## **St John the Evangelist Church, Hook Annual Report**
## **and**
## **Financial Statements**
**For the year ended 31[st] December 2024 [Registered Charity number: 1183688]**
**St John the Evangelist Church London Road Hook Hants RG27 9EG Tel: 01256 760169 Email: office@whitewaterchurches.co.uk Website: www.whitewaterchurches.co.uk**
**CONTENTS**
|RECTOR’S ANNUAL REPORT|3|
|---|---|
|CHURCH WARDEN’S ANNUAL REPORT|4|
|ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION|6|
|BUILDING AND FABRIC REPORT|8|
|MINISTRY REPORTS|9|
|COMMUNITY ACTIVITY SUPPORT|14|
|FINANCIAL REVIEW|17|
|FINANCIAL STATEMENTS|F1 – F12|
Page **2** of **18**
## **Rector’s Annual Report**
## _**‘Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us’ – Ephesians 1:3**_
The Lord has richly blessed us in 2024, with established relationships as well as new spiritual life amongst us. We are delighted in many ways, with joyful Sunday worship, gatherings for study, and excellent music of all kinds; children and family opportunities throughout the week, social and pastoral care for our senior members, lovely buildings and grounds, underpinned by sound technology, administration and governance.
We had a large group engaging deeply with questions of faith using the Alpha course followed by the Bible Course. Water brought us joy in June with two adult baptisms outdoors by full immersion and seven adult confirmations, all with Bishop David; but also anxiety in August with flooding. Thank you to everyone who pitched in to problem solve where needed. We hosted the Preschool in the Narthex in the autumn term, while the hall was repaired, and our regular groups adjusted and supported so that local families could be helped. We have continued to care for our senior members with monthly visits to Berry Court retirement community and Old Raven care home with communion, plus the Lunch Club and Friendship Café. Our Youth and families team continue faithfully to run Messy Church, Open the Book, School assemblies and RE lessons, Junior Church, Youth Group and Bumps and Babes; much of this love and service goes unseen and is carefully and generously given.
We are so grateful for the financial generosity of church family members and contributions from local organisations. We have financed our planned activities, and have resources now to pay for building repairs and a new future. Will we be able to appoint a Children and Families’ worker, and work towards Solar panels on the roof? It was wonderful to be able to give an extra month’s contribution to the Common Mission Fund in 2024.
Our brilliant ministry team and musicians have continued to work collaboratively to continue to offer the full pattern of weekly worship across our four churches in the Whitewater Benefice, with each one taking leadership and responsibility for a church or service.
Our communication team reaches far and wide in a variety of ways to connect with our communities and share good news and information. In addition to regular events, our buildings are well cared for, our gardens and grounds growing healthily, and special events such as the summer music concert, and Christmas specials, bring a lot of fun. Thank you to those who keep us warm and welcoming for visitors and regular members: our sidespeople and welcomers, flower team, and coffee team, bakers as well as all who help with our rotas.
My special thanks go to Samantha Frolich who continued as Church Warden and has supported me throughout the year; with tireless hard work too from Caroline Bushman as Treasurer, Caroline Frolander, Sophie Fulpesi and Janine Dunbar as Safeguarding Officers, and Tom Maynes as PCC secretary. We are grateful for our PCC, and to Russell Phillips for joining as Church Warden in December. In addition huge thanks to Eliza Burridge who has supported us all from the Benefice Office; and Laura Preston who began in March as my PA and as HMR PCC secretary. Thank you to Richard Paganuzzi coordinating the fabric team and Martin Rudd with the extra help needed to deal with flooding; to Caroline Bushman for leading our growing choir; to Stephen Davies our organist and Nikki Wild leading the music group; Jonathan Bushman LLM whose energy makes all the difference as he leads our young people ministry, Tim Maynes LLM and Jennifer Martin LLM for preaching and supporting our Ministry team across the Benefice. As I prepare to leave Whitewater in June 2025, I am also indebted to our prayer support, who intercede regularly, and listen to the Lord carefully, that we discern his will and follow in his ways. Finally, thank you to my husband Simon, and wonderful family, without whom these lovely ten years would not have been possible.
_Canon Marion de Quidt, Rector of the Whitewater Benefice_
Page **3** of **18**
**Church Warden’s Annual Report**
## **Statement of Aims**
The Parochial Church Council (PCC) is to co-operate with the Rector and Ministry Team in promoting within Hook parish the whole mission of the Church – pastoral, evangelical, social and ecumenical. The PCC met seven times in 2024. There were additional Standing and Finance Committee meetings.
## **Membership**
Members of the PCC are either ex-officio or elected by the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) in accordance with Church Representation Rules.
During 2024 the membership comprised:
Rector Rev’d Canon Dr Marion de Quidt (Chair) Church Warden Samantha Frolich (Vice Chair) Church Warden-elect Russell Phillips [from December 2024] Deanery Synod Representative Kim Foster Elected Members Caroline Bushman (Treasurer) Nicola Clague Stephen Davies [to April 2024] Janine Dunbar [from April 2024] Caroline Frolander Sophie Fulpesi Tom Maynes (Secretary) Richard Paganuzzi Susan Purchase Martin Rudd Liz Wilson
## **Committees and Teams**
The PCC operates through committees, which meet between full meetings of the PCC. Their deliberations are received by the full PCC and discussed accordingly.
## **Standing Committee**
This is the only committee required by law. It has the power to transact business of the PCC between meetings, subject to any directions given by the PCC.
## **Finance Committee**
This oversees the general financial work of St John’s by monitoring income and expenditure, budgeting, maintaining appropriate financial controls and co-ordinating a review of Christian stewardship of money, including planned giving.
## **Whitewater Benefice Ministry Team**
Our team includes ordained and Lay members who are listed in the Ministry Team Report.
Page **4** of **18**
**Review of the Year**
2024 has been a year of celebration for St. John’s. It has been a joy to watch our service attendance grow and to welcome new parishioners to our congregation alongside our regular attendees.
It is wonderful that as a church we are able to offer a variety of different services supporting all styles of worship. Our All Age service, which takes part on the first Sunday, is tailored for families and encourages children to participate in the service and experience story telling of the gospel through acting, puppetry and music. The second and fourth Sundays offer a traditional service, which is supported by the choir, whereas the third Sunday is supported by the music group. For those who prefer a more reflective style of worship, we offer the 6pm service.
2024 was a busy year for reaching out into our community. The Open the Book team has continued to visit our local schools, acting out stories from the Old and New Testaments. Our Youth Team has represented the church with crafts at both the Summer and Christmas fairs at the Hook schools. The church has been a hub of fun and activity, welcoming Youth Group, Messy Church, and our Olympic themed holiday club which took place in summer.
