St John the Evangelist Church, Hook
Annual Report
and
Financial Statements
For the year ended 31[st] December 2025 [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
CHURCHWARDENS ANNUAL REPORT........................................................................... 4 ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION ................................................................................... 6 Electoral Roll Report ................................................................................................. 6 PCC Meetings ........................................................................................................... 6 Odiham Deanery Synod ............................................................................................. 7 Communications & IT ................................................................................................ 7 BUILDING AND FABRIC REPORT ................................................................................... 8 MINISTRY REPORTS ...................................................................................................... 9 Parish Safeguarding Team ......................................................................................... 9 Whitewater Benefice Ministry Team ........................................................................... 9 Youth and Families Ministry ..................................................................................... 10 Ministry with Hook Junior School .............................................................................. 10 Ministry with Hook Infant School .............................................................................. 11 Open the Book - Bringing Stories to Life .................................................................... 11 Ministry to Old Raven House Care Home & Berry Court Sheltered Housing ................. 11 MUSICAL WORSHIP ................................................................................................... 12 Choir ...................................................................................................................... 12 Music Group ........................................................................................................... 12 Organists and organ recitals .................................................................................... 12 FELLOWSHIP GROUPS ............................................................................................... 13 Beta Group ............................................................................................................. 13 Living Flame ........................................................................................................... 13 Thursday Fellowship Group ..................................................................................... 13 Sunday Fellowship Group ........................................................................................ 13 Wednesday Ecumenical Bible Group ....................................................................... 14 Wednesday Coffee and Bible Study Group ................................................................ 14 Monday Prayers ...................................................................................................... 14 COMMUNITY ACTIVITY SUPPORT ................................................................................ 15 Friendship Café ...................................................................................................... 15 Lunch Club ............................................................................................................. 15 Knit and Natter ....................................................................................................... 15 Cake Sale ............................................................................................................... 15 Gardening Team ..................................................................................................... 16 Flower Team ........................................................................................................... 16 Ecumenical Activity................................................................................................. 16
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FINANCIAL REVIEW .................................................................................................... 17 Financial Statements .................................................................................................. 19 Independent Examiner’s Report ............................................................................... 20 Statement of Financial Activities .............................................................................. 21 Balance Sheet ........................................................................................................ 22 Notes to the Financial Statements ........................................................................... 23
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CHURCHWARDENS ANNUAL REPORT
“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver”
(2 Corinthians 9:7)
Reflecting on 2025, at St John’s we have shared a year of celebration and joyous worship. In June we sadly said goodbye to Rev’d Marion de Quidt and her husband Simon as she retired from full time parish ministry. It was a gift to be able to come together as a Benefice and share the love we all hold for both Marion and Simon. The BBQ was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate alongside HMR. We would like to personally thank everyone who worked hard to make it possible and to John and Barbara Platt for organising the HMR team.
It has been a pleasure and a joy to welcome visiting priests into St John’s and it has been a blessing to build relationships with our neighbouring Benefices. With the support of our LLMs and BCMs we have been able to continue to offer a variety of services, supporting all styles of worship in the form of our All Age Service, Morning Worship and our 6pm reflective service, as well as mid-week services and ministering to Old Raven and Berry Court.
We are blessed to have so many dedicated volunteers at St John’s and their individual dedication and commitment has ensured that we could continue to offer outreach into the community by visiting schools in the way of our Open the Book team and the team who support assemblies. Our Youth and Families team have been able to welcome young people into the church via Messy Church and attending the school fetes. Holiday club was also a huge success.
Food and feasting has been a big focus last year, our monthly cake sales have been a huge success providing a hub of coffee and chat over cakes. Our bring and share events at Easter and September were also well supported and a joy to be a part of. Let’s not forget November’s Stir Up Sunday. It was such fun to see the finished cakes baked and iced ready for Christmas, and a few even made a showing in the new year.
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 also to offer the church as a venue for them to celebrate Ukraine Independence Day in August.
Hook were proud to be able to commemorate the 80 year anniversary of the end of World War II in the way of music & sketches. Our “We’ll Meet Again” production shared local stories of heroism, and it was a honour to be able to remember those who had supported the country at such a difficult and dark time in British history. It was a wonderful display of community as so many came together to use their talents to put on the show, and the audience for supporting the event.
