## **PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL ANNUAL  REPORT for 2025** 

**J A N U A R Y -** 

**D E C E M B E R** 


**2 0 2 5** 

**This report has been printed in monochrome to save valuable parish funds. A colour copy will be on our website.** 

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**Once again, from all of us at The Parish of Three Saints, we wish to say a very huge, warm ‘thank you’ to you all for giving of your time and talents.** 

## _**These include:**_ 

_**Churchwardens**_ 

_**PCC Members**_ 

_**Worship Leaders**_ 

_**Stewards/Welcomers**_ 

_**Readers**_ 

_**Musicians**_ 

_**Chalice Assistants**_ 

_**Scripture Readers**_ 

_**Intercessors**_ 

_**Refreshment Providers**_ 

_**Finance Team**_ 

_**Fundraisers**_ 

_**Bell Ringers**_ 

_**Group Helpers**_ 


_**Flower Arrangers**_ 

## _**Church openers/closers**_ 

_**Cleaners**_ 


## _**Brass Cleaners**_ 

_**Clock Winders**_ 

## _**Churchyard Grounds supporters**_ 

## _**Coffee Morning helpers**_ 

**We are very fortunate to have so many wonderful people that we cannot name you all,  but together you combine to keep our three churches, office and grounds ship-shape and make our sacred spaces welcoming, friendly and inspiring.** 

**If you feel that you can give some of your time or talents, however small, and you wish to be a part of the Church Family, please contact any of the Church Wardens or Church Office.   01278 769082** 

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As a Parish we are very blessed and grateful for the care and time our Associate Priest, Neil, has given us and keeps on giving during the vacancy here. 

As a Self Supporting Minister, this is above and beyond his normal duty. 

We especially wish to thank the Reverend Eric Petrie for officiating at services and also funerals, weddings & baptisms in our parish. 

Also we are fortunate to have had support from other visiting ministers. 

We also have a Lay Worship Assistant, Kate Wilford, who takes a Worship of The Word Service when we do not have an ordained minister available. 


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## **Associate Priest’s Report for 2025** 


It remains a privilege to be Associate Priest in the Parish of Three Saints and I would like to thank everyone for their help and support since Revd Kevin Wright retired in September 2023. 

Some may think of 2025 as a year of disappointments as we repeatedly failed to attract a new incumbent priest. I always saw this differently and hope that I managed to convey this – we had to wait until God made the right person ready for us and us for them. I am delighted that Revd Robyn Golden-Hann has been appointed to the post, with the announcement made on 14th December. 

A wonderful Christmas present for us and the benefices of Berrow and Brean, who Robyn is also licensed to. I believe that Robyn is our parish’s first female incumbent, I believe that all will make her most welcome following her licensing on 30[th] March 2026. 

2025 saw us continue our pattern of sharing worship in each of the three churches. I do feel that during the year we experienced an increase in the number of people who would generally only attend church in their village. Regular (and frequent!) Sunday worship is an important part of faith for us Christians, not only to properly worship our Lord, but also to develop our own faith to help us grow closer to God. 

The Book Group is one way that a number of people have developed their faith and I would like to thank Carla and Geoff Searle for hosting and facilitating this group. I have heard lots of positive feedback about the group and am so glad that it continues to meet. 


No doubt the re-ordering of St Christopher’s will be covered in the report in some form, but I would like to express my gratitude to those involved. 

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My thanks go to everyone involved in keeping the parish going during our vacancy. This includes our three Churchwardens, all involved in the church buildings, fundraising, grounds, pastoral care, flower arrangers, cleaners, bell ringers and no doubt many more who work to keep us buoyant. 

As my focus has been on leading worship, it seems right for me to particularly thank a few people closely involved with our worship services: Pauline Chadwick our wonderful organist and singing group leader; Kate Wilford our Lay Worship Leader, Tim Hannah for organising the rotas, those who read and those who lead intercessions and Revd Eric Petrie for regularly leading worship and supporting the parish with funeral and baptism ministry. 

I would very much like to thank Carole Carter for all she does as our Parish Administrator and also Secretary to the PCC (which is always more  work than people think); without Carole our  parish would have been much more difficult to sustain. Thanks also to James Counsell for stepping up to chair the PCC. 

