinity
Project
1994
2023 Project
Mariners Trust
2355
5(b)
CHOIR FUND
BALANCE AT 1 JANUARY
1477
1488
Receipts
Wedding fees received
82
135
Payments
Music
0
-146
BALANCE AT 31 DECEMBER
1559
1477
5(c)
Church Flower Fund
BALANCE AT 1 JANUARY
220
219
Receipts
Donations
259
213
Payments
Flowers
300
-212
Sundry
114
-414
220
BALANCE AT 31 DECEMBER
65
5(d)
Church Youth Clubs
BALANCE AT 1 JANUARY
0
229
Transfer of JYC to Youth Work
0
Transfer of SYC to Youth Work
-229
BALANCE AT 31 DECEMBER
0
0|St Oswald’s Parish Church, Croxley Green Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024
Notes to the Accounts
RESTRICTED FUNDS
2024
2023
5(a)
Charitable Donations Fund
BALANCE AT 1 JANUARY
2355
277
Receipts
2023 Project Mariners Trust
0
2355
2024Project Trinity Project
1994
Bishop’s Harvest Appeal
425
357
Christmas Tree Appeal 2022 (CHIPs)
0
605
Christmas Crib Service 2023 (Toybox)
1120
124
Christian Aid (Earthquake Appeal)
0
316
Wateraid
0
207
Stroke Association
0
385
4349
Parish Nurse CIO (taize services)
255
Christian Aid Art Cafe
256
Children’s Society (christingle)
85
4135
Payments
Bishop’s Harvest Appeal
425
321
Christmas Tree Appeal 2022 (CHIPs)
0
605
Christmas Crib Service 2023 (Toybox)
1120
124
Christian Aid
0
316
Wateraid (imo M Cowlard)
0
207
Stroke Association(imo A Sedgwick)
0
385
CALM (imo N Swaisland)
0
157
MIND (imo N Swaisland)
0
156
Mariners Trust appeal 2023
2355
Parish Nurse CIO (taize services)
255
Christian Aid Art Cafe
256
Children’s Society (christingle)
85
-4496
-2271
BALANCE AT 31 DECEMBER
1994
2355
Represented by;
2024 Project Trinity
Project
1994
2023 Project
Mariners Trust
2355
5(b)
CHOIR FUND
BALANCE AT 1 JANUARY
1477
1488
Receipts
Wedding fees received
82
135
Payments
Music
0
-146
BALANCE AT 31 DECEMBER
1559
1477
5(c)
Church Flower Fund
BALANCE AT 1 JANUARY
220
219
Receipts
Donations
259
213
Payments
Flowers
300
-212
Sundry
114
-414
220
BALANCE AT 31 DECEMBER
65
5(d)
Church Youth Clubs
BALANCE AT 1 JANUARY
0
229
Transfer of JYC to Youth Work
0
Transfer of SYC to Youth Work
-229
BALANCE AT 31 DECEMBER
0
0|St Oswald’s Parish Church, Croxley Green Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024
Notes to the Accounts
RESTRICTED FUNDS
2024
2023
5(a)
Charitable Donations Fund
BALANCE AT 1 JANUARY
2355
277
Receipts
2023 Project Mariners Trust
0
2355
2024Project Trinity Project
1994
Bishop’s Harvest Appeal
425
357
Christmas Tree Appeal 2022 (CHIPs)
0
605
Christmas Crib Service 2023 (Toybox)
1120
124
Christian Aid (Earthquake Appeal)
0
316
Wateraid
0
207
Stroke Association
0
385
4349
Parish Nurse CIO (taize services)
255
Christian Aid Art Cafe
256
Children’s Society (christingle)
85
4135
Payments
Bishop’s Harvest Appeal
425
321
Christmas Tree Appeal 2022 (CHIPs)
0
605
Christmas Crib Service 2023 (Toybox)
1120
124
Christian Aid
0
316
Wateraid (imo M Cowlard)
0
207
Stroke Association(imo A Sedgwick)
0
385
CALM (imo N Swaisland)
0
157
