## **Annual Report and Financial Report** The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish ## **St. Michael and All Angels Church, Withyham** ## **with All Saints Church, Blackham** ## **For the year ended 31 December 2023** - St. Michael & All Angels Church, Withyham, Hartfield, East Sussex TN7 4BA All Saints Church, Oak Lane, Blackham, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN3 9UD _Incumbent:_ The Revd Canon James M. Campbell, The Rectory, Withyham, Hartfield, East Sussex TN7 4BA _Independent Examiner:_ Charles Lamb, 3 Blacklands Crescent, Forest Row RH18 5NN _Banks:_ NatWest, 89 Mount Pleasant, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1QJ Barclays, 8 Calverley Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 2TB _Website:_ www.withyhamchurch.org ## **Annual Report 2023** ## **Aims and Purposes** The Parochial Church Council (PCC) has the responsibility of co-operating with the incumbent, the Revd Canon James Campbell, in: - The promotion of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ according to the doctrines and practices of the Church of England; - Promoting in the parish the whole mission of the church, pastoral, social, evangelistic and ecumenical; - To know Jesus better and make him better known; - Practical support and care for people in the parish and the wider church community, from the youngest to the eldest, irrespective of level of need; - Providing financial support for those in need and to other organisations with similar objectives. ## **Structure and Governance and Management** The PCC is registered with the Charity Commission and is governed by the Parochial Church Councils (Power) Measure 1956. During the year 2023/2024, the following were PCC members: _Ex Officio members_ Rector Revd Canon James Campbell Chairman Churchwarden Jill Pardey Churchwarden Gillian Halcrow Reader Donald Yonge also Parish Safeguarding Officer Deanery Synod reps Jill Pardey (elected May 2023) Alison Hunnan (elected May 2023) also Hon. Secretary Janet Funnell (elected May 2023) _Elected Members_ Anne Barker Hon. Treasurer Robert Clark Sue Cooper Paul Radford Sue Schooling Meg Stafford Jackie Watson Richard Lindsay (elected May 2023) Jane Osman (elected May 2023) Membership of the PCC is determined under Church Representation Rules and consists of certain ex-officio members - the Incumbent, Reader, the Churchwardens and members of the Deanery Synod - together with members of the Church elected at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM). 2 ## **Achievements during the Year** At the beginning of July James Campbell will have worked in the Parish for eight years, having been inducted as the Rector by the Bishop of Chichester on 6[th] July 2016. ## **Sunday Worship** 2023 was the first year that Parish life returned to normality after the Coronavirus Pandemic. The principal service at 11.00am (weekly Matins, apart from Holy Communion on the first Sunday) continued unchanged. It was preceded by a service on Zoom on first and third Sundays at 9.45am. Unfortunately, numbers attending the ‘Half Hour Service’ at 9.45am on the alternate Sundays dwindled and was discontinued. Evensong was held on first and third Sunday evenings. On three of the four Fifth Sundays in the year – excluding December - Matins was held at Blackham. There was the familiar pattern of special services held through the year: Plough Sunday; Mothering Sunday; Passover Meal (held in the Kings’ Hall) on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Day; Rogation Sunday (outside); a Pet Service; Harvest Festival was followed by a lunch; Remembrance Sunday Service; and the Christmas services including Carol Services in Church and at Buckhurst Park, an Outdoor Nativity at the Rectory, Crib Service and Midnight on Christmas Eve and the Christmas Day service. There was also special service to mark the Coronation of King Charles on 6[th] May. Those who were devotees of the main 11 o’clock continued to attend regularly, with numbers normally ranging from roughly 28-44. A faithful group of up to 8-10 households continue to meet for the regular Zoom services. However, the lack of children attending regularly is a major issue which the PCC have discussed at length. We remain indebted to our Organist Sue Stone, Assistant Organist Peter Ellefsen who deputises when Sue is away and who also plays at Evensong. Bob Hessey played at the Half Hour Service and is available for other services. The Choir faithfully