Remembrance Sunday is an important event for the Hook community and it was a pleasure to welcome the Archdeacon of Winchester, the Venerable Richard Brand, to preside over the service. It is always important as a church to commemorate this day with the Hook
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community and alongside current and former service personnel, as well as members of the uniformed organisations.
Welcoming the Lord Bishop of Winchester, the Right Rev’d Philip Mounstephen to St John’s for our confirmation service in December stands out as a highlight of the year. The 9 candidates included 7 of our young people. The service was filled with worship, love and a sense of overwhelming joy as we shared the journey of our candidates, celebrating with scripture, music and puzzles, and of course, food and cake.
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 the celebrations and this year it was a pleasure to welcome back the Rainbows and Brownies to entertain us with their Christmas songs. The Carol Service is always well attended, and our ever-popular Crib Service encourages the children to dress up and take part in telling the Christmas story.
We would like to thank everyone who has supported us through the last 6 months of vacancy. It is only with everyone’s hard work and commitment that we have been able to keep our church functioning and offering services, community events and outreach into the community. It would have been impossible to keep the ship afloat without us all pulling together as a team. Whether sage advice or flasks of coffee, singing or baking, preparing tables for food or crafts or through the fellowship of small groups, we have all come together as a church family.
We are thankful to offer such a variety of services, clubs, activities and music for both church and the wider community. We continue to encourage all faithful people to share their gifts as part of a flourishing church community. As we move into 2026 we are looking forward to a new era and are excited about the future of St. John’s.
Samantha Frolich & Russell Phillips, Churchwardens
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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.
During March/April 2025, a new Electoral Roll was required, as happens every 6 years. As of 31st December 2025, the number of people enrolled for St John’s was 128, of which 25 live out of the parish. This represents a net decrease of 12 people since 31st December 2024.
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 2025.
Aside from the regular agenda items, PCC meetings focus on nominated subjects. This year these were: safely recruiting volunteers (January); annual report and financial statements and planning for upcoming vacancy (March); appointment of key officers (April); Code of Conduct and Social Media policy (May); vacancy (July); bells (September); budget (November).
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The Annual Meeting of Parishioners and the Annual Parochial Church Meeting were held on 26th April 2025.
Full copies of PCC documents are available on request from the Church Office.
Caroline Bushman, Acting PCC Secretary
Odiham Deanery Synod
During 2025, Odiham Deanery Synod met twice. Both meetings were open and held at St John’s, Hartley Wintney. In March, the Chair of the Winchester Diocesan Board of Finance gave a presentation on the Diocesan Financial Briefing paper. This was part of the communication cascade of the 2024-2027 financial plan for Winchester Diocese. In November, the Bishop of Basingstoke, the Rt Rev ’ d Kelly Betteridge, received presentations from churchwardens across the deanery, and took part in a Q&A led by Rev’d Angie Smith, Assistant Area Dean, with questions from those present.
The Deanery Synod Representatives for St John’s are Bob Murrell and Kim Foster.
Kim Foster, Deanery Synod Representative
Communications & IT
The Comms Team is a small group of volunteers working with the Ministry Team and administration staff, and includes members of both Hook and HMR parishes.
The aim is to have a common strategy for communications and publicity across the Whitewater Benefice to ensure we have correct details and consistent visual identity/branding across all the platforms to which we publish our information, e.g the Website, A Church Near You, Hook Focus Magazine, Facebook and any posters, banners, fliers or cards such as the Hook village Christmas card, which was delivered to around 3,500 homes. We also produce publicity material and ticketing for concerts and events.
A small team of volunteers provides IT support across the Benefice. We also assist the Clergy and the administration staff with iKnow Church, our church management system.
The main changes this year are:
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increase in use for Microsoft 365
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changes to the team & training in use of iKnow
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2025 Electoral Roll involved many new people being added to iKnow Church
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ongoing data cleansing in iKnow Church
Anna Shergold, Comms Team & Whitewater Benefice Website Manager
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BUILDING AND FABRIC REPORT
2025 saw the continuation of a battle against the elements. The west windows continue to leak despite major works to re-seat many of the panes. The materials and the design are not suitable for a west facing window so the leaks are likely to continue unless the window is replaced or covered with Perspex again. In addition, a few panes were broken due to vandalism and we are still waiting for suitable new panes to be obtained.
