OpenCharities

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

2024-12-31-accounts

The Parish of the Solway Plain Annual Meeting

Sunday 18[th] May 2025 at 11am St Mungo’s Church, Bromfield

Agenda

Minutes of the last meetings

Annual Reports

Accounts

Vestry Meeting and Annual Parochial Church Meeting

St Mungo’s Church, Bromfield - Sunday 18[th] May 2025 at 11.00am

Agenda

Welcome by the Chairman

The Meeting for the Election of Churchwardens

  1. The Election of Churchwardens

2. The Admission of Churchwardens – Tuesday 1[st] July 2025 at 7pm in All Soul’s Church, Netherton

The Annual Parochial Church Meeting

Page
1. Minutes of last year’s Annual Meetings 3-5
2. Matters arising from the minutes
3. Reports
a. Annual Report 6-8
b. Chairman’s Report 9
c. The Accounts for the year ending 31st December 2024
insert
d. Electoral Roll 9
e. Report on the Parochial Church Council 10
f. Reports from the church committees of the Solway Plain Parish 10
g. Reports from Churches Together 14
h. Solway Plain Mission Community 15
i. Report on the Activities of Solway Deanery Synod 15
4. The Election of the Parochial Church Council
5. Review of Safeguarding policy 16
6. Any other business / Matters of general interest may be raised and
recommendations made for consideration by the PCC

Meeting of the Parochial Church Council

There will be a short meeting of the PCC following the Annual Meetings The next full meeting will take place on 9[th] July at 7.00pm

2

The Parish of the Solway Plain.

Minutes of the Annual Meetings 2024 in the Parish of the Solway Plain held on 19[th] May 2024 in Holme St Cuthbert Church.

The meeting took place after a united service held at 10am.

Welcome: - The Rector - Canon Rev Bryan Rothwell took the chair

The Rector thanked all that have contributed in any way towards the running and upkeep of the churches in the Parish. Many are behind the scenes and our churches would not survive without them.

He also thanked members of the clergy team – Tim (who is away at present) Geoffrey and Malcolm, and our newest member Cornelia (our curate) who has settled in well and loved by all.

Bryan concluded by saying we still manage to have services in the churches every week, due to the Parish having a wonderful Ministry team – both Lay and Ordained working alongside the Church wardens/deputy wardens and he gives his heartfelt thanks to all

Present & Apologies : 32 parishioners were present Apologies from 6 parishioners

The Vestry meeting for the Election of Church Wardens

1. Election of Church Wardens

The Rector thanked ALL those involved in the “running” of our churches, in whatever way they could. ALL have an integral part to play in the life of our churches. THANKS to each and every one of you!

Election of Deputy Wardens (from our daughter churches)
St Mungo, Bromfield Mary Douglas Sue Roberts
Election of Church Wardens
Holme Cultram Abbey Margaret Graham, Brenda Sim
Ass. Elaine Atkinson
Holme St Cuthbert, Mawbray Brian Bailey, Lynda Bailey
St Bridget’s, Kirkbride Josephine Jefferson Stephen Sowerby
St John’s, Newton Arlosh Sherry King
Willy Bell stepping down after 40+ years
Christchurch, Silloth Margaret Graham, Jean Oliver
St Matthew’s, Westnewton Christine Young, Mary Hodgson

Nominations were carried by all present

3

2. Admission of Church Wardens

Will take place on Wednesday 3[rd] July at 7:00pm in All Soul’s Church, Netherton

The meeting closed at 11:28 am

Minutes from the Annual Parochial Church Meeting Sunday 19[th] May 2024 in Holme St Cuthbert’s, Mawbray

Charity N[0 ] 1187312

1. Minutes of last year’s Annual Meeting Signed as a true copy by Bryan (Rector)

2. Matters arising from the minutes

No matters arising

3. Reports in the booklet – booklets where in ALL the churches a week before the

meeting

4

  1. The Election of the Parochial Church Council

Nominations from each church were received before the APM they are:- Bromfield Susan Shardlow Holme Cultram Margaret Graham, Judith Bryan, Elaine Atkinson Holme St Cuthbert Brian Baily, Barbara Stephens Kirkbride Josephine Jefferson, Sindy Harrap, Ann Little Newton Arlosh Ruth Pinguey, Ian King Silloth Margaret Graham, Marjorie Harrison Westnewton Christine Young, Mary Hodgson

All nominations were carried by all members present

Date of next Full PCC meeting 17[th] July in Holme Cultram at 7:00pm

5. The Election of Deanery Synod Representatives

As we now have 7 churches within our and 6 Synod representatives, based on the Electoral Roll of the whole parish.

