THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF EAST HARPTREE WITH WEST HARPTREE AND HINTON BLEWErr REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1187091 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020 Page Independent Examinerfs Report Receipts and Payments Account Statement of Assets and Liabilities Analysis of Receipts Analysis of Payments Notes to the Accounts Financial Review
Independent Examinerf5 Report To the Trustees of the Parochial Church Councll of the Eccleslastlcal Par15h of East Harptree wlth West Harptree and Hlnton Blewett On the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020 set out on pages 2 to 8 Respecilve responslbllltles of trustees and examlner The charl5 trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charivs trustees consider that an audit is not required for thi5 year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent exarnination needed. It is my responsibility to: Examine the accounts under 5ertion 145 of the Charities Act: Follow the procedures laid down in the general Dirertions given by the Charity Commission {under sectlon 14515llbl of the Charities Act. and stste whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basls of Independent examlnerfs statement My examination was carried out in accordance vAth general Dlrectlons glven by the Charity Comrni5sion. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertsken do not provlde all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the a¢¢ounts present a 'true and fairf view. and the report Is limited to those matters Set out in the ststement below. Independent ex•rnlnrfs statement In connectlon wlth my examinatlon, no matter has come to my attention which glves me reasonable cause to belleve that, in any material respe¢ accounting records were not kept in accordance with Section 130 of the Charities Act, or the accounts do not accord the accounting records. I have come across no other rnatter5 in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understsnding of the accounts to be reached. Si8ned...... Name: H4 Hii6éL Ktfvj Mfyiee2 cf INSn7UTL OF C4rt7tth) Ac(cufvJTAfvJlS rf S(OTL,hJD rt( GA6KE5. 6trtLC LrtNE, (tl£hl H4QNA, 6A0 rfex Qualifitatlon: Address.. Reqlstered Charltyno 1187091
c The ParochiaJ Chur h Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of East Harptree with West Harptree and Hinton Blewett
Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2020
RECEIPTS & PAYMENTS ACCOUNT
| RECEIPT - see page 4 for detailed analysis \Qlunar receipts Planned giving Collection, at services All other giving G;ants Gift Aid recovered Activitiesfor generating funds Receipts from Church Activities lnvestf:e_nt Income TOTAL RECEIPTS PAYMENTS - see page S for detailed analysis Church activities: Diocesan pari�h contribution Cler, organists and administration Church running expenses Outward giving Costs of generating funds TOTAL PAYMENTS Net receipts/ (payments} Unrealised g.ns/(!osses)c-,inv!stmem, NET RESULT FOR THE YEAR Fund balances at 1 Januar Transfers between funds FUND BALANCES AS AT 31 DECEMBER |
Unrestricted Designated funds £ 21,05 1,047 941 6,24S 29,328 1,948 4,846 1,795 37,917 35,163 3,586 4.405 123 43,277 {5,36) 3,221 91,745 (3,684) 91,282 funds f 8,691 ;so 188 9,129 3,102 12,231 1q 767 829 14,596 ( 2 365\ 3,337 972 115,203 3,684 119,859 Restricted fund� £ 14,18 34,108 100 3,208 22.R85 22,885 11,323 11,323 5,879 17,202 |
TOTAL 2020 £ 21,095 1,047 9,632 34,358 6,433 72,565 5,050 4,846 1,795 100 84,356 35,163 3,586 41,057 123 829 80,758 3,598 11,918 lS,'16 212,827 228,343 TOTAL 2019 £ 20,115 3614 11,669 43.243 9,813 88,454 18,326 4,978 2,418 100 114,276 35,26 6,66 71,621 8,169 3,200 124,716 ( 10,4) 22,481 12,041 200,786 212,827 |
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.L\pprovi:>d online hy thi:> PCC
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Reqistered Charity no 1187091
The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of East Harptree with West Harptree and Hinton Blewett
Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2020
RECEIPTS & PAYMENTS ACCOUNT
| RECEIPTS & PAYMENTS ACCOUNT | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Designated | Restricted | TOTAL | TOTAL | |
| funds | funds | funds | 2020 | 2019 | |
| RECEIPTS - see page 4 for detailed analysis | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ |
| Voluntarreceipts | |||||
| Planned giving | 21,095 | 21,095 | 20,115 | ||
| Collections at serices | 1,047 | 1,047 | 3,614 | ||
| All other giving | 941 | 8,691 | 9,632 | 11,669 | |
| Grants | 250 | 34,108 | 34,358 | 43,243 | |
| Gift Aid recovered | 6,245 | 188 | 6,433 | 9,813 | |
| 29,328 | 9,129 | 34,108 | 72,565 | 88,454 | |
| Activities forgeneratingfunds | 1,948 | 3,102 | 5,050 | 18,326 | |
| Receiptsfrom Church Activities | 4,846 | 4,846 | 4,978 | ||
| Investment Income | 1,795 | 1,795 | 2,418 | ||
| OtherReceipts | 100 | 100 | 100 | ||
| TOTAL RECEIPTS | 37,917 | 12,231 | 34,208 | 84,356 | 114,276 |
| PAYMENTS - see page 5 for detailed analysis | |||||
| Church activities: | |||||
| Diocesan parish contribution | 35,163 | 35,163 | 35,260 | ||
| Cler, organists and administration | 3,586 | 3,586 | 6,466 | ||
| Church running expenses | 4,405 | 13,767 | 22,885 | 41,057 | 71,621 |
| Outward giving | 123 | 123 | 8,169 | ||
| Costs of generating funds | 829 | 829 | 3,200 | ||
| TOTAL PAYMENTS | 43,277 | 14,596 | 22,885 | 80,758 | 124,716 |
| Net receipts/ (payments) | (5,360) | (2,365) | 11,323 | 3,598 | ( 10,4) |
| Unrealised gains/(losses) on investments | 8,581 | 3,337 | 11,918 | 22,481 | |
| NET RESULT FOR THE YEAR | 3,221 | 972 | 11,323 | 15,516 | 12,041 |
| Fund balances at 1 Januar | 91,745 | 115,203 | 5,879 | 212,827 | 200,786 |
| Transfers between funds | (3,684 ) | 3,684 | |||
| FUND BALANCES AS AT 31 DECEMBER | 91,282 | 119,859 | 17,202 | 228,343 | 212,827 |
Approved on line by the PCC PCC Chair:
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Registered Charity no 1187091
The Parothlal Church Coundl of the Eccleslastlcal Parlsh of East Harptree wlth West Harptree and Hlnton Blewett Flnandal Ststements for the Year Ended 310ecember 2020 STATEMENT OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES East Harptree West Harptree Hinton Blewett TOTAL 2020 TOTAL 2019 pcc Investment Assets CBF Investment Fund- shares at market value Accumulation ¢Jnits Income units 92,701 13,910 106.611 32.419 139,030 96,767 30,345 127,112 32,419 32,419 92.701 13,910 Cash Funds Cash at bank and in hand CBF Dep051t Fund 14,861 6,156 44.522 50.678 2,961 4.087 4,456 12.270 16.726 28,434 6D.879 89,313 34,434 51,281 85.715 14.861 Current AssetsllLlabllltlesl Loans to PCC from chLbrches TOTAL NEf ASSErs 92.562 69.588 12.048 54.145 228,343 211827 ReseNes- see notes 2 & 3 to the Ananctal Staternents eni balances Restricted Designated Unrestricted 1,221 4,658 50,123 5,879 115,203 91,745 212.827 3,598 11,918 3,709 113,201 83,876 200.786 110,4401 22,481 11,352 53,728 91,745 92,966 15.3011 8,581 13,6841 92,562 54,781 12,747 1,263 797 69,588 11,352 53.728 11,5761 12,2721 2,074 615 54.145 Result forthe year Investment gainslllossesl Net transfers from PCC 2,272 11048 228.343 212.827 Closi Restricted Designated Unrestrlcted 1,150 1,405 90.(X)7 92.562 16,252 53,336 17,402 120,934 90.007 228.343 5,879 115,203 91.745 212,827 12,048 54,145 69.588 12.048 54.145 Movements In Investments Market values l January Investments sold Unrealised 1n5/(lOS5eSI Market value5 31 December 84.120 12,647 30.345 127.112 118.747 114,1161 22,481 127,112 8,581 92.701 1.263 13,910 2.074 32,419 11,918 139,030 Reglstered Chority no 1187091