The leaks from the cast iron guttering along the front of the church have stopped following a complete service of the guttering. The hall roof was repaired by replacing much of the mortar whose poor condition was highlighted following the flooding in 2024. The leak which caused the damp patch above the organ was fixed after it had become serious enough to cause drips into the quire. The cellar sump pump failed but was replaced after a few weeks of using a temporary pump.
It should be noted that excess rainwater still causes a problem but the situation has improved slightly since the church drainage was separated from the A30 drainage thus preventing A30 water from flowing into the church grounds which exacerbated the problem.
Electrical work was completed to add several new sockets to avoid trailing cables. At the same time, external PIR lights were replaced and added. Timers were added to the Narthex blowers in an attempt to stop them being left on overnight after an event. All fire exit signage was replaced to comply with current regulations.
Much of the hall was redecorated in 2024 but the remaining areas were freshened up during this year to match.
Richard Paganuzzi, Chair of the Fabric Committee
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MINISTRY REPORTS
Parish Safeguarding Team
Hook PCC has complied with its 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. Hook PCC has considered and approved the Hook Parish Safeguarding Policy and received a report on current safeguarding concerns from a Safeguarding officer 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 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.
Janine Dunbar completed the Safeguarding Officer training in November 2025. Subject to PCC approval of the terms and conditions, the plan is to make use of the hub provided by Winchester Diocese to record training and DBS requirements for our church members who undertake voluntary roles.
A small number of safeguarding concerns have arisen which have been managed and/or escalated appropriately following the approved Diocesan Safeguarding procedures.
Caroline Frolander and Janine Dunbar, Parish Safeguarding Officers
Whitewater Benefice Ministry Team
The Benefice Ministry Team serves all four churches across the Benefice in both parishes. For the first half of the year, Rev’d Marion de Quidt ministered through all types of work in both parishes – not only services but 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. Rev ’ d Helen Sherlock joined the Benefice in January 2025 as Associate Priest although her ministry has, to date, been focused on the parish of HMR.
The licensed lay ministry team consists of Jonathan Bushman LLM leading our youth and families team and preaching mostly in Hook; Tim Maynes LLM who preached across the Benefice in 2025, 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, supporting Berry Court ministry, plus the monthly communion at Old Raven House.
During the vacancy, the churchwardens at St John’s have worked hard to ensure that Eucharistic Ministry can continue in at least one service each Sunday by sourcing visiting priests either from other local churches or the diocesan registry. We were also able to
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welcome the Lord Bishop of Winchester, the Right Rev. Philip Mounstephen in December 2025 to confirm 9 members of our church family into full church membership.
We also have a number of people with a Bishop’s Commission for Mission; Brigitte Maynes, Denise White and Nikki Wild. We were delighted to see Russell Phillips licensed as a Bishop’s Commission for Mission (BCM) for Beyond Church Walls in Winchester Cathedral in 2025. The BCMs are involved in a wide range of activities including ministry in our schools, Sunday evening and non Eucharistic worship services and fellowship groups.
Jonathan Bushman LLM
Youth and Families Ministry
Youth and Families Ministry had another active and enjoyable year in 2025. 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 offers fellowship and teaching for parents with babies and the youngest children. Messy Church has continued to offer ministry to between 10 and 20 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. We were delighted that 7 of our young people were amongst those confirmed in December 2025.
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 in August based on the book of Jonah. 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, Team Leader and LLM
Ministry with Hook Junior School
A three-strong team has had the privilege of leading Assembly in Hook Junior School monthly. We have covered various school values, tying them to different stories from the Bible, including explaining Empathy using the story of the Prodigal Son; Change and Moving On at the end of the summer term using the story of Daniel in the Lion’s Den; and Responsibility using the story of Jonah. We also led Assemblies covering Easter and Advent. In December we welcomed Year 3 into St John’s Church to explain Advent through the medium of light. The Junior School also used St John’s for their Easter service.
Denise White, Team Leader and BCM
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Ministry with Hook Infant School
Children of Year 2 from Hook Infant School came to the Church for their Christmas Production. They gave three brilliant performances, one to the rest of the school and two to their parents and carers. It was a joy to listen to the clear speaking, lovely singing and acting.
Denise White, BCM
Open the Book - Bringing Stories to Life
The Open the Book Team, known as “The Storytellers”, continue to visit Hook Infants every Monday afternoon in term time. This is a valuable way of bringing the Bible and God’s word into the school. The team is ecumenical, comprising members from Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church and St John’s and follows a set programme of telling Bible stories and enacting them.