Our fundraising events for the church this year included our Musical Medley concert in June, celebrating music from all genres. The Gardening Team held its first plant sale, which was a huge success. The Craft Group worked hard to make seasonal decorations and our ever popular monthly cake sale continued to welcome the community to the Narthex for coffee, cake and conversation. A fund raising quiz night was held in September and was a night of fun and friendly competitiveness.
In August we experienced an unprecedented rainfall which flooded our hall, basement and carpark, causing disruption to the church. However, with the support of the Fabric Team we were able to keep our doors open with temporary electrics allowing us to continue with our Sunday services. The preschool was temporarily re-homed to the Narthex and other groups found ways to work around this. It was a huge effort by all those involved, and I would like to thank everyone for coping with the disruption.
In October we held our Songs of Praise service. It was a heart-warming service with a selection of hymns and songs that had been nominated by the congregation. It was such a gift to hear the personal sentiment behind the individual hymns.
Remembrance Sunday is an important event for the Hook community and it is always an honour as a church to commemorate this day at the Hook War Memorial, alongside current and former service personnel, as well as the Scouts, Cubs, Beavers, Squirrels, Guides, Brownies and Rainbows.
It has been a privilege as a church to be able continue to support our Ukrainian guests with the use of our church for their English lessons and to also offer the church as a venue for them to celebrate Ukraine Independence Day on the 24[th] of August.
Our Christmas events are always an exciting time for us to welcome the Hook community into the church and celebrate that magical time of year. Carols Round the Tree kick-started our Christmas celebrations and this year it was a pleasure to include a song performed by the Rainbows. The Advent Service and Carol Service are always well attended, and our ever-popular Crib Service encourages the children to dress up and take part in telling the Christmas story.
On December the 15[th] the church elected and welcomed Russell Phillips as our second Church Warden. Russell has been a regular worshipper at St. John’s, and I am personally looking forward to working alongside him as we move forward into 2025.
_Samantha Frolich, Church Warden_
Page **5** of **18**
## **Administrative Information**
St John the Evangelist Church is situated on London Road, Hook and is part of the Whitewater Benefice of Hook and HMR (Heckfield with Mattingley and Rotherwick). It is in the Deanery of Odiham under the Diocese of Winchester within the Church of England. The correspondence address is:
The Church Office St John the Evangelist Church London Road Hook RG27 9EG.
The PCC is a charity registered with the Charity Commission under the legal name ‘THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST JOHN THE EVANGELIST, HOOK’ with the registration number 1183688. The PCC is a corporate body established by the Church of England. The PCC operates under the Parochial Church Council Powers Measure.
## **Electoral Roll Report**
The Electoral Roll records the names and addresses of all those who consider their spiritual home to be St John the Evangelist, Hook. It is used for a variety of purposes including parish and diocesan communications, and it also determines the number of representatives the church has on the Deanery Synod. Having your name on the Electoral Roll allows you to vote at the Annual Parochial Church meeting.
As of 31[st] December 2024, the number of people enrolled for St John’s was 140. This represents a net increase of 10 since 31[st] December 2023. Of these, 81% live in the parish and 19% live outside the parish.
The PCC appreciates the help and support that roll members give to St John’s through their prayers, offerings, and participation in church life.
_Susan Purchase, Electoral Roll Officer_
## **PCC Meetings**
The PCC met seven times in 2024.
Aside from the regular agenda items, PCC meetings focussed on nominated subjects. These were: new PCC policies (January); annual report and financial statements (March); appointment of key officers (April); role descriptions and safer recruitment (May); health and safety, youth and families worker (July); safeguarding policies (September); budget, charity selection (November).
The Annual Meeting of Parishioners and the Annual Parochial Church Meeting were held on 28[th] April 2024. An Extraordinary Meeting of Parishioners was held on 15[th] December 2024 to elect a second Church Warden.
Full copies of PCC documents are available on request from the Church Office.
_Tom Maynes, PCC Secretary_
Page **6** of **18**
**Communications Team**
The Comms Team meets most months at St John’s to co-ordinate communications and publicity.
We continue to maintain a website for the benefice https://whitewaterchurches.co.uk, a presence on A Church Near You and social media through Facebook (for both Hook and for HMR).
The Comms Team has also produced fliers delivered to houses in Hook for Christmas and Easter. We produce a variety of banners & posters, which you may have seen at St John’s or at some of the community events held during the year. We also produce other images, which advertise some of the many events held in the benefice.
By having one team manage publicity, we are ensuring that all publicity is correct, consistent and timely.
We are always looking for people to share images with us that are suitable, for example, to use when promoting future events.
_Anna Shergold, Comms Team_
## **IT**
A small team provides our IT support across the Benefice. This includes supporting the office with its computers, and software we use across the benefice, e.g. iKnow Church, Mailchimp, Zoho Mail, or Church Edit.
Whilst you may not know what this means, this is used for:
- emails from the Rector (sent from iKnow Church)
- the weekly notices email which can arrive in your mailbox
- if you are on a rota, you may get a rota reminder email from iKnow Church
- you and/or your children may have attended one of our ticketed events
- our website
A new office PC has been purchased and is being used from January 2025. This coincided with a switchover to using cloud-based Microsoft 365. This is a major change which will provide more flexibility and support collaborative working between office staff, ministers and church officers with a single cloud-based document store. A lot of effort has been put into configuring the new PC and configuring Microsoft 365 to meet our needs. Thank you to Dave Wilson for all his hard work.
_Anna Shergold, Whitewater Benefice Website Manager_
Page **7** of **18**
## **Building and Fabric Report**
2024 started off well with the delivery of comfortable, stackable chairs and extra go-pak tables for use in the Narthex. Towards the end of the year, the office received a new PC which was configured to use Microsoft 365 and cloud storage.
The remaining significant fabric activity related to rainwater ingress. The West Window, which had been leaking around many of the small panes, was repaired. Certain panes were reset and the external wood was treated with appropriate protective oils. Unfortunately in heavy south-westerly rainfall, there is still rainwater ingress. The original design is flawed and further options need to be considered.
In August, a major storm brought flooding which caused damage to the roof and flooring of the church hall and the electrics in the cellar of the church. Most of the remedial work was carried out by our insurers, but additional work was carried out by the Fabric Team to reduce the risk of recurrence. In certain places, the new decorating highlighted the shabbiness of the remainder. Other areas were redecorated as a result.
It should be noticed that excess rainwater continues to cause problems all around the site.
The Gardening Team continued to keep the grounds tidy and beautiful. Several areas have been identified for reduced or no mowing in order to encourage wild plants and wildlife.
During 2024, a quinquennial report was commissioned. There were no significant new issues raised but it was noted that some raised in previous reports relating to rainwater were still to be addressed and were becoming more serious and more urgent.