Whilst 2025 was a year to keep things going, 2026 promises to be a year of change and progress. I pray that we will sustain our existing congregation, attract more new people who fully and lovingly take Revd Robyn into our hearts. 

**Peace and blessings, Revd Neil Biddiscombe** 

5 




As we move onwards into a new way of being, albeit a slow process, coming together as one church community with Berrow & Brean, as the Benefice of  Berrow, Brean and The Parish of Three Saints, we can only pray that we will listen to one another and be thoughtful, caring and prayerful. 


**Easter** 

**always a special time in the Christian calendar** 


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## **Erecting the Easter Crosses** 

## **on top of Brent Knoll** 




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## **St Christopher’s Annual Church Warden’s Report** 

There may be little to see regarding the reordering project yet, but I can assure you that behind the scenes the ‘Carry On St Christopher’s’ (COSC) team have been working very hard. 

Various grant funders have been approached and some monies have been received. However, money is tight and costs are inevitably rising. The team has made the decision to apply for a higher tier of Lottery funding which will involve a lot more work and lengthened timescales. We are extremely grateful for the dedicated team that are involved with this project. 

Fundraising for the COSC project was launched with a very successful ball held at Batch Country House. Many thanks to all who were involved with the evening and to those that supported the event. 

We were blessed with glorious weather for the annual fete held in the Manor Gardens and funds raised at that event help to support the day to day running of the church. We thank James and Lisa Counsell for generously sharing their gardens with us. 

St Christopher’s Church continued to look beautiful this year, due to the hard work of the cleaners and flower arrangers. Many thanks to those people who have volunteered to help. We aim to make the flower arrangements sustainable, using flowers from our own gardens where possible. 

Trees in the churchyard have been lightly pruned and ivy removed from the church walls. Thank you to Robin Hoare for doing this work and maintaining the grass and hedges. 

St Christopher’s Church remains open for meditation and private prayer during daylight hours. We now have a team of four church openers and our thanks go to them. 

In the autumn, I appealed to the villagers for a new team to lead the Nativity service on Christmas Eve this year. I was delighted when Charlotte Howson and Olivia Coles agreed to take on the task. The service was beautiful, supported by numerous local families and their children. Well done and thank you to all involved. It continues to be the most popular service of the year and has become something of a Lympsham tradition for many families. 


It is a privilege to serve God in our journey together in this beautiful village. 

## **Victoria Daintree** 

## **Church Warden** 


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## **St Mary’s Annual Report** 

As many of you will know, I , Jan Bance, took over as Churchwarden from Dot Coles in May 2025. I would like to express my thanks to her for all her help and guidance in the handover. 

St Mary’s has been busy holding coffee mornings to raise much needed funds. We held a Christmas Fayre in November at the Village Hall which was well attended. 

All events during 2026 will be advertised in the church on noticeboards & sent with the regular mailings from Carole in the Church Office. 

We are continuing to work with East Brent C of E Primary School and have hosted the Leavers’ Assembly, the Christmas Carol Concert and the Christingle Service. These events involve teachers, students and their families and it was magical to see them all enjoying our beautiful Church. The children have their own corner in the church to display drawings etc. The PTA are using the Church for meetings 

Any repairs such as the outside pillars have been completed by a local craftsman and some repairs which were necessary after the break-in during December. 

Looking forward we are hoping to install a kitchen in the near future which will be an asset for all our events which we are hoping to hold to keep St Mary’s in funds. This will require us applying for grants. 

On behalf of St Mary’s I would like to thank everyone who helps with the running of the church and who support our events in every way. 


Thank you 

Jan Bance 


9 



## **St Michael’s Annual Church Warden’s Report** 

As we look back on 2025, we are grateful to our Associate Priest Rev Neil Biddiscombe and to the worship team and to Rev Eric Petrie who have continued to lead our worship as we continue in our vacancy. 

We are also thankful to the local ministers who have taken Funerals and Weddings when we haven’t had a minister available to do so. 

The church has continued to be well looked after; thanks to all those who work tirelessly behind the scenes: the cleaners and brass cleaners, the Bell Ringers and to our flower arrangers, who have brightened up the church throughout the year. Sadly, the flower arranging group has dwindled, but we are extremely grateful to those who continue to arrange flowers for our church. Thanks also to those who quietly tend the churchyard. 

Sunday services wouldn’t be the same without the team of people who welcome us and serve refreshments: thank you. 