Electoral Roll of the whole parish.
Membership at present Tim Barker Silloth
Jane Launchbury Westnewton
Francess McIntyre Abbeytown
Anita Norman Abbeytown
Peter Wardle Westnewton
Brian Bailey Holme St Cuthbert

6. Review of the Safeguarding Policy

Report on file from Francess McIntyre; Parish Safeguarding Officer

7. AOB None

From the floor – Thanks to Bryan for all his help and support to all the churches throughout the past year

The meeting closed with the Grace (meeting closed at 11:47am)

5

The Parish of the Solway Plain in the Diocese of Carlisle

Registered Charity No. 1187312

Annual Report for the year ended 31[st] December 2024

Administrative Information

Addresses

Christ Church, Criffel Street, Silloth CA7 4BZ St Mary, Holme Cultram, Abbeytown CA7 4SY Holme St Cuthbert, Mawbray CA15 6QZ St Matthew’s, Westnewton CA7 3NT St Mungo’s, Bromfield CA7 3NB St John’s, Newton Arlosh CA7 5ET St Bride’s, Kirkbride CA7 5HY

Correspondence Address

The Vicarage, Wigton Road, Silloth CA7 4NJ

PCC Membership

PCC members are Trustees of the Registered Charity.

Revd Canon Bryan Rothwell (Rector) Chair Mrs Cornelia Noghiu (Curate) Mr Tim Barker (Reader & Deanery Synod) lay vice-chair Mrs Christine Young (Licenced Lay Minister)

Mrs Sue Shardlow (Bromfield)

Mrs Margaret Graham (Holme Cultram) Mrs Elaine Atkinson (Holme Cultram) Mrs Judith Bryan (Holme Cultram)

Mr Brian Bailey (Holme St Cuthbert) Mrs Barbara Stephens (Holme St Cuthbert)

Mrs Josephine Jefferson (Kirkbride) Mrs Ann Little (Kirkbride) Mrs Sindy Harrap (Kirkbride)

Mrs Ruth Pinguey (Newton Arlosh) Mr Ian King (Newton Arlosh) Mrs Margaret Graham (Silloth) Mrs Marjorie Harrison (Silloth)

Mr Peter Wardle (Westnewton & Deanery Synod) Mrs Mary Hodgson (Westnewton) Mrs Jane Launchbury (Westnewton & Deanery Synod) Mrs Francess McIntyre (Deanery Synod) Secretary Mrs Anita Norman (Deanery Synod)

6

Structure, Governance & Management

The Parish of the Solway Plain came into being on 1[st] November 2018 under a pastoral scheme which united the parishes that formed the Solway Plain Team.

Holme Cultram Abbey, Holme St Cuthbert, Christ Church Silloth and St Matthew’s Westnewton are Parish Churches in the benefice. St John’s, Newton Arlosh and St Bride’s, Kirkbride became Parish Churches within the Parish of the Solway Plain on 1[st] August 2021.

St Mungo’s Bromfield is a chapel of ease (daughter churches) and was licenced for the reading of banns and the solemnization of marriages by the Bishop on 19[th] November 2018.

The incumbent of the benefice, the Rector works with a ministry team including a Reader, a part time Curate and other licenced lay ministers. Two retired priests also help out in the parish.

The Parochial Church Council is a corporate body established by the Church of England. The PCC operates under the Parochial Church Council Powers Measure. The Parochial Church Council (PCC) registered with the Charity Commission at the beginning of 2020.

The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. The PCC has prepared Terms of Reference for Sub-Committees of the PCC to oversee the day to day management and finances of the seven churches.

Regular members of the congregation are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and stand for election to the PCC.

Finance

The PCC sub-committees of the seven churches in the parish hold the delegated responsibility for their church’s finance. Accounts are prepared in accordance with the Church accounting procedures.

Expenses relating to the whole parish are administered in a Parish Account by the PCC treasurer.

