Trustees Annual Report to 31[st] December 2022 Registered Charity Number 1184596
Trustees
Founding Trustee Dr. John Jackson died on 28[th] February 2022. His name was removed from the register on the Charity Commission.
Remaining trustees agreed to stay in their positions for a further three years from 6[th] April 2022.
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Joanne Slade (Chair)
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Sheila Vincent (Secretary)
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Shan Moule (District Church Council member)
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Hilda Roxborough (District Church Council Secretary)
Quinquennial Inspection Report (QIR)
Inspecting Architect Richard Lamb carried out the QIR on 18[th] & 20[th] May 2022. The report highlighted issues with the fabric of the building. On receipt of the QIR, the Diocesan Church Building Officer at Worcester passed the report to the Church Architect at Historic England. Following an inspection, the church was placed on the “Building’s At Risk” Register.
The Spire
An inspection in February 2022 by Dawson Steeplejacks found that the cracks on the top of the spire, again needed to be filled with new resin. The steel straps did not need replacing. The work was carried out in April.
In November and December 2022 Dawson Steeplejacks inspected the spire on the inside. No evidence of cracking on the inside was seen, suggesting that the cracking is only in the solid section of the spire where the internal metal stabilising rod is believed to be rusting. Restrictions were placed on bell ringing.
Spire Appeal Project and Funding
In June 2022 a proposal was accepted by the DCC to concentrate efforts on the restoration need of the spire. An application to the National Lottery Heritage Fund for £250,000 towards the anticipated cost of £300,000 was to be made. Additional funding would be required from local and national sources. The focus for 2023 will be The Spire Appeal at St John’s.
Repair Projects
Both projects to repair the nave roof beam and northeast end pinnacle on the aisle roof were completed during 2022. The Friends were responsible for the project investigations, overseeing the repair work, fundraising and managing the costs of both projects. The final cost of the project was £20,680.92. With grants received, Friends funded £18,997.84 and St John’s DCC made a contribution of £1,683.08. Considerable publicity was gained from the work, which increased the engagement with the public.
Income Received
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Friends Subscriptions, Donations, books sold £ 1,397.75 Grants from Charitable Trusts £ 23,415.76 Bromsgrove Rotary BDC Community Fund Bromsgrove Court Leet Recovery Through Creativity Grant Listed Places of Worship VAT grant
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Gift Aid Received £ 237.95 Income for events (after expenses) £ 2,546.89
Events
During 2022 Friends were involved in an operatic event held at Avoncroft Museum, a Showcase Day in the church in June, Heritage Open Day in September, the Creative Arts Showcase in October and organised the Bromsgrove Christmas Markets on 18[th] & 19[th] November. Friends supported the Service of Remembrance for Her Majesty the Queen, the Coronation of His Majesty the King, a churchyard clean up day, a Celebration Concert hosted by the Town Crier, Cake and Coffee concerts, laid a wreath at the November Service of Remembrance and supported Christmas services.
Social Media, Press & Publicity
www.facebook.com/FriendsStJohnsBromsgrove page has over 980 followers. X (formerly Twitter) @FriendsStJohns has over 700 followers. Instagram @CelebrateBromsgrove (Shared with Bromsgrove Society) has 800 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 2022
Registered Charity 1184596
The Friends of the Church of St John the Baptist, Bromsgrove
Summary of Account 1st January 2022 to 31st December 2022
| Balance Carried Forward from 31.12.2021 | £17,271.75 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Item | Income | Expenditure | Totals |
| General Donations | |||
| Friends Subscriptions | £695.00 | £695.00 | |
| One off donations | £605.75 | £605.75 | |
| Book Sales | £97.00 | £97.00 | |
| Grant Aid Received from Trusts | £23,415.76 | £23,415.76 | |
| Contribution to costs from DCC Funds | £1,683.08 | £1,683.08 | |
| Gift Aid | £237.95 | £237.95 | |
| General Expenditure | |||
| Nave & Pinnacle Project | £20,680.92 | -£20,680.92 | |
| Spire Project | £5,080.56 | -£5,080.56 | |
| Spire Lights | £768.00 | -£768.00 | |
| HSBC Bank Fees | £60.00 | -£60.00 | |
| Leaflet design and print | £140.00 | -£140.00 | |
| Sundry Expenses | £98.00 | -£98.00 | |
| Events Organised | |||
| Cosi Fan Tuti April | £505.00 | £505.00 | |
| Showcase Day June | £466.25 | £160.00 | £306.25 |
| Kevin's Celebration Concert July | £500.00 | £500.00 | |
| Heritage Open Day September | £78.05 | £78.05 | |
| Creative Arts Stall October | £52.59 | £52.59 | |
| Christmas Markets November | £2,600.00 | £1,495.00 | £1,105.00 |
| TOTAL Closing Balance at 31.12.2022 HSBC Year End Balance Lloyds Year End Balance PayPal Year End Balance |
£30,936.43 £1,310.43 £17,977.06 £438.21 |
£28,482.48 | £2,453.95 £19,725.70 |
| Project Costs Nave & Pinnacle Project Spire Project Spire Lights |
£19,725.70 Total Project Spend £20,680.92 £5,080.56 £768.00 |
Contribution from DCC Church Funds £1,683.08 £0.00 £0.00 |
Grants made to St John's Church DCC by the Friends of St John's £18,997.84 £5,080.56 £768.00 |
| Grants and Funding Received Bromsgrove Rotary Club / Len Giles BDC Community Fund Coffee & Cake Concerts Court Leet Donation Recovery Through Creativity Grant Listed Places of Worship VAT grant |
£26,529.48 £7,000.00 £4,950.00 £623.74 £1,000.00 £6,000.00 £3,842.02 |
£1,683.08 | £24,846.40 |
| £23,415.76 |
Notes
Friends will close the HSBC bank as soon as all standing order supporters move to Lloyds Friends income exceeds £25,000 - an independent examiners report is required.
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trusteesl members of The Friends of the Church of St John the Baptist, Bromsgrove On accounts for the year ended 3111212022 Charity no {if any 1184596 Set out on pages Item&mber io Indde thè oaGe number5 of additional shee1Ql I report lo the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity {"the Trust") for the year ended 31 st Dember 2022. Responsibilities and As the charity trustees of the Trust. you are responsible for the preparation basis of report of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 20111.the Act"). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounls carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145{5}Ib) of the Act. I have completed my examination. I confim that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with Ihe examination which gives me cause to believe that in. any material respect.. accounting records wer8 not k8Pt in accordance with section 130 of the Act or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records Independent examiner's statement I have no concems and have come across no other matters in connection with thé examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Signed: Date: as Namo: k4L frcpd f c44£ Ec.A. Relevant professional qualification{s) or body Ilf any): Address.. ORMEROO RUTTER LIMITED CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS 'THE OAKLEV KIDDERMINSTER ROAD DROITWICH WORCS WR9 9AY TEL1019051777600 FAX1019051778564 EMAIL ma11@orer0drutter.cO.uk WEBSITE www.ormerodriJttei.co.uk IER October 2018