_Richard Paganuzzi, Chair of the Fabric Committee_
Page **8** of **18**
**Ministry Reports**
## **Benefice Safeguarding Team Report**
Both Hook and HMR’s PCCs have complied with their duty under Section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016 (duty to have regard to House of Bishops’ guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults).
The role of Safeguarding Officer is jointly held by two members of the Hook PCC. Both Hook and HMR PCCs have considered and approved both (Hook and HMR) Parish Safeguarding Policies and received a report on current safeguarding concerns from a Safeguarding officer or the Rector at each PCC meeting.
PCC members and relevant leaders and members of groups have been asked to undertake relevant safeguarding training as advised in the diocese safeguarding training matrix and uptake of this training continues to improve. DBS checks are being undertaken as current certificates expire or new volunteers take up roles.
The requirement to record relevant risk assessments for various church groups has been noted and progress is logged on the Parish Safeguarding Dashboard.
A small number of safeguarding concerns have arisen which have been managed and/or escalated appropriately following the approved Diocesan Safeguarding procedures.
In 2025 it is hoped that a Safeguarding Officer will be appointed for HMR.
## _Caroline Frolander and Janine Dunbar, Safeguarding Officers_
## **Whitewater Benefice Ministry Team**
Across the benefice we serve four churches, two parishes (St John’s Hook; Heckfield with Mattingley and Rotherwick [HMR]), and every variety of style of worship. This is only possible because of the excellent team that love and care for each other and for our churches. The licensed ministry team consists of me as Rector, with Jonathan Bushman LLM leading our youth and families team and preaching mostly in Hook; Tim Maynes LLM preaching across the Benefice, leading Matins and Evensong in HMR, and serving Berry Court; Jennifer Martin LLM leading Open the Book in Hook Infants and Whitewater School, Morning Worship in Rotherwick and Heckfield, preaching and taking a number of funerals, plus the monthly communion at Old Raven House for people with dementia. My own ministry is broad, with all types of parish work in Hook and HMR, and also in Preschools, Schools, and as Foundation Governor of Whitewater Church of England School, Bramshill Scout Chaplain, Area Dean of Odiham, Winchester Preaching course, Licensed Ministry Training and Honorary Canon of Winchester Cathedral.
We were delighted to see Denise White licensed as a Bishop’s Commission for Mission (BCM) worship leader in Winchester Cathedral in 2024, to serve in schools and contemporary worship as well as the choir, joining Nikki Wild who leads our Music Group. In addition, Russell Phillips began training with Winchester School of Mission as a BCM (Beyond Church Walls). We coordinate closely with our musical leads: Caroline Bushman, Stephen Davies and Nikki Wild in Hook; and Richard Joyce, Michael Steen, Martin Barnes and Jason Drury in HMR, to provide opportunities for all to worship in different ways. We also support our wedding couples, funerals and baptism families.
_Canon Marion de Quidt, Rector_
Page **9** of **18**
**Pastoral Ministry**
Small group ministry provides a sound basis for caring for our church family: in Bible groups and teams that serve for particular needs, such as flower team and coffee and cake team. Shirley Clancy and CarolAnne Morris (both Bishop’s Commission for Mission pastoral workers) run the Friendship Café on Thursdays, always well attended; and Catriona Terrell organises the Lunch Club with a large volunteer team and 40 guests every month. We pray with a WhatsApp group, and keep in touch with individuals in need. Much goes unsung and unseen, and is beautiful, kind and attentive.
## _Canon Marion de Quidt, Rector_
## **Youth and Families Ministry**
Youth and Families Ministry had another active and enjoyable year in 2024. The regular activities continued with the School Ministry, including Junior School assembly and the Open the Book team at Hook Infants.
The weekly Junior Church ran two groups split by age most Sundays. All Age Worship was run by the team every month, and included drama, puppet ministry and active prayer, working well with the music group.
Each Wednesday Bumps and Babes at church continued to offer fellowship and teaching through craft and games. Messy Church has continued to offer ministry to between 20 and 30 people each month with active worship, craft and Messy Tea. The Youth Group met twice monthly and has encouraged young people in their faith journey, with many of the teenagers contributing to church life.
On top of the regular activities, we have been active in supporting the school fetes in the summer and at Christmas. We also ran a successful Easter Activity Morning and a two day Summer Holiday Club. At Christmas we offered craft at the Carols Round the Tree event and put on the Crib Service to a packed church. A huge thank you to the Youth and Families Team for all their hard work and dedication. It has been great fun working with the team and the young people.
_Jonathan Bushman, LLM_
## **Ministry in Schools**
Alongside our care for children and families in our church, we have a large outreach to our local schools and preschool. We offer ‘Open the Book’ to two schools, Hook Infant School on a weekly basis, and Whitewater Church of England Primary in Rotherwick fortnightly; covered in a separate report. Another team leads collective worship in Hook Junior School monthly, with the whole school of 400 children present. I lead special themed assemblies in Hook Infants such as ‘Advent’, ‘Lent’ and ‘Water’. For Religious Education, different year groups need different topics, which we teach in school and, more recently, in the church in smaller groups. We host large special services in church for all our schools: Infant Nativities, Preschool Nativities, smaller Easter and Harvest services, and Hook Junior’s Year 3 Easter service. Ten years ago we hastily offered a table at Hook Schools summer fair. This is now a regular fixture, in summer and at Christmas. It is a huge privilege to be entrusted with support for our teachers and families, while teaching the good news of the gospel and living out God’s love in generous service. Thank you to the whole team.
_Canon Marion de Quidt, Rector_
Page **10** of **18**
## **Open the Book**
Open the Book sessions have gone well during the year. We said goodbye to Brigitte Maynes, who decided to stand down after leading the team for a very long time. The team consists of people from both St. John’s and Sacred Heart Catholic Church. We continue to visit Hook Infant School every week in term time and the children enjoy listening and taking part in the stories. The name Friends has been dropped by the Bible Society, which runs the programme, and we are now known as the Story Tellers. We run two sessions each Monday for the whole school. It is a wonderful way for children to have a glimpse of God and to learn about the teachings of Jesus in a very creative but meaningful way. We work through themes from the Bible, and link to the school values.
## _Jennifer Martin LLM, Open the Book Team Leader_
## **Ministry to the Elderly**
Over the year we gather for social events, food and friendship with the older members of our church family and wider community. We regularly offer the monthly lunch, and weekly café, as reported elsewhere. There has been a faithful ministry to Old Raven House for over 25 years. This is a monthly service in our Lady Chapel, for Communion, and from there the bread and wine are taken to the residents in this care home for those with dementia. The manager of the home, the staff, residents and families are deeply appreciative of this hidden love and caring. At special seasons there may be additional services, such as Christingle or Christmas carols. Thank you to Jennifer Martin, Brigitte Maynes and Joyce Baldock, who have served in this for the last 10 years. Joyce will be missed. For Berry Court, our local Anchor home, we also take communion every month, led by Tim Maynes and me. In 2016 we began with services in the lounge. However we now meet monthly in a flat. We have precious times of fellowship. We lead larger gatherings for special services in the lounge. Since Geffery’s House closed, we keep in touch through our Tuesday Lunch Club. A really big thank you for the love that is represented by this faithful service, and for all we receive in fellowship as we share God’s word and sacrament.