The magazine committee holds accounts for the running of the parish magazine.

The PCC receives regular updates at its meeting from the churches in the form of a consolidated account.

The end of year accounts presented to the Annual Meeting are a consolidated account for the Parish. The individual audited accounts are available for inspection from the committee treasurers.

St Mungo, Bromfield – Shirley Holland-Reid 07592031263 shollandreid@gmail.com Holme Cultram Abbey – Laura Sharp 07879403442 lozs1984@btinternet.com Holme St Cuthbert – Barbara Stephens 01900 881411 barbara.stephens@btconnect.com Christ Church, Silloth – Margaret Graham 016973 31452 margaretgraham70@gmail.com St Matthew, Westnewton – Peter Wardle 07824903420 pajwardle@btopenworld.com St Bride’s, Kirkbride – Ann Little 016973 51254 annlittle8664@gmail.com

St John’s, Newton Arlosh - Gwen Hopkinson 016973 51345

gwen.hopkinson@btinternet.com

Magazine Account – Anne Little (as above)

Solway Plain PCC – Margaret Pickering stepped down as Treasurer and is currently being looked after by the Rector until a new appointment is made.

7

Objectives and activities

The PCC has the responsibility of co-operating with the incumbent in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish the whole mission of the church, pastoral, social and ecumenical.

The Parish is part of the Ecumenical Solway Plain Mission Community and is supportive of the Diocesan Vision “God for All”.

The PCC has the legal responsibility for church buildings, finance and safeguarding. Local responsibility is delegated where possible to the sub-committees of the PCC.

There are six open churchyards in the Parish (Abbeytown, Kirkbride, Newton Arlosh, Holme St Cuthbert, Bromfield and Westnewton), one closed churchyard (St Paul’s Causewayhead) and an area for the burial of ashes (Waverton).

There are five primary schools and one secondary school in the parish, the ministry team has good links with all the schools and is involved with regular Collective Worship and other support for the schools.

Holm Cultram Abbey School and St Matthew’s School, Westnewton are church schools, and the PCC appoints foundation governors.

Safeguarding

The PCC has adopted the national policy “Promoting a Safer Church” and Francess McIntyre acts as the Safeguarding Officer for the Parish 016973 44756 frannymac55@gmail.com Training for clergy and lay people has taken place over the past year and the PCC ensures that updates to the Policy are implemented. The Safeguarding Officer gives regular reports to the PCC and annually at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting.

The Electoral Roll

The Electoral Roll was renewed in 2019 and updated in preparation for the Annual Meeting.

GDPR

The parish has an agreed policy for the General Data Protection Regulations and a copy is displayed in all the churches and on the parish website.

Communications

The Parish Produces a Magazine which is distributed throughout the churches monthly for 10 months of the year, joint editions are produced in July/August and December/January. A committee formed from representatives of all the churches oversees the production. The committee meets twice a year.

A notice sheet is produced and distributed at services every Sunday.

The Parish has a website www.solwayplainchurches.org.uk which includes information about all the churches in the parish and has a diary which is updated regularly with services and events taking place across the area. Individual churches have Facebook pages where information is publicised to the wider community.

Activities in the Parish are listed in the annual report.

Signed by the chairman:

8

Rector’s Report

Looking back over the past year, also prompts me to look back over the past fourteen years. I have been blessed with colleagues who have been wonderfully supportive and bringing their unique gifts and insights into the ministry of the church in the Solway Plain Parish.

Alongside we have had faithful churchwardens, PCC members and local congregations who have given their time and energy to enable our churches to be focal points for worship and mission in their local communities.

Each of our churches are different and bring a variety of styles and approaches across the Solway Plain. But we are united in our faith, and our desire to see our churches flourishing. The world has changed and moved in different directions. The church no longer has a central part in many people’s lives yet is still important in the significant times of life, through our ministry of baptism, weddings and funerals. We come alongside people in times of joy and sadness. We minister to people in sickness, grief and loneliness. We offer a message of God’s love for all as we work alongside young people in schools and in youth activities.

My journey to ordained ministry began whilst still a student at university. On 30[th] June 1985 I was young, inexperienced and nervous when standing before the bishop in Carlisle Cathedral before staring as a curate in Carlilse. Since then, and after working in Ulverston, Preston and Threlkeld & St John’s in the Vale and here in the Solway Plain, I may have gained a lot of experience, but I am constantly aware of what more there is to do, to learn and to achieve.