The Parochlal Church Coundl of the Eccleslasllcal Parlsh of East Harptree wlth West Harptree and Hlnton Blewett Flnano81 Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2020 DETAILED ANALYSIS OF RECEIPTS East Harptree West Harptree Hinton Blewett TOTAL 2020 TOTAL 2019 pcc Volunta Recei s- Unrestricted Planned 8lvlngs- 0$ Envelope scheme Collections at services Other donatlons Grft Ald recovered 21,095 21,095 20,085 30 3,614 2,C(J5 9,188 34,922 1,047 941 6.245 29,328 1,047 941 6,245 29,328 Volunta Recel s- Restrlcted Other donations Grft Aid recovered Grant5 desl nated 3,705 4,732 254 8.691 625 43,243 53.532 34,108 38,840 250 250 34,358 43.237 3,705 442 Activities for Generatln Magazlne advertisinB Fund raisin8 Funds- Unrestricted 1,668 1,910 1,850 3,760 1,948 Activities for GeneTatin Fund ralsbn8 FLsnds- Restricted Desi nated 1,647 1,209 246 3,102 14,%6 Recel ts from Church Activities- Unrestrlcted Fees MaBazine sales 2,564 2,257 4,821 25 2,589 2,257 4.846 2,956 2,022 4.978 25 Investment income- UnrestTlCted Realised gains on disposal Interest & dividends 41 41 196 196 31 31 1,527 1.527 1,795 1.795 1,534 2,418 Other incorrE- Restricted H311 rental Desi ted Icx) 10) Ic i(xJ Total Recelpts 39.843 40.683 2.123 84356 114.276 Reqirtered Chartty no 1187091
The P•rothl*l Churth Cnd1 of the Ecdesl•silc•l Partsh of East Harptree wlth West Haiptree and Hlnton Blewett Flnandal Statements kn the Year Ended 31 Oecember 2020 rKTAILED ANALYSIS OF PAYMENTS East Harptree West Harptree Hinton Blewett TOTAL 2020 TOTAL 2019 pcc ChLwch ktIvItS- Unrestricted IXocesan parish share 35.163 35,163 35,260 minl lon Adminlstrator Or8anists Rector's expenses 1.566 2.020 2.106 2,020 1,470 3.586 Church Runnin Equipment pu¥chases MalIne printlr Phone, copier, stationery etc Otherchurch runn14 costs nrestrlcted 2,186 3,229 679 1,207 7.301 3.192 320 893 4.405 3,192 320 893 4,405 Chur h Runnln Ex nses- Restricted Heat, li8ht. water, insurance Equipment purchases Maintenance herchurch runni costs E Harptree- Newton prolect Professlonal fees ated 2,237 1,581 124 978 549 4.942 495 5,38S 1,890 22.514 1,426 36.652 5.035 11,704 8.314 174 223 2.986 142 20 371 INOI 828 22.514 1,396 1,867 39,(Y33 64.320 27,128 3.262 4.395 Outward fvin - un$tr Charitable donatlons 123 123 Outward 1n Restrlcted Charitable donatlons ted 7,801 Costs of Generatl Funds. Fund ralslng expereS nrestrlcted 1,194 of Generati Fun Fund ralslng eKper6es 21 829 2,CQ6 Totsl Paym•nts 45.144 27,9 4,395 80,758 124,716 RK•4Jts lyom pa8• 4 39.843 40.683 2,123 114276 P4•t ReIt forth•year 5,301) 12,747 1,5761 12,2ll) 3,598 110.4401 Replstered Charlty no 1187091
The Pxothlal Chuith Coundl of the Ecdeslastlcal Parfsh of East H•fptree vAth West Harptree & Hlntrm 8lewett Notes to the Flnandal Staiements for the r ended 31 December 2020 1. Basls of preparatlon The financial statements of th2 PCC hav• bè•n pr•p•r•d In attordanc• wlth th• Church Accountlni R•8ulatlons 2006 usln¢ the R•c•lpts and Paymnts b•sls. Thls m•thod of pr•partn8 th• •ccounts nn$ that incom• and •xpen5es hll Into the •¢Untsf0rth• y•ar when the cash movements tsk• plac•. This can lead tg unexpected flurtuJtlons If recelpts or paym•nts re delayed around the tlme of the year •nd, which may require additional xanationS to ensure an und¢rstandlng of the figures. 2. Fund ictountlng. vnrestylctod I deated funds Unr•stricted funds ar• funds which may be spent on •ny of the PCC'$ 8•neral purposes. These rnèy howe¥•r be d•sigrwted by th• PCC for p•rticul•r purposes. In these finarKièl staterrnts. unrè5tricttd funds ld by the three indlvidual ¢hur¢hes have en desiBnated by th• PCC8s speelfic to •ath church only. to be held ar us•d ffort mèintenantt and upkeep of that church. Oth•r unr•str5¢ted fvnds Ire split into two.. a desl8nat•d Muslc Fund. consistln4 of Gift Aid amountin8 to £1.575 r•covered on th• donatSon for 3 pi•nos bought In 2019, and Kener)l unrestrlct•d T•serv¢s to ensure th•t funds ar• avail•ble to m•na¢• shortlalls and cash flow issu•$ durin4 the year. 3. Fund •ccountlni- rejtrkted lund¥ Restri¢ted funds mPrISe dOtionS for • swclflc purpos• intend•d by the donor. Th•r¢ ar• 5pecifi¢ restricted fvnds manayd by East Harptr•• afid by th• PCC as fr>ll¢iws: The Graham Veitch 811 Fun at East Har This fund was s•t up In 2016 with donations In memory of th• lèt• Grnham V•ltch. lorthe purp¢)s• of mainta1n1 thè church bèlls and b•ll equipment at East H•rptr••. Th• balan¢• of £1.279 r•m•Sns unchan8d thls year. tree The Newton