We met with the congregations of Berrow and Brean on the 5th Sundays for worship and some of our congregation continue to join in their Wednesday morning prayers. Some of their members joined us for our Harvest service at the cider farm in Brent Knoll. 

The school has joined us on several occasions through the year, for Easter, Leavers, school welcome and presentation of Bibles, Harvest services and the Nativity and Christingle Services;  they also held some assemblies in the church. 

In November we held the Annual Service of Remembrance led by the Royal British Legion as well as in May a VE day Memorial service at the war memorial. 

During the year several projects have taken place, these include: 

In February we held a Churchyard clear up and cleaned gulleys and general garden maintenance. 

We have also introduced a Borrow Book bookcase and an honesty café. 


Discussions are ongoing with the Diocesan Advisory Committee about the North Aisle pew removal project. 

The front vestry was redecorated and windows cleaned thanks to a legacy . 

Every 5 years each church has to have a formal buildings inspection and this Quinquennial Inspection (QI) was carried out in May. When we have this report we will understand more what our priorities are for works in the church and churchyard. 

10 




In September Brent Knoll Methodist Church held their last service and we hope that the members are now settled into East Brent Methodist Church where they have combined to be Brent Methodist Church. 

We remember fondly the Toddler Group we ran jointly in the Methodist Church and the combined Bible Studies, etc. our members attended. 

The Fun in Fundraising Group have been busy. We held a lot of events which were both fun to organise, volunteer at and hopefully fun for all who came and supported us raising much-needed funds. 

In February we held a successful Soup and Pud lunch in the Parish Hall. In the spring/early summer we had a series of concerts in the church by Gregory Steward, and the LLH Trio; we also had a film afternoon showing films of Brent Knoll and its people from the past. 

Again, we had a presence at the village fete with a plant and cake stall. In July we held a successful Open Gardens at Ball Copse Hall and Dolphin Cottage. 


In September we held an Autumn Fayre at the Westcroft Cider Farm and in November we had a Spud and Pud lunch in the Parish Hall. 

The Friends of St. Michael’s organised the Easter and August Teas. 

The Christmas Tree Festival in St. Michaels was very successful, and we look forward to repeating that and the Soup and Pud lunches in 2026. 

Thank you to all the helpers and to all those who attend our events. 

I would like to thank Neil and Carole in the office for keeping us informed and looking after the churchwardens, to Victoria and the finance team who keep us in order and to Frances for her devotion in unlocking the church daily and to the countless other people who do jobs for us, like putting the bins out and keeping an eye out for the building. 

In December it was announced that Rev Robyn Golden-Hann will be joining us as Priest in Charge of Berrow, Brean and TPoTs in the spring. 

## **Mike Smith  -  Churchwarden** 


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## **Financial Review of 2025** 

The Parish finances are managed through two different funds, Church Life and Heritage. The Church Life fund contributes to God’s mission and ministry across the Parish and the Heritage fund supports our three buildings. 

Throughout the year donors have been encouraged to make their donations via the Parish Giving Scheme. This simplifies the way donations are recorded, and gift aid is automatically transferred to the relevant bank accounts. The campaign to encourage more people to donate in this manner will continue in 2026. 

The Church Life fund is supported by regular church goers and members of the wider community.  It has been a difficult year financially for the Church Life fund. As predicted last year, we were unable to pay the Parish Share by direct debit from May, without adjustments to the arrangement of funds between the Heritage and Church Life accounts and we had to cancel the direct debit payments. The PCC voted to move £1,000 from each Heritage Fund to ease the shortfall. In addition we qualified for a reduction in Parish Share from April because the parish is in vacancy. To improve the situation going forward, the PCC voted to share all future fundraising 50/50 with Church Life. As a result, £19,514.69 was paid, out of the total ask of £23,943.60, leaving a shortfall of £3,546.00. 

The current end-of-year balance is £10,630.47. 

The Heritage funds for St Christopher’s and St Michael’s remain in a healthy state due to generous monthly contributors and some very successful fundraising events. It would be fantastic if we could rely entirely on regular donations, but sadly this is not the case. The Heritage fund for St Mary’s remains at a critical level, despite the valiant efforts of the new Church Warden, Jan. It will be difficult for St Mary’s to remain solvent without the support of the other churches during 2026. 