There have been some painful and difficult times. We will not forget the effects of Foot & Mouth on our communities, the effects of fire & floods, and Covid. But we come through these things because we work together, because we support each other, because we share the same faith and hope in God.

There have also been some wonderful achievements, through commitment and support to enable things to change and to grow.

Having recently celebrated Easter, we have recalled that at the heart of the gospel, out of death comes life, resurrection life, life in all its fulness.

Change can often be worrying, and we can’t always know what lies ahead, but I pray that our churches are in a good position to look forward with confidence to the Lord who continues to guide and bless us in the coming months and years.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

Bryan Rothwell

Electoral Roll

The combined Roll in 2024 was 282, the Roll was renewed in preparation for the Annual Meeting 2025 and there are now 189 members. The Roll is available for inspection.

9

Report from the Secretary of the PCC

In 2024 we had 3 full PCC meetings plus the APCM held in May

It has been a busy year for all the churches within the Solway Plain Parish with many congregations still fluctuating, with some midweek services doing better than traditional Sunday Services.

Maybe it is time to look at the congregations (number and age), service times, where, when and how we move forward as individual churches and as a single PCC.

Our Mission Community still exists, but without a leader, so it has become difficult to feel connected to other Parishes, within our Solway Plain MC area. However, some activities set up have become established and very popular - Men’s Breakfast; Walking Football and Soulway to name a few. When we have a Mission Community leader the next step will be to move forward with the “Garden Planner” A booklet which aims to help support, energise, and encourage all of our mission communities here in Cumbria as they consider how best to flourish locally: as churches, as faith communities, and as individual Christians and disciples of Jesus.

We must thank all who are part of our Ministry Team for their continued work within the Parish, as at present, ALL the churches have a weekly service (no matter how small the congregation), having at least one Communion service a month.

This year Bryan completed the task of revamping our worship booklets (which had started during the Covid pandemic) bringing all the churches together under one common worship booklet. These were introduced to all the churches on Advent Sunday.

Cornelia has settled in well, with the travelling and routines within our area, and has brought many a smile to Parishioners with her own style of Ministry. Under the watchful eye of Bryan, who is ensuring that Cornelia gains all the experiences she will need to become a Parish priest.

Once again, ALL the churches have paid their Mission Offers in full - but we still have a shortfall for the actual cost of having a full time incumbent. Another thing WE as a Parish will have to think about in 2025

As a Parish – we still need to be thinking of how we go forward - working more as a single entity rather than seven churches and how we can make the Parish of the Solway Plain more attractive to a new incumbent.

It remains a privilege to see - God for All within OUR PARISH!

Well done to all and again thank you to all those who work quietly behind the scenes keeping this Parish alive.

Francess McIntyre

10

Reports from the PCC church committees

Holme St Cuthbert

We have had 3 subcommittee meetings and a stewardship meeting with John Thompson from the Diocese during the year

All safeguarding training is upto date

2024 began and so did the cycle of maintenance to ensure that our little church is welcoming to all.

But being Cumbria, the weather holds sway on how much can be completed outside at any one time!

The Parish Hall is still up for sale as a private dwelling.

The committee took on board “Stewardship” in all its forms this year having a meeting with John from the Diocese. He helped us put together a leaflet about our church and what it does within the community. Everyone in our area received the leaflet – but very few responded. BUT at least we tried!

Outreach is very important to us and having the church open ALL the time. Some of the events for the community are Lent Lunch; Harvest (where the school are fully involved in decorating the church); Christingle and Carol Singing around the area - finishing up at the Lowther Arms (who are very supportive of the church and another community asset). This was also our second year our Memorial Tree “pop in” during Advent - having lovely chats over a cuppa and nibbles, with people remembering their loved ones, with laughter and a few tears (gosh don’t forget the stories too!)

The Quiet corner (in the older part of the grave yard) has been looking lovely during the year with donated planters, flowers and a bench or two. It’s a little hideaway form the business of the world, to take stock and just be with God and his creation.

The Church committee would like to thank all those far and wide who have helped us in anyway during another in year at Holme St Cuthbert’s

Francess McIntyre

St Matthew, Westnewton

The local committee met 6 times over the year- at Martha’s as usual, marvellous hospitality as always.