lead the worship at 11.00am, singing an anthem and leading the singing of the psalm and cantiles at Matins; the majority return for Evensong. Donald Yonge and his wife Janice returned briefly to sing in the Choir before Christmas but otherwise had to continue to isolate for health reasons. Donald was able to partly resume his role as a Reader and lead two services in the summer. Adrian Leak also returned to lead two services ten years after retiring from the Parish. The Rector’s Sunday sermons continue to be emailed to the 50+ on the Parish list, together with the Midweek Bulletin which is normally issued every Wednesday and circulated to nearly 90 electronically, and a further number receive it by post. 3 ## **Blackham** Regular worship continued to be held on three 5[th] Sundays in the month (excluding December). In addition, there was an evening Harvest Festival service, the Act of Remembrance by the Lychgate, together with a Carol Service. ## **Church Electoral Roll** At the 2023 APCM, the number on the Electoral Roll was 112. Two names have been deleted, both of whom have died; four names have been added. There are now 114 names on the ER of whom 31 (27%) are resident in the Ecclesiastical Parish of Withyham whilst the remainder live outside, mainly in neighbouring villages and in Crowborough. ## **Mission Acton Plan** Following the discussions at each PCC Meetings during 2022, at which members discussed three actions from the 12, during the year the principal focus was on exploring what might be able to be offered to Children and Young People. ## **Parish Personnel** Jill Pardey and Gilly Halcrow, who took over from her husband Richard at the 2023 APCM, worked together as **Churchwardens** , with Jill being mainly responsible for the Churchyard and Gilly for the building. Anne Barker continued as Hon. Treasurer and Ali Hunnam Hon. Secretary. Bridget Clayton continued as the Church Administrator, usually working three and a half hours per week at The Rectory on Tuesday mornings, as well as assisting with the other matters including for the Treasurer. ## **Teaching & Nurture** The incumbent places an emphasis on preaching and teaching in his ministry. ## **The Church Buildings** St. Michael and All Angels Church, **Withyham** is a fine Grade One building. It has a long association for over 800 years with the Sackville family, owners of the surrounding Buckhurst Estate. Following the restrictions of past few years, the Church was open again from 9.00am daily until nightfall. The floodlights were on for approximately two hours during longer evenings. The Churchwardens ensured that the building remained in good condition. No major work was carried out. The major exercise of refixing the mid-Victorian wooden blue and gold **ceiling tiles** in the Chancel and Nave – and the temporary closure of the Church – was due to be carried during April this year. Further improvements to the Church **Sound System** have been carried out during the current year by Ed Mainwaring of EMCommunications, Tunbridge Wells. 4 The **cleaning** firm ‘Busy Bees’ from Hartfield continue to clean the Church and loos fortnightly, although there has been a change of personnel this year; Anne Radford has coordinated this. A small group of Church members remain available to supplement this prior to major festivals, weddings and funerals. The **Flower** Guild continues to be co-ordinated by Jill Pardey. When requested, flowers for weddings and funerals can arranged by Kath Stillwell; Mollie Packer retired during the year. The **Bellringers** are mainly drawn from Withyham, Crowborough, Speldhurst, Penshurst and Leigh; monthly practices take place on Wednesdays. Julie Richardson remains the Bell Tower Captain, assisted by her husband Peter. **All Saints Church, Blackham** remained locked when not in use, although the resumption of weekend opening is planned for 2024. No major work has been carried out recently. ## **Churchyards** ## Withyham McNaughton’s continue to mow and strim the **grass** each week. The annual Spring **Churchyard Clear-up** took place in March and the autumn one November, with a simple lunch by the Church Porch / Rectory. The **hedge** at the top of the Churchyard, which had been reduced in height to 3’/1m in February, was again cut in January this current year. This results in less interference with the graves nearest to it, as well as enjoyment of the fine view. John Collins continued to assist James Campbell in the allocation of **graves** and related enquiries. ## Blackham The **grass mowing** was again done by a local Blackham contractor. ## **Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals** There were four **Baptisms** , the same number as in 2022. There were six **Weddings** , four at Withyham and two at Blackham, together with one Blessing service. In 2022 there was a total of eight service: five wedding **s** and two Blessing services at Withyham and one wedding at Blackham. 