## _Canon Marion de Quidt, Rector_
## **Musical Worship**
## **Choir**
In 2024, the choir has continued to support two Sunday morning services a month (2nd and 4th Sundays), services at major festivals and Carol Services for Advent and Christmas. The choir has 30 singers who attend regularly including our 5 young people, with around 20 singers at each service. Visiting singers joined us at Christmas to give a 40 strong choir. Small groups of singers also support singing at weddings and funerals in the Whitewater Benefice.
In June, the choir, along with the Music Group and other musical friends, offered a ‘Musical Medley’ evening as a fundraiser for the recently purchased piano. Items by Bach and Handel through to Dave Brubeck and Howard Goodall were performed, solo and small group items from voice and instruments and four choir pieces. There was a good audience and over £1,000 was raised.
In addition to singing, choristers (both juniors and adults) work on their ‘Voice for Life’ programme, learning music theory and more about church music, gaining singing medals when levels are completed.
Our organist, Stephen Davies, plays for choir practices and gives freely of his time in support of the choir’s endeavours, including a significant amount of time to ensuring the success of the Musical Medley, which we were all grateful for. David Bridgman’s support was also invaluable during the year.
## _Caroline Bushman, Choir Director_
Page **11** of **18**
## **Music Group**
The Music Group is our pool of musicians and singers (some of whom also sing in the Choir) for services at St John’s. We have supported worship for the 10am All Age and Morning Worship services at St John’s on the 1[st] and 3[rd] Sundays of the month. In addition, we led some of the music on Easter Sunday, also joining with the Musical Medley in June and Songs of Praise in October. In January, we joined with friends from the Life Church to lead worship at the Unity Service.
A variety of songs and hymns have been selected, introducing new music to the congregation whilst still including beloved favourites. The combination of singers and instruments varies with availability and we enjoy playing with occasional as well as regular musicians.
Looking ahead to 2025 we would love to welcome more musicians and anyone who would like to be involved on the technical side to grow the sound desk rota.
## _Nikki Wild, Music Group Coordinator_
## **Fellowship Groups**
## **Alpha/Beta Group**
A great team led the Alpha course in St John’s Church sanctuary for 12 weeks, with a buffet supper, a song or hymn, videos of the talks, and discussion. There were regularly 20 of us, deeply committed to listening and learning. In June, Bishop David Williams led our first ever outdoor adult baptisms with full immersion in St John’s Hook, and 7 were confirmed, many of whom shared their stories of discovering a living faith. We continued with the Bible course, and now meet weekly with 14 members reading Luke’s Gospel. Thank you so much to Laura Preston who coordinates the group, and every member who helps in different ways, leading studies, preparing food, offering pastoral support. Thank you to the team who shared leading Alpha and our Awayday: Simon de Quidt, David and Eleanor Bridgman and Denise White.
_Canon Marion de Quidt, Rector_
## **Living Flame**
Living Flame meets for fellowship and Bible study on the first and third Wednesday of the month in St John’s Church Centre. Small groups give us the opportunity to explore God’s word in more depth and consider how we apply it in our daily lives. Our meetings are relaxed, friendly and sociable, beginning with a time to share news before we study the word of God. We conclude by sharing prayer requests to take into the week ahead. Topics we have covered in 2024 have included the Psalms, Ecclesiastes, the timeline from Resurrection to Pentecost and the season of Advent. Going into 2025, we continue to explore a variety of resources on which to base our discussions.
_Nikki Wild, Group Leader_
## **Thursday Fellowship Group**
Thursday Fellowship has continued in 2024, meeting most Thursday evenings on Zoom to explore the Bible and God’s message for us today. We also enjoyed some occasional face to face social events. There are between 7 and 13 people coming each week and we always welcome new members.
_Jonathan Bushman, LLM_
Page **12** of **18**
## **Sunday Fellowship Group**
The Sunday Fellowship Group meets around once per month in various houses around the village for a time of fellowship and Bible Study. Various topics have been studied during the year, deepening our understanding of God, of the Bible, of life as Christian parents and of each other.
## _Caroline Bushman, Group Leader_
## **Wednesday Ecumenical Bible Group**
The Ecumenical Bible Group meets via Zoom on Wednesdays from 11am to 12:15pm, and we have people from across the country joining us. Some of the participants are blind and through Torch Trust we are able to access additional books in braille which they appreciate and enables them to fully participate. We have studied some books of the Bible as well as using material for Lent and Holy Week, including Stephen Cottrell’s book, The Things He Did. We focus on the scriptural message too. We spent several weeks learning and rediscovering some of the women in the Bible, a study that was well received. We looked at many of the psalms, and had some very full and meaningful discussions. During Advent we used Paula Gooder’s Book, Women of the Nativity.
_Jennifer Martin, LLM_
## **Wednesday Coffee and Bible Study Group**
The Wednesday Coffee and Bible Study Group meets every other Wednesday, usually at the church, for Bible study and refreshments.
_Denise White, Group Leader_
## **Monday Prayers**
We meet every Monday at 10.30am in the Lady Chapel for an hour of prayer. We pray for anyone we are aware of who needs it plus the church, local community and the world. We would welcome anyone who would like to join us.
_Carol-Anne Morris, Group Leader_
Page **13** of **18**
**Community Activity Support**
## **Friendship Café**
Friendship Café runs every Thursday morning in the Narthex from 10 am until 11.30am. We aim to provide a warm and safe environment for social interaction.
Friendship Café continues to thrive and along with our regular attendees we have welcomed some new people this year. We enjoy cakes, biscuits and hot drinks with plenty of conversation and laughter. Everyone is welcome.
_Carol-Anne Morris, Group Leader_
## **Lunch Club**
The purpose of St John’s Lunch Club is to reach out to the elderly and lonely in the village by giving them the opportunity to get out of the house and meet up with friends over a convivial meal. We meet on the second Tuesday of the month in the Narthex and, although we do not have an ‘official’ Lunch Club in August, we do something simple along the lines of a ploughman’s. It was just as well we’d done this because due to damage caused by flooding to the Church Hall, the preschool had to move into the Narthex and Lunch Club didn’t take place for a couple of months.
The menu that we offer is varied & features old favourites as well introducing new recipes to increase our repertoire. Along with a choice of three meat main courses, we also offer a vegetarian option for 6 people which is proving to be increasingly popular. There is a choice of three desserts which are served with cream, ice cream or custard. Or indeed all three!