Two separate sessions are run: one for Year R, followed by another for Years 1 and 2. We encourage active participation, with children from each class invited to dress up and join in the storytelling. Over time we have built up a good range of props and resources to aid the storytelling. All team members are safely recruited, DBS checked and are part of the National Open the Book initiative, which is regulated and run by The Bible Society. They also attend regular training.
Jennifer Martin, Team Leader and LLM
Ministry to Old Raven House Care Home & Berry Court Sheltered Housing
Both Old Raven and Berry Court are wonderful ways to take church into the community and share God’s Word.
The carers at Old Raven House say to the residents: “The Church has come to us today!” - this ministry has been ongoing every month for over 25 years. Our small team visit Old Raven every fourth Friday. We take communion to the residents which has been consecrated by a priest and officially known as “Communion to the Sick in Homes, Hospitals and Care Homes.” We visit residents in their own rooms as well as in the library. Their eyes and faces light up as we sing well known hymns and they remember the words of the prayers.
Communion is taken to residents of Berry Court every first Friday of the month, using the same format as Old Raven House. There is a short talk and we share this act of worship with a group of residents. Berry Court residents help co-ordinate and very kindly arrange coffee and biscuits afterwards which are always welcome as we chat and socialise.
Jennifer Martin, Team Leader and LLM
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MUSICAL WORSHIP
Choir
The choir at St John’s rehearses each week in order to be able to support the 2[nd] and 4[th] Sunday morning services as well as singing at festivals, in particular the Advent and Christmas Carol Services. The choir has around 30 members, including a number of under 18s.
The choir learn the hymns for services as well as preparing anthems to offer as part of the worship. For the first time in many years, Choral Evensong was offered twice at St John’s during 2025, on Candlemas and All Saints Day. This was a new experience for some of the singers, and we intend to continue with these during 2026. In addition to singing, choristers (both juniors and adults) work on the “Voice for Life” programme, learning more about church music and gaining medals when levels are completed.
I am thankful for the support of Stephen Davies and David Bridgman in playing for practices during the year as well as the dedication and enthusiasm of the choir members.
Caroline Bushman, Choir Director
Music Group
The Music Group is our pool of musicians for services at St John’s. We support worship for the 10 am All Age and Morning Worship services at St John’s on the 1[st] and 3[rd] Sundays of the month. In addition in 2025, we led some of the music on Easter Sunday and for the Confirmation in December. In January, we again joined with friends from the Life Church to lead worship at the Unity Service.
A variety of songs and hymns are selected, including well known favourites and we also introduce new music to the congregation. The combination of singers and instruments varies with availability and we welcome both regular and occasional musicians.
Looking ahead to 2026 we would love to welcome more musicians – with any instrument - as well as anyone who would like to be involved on the technical side to expand the sound desk rota.
Nikki Wild, Music Group Leader and BCM
Organists and organ recitals
At St John’s, we are fortunate to be able to call upon the services of two dedicated organists who support the music required for the various types of services. There are two further organists plus a pianist who support smaller intimate services.
Three fundraising lunchtime organ recitals took place between January and March. There was delicious soup followed by visiting organists (as well as our own Stephen Davies) providing 35 minutes of enjoyable organ music.
Caroline Bushman, Music Team
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FELLOWSHIP GROUPS
Beta Group
The Beta fellowship group continued to meet most Thursday evenings to study the Gospel according to Luke. After the retirement of Rev’d Marion de Quidt, we moved from the rectory to become a house group. We gathered to share food, conversation, study and prayer, to learn from the scriptures how to better live out our Christian lives. The group continues to grow and evolve as the 8/9 committed members contribute to the life of the St John’s community.
Ruth Malone, Group Leader and Russell Phillips, Group Leader and BCM
Living Flame
Living Flame is one of the St John’s small groups which give us the opportunity to explore God’s Word in more depth and consider how we apply it in our daily lives. We meet for fellowship and Bible study on the first and third Wednesday of the month in St John’s Church Centre. Our meetings are relaxed, friendly and sociable, beginning with a time to share news before we study. We conclude by sharing prayer requests to take into the week ahead. Topics explored in 2025 included the Lord’s Prayer, the Advent Antiphons and the book of Revelation. Going into 2026, we continue to explore a variety of resources on which to base our discussions.