The Parish was fortunate enough to benefit from grants from the Nuttall Trust. St Christopher’s received £3,500 towards the reordering project and £101 for a St George flag. St Michaels received £800 for lighting work. 

The closing current account balances for each church are as follows: 

St Mary’s: £4,409.32 St Christopher’s:  £13,371.28 St Michael’s: £28,237.77 

In addition: St Christopher’s has £205,085.82 on deposit St Michael’s has £21,500 on deposit  (Friends of St Michael) 

I would like to thank Robin Leveridge for his help and support with the banking and gift aid and Carole Carter for her support and encouragement with this job! 

## **Victoria Daintree    Treasurer** 


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|||**Church**<br>**Life**<br>**Fund**|**Heritag**<br>**e**<br>**Fund**|**Year**|**Year**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||**2025**|**_2024_**|
|**Receipts**||£|£|**£**|_£_|
|||||||
|**Donations and Legacies:**||||||
||Plannedgiving|19,104|5,041|**24,145**|_24,540_|
||Collections, donations & othergiving|2,678|34,856|**37,534**|_20,807_|
||Income tax recovered|-|11,529|**11,529**|_7,000_|
||Legacies|-|53,027|**53,027**|_5,000_|
|**Other Trading activities**||||||
||Magazine/Bookstall sales/Hall Lettings etc|85|-|**85**|_84_|
||Income from other Properties||-|**-**|_-_|
||Annual Fete/events|6,114|28,750|**34,864**|_10,820_|
|**Receipts from Investments:**||||||
||Interest & dividends|18|3,567|**3,585**|_3,685_|
|**Receipts from Charitable activities:**||||||
||Parochial fees|4,744|-|**4,744**|_3,233_|
|**Other Receipts**||||||
||Insurance claims|-|-|**-**|_-_|
||Saleproceeds from fixed assets|-|-|**-**|_-_|
||Loans received|-|-|**-**|_-_|
||Other|891|10|**901**|_1,729_|
|||||||
|**Total Receipts**||**33,634**|**136,780**|**170,414**<br>**76,898**||
|||||||
|**Payments**||||||
|||||||
|**Charitable activities:**||||||
||Donations/Grants to charities|(30)|-|**(30)**|_(30)_|
||Mission & Evangelism|(256)|(40)|**(296)**|_(190)_|
||Parish Share|(19,515)|-|**(19,515)**|_(29,334)_|
||Clergyexpenses|(409)|-|**(409)**|_(676)_|
||Church runningexpenses|(2,044)|(17,786)|**(19,830)**|_(13,800)_|
||Churchyard maintenance|(221)|(4,140)|**(4,361)**|_(15,036)_|
||Cost of raisingfunds|-|(6,170)|**(6,170)**|_(1,345)_|
|||||**-**||
||Support costs|(718)|-|**(718)**|_(1,096)_|
||Administration costs(inc. staff costs)|(13,409)|-|**(13,409)**|_(13,200)_|
||Governance Costs|(60)|-|**(60)**|_(60)_|
||Other|(943)|(7,237)|**(8,180)**|_(7,788)_|
|**Major expenditure**||||||
||Repairs to church buildings|-|(7,512)|**(7,512)**|_(31,231)_|
||Repairs to otherproperty|-|-|**-**|_-_|
||Capitalpurchases/additions|-|-|**-**|_-_|
||Loan repayments|-|-|**-**|_-_|
|||||||
|**Totalpayments**||**(37,605)**|**(42,885)**|**(80,490)**<br>_(113,786)_||
|||||||
|**Surplus/(Deficit) of Receipts overpayments**||**(3,971)**|**93,895**|**89,924**<br>**(36,888)**||
|||||||
|_Transfers betweenfunds_|||-|**-**|_-_|
|||||||
|||(3,971)|93,895|**89,924**|**(36,888)**|
|_Cash at bank and in hand at 1Jan(Actual Balance)_||8,142||**194,006**|_230,894_|
|||||**-**||
|_Cash at bank and in hand at 31 Dec(Actual Balance)_||4,171|93,895|283,930|194,006|