We held 3 major fundraising events- a Soup Lunch, Summer Fayre and Christmas Fayre. Thankfully all were well attended. In addition we had a very generous income from Martha’s Table and from the Dominoes club.

We agreed increases to our Parish Offer of 10% for 2024 and 5% for each of 2025 and 2026. Bible Crack continues on the 3[rd] Monday evening chaired by Malcolm. An excellent hour or so and open to all.

Peter Wardle

11

St Bride’s, Kirkbride

The congregation of St. Bride’s is an aging but active one, who aim to support the church with whatever skills they can offer. The number of regular worshippers remains small. Members contribute to services and upkeep in a variety of ways as well as lead some

services. Help and care from the wider community is always forthcoming and the committee is appreciative and thankful of support, in whatever guise it comes, towards the upkeep of St. Bride’s. Special services are particularly well attended and links with the village primary school are strong. Our financial position is comfortable, aided by a variety of fundraising events. The church has suffered water ingress through the gable wall and roof due to one of the named storms this winter and repairs will be required.

Craig Thompson

St John the Evangelist, Newton Arlosh

We held 3 meetings of our committee. Currently there are 16 members on our Electoral Roll.

All the jobs were attended to by PCC members and friends of our parish helpers, cleaning, flowers side person and church warden.

Our money making this year was our Monthly Drawing tickets which sold very well. Our Harvest Festival sale plus Raffle was a success, a big thankyou goes to our Auctioneer of produce, John Graham. We also had a Christmas Bingo donation by the Parish Hall.

Our services all went very well, only a few for Remembrance Day and the Christmas carol service and the Christmas service all went very well.

We had one baptism in February and a wedding in May went very well.

Willie Bell resigned from Church Warden and Treasurer of St John's Church for over 40 years. Grass cutting is financially supported from Holm East Waver Parish Council which is much appreciated. It was agreed that we open our church every day to get visitors in the church. Thank you to the Solway Plain ministry team for taking all our services.

Ruth Pinguey

Holme Cultram Abbey

We have had 5 subcommittee meetings during the year.

Inside: Ambulatory: the revamp was completed, and the “new” fines display case now in situ and lit up showing off some of the artefacts found during the “digs” around the Abbey grounds.

The Memorial Chapel: had some the custom-made cabinets installed.

Upper floor: Needs some work done, as the damp is affecting the ceilings Paul Grout is still to complete our Quinquennial survey sometime this year.

Outside: The re - wilding of the older part of the churchyard continues - with many people from the village enjoying the walks through the older part of the burial grounds

12

Eco Church (with help from the Parish Council) are continuing (even if very slowly) to get the community involved with an Easter Egg hunt in March, having over 40 children with adults following the clues in and around the Abbey, seeing Peter rabbit and collecting a prize of an Easter egg: Being involved with the National Churchyard count again in June and Litter Picks and Pizza as well as getting the school involved in putting displays in the bus shelter (near the shop).

The Parish Council has also provided another defibrillator for the village, and it is sited on the Abbey’s outside toilets.

Fundraising: The familiar cycle of fundraising for the Abbey continues, having the Monthly Munches, Strawberry Tea weekend in July and the Christmas Fayre in November, along with occasional events like concerts from Dalston MVC, Tea and Talks and other church events of christenings; marriages and funerals all being catered for. The Church committee would like to thank ALL those involved in any way for their help and support throughout the year.

Francess McIntyre

St Mungo, Bromfield

We currently have 1 member serving on the PCC and a local church committee looking after the everyday business of the church. The committee meet to discuss maintenance and fund raising. Funds remain steady and in a fairly good state but like others we would wish for more. Regular reminders are given to donate via Gift Aid where possible. Our Parish offer was paid in full, and we have increased the amount paid year on year.

Our quinquennial inspection recommendations continue to be carried out and the church building is in a fair state of repair. An outstanding inspection of the roof and belltower needs to be completed, and sandstone tiles have been lost and need replacing. Again, our very old boiler continued to let us down with meetings held to discuss a replacement heating system. Our congregation numbers remain small, but we remain positive that numbers can increase. Westnewton pre-school group meet at the church on Friday mornings, hopefully parents will become familiar with our activities and become more involved. The group hold their annual Nativity play in the church.