Pro"ect Fund at East Ha tr¢e During 2019 the first irant fundinK was obtalned from Natlonal H•ritai• Lott•ry Fund to cov•r consultarrty arml s•t up costs fryf thls project which will involv• major works to East Harptre• church, in¢ludin8 •ntI•l structural rèpalr work and works to conserve and restore slenificant herftage Iterns, and works to improve th• Inclusiv• att•ss to the thurth and thè proj•ct will also Involve a number of Acttvitie5 including with East Harptrèe Church of England Primary School, the Harptrees History k<iety and the East Harptreè Environment Gro¢Jp. A balance of £ 3,379 r•main•d at th• start of 2020. Durin8 2020 furth•r fundini was r•c•iv•d totallin8 £ 34,108. The balanc• unspent •t the end of the y••rw•5 £ 14.973. Th• Choir Fund held b the PCC This was introduced durir 2018 forthe ¢1b)i& •xp•rbs•s, and start•d 2020 wlth a balanc• of £1,221. Durlng the year £ 371 was swnt ofi anth•m books ofls•t by don•tl¢)ns of £3(M) leav1 a balarth at •nd of th• y•ar tot•lliry £ 1.150. Blfvid 1,221 1.279 3.379 Recelpts Paymènts 13711 Clfwd 1,150 1.279 14,973 CFKlr Fund Graham Vertch Bell Fund Newton Project Fund 34,108 122,5141 £ 5.879 £ 34,408 1 £ 22,88S £ 17,402 Reglstered Chority no 1187091
The Parothlal Church Cwndl of the Ecdeslastlcal Parlsh of East Harptree wlth West Haiptree & Hlnton Blewett Notes to the Flnandal Statements kn the year ended 31 December 2020 Iconilnued) 4. Outward 8lvln¢ 2020 2019 T•arFund 630 Crisis Centrn Mlnlstrl•s Internatlon41 N¢wl Fellowshlp Royal Brltlsh L•8lon 230 E•st Harptr•• f•t• proc•eds to the famlly of May Sewart Mes•r•t• Krlstos Church 750 The donation to Meser•te Kristos Church was unablè to bt processèd In 2019, du• to tho collaps• of th• bankln8 syst•m in Ethiopia. Th• PCC w•$ ubI• to rnak¢ the intended donation. which had betn outstandlne at th• •nd of 2018. 5. Reserv Th• thr•• church bulldln¢s •r• maM8•d and malntained by the respe¢tive Friends and Villa8• Church Comrnitt••s. All thr•• church•s h•v• r•s•tv•s, which it is believed a sufficient to cover all foreseeable em•ry•nci•3. Such r•s•N•s may not b• s¢Jfficient to ¢*r major capital works. when additional fuThJ rdising may be necessary. Th• PCC Is r•sponslbl• for maintalnlr4 • Christian Ministry in the Parish. R•sery•s h•ld by th• PCC •r• ¢onsld•r•d to b• adequat• for for•s•••ble •v•ntu•lltl•s. Reglstered Chorlty no 1187091
The Parothl•l Chwth C(wndl of the Ecdeslaslkal Parlsh of East Harptree wlth West Harptree and Hlnton Blewett Anandal Revlew lor Ihe year ended 31 December 2020 Results For the overall Unlted Be1[¢•, r•c•lpts Xt¢•d paymtnts, wr(h an v4•rall surplus of £3.598 (for 2019 th•r• was a d•fficlt of £10,440), and unr••li5•d iains on investrn•nts arnounting to £8,581 as at the yr •nd fUrtr Improved th• sltu•tion to a Mt 5urplu5 for y•ar of £15,516. How•v•r, •xeludlw inv•stm•nt ialns, th• PCC alon• showed a net deficit of £5,30112019_ £6.CWI, East Hlrptree showed • net surplus of £12,747, but lar8•ly du• to r•c•lvln8 a further grant from the National H•rit•y Lott•ry F In r•sp•ct of Pmj•ct Nowton, W•st Harptr••'s defScit was £1,576 and Hinton BIeweS was £2,272. Recelpts Combined receipts amount•d to £84,35612019 - £114,276). Both 2019 and 2020 were distorted by silnificant Brants receNed from the National Herit•qe Lottery Fund la better comparison 15 20181£58,2281 whlch prtdated PTOlect Newton). Receipts in 2020 irKluded a ¥T•nt of £34,108 r•¢•lv•d for Project Nèwton. Plannod glving show•d a slight Incr•as•, bLrt unsurprisingly in the118ht of COVID pandemic church collection5 and other donations were down conslderably. In 2019 fi8ure forGift Aid recovered refl?rted an addltlon•l claim durin8 th• year rèlatin8 to extra on• off donatlon$ r•telv•d. 50 thi5 fi8ur• Is unsurprisingly lower in 2020. Du• to th• COVID pandemi¢ Fund raising was down eonslderablv. Pawnents Combin•d paym•nts amount•d to £80.75812019 - £124.7161, wlth £22,514K of thls r•l•tSni to Prol•ct Newton f•es paSd. Equipment purchases wr• down si8nificaniW as 2019 was an exceptional year wlth the