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|||**Statement of Assets 2025**|**Statement of Assets 2025**|**Statement of Assets 2025**|**Statement of Assets 2025**|**Statement of Assets 2025**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||||
|**Account**|**Account Name**||**Opening**<br>**Balance**|**Transactions**<br>**IN**|**Transactions**<br>**OUT**|**Actual**<br>**Balance**|
||Combined Accounts||£194,005.42|£289,376.37|-£200,182.17|£283,199.62|
|**A**|The Parish of Three Saints(Ca||£8,141.63|£46,739.82|-£44,250.98|£10,630.47|
|**B**|St Mary's Church(Cash)||£9,030.07|£8,884.23|-£13,504.98|£4,409.32|
|**C**|St Christopher's Church(Cash||£25,455.94|£94,216.76|-£103,201.42|£13,371.28|
|**D**|St Michael's Church(Cash)||£31,377.78|£33,592.23|-£36,732.24|£28,237.77|
|**E**|St C Teachers(Cash)||£75,000.00|||£75,000.00|
|**F**|St C CAF(Cash)||£45,000.00|£40,000.00||£85,000.00|
|**G**|St C Deposit|||£45,085.82||£45,085.82|
|**H**|St MC Deposit|||£21,500.00||£21,500.00|
||||**Fund Raising**||||
|**Event**|||**Church**<br>**Life**|**St.**<br>**Marys**|**St.**<br>**Christophers**|**St.**<br>**Michaels**|
|**Easy Fundraising**|||£89.57|-|-|£36.43|
|**Coffee Mornings **|||£65.23<br>£126.52<br>£3,980.96|£807.23<br>-|£525.72<br>-<br>£3,300.84|-<br>£126.53<br>£680.11|
|**Film Night St MC**|||||||
|**Fetes**|||||||
|**Open Gardens St MC**|||£755.25|||£755.25|
|**Concert St MC**|||£142.13|||£386.46|
|**Soup and Pud St MC**|||£230.81|||£230.81|
|**Christmas Craft Fairs**|||£184.25|£244.25|||
|**Tree Festival**|||£734.15|-||£734.16|
|**Teas**|||-|-||£564.15|
|**Misc**|||||£18.97|£25.00|
|**Ball**|||-|-|£11,937.84||
|**TOTALS**|||**£6,308.87**|**£1,051.48**|**£15,783.37**|**£3,538.90**|



**St Michael’s Church also has a Trust Fund run separately from the PCC by three Trustees.** 

**Trust Fund Balance as at 31 December 2025 is £31,457.52** 

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## **Parish Giving Scheme (PGS)** 

We have adopted a new form of tithing in the parish & if you would like details of this regular giving scheme please contact the Church office or our Treasurer, Victoria, or alternatively access The Parish Giving Scheme from your own home 

## **https://www.parishgiving.org.uk/donors/find-your-parish** 

Once you have located The Parish Giving Scheme website and under ‘Giver’ use the ‘Find your parish’ search tool and type in the name of your church, parish or location. Click on your chosen church and you’ll be able to cross-check that it’s the right place by using the map, address details and description on that page.  Then follow the instructions. 

The Parish of Three Saints unique code is  01A601047 

## **We need your help please ……………..** 

to maintain three Church buildings and our Church Office: we have to provide these costs through The Parish of Three Saints, and, if people want to have children baptised here, get married here or have a funeral here, then annual running and maintenance costs must be realistically met by the parishioners. 

## **Use and support your church, or lose it.** 

More importantly, we need your support to grow the church family, focus on Jesus, support each other in attending regular public worship, sharing in the Eucharist and being diligent in your private prayer. Show your friends, family and neighbours that your faith is important to you. 

## **Thank you** 

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St Michael's
Christmas Tree Festival
16

## **St Christopher's Buildings & Grounds** 

## **Summary of Planned Re-ordering of St. Christopher’s Church** 

This is being undertaken by the St Christopher’s re-ordering team which has members with various expertise driving and supporting this project, known affectionately as ‘Carry On St Christopher’s’ (COSC). 

Key Areas: Provision of Cloakroom with disability access Provision of Kitchen & Serving Facility 

Both the above require the installation of a Water Supply & External / Internal Drainage. This obviously requires major works involving the flooring, so it makes sense to update the Heating System at the same time. 

Pews to be reconfigured / adapted (with additional new seating) to allow for different events e.g. Traditional, ‘In the round’, performances, etc. 

Updating of Lighting / Electrics: Not only to provide appropriate supply & illumination for different areas & activities, but also to make it more energy efficient for the future. 