We also undertook a programme of events to raise funds which included a Big Breakfast, Craft fairs, Harvest Bingo and a Carol Service. All events were well supported and raised a significant amount to church funds.

We look forward to another year and hope that you continue to support our events.

Shirley Holland-Reid

Christ Church, Silloth

Christ Church has served the community for another year with all the usual services. The Committee has met regularly but with no new faces. The importance of safeguarding is kept high on the agenda with committee members keeping up to date with safeguarding training. Margaret Graham is still having to continue very ably as acting Treasurer. The Rector, Revd

13

Canon Bryan Rothwell has chaired the Committee, his imminent retirement is a wakeup call for us ensure the work of Christ Church continues with even more vigour in these challenging times.

The Rector, Church wardens and volunteers have worked hard to maintain all aspects of Church life ensuring that everything runs smoothly. Numbers attending the services are relatively low, but the Church does have a positive atmosphere. Since reordering the use of the Church for more community activities has increased for example the Christmas Lights Switch On, Youth Group, Men’s Breakfast and Walking Football continue to thrive and enjoy the facilities.

Several fundraising events have been held such as Tims Quiz, concerts and coffee mornings. Raising funds is an ongoing challenge.

Liz Elliott

Other Reports

Churches Together in Silloth

On January 21st a united service for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in the Roman Catholic Church was well supported.

United ministry at easter included a course of Lent Bible Study in Christ Church.

Good Friday worship was held in the Pentecostal Church followed by a walk of witness before planting the cross on the green. Tim Barker and Teresa Lewis guided worshippers through the Stations of the Cross in the Roman Catholic church.

On Easter Day members met at 5.45am for the Sunrise Service followed by breakfast butties and hot cross buns in Christ Church.

Sea Sunday was led by Mrs Margaret Gate. £30 was donated to each of four sea charities. A reduction on the previous year.

Silloth Green Day Morning service, Carnival Praise and open-air carol service took place again.

The church leaders recorded a series of daily Advent reflections to be broadcast on Facebook during December.

Thanks again to members of all the Silloth churches who helped to distribute a Christmas calendar to every household in the town.

Christ Church members are urged to take part in all the activities which Churches Together present, especially when they replace our own regular Sunday services. Many events provide valuable “outreach” to non-churchgoers. The next meeting of Churches Together will be on July 23rd at 7.30 in Christ Church. It will be a social event rather than business and refreshments will be provided. All church members are invited

Tim Barker

14

Solway Mission Community

The ecumenical community involving the Anglican, Methodist and URC churches in the Silloth, Aspatria, Wigton area continued to work together with most active events based on the Soulway worship activities organised by Rev Matt Richards, pioneer curate of Aspatria. These take place in Aspatria Rugby Club on the fourth Sunday of each month at 4pm. They have included informal worship, a curry night and street cleaning. Contact Rev Matt Richards 07932041517

Men’s Breakfast continued in Christ Church on the first Saturday of each month at 9am.

All men in the community are invited to eat a full breakfast and hear a variety of speakers. We are especially grateful to the ladies and some men who prepare and serve the breakfast. United prayer sessions took place during the year around the community. These continue at 3pm on various Sundays going to different churches in the area for a time of quiet prayer for any public or personal matters people are concerned about. Contact Tim Barker 016973 31246

Walking football continued on Mondays with a group of about two dozen men and women players plus others who join for refreshment and fellowship in Christ Church after the game. Volunteers from different churches continue to help at cell groups for young people in Aspatria and Silloth and with various activities initiated by particular churches.

The Mission Community is organised by a steering group of the clergy and youth workers plus representatives from the different churches. Funding comes from various sources including church contributions, grants for specific activities and the Diocesan Growth Fund.

Tim Barker

Deanery Synod

Deanery Synod has met on two occasions since last year’s Annual Meetings.

In June the meeting focuses on Net Zero in the Carlilse Diocese, with a presentation from Anna Newlove. She explained the steps being taken by the diocese and churches, with a number of churches having worked on the Arocha Eco Church scheme gaining bronze and silver awards.

The November meeting was led by Tricia Rodgers on Disability Awareness, and the various things a church should be considering how to make our churches accessible for all.