One of our volunteers, Ann Taylor, decided to hang up her apron/wooden spoon and we are very grateful to Ann for all the years she so willingly and unstintingly helped. Whilst there are plenty of volunteers which is wonderful especially when folk are ill or away, we do desperately need more cooks as the ‘burden’ of cooking is falling on to fewer, and aging, shoulders.
It’s not just the volunteers who are getting older, so too are the Lunch Clubbers and the past year was marked with a few more sadly passing away. But new faces are joining the more familiar ones and the numbers coming remain steady between 30-40 each month. Those who come to Lunch Club thoroughly enjoy it and are always very appreciative of the efforts made by the volunteers.
_Catriona Terrell, Group Leader_
## **Knit and Natter**
Knit and Natter takes place on the 1st and 3rd Monday of the month, from 2pm to 4pm. We also run a cake sale on the 1st Saturday of the month from 10pm until noon.
Again we have had a busy year. The cake sale grew in popularity and raised over £1,500. At the craft group, we have continued to knit Bobby Buddies for Hampshire Constabulary, and sunflowers and bed socks for Basingstoke Hospital outpatients department. We also knitted Christmas trees and cross stitch cards. The group is a great opportunity to socialise.
_Gill Morley, Group Leader_
Page **14** of **18**
## **Gardening Team**
The purpose of the Gardening Team is to: cultivate more shrubs for the Flower Team, improve the appearance of the church grounds for the benefit of everyone who walks through them, and create more areas to host a wider diversity of wildlife. The team works on the grounds every Wednesday from 10am to 1pm.
New activities in 2024 included: extended St Augustines bed, hibernacula x2, hard weed of beech, woven edging, and on-site composting. Ongoing activities include: no-mow front lawn, Maintenance Day, using own compost, monthly record of plants in flower, updated website, SLiC, Wild Corner, veg and herbs, flora/fauna survey, and tidied curb edges on carpark
We have introduced a number of new plants: Sedum matrona, Olive tree, Leucanthemum maximum, Verbascum chaixi ’Milkshake’, Hyssop, Primula, Allium neapolitanum, Iris versicolor, Sisyrinchium striatum, Symphyotrichum x salignumstriatum, Symphyotrichum x salignum, Clematis cirhosa ‘Wisley Cream’, Shrub Roses x 12.
We have also pruned shrubs in the graveyard, presented a plan to the Fabric Team for a new front hedge, put up hibernacula signs, contributed to the children’s Holiday Club and spoken to the Odiham Deanery Synod about our work.
_Amanda Whittaker, Group Leader_
## **Flower Arranging Team**
We are fortunate to have a very dedicated team of volunteers. During the last year the flower arrangers have taken it in turns to take responsibility for the flower arrangements in church each week, usually a pedestal and smaller arrangement at the west window. A fortnightly rota is drawn up annually to ensure the smooth running of this. Many of the flowers and greenery were generously donated by the volunteers.
At the major festivals we worked together to decorate the whole church and there is always a friendly atmosphere on these occasions.
We are all pleased to share in this very rewarding ministry. Flowers in Church celebrate God’s goodness and gifts to us all.
_Felicity Rudd, Group Leader_
## **Ecumenical Activity**
Local churches in Hook serve the wider community together. We are Roman Catholic, Church of England and Life Churches (Commission church). We offer an Annual Unity Service in Hook in January; Bible studies on Zoom led by Jennifer Martin (LLM); Open the Book storytelling in Hook Infant school all year, led by Jennifer Martin (LLM); a Walk of Witness on Good Friday in Hook; and an Annual World Day of Prayer service. In 2024 this was held in Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church in Hook. In 2025 this will be in St John the Evangelist, Hook.
_Canon Marion de Quidt, Rector_
Page **15** of **18**
## **Odiham Deanery Synod**
We met two times in 2024: on 29[th] April at St John’s Hartley Wintney, an open meeting with Bishop Philip speaking about ‘Religious Freedom and the Persecuted Church’; and on 25[th] November at St John’s Hook, also an open meeting on the topic ‘Creation Care’, with presentations from the parishes of the Deanery, sharing local ideas, followed by information from the Diocesan Environment Officer, Rev’d Sam Scott.
_Canon Marion de Quidt, Area Dean of Odiham Deanery_
## **Winchester Diocesan Synod**
Winchester was delighted to receive the Rt Reverend Bishop Philip Mounstephen as our Diocesan Bishop at a special welcome service in the Cathedral in January 2024. Diocesan Synod met 3 times in 2024. In January 2024 the agenda included Creation Care, and General Synod updates: Code of Conduct for PCCs; Racial Justice; Bullying by Lay Officers; Church Commissioners’ Response to Links to Transatlantic Chattel Slavery; Estates Evangelism; Clergy Pensions; Living in Love and Faith. In June Bishop Philip gave his presential address on the theme of community, how much it mattered both in the church and in the world. June Synod noted the 2023 Annual Report and Accounts DS24/03 which had been approved by the Winchester Diocese Board of Finance. Following Common Mission Fund (CMF) review, June Synod authorised the Directors of the Winchester Diocesan Board of Finance to request a total of £8.862m in CMF contributions for 2025 inclusive from our parishes to support the costs of mission and ministry of our diocese, increased only in line with clergy stipends. In November 2024, beginning the new triennium, Winchester Diocese Racial Justice strategy was discussed. I stood down as an Odiham Deanery Clergy representative after the June meeting, having served for 9 years.
_Canon Marion de Quidt, Winchester Diocese Odiham Deanery Clergy Representative 2015-2024_
Page **16** of **18**
**Financial Review**
As you have read elsewhere in this report, 2024 was a busy year at St John’s. We are blessed with a committed congregation who are prepared to support the work of the church with their time, talents and finances. Additional members of the congregation have signed up to regularly donate to the church and we are most grateful for everyone who contributes to the life of the church. To donate either a one off or regular amount to the PCC, go to https://www.parishgiving.org.uk/donors/find-your-parish/hookhook/.
## **Income**
Our regular donations through the Planned Giving Schemes have increased during 2024 to £51,854 as new people have felt called to support St John’s. A number of fundraising events were held which raised a total of £5,481. We continue to rent out the facilities to a number of local organisations and were grateful for everyone’s flexibility following the summer flooding so that we could continue to welcome all who wished to meet. Total income is slightly reduced from 2023 at £132,212 – but you will remember that, in 2023, we had an appeal which raised £10,880 for the screen and projector in the church. Regular income is higher than 2023.
## **Expense**
The cost of living continues to rise and so does the cost of running a building such as St John’s and funding the activities that go on within and without the building.