acquisltlon of 3 new p5anos. The COVID pandernic, J vaunry 5tartinK in ptèmber 2020 also affècted Costs. Reserves, and looklni lorwlrd to 2021 Desplt• th• mod•st surplus, Imi•stm•nt ylns l•d to an Increase In overall reseryes to £228,343 fmm £212,827 In 2019. Cash deposits make up over £89K of thi5 fiiure, so around 39% of nèt ass•ts will be unaff•ct•d by volatllity In st¢xk markets. It is als worth notin8 that th• r•serv•s of th• PCC itself ¥¢ been supported by tht loans of £1Sk from thè 1nd1v1dl ehurthts whlch has meant that th• PCC his not had to sell any of the investments held by it. No d•¢lslon has bon tak•ny•t to r•wyth95e lo•ns and that wlll depend on how r•qular8Svin8 holds up and on the overdll cash flow w51tlon of th• PCC. As I write this revlew, our Ilves contlnu to be turnèd upsldè d¢)wn by COVID 19 vlrus, •nd It is difficult to make any sort of firm predictlons about th• Impact of this worldwide crisis. All I can say forcertainty is that th•r• will b• a hu¢• flnarKial impact, not only on our own ehurch Incom•, but probably on the Church of England overall. Many challenps li• in stor• for us all, partleularly as w• •r• a8aln In a vacancyi and w• w511 need to work toRether in our communStS•s to 5UPPOrt and pray for on• anoth•r ar¥J forthos• In posltlons of •uthorlty. As your treasurer, once more l expre55 my ¥ratltud• on behalf of the PCC to all thos• who contlnu• to support th• church wlth r•gular standin8 Orders. Thank you to you all. Guy Stob•rt March 2021 Reylstered Chorlty no 2187091
THE UNITED PARISH OF EAST HARPTREE WITH WEST HARPTREE AND - HINTON BLEWETT ANNUAL REPORT OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL FOR 2020
Aims and Purpose
The PCC and the Vicar have the responsibility of promoting the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical, in the United Ecclesiastical Parish of East Harptree, with West Harptree and Hinton Blewett and the promotion of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to the doctrines and practices of the Church of England.
The PCC is a charity and was registered with the Charity Commission in 2019. The main activities undertaken by the PCC are those reflected in this report which the PCC consider furthered the PCC's aims for the public benefit. The PCC has had regard to the Charity Commission public benefit guidance, where relevant.
Structure, Governance and Management
The PCC operates under the Parochial Church Council Powers Measure and the Church Representation Rules. It is a corporate body established by the Church of England. The PCC membership consists of the Vicar, the Churchwardens of the three churches and other members (who are on the Parish Electoral Roll) elected by the PCC and proposed by the Friends of East Harptree, and the VCCs of West Harptree and Hinton Blewett. There are 53 people on the Parish Electoral Roll at the date of this report (last year it was also 53).
Specific responsibilities of members of the PCC during 2020 are set out in the section below entitled “ Administrative Information”. That section also sets out the responsibilities of others, not on the PCC, for particular areas. There is only one other (apart from the VCCs and Friends referred to above and below) subcommittee of the PCC - the Worship Committee. All business of the PCC is conducted at its meetings referred to below. There is no separate standing committee.
The PCC is committed to enabling as many people as possible to worship at our churches and to become part of our Parish community. The PCC maintains an overview of worship throughout the Parish and considers how our services can involve the different groups that live within our Parish. Our services and worship put faith into practice through prayer and scripture, music and sacrament. We try to enable ordinary people to live out their faith as part of our Parish community through Worship and prayer; learning about the gospel; and developing their knowledge and trust in Jesus and by the provision of pastoral care for people living in the parish.