Ceiling Repairs & Decoration alongside Internal Redecoration: required by the Quinquennial Review following past lead replacement works, leaks, etc. 

Various additional items, depending on funding. 

It’s an ambitious project and funding is being sought by the team as the costs could be approaching  £1million, but it will provide the community with a welcoming centre for local activities, courses & exhibitions, some of which should provide revenue for the future, whilst sustaining the Church’s importance in the Parish. 

There is a ‘thermometer’ outside the Lympsham Pavilion monitoring our fundraising progress. 

## **Robin Leveridge** 

## **Chair of St Christopher’s Buildings & Grounds Team** 



17 



## **St Michael’s Buildings & Grounds Committee** 

## **The Church Buildings** 

**North aisle project** – in May 2024 we received a visit from the DAC about this project. Our architect, George Chedburn,  had prepared a scheme to cover the North Aisle space with a wooden floor that would create a level surface in the aisle space.  This scheme was rejected by the DAC on the grounds that the church was subject to flooding and general dampness. Over the past 2 years a revised scheme has been proposed that will lower the current floor space and cover the area in Purbeck stone with blue lias stone edging. 

The details of this project are being finalised and we hope to be able to progress the project in the summer of 2026. 

**Lighting** – the Nuttall Trust kindly gave us a grant to upgrade our lighting to modern standards by replacing the old-fashioned bulbs with LED equivalents.  The internal tower required to do the work was very impressive.  The enhanced light in the nave now shows up the blemishes in the wall paintwork! 

**South steps repair of coping stones** - the coping stones by the steps had disintegrated and it was decided to replace them.  The work was completed in January 2026 at a cost of £3,500. 

## **The Churchyard** 

**Tree work –** in May a substantial ash tree shed branches in the churchyard; initially we thought it was affected by ash dieback.  Fortunately this proved not to be the case, but part of the tree hung over the footpath up the Knoll, so action had to be taken to deal with the tree in the winter. This was finally completed in January 2026 at a cost of £1,750. 

**Path to the Remembrance Garden –** sadly the floods in January washed out a section of the path.  Remedial work to repair the damage will be organised once a scheme to relieve flooding in the area is completed by the Parish Council.  At the time of writing this work has started. 

## **Legacies** 

St Michael’s has been fortunate over the years to receive legacies which help to maintain these beautiful buildings for all to enjoy. 

This year was no exception & we received news of a substantial legacy left to The Friends of St Michael’s Trust.   At the time of writing, the funds are being held in a reserve account by the Friends of St Michael’s Brent Knoll Trust.  We have clarified that these funds can be used to support the North Aisle project when this project commences. 


**Ged Keele Secretary St Michael’s B & G Team** 

18 



## **Singing Group** 

In our second year since formation, we have built up our knowledge and confidence, also our repertoire, learning one or two new hymns and one or two new carols. 

We sang at St Michael’s Christmas Tree Festival and thoroughly enjoyed it. The group also sang the first verse of ‘Once in Royal David’s City’ at the Carol Service in St Christopher’s, a traditional thing at most Carol Services, before the congregation joins for the next verses. It was wonderful to hear and also to hear them start each verse with the organ, helping everyone to know exactly when to sing. This might seem a trivial thing, but it is important to ensure the smooth and joyous singing in the church. 

We have started 2026 by branching out to learn one or two descants to the hymns and songs we have in services, and are hoping to help take our worship forward by the addition of a few new songs. 

I thank all the members of the group for their dedication and attendance every fortnight, giving of their best. They are a great group. We meet on alternate Mondays: do get in touch if you would like to join us - we sing, have fun and drink tea/coffee halfway through, so we get a chance to have a good chat. Can’t be bad! 

## **Pauline Chadwick** 

**01278 760224** 



19 




## **Bellringers** 

The ringing of church bells is one of those quintessential British sounds that we often take for granted. The unique English style of ringing evolved over 400 years ago and is part of our heritage. 

All three church towers in The Parish of Three Saints have six bells, though their tone and characteristics are very different. 

St Michael’s bells at Brent Knoll are heavy and majestic (tenor 21cwt) and ringers come from all over the country to ring them. 

St Mary’s at East Brent are lighter (tenor 16cwt) and can be rung more quickly which makes them sound bright. 

