Trustees Annual Report to 31[st] December 2021 Registered Charity Number 1184596
In February 2021 Dawson Steeplejacks carried out work repair works which has been identified in their annual inspection of December 2020. The cracks on the top of the spire which had re-opened were filled with new resin. The steel straps did not need replacing.
In May, when the church reopened, Rev Ray Khan noticed a large crack had appeared in one of the Nave Roof Beams and the Friends took on the project to investigate and oversee the repair work. An inspection of the external roofs in July 2021 highlighted a problem with the northeast end pinnacle on the aisle roof. The Friends took on the project to investigate and oversee the repair work.
With the assistance of Architect Richard Lamb of Hook Mason and Structural Engineer Ian Ceney from C2Designs work on both projects began, with Red Spider Hire as the main contractor. Both projects should be completed by Spring 2022 with the estimated cost of £20,000. Pledged Funding for Nave Beam and Pinnacle repairs have been received from Bromsgrove District Council for £4,950 and Bromsgrove Rotary Club for £7,000.
The roof inspection included a representative from Hambleside Danelaw, the manufacturer of the roof covering, who have committed to repair the roofs under a guarantee and at no cost to the church.
Friends organised the Bromsgrove Christmas Markets for a sixth time in the High Street on 19[th] & 20[th] November. The two days were extremely well supported and well received by all who attended. All traders recorded their best year ever! Friends are thrilled to organise this event for the Bromsgrove community.
Friends supported the Service of Remembrance for HRH Prince Philip the Duke of Edinburgh, the churchyard clean up, cake and coffee concerts and laid a wreath at the November Service of Remembrance.
Due to the continued restrictions in place during the covid-19 pandemic Friends were not able to hold any open days or support Orchestra of St John’s as no concerts were held.
What lies ahead - 2022
The focus for 2022 will be:
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To complete the nave beam and pinnacle repair projects
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Launch a website for Friends
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Promote Friends to encourage membership and engagement with projects
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Aim to obtain 10 Corporate Supporters.
We will continue to monitor the option for funding through National Lottery Heritage Fund, with the Spire restoration project the main focus of fundraising. The church’s quinquennial report is due in 2022 and we anticipate the repairs to the spire top to be the most urgent item requiring action from that report.
Social Media, Press & Publicity
www.facebook.com/FriendsStJohnsBromsgrove page has over 920 followers. Twitter @FriendsStJohns has over 600 followers. Instagram @CelebrateBromsgrove (Shared with Bromsgrove Society) has 750 followers. Articles about Friends of St John’s projects and activities appear regularly in Completely Bromsgrove, The Bromsgrove Standard and Bromsgrove Advertiser.
Friends is an active member of Bromsgrove Arts Alive and we are represented on the Heritage Corridor and Cultural Compact projects headed by Bromsgrove District Council.
Become a friend today
Raising funds through community based events for the ongoing maintenance, restoration and improvements at Bromsgrove's landmark and historic church building.
www.facebook.com/FriendsStJohnsBromsgrove Twitter @FriendsStJohns Charity Registered with the Charity Commission Number 1184596
Friends of St John's Accounts to 31st December 2021
Registered Charity 1184596
The Friends of the Church of St John the Baptist, Bromsgrove
Summary of Account 1st January 2021 to 31st December 2021
| Item | Income | Expenditure | Totals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Balance Carried Forward from 31.12.2020 | £16,702.81 | ||
| ACTIVITY DURING 2021 | |||
| General Donations | |||
| Friends Subs | £695.00 | £695.00 | |
| Grant Aid Received from Trusts | £732.50 | £732.50 | |
| Gift Aid | £0.00 | ||
| PayPal Account | £360.72 | £360.72 | |
| General Expenditure | |||
| Sundry Expenses | £132.38 | -£132.38 | |
| Grants Made to St John's | £732.50 | -£732.50 | |
| Website Fees | £285.00 | -£285.00 | |
| Building Project Costs | £2,694.00 | -£2,694.00 | |
| Professional Fees | £0.00 | £0.00 | |
| Events Organised | |||
| Christmas Markets | £3,820.00 | £1,195.40 | £2,624.60 |
| TOTAL Closing Balance at 31.12.2021 HSBC Year End Balance Lloyds Year End Balance PayPal Year End Balance |
£5,608.22 £8,711.03 £8,200.01 £360.71 |
£5,039.28 | £568.94 £17,271.75 |
| £17,271.75 Grants Made to St John's Church & Projects Funded Organ Repairs £732.50 Spire Annual Survey £2,088.00 Nave Beam Project £606.00 |
|||
| £3,426.50 |