MIND (imo N Swaisland)
0
156
Mariners Trust appeal 2023
2355
Parish Nurse CIO (taize services)
255
Christian Aid Art Cafe
256
Children’s Society (christingle)
85
-4496
-2271
BALANCE AT 31 DECEMBER
1994
2355
Represented by;
2024 Project Trinity
Project
1994
2023 Project
Mariners Trust
2355
5(b)
CHOIR FUND
BALANCE AT 1 JANUARY
1477
1488
Receipts
Wedding fees received
82
135
Payments
Music
0
-146
BALANCE AT 31 DECEMBER
1559
1477
5(c)
Church Flower Fund
BALANCE AT 1 JANUARY
220
219
Receipts
Donations
259
213
Payments
Flowers
300
-212
Sundry
114
-414
220
BALANCE AT 31 DECEMBER
65
5(d)
Church Youth Clubs
BALANCE AT 1 JANUARY
0
229
Transfer of JYC to Youth Work
0
Transfer of SYC to Youth Work
-229
BALANCE AT 31 DECEMBER
0
0| |---|---|---| |||2355| |||2355| ||1488
135
-146
1477
219
213
-212
220
229
0
-229
0|| |||| 16 |St Oswald’s Parish Church, Croxley Green Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024
Notes to the Accounts
RESTRICTED FUNDS (continued)
2024
2023
£
£
5(e)
Youth Work
BALANCE AT 1 JANUARY
1319
833
Receipts
from U3A for table tennis table
300
donations from donut club
46
Payments
Sundry
-26
-43
Transfers
Transfer from senior/junior youth club
0
229
BALANCE AT 31 DECEMBER
1339
1319
5(f)
Warm Hub Grants
BALANCE AT 1 JANUARY
0
750
Receipts
Grants
0
Payments
0
-750
BALANCE AT 31 DECEMBER
0
0
5(g)
St Albans DBF Funds
BALANCE AT 1 JANUARY
0
1323
Receipts
1914
1643
Payments
-1914
-2966
BALANCE AT 31 DECEMBER
0
0
5(h)
Locality Budget Scheme Grant
BALANCE AT 1 JANUARY
750
0
Receipts
0
750
Payments
spend money -
repairs and
maintenance'
-750
0
BALANCE AT 31 DECEMBER
0
750|St Oswald’s Parish Church, Croxley Green Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024
Notes to the Accounts
RESTRICTED FUNDS (continued)
2024
2023
£
£
5(e)
Youth Work
BALANCE AT 1 JANUARY
1319
833
Receipts
from U3A for table tennis table
300
donations from donut club
46
Payments
Sundry
-26
-43
Transfers
Transfer from senior/junior youth club
0
229
BALANCE AT 31 DECEMBER
1339
1319
5(f)
Warm Hub Grants
BALANCE AT 1 JANUARY
0
750
Receipts
Grants
0
Payments
0
-750
BALANCE AT 31 DECEMBER
0
0
5(g)
St Albans DBF Funds
BALANCE AT 1 JANUARY
0
1323
Receipts
1914
1643
Payments
-1914
-2966
BALANCE AT 31 DECEMBER
0
0
5(h)
Locality Budget Scheme Grant
BALANCE AT 1 JANUARY
750
0
Receipts
0
750
Payments
spend money -
repairs and
maintenance'
-750
0
BALANCE AT 31 DECEMBER
0
750|St Oswald’s Parish Church, Croxley Green Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024
Notes to the Accounts
RESTRICTED FUNDS (continued)
2024
2023
£
£
5(e)
Youth Work
BALANCE AT 1 JANUARY
1319
833
Receipts
from U3A for table tennis table
300
donations from donut club
46
Payments
Sundry
-26
-43
Transfers
Transfer from senior/junior youth club
0
229
BALANCE AT 31 DECEMBER
1339
1319
5(f)
Warm Hub Grants
BALANCE AT 1 JANUARY
0
750
Receipts
Grants
0
Payments
0
-750
BALANCE AT 31 DECEMBER
0
0
5(g)