St Christopher’s at Lympsham are lighter still (tenor 11cwt) and produce a higher pitched, merry sound. 

You are welcome to visit us during our normal Tuesday practice between 7.30 and 9 p.m. 

For more information please contact: 

## **Tower Captain** 

**Mr David Polly** 

**07720 844152** 



20 



As bellringers, we have had rather an eventful year.   Melvyn Freeman, who has been our Tower Captain for the last 25+ years, has moved to the Quantocks along with his other half Mo and their dogs, depleting our numbers a little.   We are so grateful for all that Melvyn and Mo have done for us over all those years.  Melvyn is still a regular on our Tuesday practice nights and is also helping with maintenance. 

On Tuesday nights, our weekly practices are very well attended – often with 15 or more people, including some from the neighbouring areas Mark, Burnham-on-Sea, Puriton and Street.  Our ringing is generally to a high standard and we are able to ring many of the more complex methods.  This attracts people to travel to us, either to learn something new and stretch themselves (no pun intended) or to enjoy supporting those who are less experienced and learning new things.  With bellringing there is always something new to learn.   This influx benefits us as a group of ringers, as well as the wider area. Of course, many have their own churches to ring for on a Sunday and we find now that Sundays are a little more of a challenge and we would benefit from a couple more people.   We are a group whose ages span broadly 18 to 80 and ringing is a great leveller.   If you are interested in learning to ring, then please contact me and come along on a Tuesday evening and ‘have a go’. 

Our three churches have quite different peals of bells which at present seem in a good state of repair. Our ropes, however, seem to need constant maintenance as they age.  We have replaced the hemp in some of the top lengths with Terylene (referred to as “Terylene Tops”).  These have the benefit of being more durable and generally less affected by the changing seasons, but at Brent Knoll they haven’t been too successful as they have remained stretchy – normally this settles down after a short while, but the stretchiness remains and on two of our bells it is like trying to ring them using an elastic rope – not good for our timing – so more work needed.  Elsewhere, we are finding that the hemp is becoming dry and powdery and we are having to regularly splice ropes before we have a breakage. 

We often measure ourselves by Peals and Quarter Peals.  A Peal typically involves around 3 hours of continuous ringing and a Quarter Peal about 45 minutes.  They are a good way to consolidate learning or to celebrate an event.   At Lympsham we rang just one quarter peal in 2025 and had a visiting band ringing a quarter peal at East Brent.  However, Brent Knoll has had 5 Quarter Peals and 1 Peal in 2025.  The Peal was rung to commemorate 80 years passing since VE day and included 4 ringers who are or have been connected with our Parish. 

As we move into 2026, we are wondering how bringing together the Parish with Berrow and Brean will impact us.  Neither of those Churches now has regular practice or service ringing  – so it is perhaps something we can help with, but with that comes another 11 bells and ropes to maintain! 


21 



## **St Christopher’s Church, Lympsham** 

## **Fundraising Report 2025** 

2025 was a really successful year for us in terms of fundraising.  The highlights were two events: the Church Fete in the Summer and the Night on the Tiles Ball in October.  It also saw the launch in earnest of our campaign to renovate the church building, known as ‘Carry on St Christopher’s’. 

Thank you to all who gave their time to help organise and all who came to the events.  In June, we held our annual garden fête and vintage car show in the grounds of the Manor.  As the photos show, the fete was incredibly popular as ever and we were very lucky with the weather, attracting a large number of locals, together with those who come from further afield every year.  Amongst the star attractions were the ever-popular tombola, the tea and cake stall and the barbecue. 

This year was another record and the first time we have exceeded £6,000 – easily in fact, with a total of just over a £6,600!  The generosity of all who comes never ceases to amaze.   Minute by minute the fête took £44! 


Huge thanks to the organising committee and all the stallholders but particularly to Rosemary and Andy Carr, who took over running the fete 18 years ago.  To make things easier, we have now set up a team all with individual responsibilities and this new arrangement worked really well this year. 

Thank you also to Graeme Hale for his fantastic work in the garden. 

If you would like to join the team or help out on the day with one of our stalls or activities or just find out what is involved, do let us know. 

## **This year the fete will be on Saturday 4th July.** 

**Please come along if you can.** 

22 





## **The Night on the Tiles Ball took place on Friday 17 October.** 

It has become one of the highlights of the village year as 200 glamorous guests descended on Batch Country House for the long-awaited Night on the Tiles Ball. 