11 **Funerals** took place, all at Withyham; this compares with 14 in 2022 **.** Five services in Church were followed by a burial in the Churchyard; and five services in Church either before or after a cremation – in two cases unattended; all the cremations took place at the Kent & Sussex Crematorium in Tunbridge Wells. There were also four interments of ashes. 5 During the year, the funerals took place of a number of long-standing Church members, including Colin Ruck, Peter Baker and Ann Haig-McVitty; and at the beginning of 2024 Tom Wild whose outstanding contribution to the Church spanned 50 years. ## **Parish Events** The annual **Church & Village Fete** took place on the Buckhurst Cricket Ground. On 30[th] September a **concert** was held in the Church. The evening consisted of a mixed programme of traditional and more contemporary music put together by Alexander Crowe, who runs the Edenbridge Music & Arts Trust. The soloists were Tom Fesmer (baritone) and Imogen Baker (soprano) from the Royal Academy of Music, accompanied by Alec on the keyboard. Refreshments were enjoyed during the interval and the proceeds shared between the Trust and the Church; the event was organised by Sue Cooper and Gilly Halcrow. ## **Pastoral Care** James Campbell visited a number of elderly members of the congregation at home and in care homes, as well as the residents of The Elizabeth, Countess De La Warr’s Almshouses where he is one of the trustees. Monthly Communions were taken to a number of housebound Church members including Elizabeth Carden (formerly Parish), a resident of Fountains Care Home in Southborough, and Arthur and Hazel Harris. ## **St. Michael’s Primary School, Withyham** James Campbell continued to take assemblies, usually visiting fortnightly but weekly in the lead up to major festivals. Numbers at the School are c. 80; Mrs Katie O’Shea continues as the Headteacher. ## **Safeguarding** Donald Yonge continued as our Parish Safeguarding Representative; there was little to report and our policies up-to-date. Any training was done online. ## **Data Protection** The Parish has continued to seek to comply with the requirements of the legislation introduced in May 2018. ## **Health & Safety** Risk Assessments are routinely carried out for special services and events. ## **Support for the wider Church and Community** ## **Family Support Work** The parish remains active in supporting this Diocesan-run work which is co-ordinated by Miriam Boobier. 6 ## **Crowborough Foodbank** With the significant increases in the cost of living, requests for food from the local Foodbank has grown. Whilst there is a collection box at the back of Church, most donors leave contributions at supermarkets or collection points in the town. ## **Charitable Donations** During the year, Withyham Church made a number of donations to local, national and international charities in line with previous years: Christian Aid; Church Mission Society; the College of St. Barnabas, Lingfield; Chichester Association for Family Support Work; Friends of Chichester Cathedral; Friends of Crowborough Hospital; Hospice in the Weald; The Children’s Society; Open Doors; ‘Acts 435’; First Responders; and the In addition, donations are made locally to King’s Hall, Withyham and St. Michael’s School, Withyham. Blackham Church made donations to Blackham Village Hall and the Royal British Legion. Overall, a total of c. £2,500 was given from PCC funds. In addition, £500 was given to the Royal British Legion as well as the proceeds of collections at funerals given to charities chosen by the families. ## **The Parish Magazine** Robert Veitch continued as **Editor** . With his knowledge of magazine printing, he initiated a number of innovations to the layout; the front cover was changed with the introduction of colour photographs of the two churches. Interviews with various long-standing residents were included. Janet Funnell continued to co-ordinate the **distribution** (with about 20 volunteers), and