To facilitate this work it is also important that the PCC maintain the fabric of the three churches in our Parish. The PCC has the legal responsibility for the maintenance and upkeep of the three churches in the Parish although for all practical purposes the activities involved have been delegated to the Friends of St Laurence and to the VCCs of West Harptree and Hinton Blewett. They report to the PCC, who deal with Faculty and Grant applications and all formal matters, and the PCC generally oversee and ensure that the PCC ’ s obligations are satisfactorily discharged by the Friends and VCCs.
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The PCC meets 5 times a year with an extraordinary meeting after the APCM to elect officers. There is an agreed and set list of issues which are dealt with at particular PCCs throughout the year to ensure that the key issues for the PCC are not overlooked and this is managed by the PCC secretary. In addition there are reports at each PCC meeting from the Friends and VCCs.
Administrative Information
The correspondence address for the Parish is West Harptree Memorial Hall, Compton Martin Road, West Harptree, Bristol BS40 6EG.
Membership of the PCC in 2020
| Chairman | Mary Cookson |
|---|---|
| Vicar | None – We are in a vacancy since |
| October 2020 when Rev Karen Spray | |
| retired | |
| Secretary | Elaine Avery (Elected representative |
| from West Harptree) | |
| Deanery Synod Representatives | None |
| Electoral Roll Officer | Judith Hutchins (Churchwarden |
| Hinton Blewett), | |
| Finance officer | Guy Stobart (Churchwarden East |
| Harptree) | |
| Worship Advisory Group | Mary Cookson (Churchwarden East |
| Harptree), Hazel Rider (Elected | |
| Representative from East Harptree), | |
| Cassie Thomas (co-opted member). | |
| Other Members | Graham Sage (Point of contact at |
| Hinton Blewett), Margaret Brain | |
| (Elected Representative from West | |
| Harptree). |
Others Supporting the PCC Treasurer Claire Pearson until October 2020 then Guy Stobart Safeguarding Officer Gill Stobart Parish News Editor Gill Stobart
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Parish Administrator Joanna Brown House Group Richard Martin Open the Book Murray Bennett
Overview from Mary Cookson and Guy Stobart
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand”. Isaiah 41:10
This verse has been so appropriate during 2020 which has been particularly tumultuous.
We could not have imagined at the beginning of the year that our churches would be closed for much of the year and none of us had at that point heard of a Coronavirus.
Added to which Rev Karen Spray retired in October, which was not entirely unexpected but sad and meant we have started yet another vacancy. There have been so many vacancies since we last had a full time incumbent in 1998. We do however want to formally express our thanks for Karen Spray’s ministry with us since 2017.
Like the Curate’s egg there were some wonderful aspects to 2020 but also issues of concern and sadness.
Highlights of 2020 include the launching and continuation of wonderful recorded broadcasts of Sunday and other services. These attracted much larger attendance than our pre COVID services including an overseas audience. Many thanks to Adrian Moore and Tricia Rees Jones for making this happen and for Trevor Stubbs who “took” the majority of these online services.
We are also very grateful to Tony Wilds who with Trevor Stubbs has shouldered the burden of most of our “live” services during our vacancy. It has been both a pleasure and blessing to have them minister to us. We have also been very grateful to our former Priest Catherine Llewellyn Evans who has stepped in on several occasions to take services. 2020 also saw Chris Billinghurst and Graham and others from the East Harptree Environment Group start to reimagine the churchyard at St Laurence and we are grateful for the work they have all put into this.
Project Newton will be reported on elsewhere but was particularly busy during 2020.
We are very grateful for the continued involvement of Elaine Avery and Maggie Brain at West Harptree who are keeping St Mary ’ s Church alive there, and to Graham Sage and Judith Hutchins who are doing the same in Hinton Blewitt. We are conscious however of the dwindling numbers actively involved in the church in the Parish which is why shaping the future of our Parish referred to below is so important.
In the summer of 2020 when we knew of Karen Spray ’ s impending departure we started discussions with Archdeacon Adrian about the future of the Parish. We are aware of the strains on the resources of the Diocese both monetary and people and the shortage of
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Priests and the concept of working collaboratively is not new to us. Indeed we had previously been supportive of the possible concept of a Mendip Group of Churches. We had some tentative discussions with the neighbouring Parish of Litton, Chewton Mendip and Ston Easton but they have decided they will take their chances with remaining if they can with St Thomas in Wells. Potentially more fruitful have been some early discussions with another neighbouring parish of Blagdon, Compton Martin and Ubley. It is too early to say how this might develop and it will be essential that we engage with our own congregation before things develop but we do believe it could be a viable way of giving us the stability we have sought for so many years and enable us to start rebuilding the church in our Parish and to grow a strong Christian presence in all the villages concerned, adopting the Focal Ministry model favoured by the Diocese.