Nikki Wild, Group Leader and BCM
Thursday Fellowship Group
Thursday Fellowship has continued in 2025, 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 including a joint summer BBQ with the Beta Group. Our studies in 2025 included finishing the Women of the Nativity during Epiphany, Praying By Heart by Archbishop Stephen Cottrell, The Lent Study Wild Bright Hope, Jesus the Game Changer (To the Ends of the Earth), a series on Saint Paul and the Church of England Joy of Advent Course. There are between 7 and 13 people coming each week and we always welcome new members.
Jonathan Bushman, Group Leader and LLM
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
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Wednesday Ecumenical Bible Group
This group continues to thrive. We meet on Zoom on Wednesday mornings and are joined by people from Torch Trust (a charity for people with failing sight or none) from across the country. We have studied the psalms, looked at interpretations from other writers, studied and worked through the Lent course, and explored the Nicene Creed. We ensure that we read and study the biblical texts linked to the theme, as well as other relevant biblical passages. Some of the materials have been translated into Braille and large print for participants. We have a wonderful rapport with each other from both near and far and great discussions. With God’s help we will continue in 2026 and beyond.
Jennifer Martin, Group Leader and LLM
Wednesday Coffee and Bible Study Group
The Wednesday Coffee and Bible Study Group is a small group which meets every other Wednesday lunchtime in the Narthex of the Church for Bible study and refreshments and the occasional social lunch trip to a Farm Shop Café. Topics covered have included The Lord’s Prayer and the Antiphon Advent Series.
Denise White, Group Leader and BCM
Monday Prayers
Monday Prayers continued in 2025 as we prayed for anything and everything that was relevant. We would love to have more people join us at 10.30 am each Monday for roughly an hour.
Carol-Anne Morris, Group Leader
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COMMUNITY ACTIVITY SUPPORT
Friendship Café
Friendship Café has been a great success and we enjoy cake, coffee and tea and a chat. We also celebrate each person’s birthday as well as Christmas. We meet on Thursday mornings at 10am until 11.30am. All are welcome.
Carol-Anne Morris, Team 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 gather 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. The regular menus are varied, featuring old favourites as well introducing new recipes to expand our repertoire. We offer three meat main courses and a vegetarian option followed by a choice of three desserts which are served with cream, ice cream or custard. Or indeed all three!
Numbers attending remain steady at between 30-40 each month. Those who come thoroughly enjoy it and are always very appreciative of the efforts made by the volunteers. Whilst there are a goodly number 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 indeed ageing, shoulders.
Catriona Terrell, Team Leader
Knit and Natter
Knit and Natter meet on the first and third Monday of the month, in the church centre from 2pm till 4pm.This year we have knitted hats for premature babies, flower brooches for the World Day of Prayer, poppies for the Catholic Church, Sunflowers for Outpatients’ reception and Christmas themed covers for Terry’s Chocolate Oranges. We have also continued with our own projects, and two of the group have learnt a new skill, pin craft, which is fantastic for making your own cards. The group is open to all, no skill required other than drinking tea and chatting.
Gill Morley, Team Leader
Cake Sale
The cake sale is held on the first Saturday of each month in the Narthex and serves as a fundraising activity for St John’s. It is also a fellowship morning, affording the opportunity for those who attend to chat over coffee and biscuits, with many people attending who are not church members. We take orders in advance for cakes.
We have a team of volunteers who regularly make cakes, scones, and savoury items, and a small team who come to man the stall and make coffee. Occasionally the craft group also sell items. Do come along to enjoy a great atmosphere, good conversation and tasty treats!
Janine Dunbar, Team Leader
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Gardening Team
The gardening team comprises half a dozen or so members who meet weekly on Wednesday mornings from 10 am to 1 pm. Its purpose is to cultivate additional shrubs for the Flower Team, maintain and improve the appearance of the church grounds and create more areas to host a wider diversity of wildlife. We encourage the congregation to explore the grounds and have engaged with Junior Church, the Holiday Club and Brownies for outdoor activities.