Meg Stafford responsible for the **advertising** . Approximately 375 hard copies are printed each month (with the double issue in December/January); a small number receive it by post and the online version which is also available via the Church’s website. **Church Web Site** (withyhamchurch.org) As part of her role as Parish Administrator, Bridget Clayton continues to maintain the website, including the weekly Midweek Bulletin and Calendar of Services and much else. ## **Withyham Parish Charity** The Charity was established with the Charity Commission in 1981, being the amalgamation of various older village charities. The Rector and Churchwardens are trustees together with two representatives from the Parish Council. Currently only the Rector and Churchwardens are trustees as Jill Pardey is also as Parish Counsellor. The Charity’s remit covers Withyham Civil Parish which includes the Ecclesiastical parishes of New Groombridge (St. Thomas’) and St. John’s, Crowborough. Grants are available to assist those under the age of 25 with training for a profession, trade or business, or to further their education in other ways, as well as those suffering hardship or distress. In June a grant was given to the Squirrels, younger members of 1[st] Groombridge Scouts. 7 ## **Village Hall Activities** Although not specifically a Church initiative, a number of Church members regularly help with the popular monthly lunches held at the Kings’ Hall, as well as the Warm Hub weekly over the winter and the monthly Friday Club. ## **Deanery** Rev. Julie Sear, Vicar of Hartfield & Coleman’s Hatch continued as the **Rural Dean** . The Archdeacon of Hastings, Edward Dowler, remained Priest-in-Charge of **St. John’s, Crowborough** where he lives. Rev. Nicholas Henshall, the former Dean of Chelmsford, was appointed Vicar of St. Thomas’, **Groombridge** in February; as Rector of Withyham, James Campbell acted as the Patron. Rev Andrew Goy was appointed Associate Vicar of **Wadhurst** (Tidebrook and Stonegate) in June working with Rev. Paul Ratcliff. Rev. Judith Wilkinson was inducted as the Vicar of **Jarvis Brook** on 4[th] September. Both **Rotherfield** (and Mark Cross) **and Ticehurst** (and Flimwell) became vacant on 8[th] October with the retirements of Rev. Nigel Mason and Rev. Ashley Evans respectively. Plans were finalised for **Cowden** to join the Deanery and become part of the Benefice of Hartfield and Coleman’s Hatch; a House-for Duty priest will start work in mid-2024. Rotherfield **Deanery Synod** met four times during 2023, including the Annual Finance Meeting: - 7[th] March at Hartfield: the principal item was an account of Archdeacon Edward Dowler’s Pilgrimage to the Holy Land. - 28[th] June at All Saints, Crowborough: the principal item was ‘Growing our Children’s, Youth and Families’ ministry’ with input from three local Children’s / Youth workers, preceded by supper. - 5[th] October at Hartfield: the annual Finance Meeting with a presentation of the Diocesan finances by the Chairman of the Finance Committee and the Diocesan Secretary. - 21[st] November at Groombridge: the principal item a talk on ‘Supporting our older generation with hope and love’. ## **Diocese** The Bishop of Chichester, Rt. Rev. Martin Warner, the Suffragan Bishop of Lewes, Rt. Rev. Will Hazlewood, and the Archdeacon of Hastings, Ven. Edward Dowler, all continue in post. Having survived the financial crises suffered by some other dioceses to date, Chichester is now facing a budget deficit of £1.5m for 2025 and is having to make cuts. 8 James Campbell remains the Companion Links Officer of the **Diocesan Overseas Committee** which has responsibility for Chichester Diocese’s Overseas Links: six dioceses in nine countries in West Africa; and five dioceses in the Rift Valley in Kenya in East Africa. ## **The National Church** Issues surrounding ‘Living in Love and Faith’ and related matters concerning human sexuality have dominated debate and exposed deep divisions within the Church of England at every level. The proposal to make major financial recompense to reflect the fact that the Church of England benefitted significantly from the Slave Trade has met with a very mixed reaction. Meanwhile, many smaller parishes with mainly elderly members face declining congregations, a struggle to find Church officers and increasing costs to maintain and repair their buildings, many of which are listed Grade One or Two. Some of these concerns have been voiced by