Elections to Diocesan Synod and Committees were held this year. The Deanery Synod is looking for a new secretary, and with the retirement of Bryan Rothwell as Rural Dean, await a news of his successor.

In addition, we have received regular reports about the Deanery Network Youth Church. Reports on the finances, Diocesan and General Synod have also been included on the agenda.

Vacancies in the Criffel View and Workington Benefices, have put increased burden on ministers, church members and volunteers. The parishes are working with the Archdeacon to seek new appointments as soon as possible.

Rural Dean

15

Safeguarding

Parish Safeguarding Officer: Francess McIntyre

Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor: Jo Van Lachterop

In 2024 – there was one safeguarding issue (throughout the Parish of the Solway) reported to me, as PSO last year.

2024 was a good year for me – as ALL the required safeguarding training with the Parish was complete by all those with responsibilities within their “own” churches and the PCC and even the new module of Raising the Awareness of Domestic Abuse.

Thank you to ALL who have completed their training – we all have a duty of care and “to have due regard”, for our positions within the church community seriously.

We need to bear in mind that Revd Canon Bryan Rothwell (our Incumbent), has expressed that he is thinking of retiring in his 40 year of Ministry (which will fall next year 2025) and he is another key member of the Safeguarding Team for the Solway Plain, so for some their roles will have extra responsibilities. Towards the end of 2024 to 2025, the Diocese of Carlisle will be having an INEQE Safeguarding Audit

NB All Parishes are required to have formally adopted the House of Bishops ‘Promoting a Safer Church; Safeguarding Policy statement’, and Church of England safeguarding policy and guidance.

PCC members reviewed and adopted the Diocesan Safeguarding policy on 19-05-24 at our APCM

The PCC holds the FULL policy (Rector: PSO)

With every church having UP TO DATE COPIES of the following for anyone to view within their church:-

Francess McIntyre PSO for the Solway Plain

Action Plain from the Safeguarding Dashboard (LEVEL 2) year 2024/25

Which includes:- Receiving and Managing Allegations.

Date reviewed: 18th May 2025

Francess McIntyre (Parish Safeguarding Officer)

16

Consolidated Accounts of the Solway Plain PCC 2024

1st January to 31st December 2024

Unrestricted Restricted

Receipts

Receipts Unrestricted
Restricted
Voluntary receipts
Tax efficient planned giving
Other planned giving
Collections at services
All other giving
Gift aid recovered
Legacies received (capital value)
Grants (including recurring & one off)
TOTAL Voluntary Receipts
Activities for generating funds
Gross receipts from fund raising
Investment Income
Dividends, Interest, receipts from property
Church activities
Statutory fees retained by the PCC
Gross receipts from trading (not fundraising)
Other receipts
Other receipts not already listed
TOTAL RECEIPTS
COMBINED TOTAL
Cash & investment balances
Cash & deposit balance at 1st January 2024
Investments at 1st January 2024
TOTAL FUNDS		 31,751
1,534
4,915
0
15,309
0
8,654
1,784
13,812
0
500
0
12,318
4,852
87,259
8,170
39,919
530
1,486
3,153
11,222
0
13,473
471
4,124
0
157,483
12,324
169,807
Unrestricted
Restricted
197,428
96,254
0
342
197,428
96,596
Payments
Cost of generating funds
Fundraising activities
Church activities
Mission giving & donations
Diocesan parish offer
Salaries, wages & honoraria
Clergy & staff expenses
Church expenses
Mission & evangelism costs
Running expenses (including governance)
Utility bills
Cost of trading
Major capital expenditure
Major repairs to church building
Major repais to chuch hall
New building works
SUB-TOTAL of all expenditure above
Other payments not listed
TOTAL PAYMENTS
COMBINED TOTAL
Cash & investment balances
Cash & deposit balance at 31st December 2024
Investments at 31st December 2024
TOTAL FUNDS		 Unrestricted
Restricted
4,252
0
1,122
0
60,940
0
0
0
4,461
0
0
0
41,528
3,851
19,388
0
9,770
228
7,060
7,251
0
0
0
0
148,521
11,330
0
0
148,521
11,330
159,851
Unrestricted
Restricted
206,390
97,228
0
362
206,390
97,590

The Parish of the Solway Plain Consolidated Accounts of the Parochial Church Council

2024