New initiatives in 2025 comprised the building of a dead hedge (ideal for recycling materials collected from other parts of the garden, i.e. fallen branches, leaves etc.), developing the sensory area with potted plants, enhancing the approach to the main entrance with larger planted pots, providing a potting-on table, compost and plants for use by graveyard visitors. We have also established a wormery, installed metal and wooden obelisks to support existing roses. New plants this year: Achillea, Allium, Berberis, Coleus, Daffodils, Daphne, Grasses, Lavender, Myrtle, Snowdrops, Thyme Valerian and Viburnum.
Future plans include the installation of a small shed to store garden equipment, widening the bed immediately in front of the church, building a prayer garden/stations in the grounds, managing the trees and a new front fence to make the church more visible and welcoming from the roadside.
Amanda Whittaker, Team Leader
Flower Team
The church flower arranging team continue to enjoy being responsible for the flower decorations in church each week and for the major festivals, helping to make the church look beautiful. We are fortunate to have a very dedicated team of six volunteers. Each arranger brings their own creativity, and we all learn by taking part and supporting each other. In May we held our third church fundraising plant sale which again was very successful. Members of the team worked tirelessly from September to May to produce a good variety of plants for the sale. We look forward to another year as members of this group and sharing in this rewarding ministry.
Felicity Rudd, Team 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 2025 this was held in St John the Evangelist, Hook.
Russell Phillips, Churchwarden
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FINANCIAL REVIEW
2025 has been a strong year for St John’s financially. We are blessed with a committed congregation who are prepared to support the work of the church with their time, talents and finances, especially during our current time of vacancy. 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/hook-hook/.
Income
During 2025, new people have felt called to support the work of St John’s by committing to donating to the parish regularly. Total donations increased by just over £2,000 but the increase in regular giving was nearly £7,000 (with a corresponding reduction in one off donations).
The fundraising efforts during the year raised just under £6,000, with cake sales, organ recitals, a plant sale and the two nights of the World War II remembrance “We’ll Meet Again” all playing their part.
The total income for 2025 of £132,247 was almost identical to 2024’s income, which is a fantastic result when we have been in vacancy for half of the year.
Expense
The way in which the Church of England is funded in the Diocese of Winchester is via the Common Mission Fund (CMF) – 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.
As the regular congregation in a parish increases, so does the amount that it is requested to contribute to the Common Mission Fund, in Hook’s case, a £2k increase over 2024’s request. The amount requested by the Diocese for each person who forms part of the parish’s worshipping community also increased – a £5k increase in the request. These two increases meant that, in 2025, Hook contributed £60,268 to the CMF, almost 50% of our outgoings. The contribution requested for 2026 is higher again.
Additionally, St John’s continued to work with partner charities – now St Michael’s Hospice (Basingstoke) and Ocean Stars Trust – as well as continue to support local Ukrainian residents with English lessons – in total using £5,361 for this work.
The rest of the 2025 expenses (£54,112) covers everything from the utility bills, salaries for the church administrator, cleaning services, building maintenance, cost of consumables such as coffee, paper, cleaning materials, music and necessary administration expenses such as licenses required for streaming services. Total expenditure was £119,741.
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Outcome for 2025
A surplus of £12,505 was generated during 2025.
Reserves
The PCC holds unrestricted reserves of £93,727 plus restricted reserves of £3,867. 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 2026, the PCC is fully focused on the recruitment of a new Rector for the Whitewater Benefice and ensuring that it is in a good financial position to be able to support the new Rector’s work with our parish.
Caroline Bushman, Treasurer
PCC Approval of Annual Report Approved by the Parochial Church Council on 11th March 2026 and signed on its behalf by
....S FROLICH.......................... Samantha Frolich PCC Chair (during vacancy)
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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 2025
St John the Evangelist Church London Road Hook Hants RG27 9EG Tel: 01256 760169 Email: office@whitewaterchurches.co.uk Website: www.whitewaterchurches.co.uk
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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 2025.