the campaigning group ‘Save our Parish’ whose emphasis reflects the desire of many local Churchgoers for the retention of clergy and less central expenditure. ## **The Rectory** Following the latest Quinquennial Inspection, the redecoration of the exterior was carried out over four weeks during June and early July. The Parish continues to assist with some of household expenditure including contributions toward the cost of electricity and oil. Visits have been made from Church groups from elsewhere. ## **The Rector’s Future Ministry** The Diocese has a rolling programme of Ministerial Development Review. At the time of James Campbell’s review in November 2019, the Bishop of Chichester explained his policy that all clergy, including ‘House-for-Duty’ priests, must retire by the age of 70. The Bishop visited the Parish for Harvest Festival in September and was invited to lunch at Buckhurst Park after the service. At the end of lunch, he was asked to clarify this policy by the Patron. He explained that he was now prepared to grant a licence for clergy to continue in post if both the PCC and he agreed that this was appropriate. As things stand, James is willing to continue working in the Parish beyond his 70[th] birthday on 8[th] April 2015. This will be discussed at the PCC meeting in July; the Churchwardens will then consult the Patron before writing to the Bishop requesting that he licence James for a further year from 8[th] April 2025 to 8[th] April 2026. It is envisaged that this arrangement will be reviewed annually. James M. Campbell 9 ## **Financial Statement for the Year 2023** ## _**The 2023 PCC Accounts are attached as appendices.**_ ## **Report by Anne Barker (Hon. Treasurer)** ## **Withyham** This year we have seen an increase in the income from the Parish Giving Scheme and a big increase in the service collections. I would like to thank everyone for their continuing support. There is also an increase in the Magazine donations and our share of the Fete income. This has enabled us to transfer money from the current account into the General deposit account loss in receipts, which was lowered during Covid and enable us to gain interest. As a result, there is a loss in receipts over payments. This could have been avoided if I had transferred money from the Ottley Trust fund which had be due for work done on the fabric of the church, but it is better to leave it in the deposit account and gain interest as the current account is quite healthy. The investment accounts continue to flourish. I would like to thank Alison Hunam for her support with the banking of the weekly takings and Bridget Clayton for taking over the management of the Fees Account. ## **Blackham** We are very grateful to Withyham Parish Council for the grant of £700 to cover the cost of the upkeep of the Church yard, We still rely on fees to keep Blackham solvent and these were lower in 2023. My thanks go to Chris and Sue Schooling for their hard work throughout the year. The fitting of a smart meter was meant to ease their load, but unfortunately it frequently fails and is not the asset we thought! Thank you to Charles Lamb for auditing the accounts. 10 ## **Appendix 1 - St. Michael & All Angels Church, Withyham** ## **1A - Receipts and Payments Accounts** 11 ## **1B – Statement of Assets and Liabilities** Approved by the Standing Committee on behalf of the Parochial Church Council and signed by 22[nd] April 2024 Rev. Canon James Campbell (PCC Chairman) 12 IC- Notes to the Accounts PARoC￿￿L¢1tyjRCH COUNCILOF sr MieHAELAND ALLANGÉLS,WTHYHAkl Yeario 31 DEGembBr 2023 Notes to the accounts Thelinanci?l statements forthe PCC have been prepa￿ In accordance wlth the Church Accounting pegulatlons 20D6 u51n8 the RecElpt$ 6nd Payments b8%s. The investments are shown at mld-market value on 31st Oecember 2023. Thp movement5 In the restricted funds durinBthe yearwere.. Bal blfwd Receipts Payment5 Transfer Bal clfwd Ottley Fund- CBF Dep051t 196,764 43.743 Z40,507 196,764 43,743 240,507 The Ottky Fund wastrtated from the proceeds of the salt Of pkiures In 2016. Other investment5 are shown at market valuation as at 31 December 2023 on the statement of Asset5 & Liabilities The Ottley Trust Investment wlth the CBF Investmeni Fund was purchased in October 2013 with E480,000 and Tnount5to 39,408.87 shares. During the yearthEre nD change5 to thi5 holding. Theaccount with Rathbones wasopened in Qctober2013 with a tran5feramounting to É490.