The way in which the Church of England is funded in the Diocese of Winchester is via the Common Mission Fund – each parish is asked to contribute to this fund an amount based on the size of the parish’s congregation and the relative affluence of the parish. The fund is then used to provide resources to parishes to carry out their work. The main resource provided to parishes is clergy and their housing, but it also provides training for clergy, lay ministers and church officers as well as the necessary central functions needed for the Diocese to operate such as HR.
St John’s is in a more fortunate position than some other parishes. When challenged by the Bishop of Winchester to think prayerfully about our support the Diocese of Winchester Common Mission Fund, the PCC decided to contribute more than was requested of it - giving 13 months’ worth of contributions totalling £56,618. In previous years, the parish has been a grateful recipient of support from the Diocese and now we are able to share our current good finances with those who are struggling. In addition to this, £6,923 was given to various other charities, either from PCC funds or raised specifically for one of our partner charities. These together make up more than half of the expenditure during 2024.
The rest of the 2024 expenses (£61,371) covers everything from the utility bills, salaries for the church administrator, cleaning services, building maintenance (including a significant repair on the West Window of the church), cost of consumables such as coffee, paper, cleaning materials, music and necessary administration expenses such as licenses required for streaming services. Total expenditure was £124,912.
## **Outcome for 2024**
A surplus of £7,300 was generated during 2024.
Page **17** of **18**
## **Reserves**
The PCC holds unrestricted reserves of £78,742 plus restricted reserves of £6,347. The majority of these funds are held within the PCC’s account in the CBF Church of England Deposit Fund managed by CCLA. Further information can be found in the financial statements contained within this report.
## **Outlook**
In terms of finances in 2025, a challenge for the PCC is to discern how to use our reserves wisely to fulfil our purpose – “promoting in the ecclesiastical parish of St John the Evangelist, Hook, Hampshire, the whole mission of the Church.” We would love to hear your thoughts on this!
_Caroline Bushman, Treasurer_
## **PCC Approval of Annual Report**
Approved by the Parochial Church Council on 12[th] March 2025 and signed on its behalf by
...M E DE QUIDT........ **Canon Marion de Quidt PCC Chair**
Page **18** of **18**
## **The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St John the Evangelist, Hook**
**Charity registration number 1183688**
## **Financial Statements**
**For the year ended 31 December 2024**
**St John the Evangelist Church London Road**
**Hook**
**Hants**
**RG27 9EG**
**Tel: 01256 760169**
**Email: office@whitewaterchurches.co.uk**
**Website:** www.whitewaterchurches.co.uk
F1
## **Independent Examiner’s Report to the members of the Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St John the Evangelist, Hook**
I report to the members of the Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St John the Evangelist, Hook (hereafter PCC) for the year ended 31 December 2024.
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
As the members of the PCC, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the PCC’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all 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 giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the PCC as required by section 130 of the Act; or
2. The accounts do not accord with those records; or
3. The accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an internal examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
## DEBORAH GIBBS
Deborah Gibbs FMAAT DLM Accountancy Services Ltd 6 Hyacinth Close Basingstoke RG22 5RE
F2
## **Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St John the Evangelist, Hook**
## **Statement of Financial Activities**
## **For the Year Ended 31 December 2024**
|Unrestricted
Restricted
Total Funds
Funds
Funds
2024
2023
Note
£
£
£
£
**INCOMING RESOURCES**|Unrestricted
Restricted
Total Funds
Funds
Funds
2024
2023
Note
£
£
£
£
**INCOMING RESOURCES**|Unrestricted
Restricted
Total Funds
Funds
Funds
2024
2023
Note
£
£
£
£
**INCOMING RESOURCES**|Unrestricted
Restricted
Total Funds
Funds
Funds
2024
2023
Note
£
£
£
£
**INCOMING RESOURCES**|
|---|---|---|---|
||||2023|
||||£|
|||||
|Voluntary Income
Activities for
generating Funds
Other Income
Church activities|2(a)|84,955
4,755
89,710
8,431
-
8,431
9,377
-
9,377
24,694
-
24,694|95,494|
||2(b)||6,291|
||2(c)||*7,403|
||2(d)||23,724|
|**TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES**
**127,457**
**4,755**
**132,212**|||***132,912**|
|**RESOURCES EXPENDED**||||
|Church activities
Cost of generation
of voluntary income
Governance costs|3(a)
3(b)
3(c)|114,903
6,968
121,871
803
-
803
2,238
-
2,238|*114,593|
||||212|
||||2,049|
|**TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED**
**117,944**
**6,968**
**124,912**|||***116,854**|
|**NET INCOMING / (OUTGOING)**
**RESOURCES BEFORE OTHER**
**RECOGNISED GAINS & LOSSES**
**9,513**
**(2,213)**
**7,300**|||**16,058**|
|**TRANSFERS**
(400)
400
-|||-|
|**NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS**
**9,113**
**(1,813)**
**7,300**|||**16,058**|
|BAL B/F 1 JANUARY
69,629
8,160
77,789||||
||||61,731|
|**BAL C/F 31 DECEMBER**
**78,742**
**6,347**
**85,089**|||**77,789**|
* The 2023 figures have been restated, see note 4 for more information.
## **The notes on pages F5 to F12 form part of these financial statements.**
F3
## **Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St John the Evangelist, Hook**
## **Balance Sheet**
## **For the Year Ended 31 December 2024**
|**FIXED ASSETS**
Screen and projector
**CURRENT ASSETS**
Bank & Cash
CBF Deposit Account
Debtors and prepayments
**LIABILITIES**
Creditors and accruals|**FIXED ASSETS**
Screen and projector
**CURRENT ASSETS**
Bank & Cash
CBF Deposit Account
Debtors and prepayments
**LIABILITIES**
Creditors and accruals|Notes
**As at**
**As at**
**31/12/2024**
**31/12/2023**
£
£|
|---|---|---|
||Screen and projector|5
5,260
7,890|
|||**Total Fixed Assets**
**5,260**
**7,890**|
||||
||Bank & Cash
CBF Deposit Account
Debtors and prepayments|8,921
9,599
71,525
63,525
6
3,819
3,472|
|||**Total Current Assets**
**84,265**
**76,596**|
||||
||Creditors and accruals|7
4,436
6,697|
|||**Total Liabilities**
**4,436**
**6,697**|
||||
|||**Net Asset Surplus**
**85,089**
**77,789**|
|||
|---|---|
|**Represented by Funds**
Note||
||Note|
|Unrestricted
Restricted|8
78,742
69,629
8
6,347
8,160|
|**Total**|**85,089**
**77,789**|
## **The notes on pages F5 to F12 form part of these financial statements.**
Approved by the Parochial Church Council on 12 March 2025 and signed on its behalf by Rev’d Canon Marion de Quidt.