Activities
Worship Advisory Group
Mary Cookson has during 2020 shouldered the burden of organizing services and arranging for Trevor, Tony and Catherine to take services both real and online working with Jo Brown our Parish Administrator, Adrian Moore and Tricia Rees Jones.
Where possible and from March 2021 live services have been available at St Laurence on Sunday mornings, led by Reverend Tony Wilds and occasionally members of the congregation.
More recently services have recommenced at St Margaret’s West Harptree and we are now looking forward to some services in Hinton Blewett.
Online worship is continuing as we recognize the value of this initiative and how it has reached a wider audience.
During Lent we were able to join a Zoom course arranged by Reverend Simon Lewis from the neighbouring Benefice of Blagdon, Ubley and Compton Martin , which has been very helpful. Further opportunities for shared worship may also be possible.
House Group Report
Although we managed to meet out of doors during the end of Summer 2020 and later in St Laurence Church, there were no meetings during the winter lockdown. One of our members has been circulating their thoughts on Luke’s Gospel which we have found helpful and it has kept us in touch.
Richard Martin
Open the Book
Open the Book sessions have been paused since the start of the Covid pandemic but it is hoped to start again in September with the agreement of the new Head Teacher.
Murray Bennett
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Adventurers
Like most other activities Adventurers was affected by COVID restrictions. The Autumn term had to stop in mid-October and did not restart until May2021.
We had a dozen or so enthusiastic members and hope the new term will bring more.
Hazel Rider
St Laurence, East Harptree
Lockdowns and COVID notwithstanding the most significant activity in 2020 in relation to St Laurence has been Project Newton. The highlights of the year have been obtaining our faculties and planning permission for the project and the commencement of our fund raising campaign for the £750k cost. The other activities during the year are detailed at the project website at https://eharptreechurch.co.uk. The project is another manifestation of the growth of our links with EH School. But it also pleasing that the project is helping us strengthen our links with the Harptrees History Society and the East Harptree Environment Group.
St Laurence remained open for private prayer throughout lockdown.
A successful Exhibition representing Christmas Carols was hosted at the Pavilion just before Christmas.
The annual risk assessment and associated checking of all safety certifications took place in March.
There have been 2 funerals in 2020: Mike and Carolyn Walker.
A footnote – we continue to operate The School House Trust, whose trustees are all the churchwardens and the incumbent and which continues to support EH School financially.
Guy Stobart and Mary Cookson
St Mary ’ s West Harptree
Church life has been seriously disrupted by the Covid pandemic. There have been a limited number of services held at St Mary's. Before her departure Rev. Karen Spray celebrated Holy Communion on her own and the service was recorded for the parish. There were several Thursday Holy Communion and Morning Prayer services during the latter part of the year which were attended by a small number. On Christmas Eve there was a well attended, within the allowed regulations, Holy Communion Service. There has been one wedding and two funerals.
The church has been open for private prayer by appointment and for the recording of hymns and readings for the online services. As we couldn’t hold the much-loved Crib & Candle Service on Christmas Eve this year the church was open on 21 December, following Covid 19 safety guidelines, to allow visitors to spend a few minutes of quiet in the run-up to Christmas and to see the cribs and Christmas decorations.
The boiler has been serviced and 5 yearly electrical testing carried out, along with PAT testing. The Quinqennial Inspection took place in November and the report is expected
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shortly. Repairs to the guttering are in hand.
Our usual pattern of fundraising has not been possible. However some monies have been raised through the continued sale of plants, donations and a Christmas Hamper Raffle.
During the year Sara and John Hall moved to Devon. The VCC would like to thank them for the major contribution they made to St Mary's over the years. Sara was not replaced as churchwarden and so the day to day running of the church is shared between members of the VCC.
We would like to thank all who have supported us this year.
Maggie Brain & Elaine Avery on behalf of St Mary’s VCC.
St Margaret’s Hinton Blewett
Church Building and Churchyard matters: The remainder of the maintenance tasks highlighted by our church architect, Alan Thomas, in his quinquennial inspection have now been completed. The corroded ironwork has been painted and the minor repairs to the roof have also been carried out. At the same time the roof had a fresh application of Smartwater.
Funerals and baptism: There were two outdoor funerals and one wedding in the church, all in accordance with Covid guidelines.
Health and Safety: Following the inspection by Firemark in March 2020, which alerted us to our non-compliance as a result of not having two fire extinguishers on the mezzanine (this had never been mentioned before) two new extinguishers have been purchased, so we are now compliant.