(MYJ No payments were made to PCC membersor conr*tted persons. 13 ID- Independent Examinerfs Report Tbe Independent eiaminer's report to tbe PCC of St Micba¢l #lld Ail ADgel$, Witbyham I report on the accounts of the PCC for the year ended 31 Decetnber 20J, which atta¢h¢d to this report. Respective responsibilities of Éhe PCC 2nd the ei*miller As members of the PC.C you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. You consider that the audii requiremeni of the Church Accounting Regulations and Section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 ("the Act") do not apply. li is my responsibility to: F.xamine the accounts under the Church Accounting Regulations and Section 145 of the Act, To follow the procedures laid down in the general Dir¢etions of the Charity Commission under Section 145{i)(b) of the Act, and To state whether particular matters have cotnc to my attention. Basis of this Report My examination was catTied out in accordance with the General directions given by the Charity Commission and to be found in the C.hureh guidance. Thar ¢xamination includes a r¢view of th¢ accouiiting records kept by. the PCC a]id a comparison of the accounts with those records. It also includes considering an? unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from you as Trustees concerning any such inatter. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a true and fair view and the report is limited to thos¢ matters sel out in th¢ stalement below. Independent Examiner's Staiement I hal'e completed my examination. I confinn that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the ex￿nInation giving me cause to believe that in any material respect.. accounting records were not kept in respect of the PCC as required b), ,Se¢tion 130 of the Act; or the accounts do not accord iyith th05¢ r￿tsrds. I have no conceri)s and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be draTr￿ in this report in order to enable a proper understsnding of the accounts to be reAch¢d. Charles Lamb Chartered Accountant 3. Blacklands Crescent Forest Roi East Sussex, RHI 8 5WN *>April 2024 14 ## **Appendix 2 – All Saints Church, Blackham** ## **2A - Receipts and Payments** 15 ## **2B – Assets and Liabilities** Approved by the Standing Committee on behalf of the Parochial Church Council and signed by 22[nd] April 2024 Rev. Canon James Campbell (PCC Chairman) 16 2C- Independent Examinerfs Report The Independent examiner's report to the PCC of All Saints, Blg¢kbam I r¢pon on the accounts of the PCC for the year ended 31 December 2023. which are attached to this report. Respe¢tive re$pon$ibilities of the PCC and ¢he examiner As members of the PCC you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. You consider that the audit reqliirement of the Church Accounting Regulations and Seulion 144(?) of the Charities Act 2011 {"the Act") do not apply. It is my responsibility to= F.xamine the accounts under the Church Accounting Regulations and Section 145 of the Ac¢ To follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions of the Charity, Commission under Section 145(5)(b) of the Act, and To state wheiher particular matters have eom¢ io my attention. B2$is of this Report Ms, examin&tion carried out in aceordance ivith thc Gcncral dircctions given b}, the Charity Commission and to be found in the Church guidance. That examination incliides a review of the accounting records kept by the PCC and a comparison of the ac¢ounts with those record5. It also includes considering any unusual items or disclosure% in th¢ acoount.8 and se¢king explanations from you as Trustees concerning any such inatter. The proL¢dur¢s uiidertak¢n do not provide all the ei'idence that w'oiild be required in an audit and consequently no opinion i5 given as to whcther ihe accounts present a true and fair vi¢w and th¢ report Is limit¢d to those Enatters set out in the statement below. Independent Examiner's Statement I hal'e completed my examiiiation. I confirm that no material m2tters have come io my attention in ¢onncction with the examination giving me cause to believe that in an), material respect: 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. I have no concerns aDd have come across no other matters in connection with the exatnination to which att¢ntion should be dramm in this report in order io enAbl¢ a proFr UT)d¢rsianding of ihe accounts to be r¢ached. Charles Lamb c.hartered Accountant 3, Bla¢klands Crescent Forcst Row East Sussex, RH18 5NN 22 April 2024 17