...M E DE QUIDT........ (PCC Chair)
F4
## **Notes to the Financial Statements**
## **For the year ended 31 December 2024**
## **1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES**
The financial statements have been prepared under the Charities Act 2011 and in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 governing the individual accounts of PCCs, together with accounting standards applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) on the accruals basis and the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice (FRS 102) 2[nd] edition October 2019. The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St John the Evangelist Hook (hereafter “PCC”) is registered with the Charity Commission with registration number 1183688. The PCC is a public benefit entity.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention except for the valuation of investment assets, which are shown at market value. The financial statements include all transactions, assets and liabilities for which the PCC is responsible in law. They do not include the accounts of church groups that owe their main affiliation to another body, nor those that are informal gatherings of church members.
## **Funds**
**Unrestricted funds** represent the funds of the PCC that are not subject to any restrictions regarding their use and are available for application on the general purposes of the PCC. **Funds designated** for a particular purpose by the PCC are also unrestricted.
**Restricted funds** are those funds that must be spent on restricted purposes and details of the funds held and restrictions are provided in note 8.
## **Incoming Resources**
## **Voluntary income and capital sources**
Collections are recognised when received by or on behalf of the PCC. Planned giving receivable under Gift Aid is recognised only when received. Tax recoverable on Gift Aid donations is recognised when the donation is recognised.
Grants and legacies to the PCC are accounted for as soon as the PCC is notified of its legal entitlement, the amount due is quantifiable and its ultimate receipt by the PCC is reasonably certain. Funds raised through fundraising events are accounted for gross.
## **Other income**
Rental income from the letting of church premises is recognised when the rental is due.
## **Income from investments**
Dividends are accounted for when due and payable, and interest entitlements are accounted for as they accrue. Tax recoverable on such income is recognised in the same accounting year.
## **Gains and losses on investments**
Realised gains or losses are recognised when investments are sold. Unrealised gains or losses are accounted for on revaluation of investments at 31 December.
F5
## **Grants & Donations**
Grants and donations are accounted for when paid over, or when awarded, if that award creates a binding obligation on the PCC. All other expenditure is generally recognised when it is incurred and accounted for gross.
## **Activities directly relating to the work of the Church**
The contribution to the Diocesan Common Mission Fund is accounted for when due. Any contribution unpaid at 31 December would be provided for in these financial statements as an operational (though not a legal) liability and would be shown as a creditor in the balance sheet [2024 – Nil]
## **Fixed assets**
## **Consecrated property and movable church furnishings**
Consecrated and beneficed property of any kind is excluded from the financial statements by Section 10(2) (a) and (c) of the Charities Act 2011.
Movable church furnishings held by the vicar and churchwardens on special trust for the PCC and which require a faculty for disposal are accounted for as inalienable property unless consecrated. They are listed in the Church’s inventory, which can be inspected (at any reasonable time). For inalienable property acquired prior to 2000 there is insufficient cost information available and therefore such assets are not valued in the financial statements. Items acquired since 1 January 2000 have been capitalised and depreciated in the financial statements over their currently anticipated useful economic life on a straightline basis.
All expenditure incurred in the year on consecrated or beneficed buildings, individual items under £3,000 or on the repair of movable church furnishings acquired before 1 January 2000 is written off.
## **Other fixtures, fittings and office equipment**
Equipment used within the church premises is depreciated on a straight-line basis over four years. Individual items of equipment with a purchase price of £3,000 or less are written off when the asset is acquired.
## **Investments**
Investments are valued at market value at 31 December.
## **Current assets**
Amounts owing to the PCC at 31 December in respect of fees, rents or other income are shown as debtors less provision for amounts that may prove uncollectable.
## **Basis of preparation**
There are no material uncertainties about the PCC’s ability to continue operating, consequently these accounts are presented on the basis that the PCC continues as a going concern.
F6
## **2. INCOMING RESOURCES**
|2(a)
2(b)
2(c)
2(d)|**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**Total Funds**
2024
2023
£
£
£
£
**Voluntary Income**
Planned Giving
51,854
-
51,854
47,987
Collections at Services
18,490
-
18,490
17,297
Tax Recoverable
12,627
-
12,627
12,427
Tax - GASDS
1,984
-
1,984
1,694
Grants received
-
4,755
4,755
5,209
Donations,appeals
-
-
-
10,880|
|---|---|
||**Sub Totals**
**84,955**
**4,755**
**89,710**
**95,494**|
||**Activities for generating funds**
Fundraising
5,481
-
5,481
2,949
Lunch Club
1,724
-
1,724
2,284
Coffee Shop
945
-
945
941
Bookstall and printing
135
-
135
59
Other events
147
-
147
58|
||**Sub Totals**
**8,431**
**-**
**8,431**
**6,291**|
||**Other Income**
Insurance claim
556
-
556
-
Reimbursement of
employment costs
5,589
-
5,589
*5,511
Interest income
3,233
-
3,233
1,892|
||**Sub Totals**
**9,377**
**-**
**9,377**
**7,403**|
||Church Lettings
22,253
-
22,253
21,723
Fees
2,441
-
2,441
2,001|
||**Sub Totals**
**24,694**
**-**
**24,694**
**23,724**|
|||
||**Total Income**
**127,457**
**4,755**
**132,212**
***132,912**|
* The 2023 figures have been restated, see note 4 for more information.
The total amount of donations received without attached conditions from Trustees during 2024 was £36,068 (2023: £42,900).
F7
## **3. RESOURCES EXPENDED**
|3(a)
3(b)
3(c)|Unrestricted
Restricted
Total Funds
2024
2023
£
£
£
£
**Church Activities**
Common Mission Fund
56,618
-
56,618
54,196
Other ministry costs
5,434
-
5,434
3,497
Music costs
1,023
-
1,023
3,809
Church running & maintenance
32,286
2,714
35,000
28,796
Youth Children & Families
391
-
391
346
Administration
14,274
-
14,274
*13,011
Lunch Club & Coffee Shop
1,821
240
2,061
2,053
Others
147
-
147
139
Mission Grants
Overseas
668
4,014
4,682
5,311
Home
618
-
618
764
Collections
1,623
-
1,623
2,671|
|---|---|
||**Sub Totals**
**114,903**
**6,968**
**121,871**
***114,593**|
||**Fund Raising costs**
803
-
803
212|
||**Sub Totals**
**803**
**-**
**803**
**212**|
||**Governance Costs**
Ind. Examination
350
-
350
300
Licences
1,888
-
1,888
1,749|
||**Sub Totals**
**2,238**
**-**
**2,238**
**2,049**|
|||
||**Total Expenditure**
**117,944**
**6,968**
**124,912**
***116,854**|
* The 2023 figures have been restated, see note 4 for more information.