Fundraising: No fundraising took place during the pandemic. Worship: An outdoor Harvest Festival service in September 2020 led by Rev Karen Spray was very well attended. It was the last service to be held at St Margaret ’ s owing to the Covid 19 restrictions. Graham and Caroline Sage recorded a Crib and Candle Christmas service which was available to view on YouTube and much appreciated by the village.
St Margaret ’ s is currently without a churchwarden. Graham Sage is the named contact.
Judith Hutchins Former Churchwarden
Music
To say that 2020 was challenging for music in the parish is an understatement. In January 2020 regular visitors Davd Heyes and Sarah Poole gave a concert of ‘Bach and Beyond’ and our lunchtime concert series included the talented Alex Heather (double bass) and Bruce Fang (piano) giving our new piano at St Mary’s a serious workout in February. Young violinists took to the stage in March at St Margaret’s but there our programme of concerts came to a sudden end. The annual Harptree Festival was cancelled and there have been no live music performances from 14 March 2020 to the time of writing in August 2021.
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At the start of the year the choir continued to support weekly worship with hymns and anthems both for Sunday morning services and at Choral Evensong in February and March but on 15 March 2020 we sang live at our last service. The final hymn, chosen long before the prospect of lockdown, was ‘God be with us till we meet again’; a more appropriate choice it is difficult to imagine. We then plunged into the unfamiliar world of Zoom choir rehearsals and remote recording and I should like to record my enormous gratitude to the members of the Parish Choir for their willingness to embrace new technology to ensure that we have not only continued to sing during 2020 but have come out on the other side intact and singing as well, if not better, than ever. We produced anthems for Easter Sunday, Pentecost, Harvest, All Saints, Advent Sunday, a farewell to Sara and John Hall plus préces and responses for evensong and the Lamb of God from the Chew Valley Service. The biggest challenge saw the production of an online Six Lessons and Carols for Christmas which involved the choir, members of the congregation and friends of the parish plus a fantastic carol from the children of East Harptree Primary School among others.
We all look forward to the day when we can sing again as a choir in a service but if nothing else, 2020 has shown all of us the importance of music and the sense of community which a choir creates.
Psalm 150
Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.
Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.
Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.
Tricia Rees-Jones
Safeguarding
There is now a safeguarding report to the PCC each year and the parish safeguarding policy is reviewed once a year in July. Safeguarding materials (the parish policy, contact details etc) are displayed on our all our church noticeboards, on the relevant village website and on the website of “ A Church Near You”.
DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks are up to date.
Most of those in the Parish who are asked to do some safeguarding basic awareness training have done so. I was on the cusp of arranging some more in-depth training for those who work with our children and young people when the pandemic struck. The National Church has now issued a revised Learning and Development Framework, to be implemented from January 2022. The PCC has agreed that further training will be stayed until then, when we
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will have more information as to how the new framework is going to be implemented and what the Diocesan training offer looks like.
Gill Stobart
Parish News
I took over as editor early in 2020 just as the pandemic hit – filling the job which Barry and Hazel had done for well over over 30 years (a BIG thank you to them). Although one of the mainstays of the magazine had disappeared (the advertising of community and other events) Parish News has continued in a very similar format and remains one of the Church’s main means of outreach with the wider community, especially so during the last year or so when public worship and other more public ramifications of church life were put on hold. Thanks go to our many community contributors who keep some excellent articles coming. I have also signed up for “Parish Pump” an online resource for parish mag editors. I took the opportunity of the time which lockdowns have afforded to get together and record details of all the households to whom we deliver Parish News, together with details of payments. The magazine is now only being delivered to those who wish to pay for it (nearly 20% of mags were not being paid for). This has led to a reduction in the print run, and a reduction in our costs. We still have advertising revenue, which is good, considering the economic situation in which many businesses find themselves. I do now need to bend my mind as to how we can increase our circulation. Any ideas welcome!
Thanks go to all those who distribute the magazine in our three villages, to Jenny Cruse and others in the Parish who do a brilliant job in welcoming new residents into our community, ensuring that everyone gets their first magazine delivery and to Jo Brown who does a splendid job in proofreading the magazine each month – usually with a very short turnaround!
Gill Stobart
Health and Safety
Despite the Covid pandemic and changes in personnel in two of our churches it is pleasing to report that all inspections, safety checks and Health & Safety Risk Assessment reviews have been carried out or there is a planned date for this to happen in each of the three churches. Covid Risk Assessments were carried out for St Mary's and St Laurence as live services have taken place. Still outstanding is the Health & Safety Review for the Parish Office.
Maggie Brain
Financial Review
This is covered in the separate financial statements
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