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:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the PCC as required by section 130 of the Act; or
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The accounts do not accord with those records; or
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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
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Statement of Financial Activities
| Statement of Financial Activities | |
|---|---|
| All figures in GBP for year ending 31.12.2025 |
Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Endowment funds Total funds Prior year total funds |
| Incoming resources Incoming resources from generated funds Voluntary income Incoming resources from charitable activities Other incoming resources Total income Resources used Cost of generating funds Cost of generating voluntary income Charitable activities Governance costs Other resources used Total expenditure Net income / (expenditure) resources before transfer Transfers Gross transfers between funds - in Gross transfers between funds - out Other recognised gains / losses Gains/losses on investment assets Gains on revaluation, fixed assets, charity’s own use Net movement in funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward |
85,706 3,657 89,363 89,709 34,569 34,569 33,125 8,315 8,315 9,377 |
| 128,590 3,657 132,247 132,212 455 455 803 109,396 7,308 116,704 121,723 2,447 2,447 2,238 136 136 147 |
|
| 112,433 7,308 119,742 124,912 |
|
| 16,157 (3,651) 12,505 7,299 31,124 1,171 32,296 13,775 (32,296) (32,296) (13,775) |
|
| 14,985 (2,480) 12,505 7,299 |
|
| 78,742 6,347 85,089 77,790 |
|
| 93,727 3,867 97,594 85,089 |
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Balance Sheet
| Balance Sheet | |
|---|---|
| All figures in GBP | As at 31/12/2025 As at 31/12/2024 2,630 5,260 2,630 5,260 4,170 3,819 94,509 80,446 98,679 84,265 3,715 4,436 3,715 4,436 94,964 79,829 97,594 85,089 97,594 85,089 55,782 71,456 10,786 5,786 18 2,141 1,500 25,000 2,630 5,260 737 500 1,087 97,594 85,089 |
| Fixed assets Tangible Assets Current assets Debtors Cash At Bank And In Hand Liabilities Creditors: Amounts Falling Due In One Year Net current assets less current liabilities Total assets less current liabilities Liabilities Total net assets less liabilities Represented by Unrestricted Unrestricted - General Funds Designated Designated - Fabric Fund Designated - Music Designated - Organ Fund Designated - Youth Worker Restricted Restricted - Audio Visual Fund Restricted - Music Restricted - Shed Restricted - Ukraine Fund Totals |
Approved by the Parochial Church Council on 11 March 2026 and signed on its behalf by Samantha Frolich
………S FROLICH…….… ( PCC Chair )
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Notes to the Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 December 2025
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.
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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.
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 [2025 – 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 rector 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 straight-line 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.
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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.
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2. INCOMING RESOURCES
| 2(a) 2(b) 2(c) |
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds 2025 2024 £ £ £ £ Voluntary Income Planned Giving 58,735 - 58,735 51,854 Collections at Services 13,072 - 13,072 18,490 Tax Recoverable 11,670 - 11,670 12,627 Tax - GASDS 2,330 - 2,330 1,984 Grants received - 3,557 3,557 4,755 Donations,appeals - - - - |
|---|---|
| Sub Totals 85,706 3,657 89,363 89,710 |
|
| Incoming resources from charitable activities Fundraising 5,972 - 5,972 5,481 Lunch Club 2,287 - 2,287 1,724 Coffee Shop 1,015 - 1,015 945 Bookstall and printing 107 - 107 135 Church Lettings 22,827 - 22,827 22,253 Fees 2,163 - 2,163 2,441 Other events 198 - 198 147 |
|
| Sub Totals 34,569 - 34,569 33,125 |
|
| Other Incoming Resources Insurance claim - - - 556 Reimbursement of employment costs 5,139 - 5,139 5,589 Interest income 3,176 - 3,176 3,233 |
|
| Sub Totals 8,315 - 8,315 9,377 |
|
| Total Income 128,590 3,657 132,247 132,212 |
The total amount of donations received without attached conditions from Trustees during 2025 was £32,677 (2024: £36,068).
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3. RESOURCES EXPENDED
| 3(a) 3(b) 3(c) |
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds 2025 2024 £ £ £ £ Charitable Activities Common Mission Fund 60,268 - 60,268 56,618 Other ministry costs 3,451 - 3,451 5,434 Music costs 419 534 953 1,023 Church running & maintenance 28,303 3,974 32,277 35,000 Youth Children & Families 392 - 392 391 Administration 12,006 - 12,006 14,274 Lunch Club & Coffee Shop 1,796 200 1,996 2,061 Others 135 - 135 147 Mission Grants Overseas 903 2,600 3,503 4,682 Home 746 - 746 618 Collections 1,112 - 1,112 1,623 |
|---|---|
| Sub Totals 109,531 7,308 116,839 121,871 |
|
| Fund Raisingcosts 455 - 455 803 |
|
| Sub Totals 455 - 455 803 |
|
| Governance Costs Ind. Examination 350 - 350 350 Other governance 11 - 11 - Licences 2,086 - 2,086 1,888 |
|
| Sub Totals 2,447 - 2,447 2,238 |
|
| Total Expenditure 112,433 7,308 119,741 124,912 |
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4. EMPLOYEES
| 4. EMPLOYEES |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total Funds | ||
| 2025 | 2024 | |||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Wages and Salaries | 9,747 | - | 9,747 | 10,973 |
| Social Security costs | (23) | - | (23) | 7 |
| Employer’s contribution topensions | 216 | - | 216 | 206 |
| Total | 9,940 | - | 9,940 | 11,179 |
The average number of employees during the year was one. No employee received employee benefits greater than £60,000.