F8
## **4. EMPLOYEES**
|**4. EMPLOYEES**|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
||Unrestricted|Restricted|Total Funds||
||||2024|2023|
||£|£|£|£|
|Wages and Salaries|10,973|-|10,973|10,844|
|Social Security costs|-|-|-|-|
|Employer’s contribution to pensions|206|-|206|178|
|**Totals**|**11,179**|**-**|**11,179**|**11,022**|
The average number of employees during the year was one. No employee received employee benefits greater than £60,000.
The Benefice Administrator is employed by the PCC of Hook Parish but 50% of the cost is recharged to Heckfield, Mattingley and Rotherwick PCC (HMR). From 1 January 2024, the PCC of Hook Parish has recognised the full cost of employing the Benefice Administrator (2023: 50%) reflecting the legal status of the PCC as employer. The reimbursement of half of the cost by HMR is now included in the income from Church Activities. The 2023 numbers have consequently been restated on the same basis.
No PCC Members were remunerated as employees during 2024 or 2023.
During 2024, £348 [2023: £nil] was paid under a contract for administration services with Thomas Maynes, who is a trustee of the PCC. At 31 December 2024, no amounts were outstanding under this contract.
One PCC member had travel expenses reimbursed totalling £442 [2023: one member - £448]. One Related Party had travel expenses reimbursed totalling £1 [2023: no members - £nil].
## **PENSIONS**
The PCC of Hook Parish participates in the Pension Builder Scheme section of Church Workers Pension Fund (CWPF) for lay staff. CWPF is administered by the Church of England Pensions Board, which holds the CWPF assets separately from those of the Employer and other participating employers.
CWPF has two sections:
1. the Defined Benefits Scheme
2. The Pension Builder Scheme, which has two subsections;
- a. a deferred annuity section known as Pension Builder Classic, and,
- b. a cash balance section known as Pension Builder 2014, in which the PCC of Hook Parish participates.
## **Pension Builder Scheme**
Both sections of the Pension Builder Scheme are classed as defined benefit schemes.
Pension Builder Classic provides a pension, accumulated from contributions paid and converted into a deferred annuity during employment based on terms set and reviewed by the Church of England Pensions Board from time to time. Discretionary increases may also be added, depending on investment returns and other factors.
Pension Builder 2014 is a cash balance scheme that provides a lump sum which members use to provide benefits at retirement. Pension contributions are recorded in an account for each member. Discretionary bonuses may be added before retirement, depending on investment returns and other factors. The account, plus any bonuses declared, is payable, unreduced, from age 65.
There is no sub-division of assets between employers in each section of the Pension Builder Scheme.
The scheme is considered to be a multi-employer scheme as described in Section 28 of FRS 102. This is because it is not possible to attribute the Pension Builder Scheme’s assets and liabilities to specific employers and means that contributions are accounted for as if the Scheme were a defined contribution scheme. The pensions costs charged to the SoFA in the year are the contributions payable (2024: £206, 2023: £178[*restated] )
A valuation of the Pension Builder Scheme is carried out once every three years. The most recent was carried out as at 31 December 2022.
For the Pension Builder Classic section, the valuation revealed a surplus of £34.8m on the ongoing assumptions used. At the most recent annual review effective 1 January 2025, the Board chose to grant a discretionary bonus of 6.7% to both pensions not yet in payment and pensions in payment in respect of service prior to April 1997; and a bonus on pensions in payment in respect of post April 2006 service so that the pension increase was 2.7% (where usually it would be calculated based on inflation up to 2.5%). This followed improvements in the funding position over 2024. There is no requirement for deficit payments at the current time.
For the Pension Builder 2014 section, the valuation revealed a surplus of £8.5m on the ongoing assumptions used. There is no requirement for deficit payments at the current time.
The next valuation is due as at 31 December 2025.
The legal structure of the scheme is such that if another employer fails, The PCC of Hook Parish could become responsible for paying a share of the failed employer’s pension liabilities.
## 5. **FIXED ASSETS**
|5. **FIXED ASSETS**||
|---|---|
|Actual Cost
At 1/1/2024
Additions
Disposals
At 31/12/2024
Depreciation
At 1/1/2024
Charge for year
At 31/12/2024
Net Value
At 1/1/2024|Screen and
projector
Total
£
£
10,522
10,522
-
-
-
-|
||10,522
10,522
2,632
2,632
2,630
2,630|
||5,262
5,262
-
-|
|**At 31/12/2024**|**5,260**
**5,260**|
F10
## **6. DEBTORS AND PREPAYMENTS (UNRESTRICTED FUNDS)**
||2024|2023|
|---|---|---|
||£|£|
|Debtors|3,750|3,472|
|Prepayments|69|-|
|**Total**|**3,819**|**3,472**|
Debtors are the reimbursement by HMR Parish in respect of a share of the cost of ministry and administration, an amount of Gift Aid claimed from HMRC not yet received and a reimbursement from the Diocese of Winchester. All were received during January/February 2025.
## **7. CREDITORS AND ACCRUALS**
||2024|2023|
|---|---|---|
|_Amounts falling due within one year_|£|£|
|Creditors|3,161|6,406|
|Accruals|1,275|291|
|**Total**|**4,436**|**6,697**|
Creditors are payments for expenditure incurred in 2024 but not paid until 2025. These represent amounts due but unpaid for utilities, various expenses, fees collected on behalf of Winchester Diocese, the independent examiner’s fee and sundry other small invoices. The independent examiner’s fee in 2024 was £350 [2023: £300].
F11
2024
## **8. FUNDS**
|1 January 2024
Income
Expenditure
Transfers
31 December 2024
Details
Fabric
Audio Visual
Organ
Coffee Shop
Ukraine Support
Represented by
Fixed assets
Current assets
Current liabilities||Unrestricted
Designated Non
Designated
Total
£
£
£
6,201
63,428
69,269
3,158
124,299
127,457
(9,502)
(108,443) (117,945)
7,428
(7,828)
(400)|Restricted
Total
£
8,160
4,754
(6,968)
400|
|---|---|---|---|
|||**7,286**
**71,456**
**78,742**|**6,346**|
|||£
5,786
-
1,500
-
-
**7,286**
Unrestricted
£
-
83,178
(4,436)|£
-
5,260
-
-
1,086|
||||**6,346**|
||||Restricted
£
5,260
1,086
-
**6,346**|
|||**78,742**||
## **9. RESERVES**
The PCC considers that it is appropriate to hold reserves equal to three months expenditure, including the PCC’s contribution to the Diocese’s Common Mission Fund, to cover the running costs – this equates to £29k based on the 2024 expenditure levels.
In addition, designated reserves are held relating to future repair requirements of the church. Restricted donations are discouraged by the PCC, but amounts were received during the year specifically for the PCC’s work with the local Ukrainian population, where we are grateful to the Odiham Consolidated Charities for their support for English lessons for local Ukrainian residents. It is anticipated that these restricted funds will be spent in full in 2025.
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