St Albans DBF Funds
BALANCE AT 1 JANUARY
0
1323
Receipts
1914
1643
Payments
-1914
-2966
BALANCE AT 31 DECEMBER
0
0
5(h)
Locality Budget Scheme Grant
BALANCE AT 1 JANUARY
750
0
Receipts
0
750
Payments
spend money -
repairs and
maintenance'
-750
0
BALANCE AT 31 DECEMBER
0
750|St Oswald’s Parish Church, Croxley Green Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024
Notes to the Accounts
RESTRICTED FUNDS (continued)
2024
2023
£
£
5(e)
Youth Work
BALANCE AT 1 JANUARY
1319
833
Receipts
from U3A for table tennis table
300
donations from donut club
46
Payments
Sundry
-26
-43
Transfers
Transfer from senior/junior youth club
0
229
BALANCE AT 31 DECEMBER
1339
1319
5(f)
Warm Hub Grants
BALANCE AT 1 JANUARY
0
750
Receipts
Grants
0
Payments
0
-750
BALANCE AT 31 DECEMBER
0
0
5(g)
St Albans DBF Funds
BALANCE AT 1 JANUARY
0
1323
Receipts
1914
1643
Payments
-1914
-2966
BALANCE AT 31 DECEMBER
0
0
5(h)
Locality Budget Scheme Grant
BALANCE AT 1 JANUARY
750
0
Receipts
0
750
Payments
spend money -
repairs and
maintenance'
-750
0
BALANCE AT 31 DECEMBER
0
750| |---|---|---|---| ||1339||1319| ||||750
-750| ||0||0| ||0
1914
-1914||1323
1643
-2966| ||0||0| ||750
0
-750||0
750
0| ||0||750| ||||| 17 |St Oswald’s Parish Church, Croxley Green Financial Statements for the year ended
2024
Additional Analysis
£
£
6(a)
Hall and Church
Hall
Receipts
Hall rental – church users
1059
Hall rental – non church users
23944
25003
Payments
Hall heating and lighting
6235
Hall insurance
968
Hall cleaning
6745
Hall rates
1781
Hall minor repairs
2279
18008
Hall major repairs (from Reserves)
5437
-23445
Excess receipts over payments
1558
Church
Receipts
Church rental
640
640
Payments
Church heating and lighting
6903
Church insurance
1393
Church cleaning
1259
Church minor repairs
649
10204
Church major repairs (from Reserves)
2836
-13040
Excess payments over receipts
-12400
Grants received and utilised
Watford & TRT Sustainability Grant
0
0
Combined Excess payments over receipts
-12400
NB
Church and hall maintenance is covered by both receipts and payments and taken from
6(b)
FUNDRAISING EVENTS
Jumble sale (2022)
0
Hall stage light sale
0
pew sales
0
Tea income
228
Amazon
0
Give as you live
91
Total fundraising events
319
6(c)
CAFE O
Receipts
Cafe O
3541
Revels (project money)
989
4530
Payments
Revels (project cost)
40
Purchases
224
Card charges
16
-280
Excess receipts over payments
4250
BALANCE AT 1 JANUARY
91
Surplus
791
CASH BALANCE AT 31 DECEMBER
882|31 December 2024
2023
£
£
1718
22196
23914
2079
944
6093
1622
1006
11744
289
-12033
11881
680
2112
1358
1418
2155
7043
3415
-10458
-9778
750
750|31 December 2024
2023
£
£
1718
22196
23914
2079
944
6093
1622
1006
11744
289
-12033
11881
680
2112
1358
1418
2155
7043
3415
-10458
-9778
750
750| |---|---|---| ||2853
church and hall reserves.
160
43
200
200
45
648
2968
580
3548
96
22
16
-134
3414
73
18
91|2853| |||reserves.
160
43
200
200
45| |||| |||91| 18