The Benefice Administrator was employed by the PCC of Hook Parish but 50% of the cost was reimbursed by Heckfield, Mattingley and Rotherwick PCC (HMR). This role ceased to exist on 5 December 2025.
No PCC Members were remunerated as employees during 2025 or 2024.
During 2025, £54 [2024: £348] was paid under a contract for administration services with Thomas Maynes, who is a trustee of the PCC. This contract was completed in March 2025.
One PCC member had travel expenses reimbursed totalling £132 [2024: one member - £442].
No Related Party had travel expenses reimbursed in 2025 [2024: one member - £1].
PENSIONS
The PCC of Hook Parish participates in the Pension Builder Scheme section of the 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:
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the Defined Benefits Scheme
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The Pension Builder Scheme, which has two subsections;
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a. a deferred annuity section known as Pension Builder Classic, and,
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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.
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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 (2025: £216, 2024: £206)
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 2026, the Board chose to grant a discretionary bonus of 10% 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 1997 service so that the pension increase was also 10% (where usually it would be calculated based on inflation up to an annual cap of 5% for pensions in payment in respect of service prior to April 2006 and 2.5% for pensions in payment in respect of service post April 2006 ). This followed improvements in the funding position over 2025. 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 being carried out 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.
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5. FIXED ASSETS
| 5. FIXED ASSETS |
|
|---|---|
| Actual Cost At 1/1/2025 Additions Disposals At 31/12/2025 Depreciation At 1/1/2025 Charge for year At 31/12/2025 Net Value At 1/1/2025 |
Screen and projector Total £ £ 10,522 10,522 - - - - |
| 10,522 10,522 5,262 5,262 2,630 2,630 |
|
| 7,892 7,892 5,260 5,260 |
|
| At 31/12/2025 | 2,630 2,630 |
6. DEBTORS AND PREPAYMENTS (UNRESTRICTED FUNDS)
| 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Debtors | 4,170 | 3,750 |
| Prepayments | - | 69 |
| Total | 4,170 | 3,819 |
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 an amount of PAYE due to be reimbursed by HMRC.
7. CREDITORS AND ACCRUALS
| 7. CREDITORS AND ACCRUALS |
||
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| Amounts falling due within one year | £ | £ |
| Creditors | 2,866 | 3,161 |
| Accruals | 849 | 1,275 |
| Total | 3,715 | 4,436 |
Creditors are payments for expenditure incurred in 2025 but not paid until 2026. 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 2025 was £350 [2024: £350].
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8. FUNDS
| 1 January 2025 Income Expenditure Transfers 31 December 2025 Details Fabric Audio Visual Music Organ Shed Youth Worker |
2025 Unrestricted Designated Non Designated Total £ £ £ 7,286 71,456 78,742 1,683 126,907 128,590 (1,172) (111,261) (112,433) 30,148 (31,319) (1,171) |
2025 Unrestricted Designated Non Designated Total £ £ £ 7,286 71,456 78,742 1,683 126,907 128,590 (1,172) (111,261) (112,433) 30,148 (31,319) (1,171) |
Restricted Total £ 6,347 3,657 (7,308) 1,171 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 37,945 55,782 93,727 |
3,867 | ||
| £ 10,786 - 18 2,141 - 25,000 37,945 Represented by Fixed assets Current assets Current liabilities |
Unrestricted £ - 97,442 (3,715) |
£ - 2,630 737 - 500 - 3,867 |
|
| Restricted £ 2,630 1,237 - |
|||
| 93,727 | 3,867 |
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 £30k based on the 2025 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. A further amount was received from Hook Fun Run to fund the construction of a shed which is due for completion in Spring 2026 and funds were also received towards the work of music in the parish.
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