Dinner was delicious and enjoyed by all. Auctioneer Rob Stone then inspired guests to dig deep for the lots on offer, very generously donated by local people and businesses. 

The evening was capped off with music and dancing from the Lipinski Brothers. 

Huge thanks must go to everyone who organised, donated and supported this unforgettable evening, which raised a grand total of £11,788. 

Special thanks to our generous hosts James and Anna Brown, and all the volunteers who worked tirelessly behind the scenes. The night was not just a success—it was a wonderful celebration of Lympsham’s amazing generosity and community spirit. 

2025 also saw the launch of our campaign to raise funds to carry out substantial work on St Christopher’s. The church is a natural focal point, in the centre of the village, and is ideally placed to meet the needs of all in our village and our surrounding communities. 

However, at the moment, it has real limitations, including a lack of a water supply, no kitchen nor serving facilities and no toilet.  In addition, there is an urgent need to update the antiquated heating system to make it sustainable and to reorder the seating to make the space more flexible and capable of being used for other community activities, besides worship. 

The project, if completed, will include the installation of an accessible toilet, refreshment and servery facilities, flexible and comfortable seating, an efficient, all-green heating system, together with much needed repairs to the damaged fabric of this beautiful 14[th] century building, to include repairs to the plasterwork and calligraphy and improved accessibility for those of all ages and abilities. Please support this hugely important project and our thanks to the team who are coordinating this. 

## **James Counsell & Victoria Daintree Feb 2026** 

23 



## **Our Local Schools** 


**Brent Knoll Primary School** 

**Lympsham C of E Academy** 

The pupils at all three local schools continue to attend Services over the year, with the schools devising and leading some of their own services, which allowed the children to really participate. 




24 



“ 

## **Support Groups for our Parish** 

**Jesus said “A new commandment I give to you: love one another.** 

**Just as I have loved you, you must love one another.”** 

**This is the aim of the Pastoral Care Team at TPOTS** 

**to meet people where they are** 

**to show love, care and support unconditionally and without judgement.** 

## **Going through a tough time? Need someone to talk to?** 

Sometimes people need practical help, such as lifts to hospital or church, meals prepared for the freezer while they recover from their operation, help with shopping and library books or someone to collect their prescription. 

Sometimes it’s company they need, someone to have a cup of coffee and a chat with or a friendly telephone call. Sometimes it’s an encouraging card put through their letterbox. Sometimes it can just be a friendly wave or a smile or a willingness to listen. 

The current team comprises Carla, Jane, Tim, Dot, Margaret and Ginnie and we regularly place articles in the village magazines. The whole team have appropriate Safeguarding training and up to date DBS checks. 

We give thanks for the Lay Pastoral Assistants (LPAs) and our Lay Worship Assistant (LWA) and pray that all our visiting and caring for people will be done in God’s strength not our own. 

The team meets on a regular basis for prayer, reflection and discernment, training and sharing ideas and experiences. We trust God to show us the way forward and feel very privileged to be His hands and feet, His ears and eyes, as we reach out to those in our parish. 

If you would like to know more about the team, feel God is calling you to this ministry or are in need and would like us to visit, please contact us by e-mail or telephone: 

office.tpots@gmail.com 01278 769082. 

**The Village Agent scheme** . This was created in response to the fact that many people living in rural communities have difficulty accessing key services and support agencies that help maintain well-being and quality of life. All advice is free and completely confidential. 

The village agent, **Kim Wilcox** , provides very useful and helpful information about the support available for parishioners and carers in the area. 

**Kim can be contacted on 07943 555519** or by email – kim@somersetrcc.org.uk or through the Pastoral Care Team. 


25 



THE PARISH
QIF THREE SAINTS
26

## **Safeguarding** 

Safeguarding in the Church community (i.e. making our churches a safe haven for children, young people and vulnerable adults) is everyone’s responsibility. Safeguarding is all about protection from abuse, neglect, harm or being exploited. 

The Safeguarding policy for our three churches and the Office is in accordance with the Church of England House of Bishops’ Document & Diocesan Guidelines. 

The PCC reviews our policy regularly and Safeguarding is always down as an agenda item at PCC meetings. PCC members regularly undertake DBS checks and Safeguarding training. 

As always it is important for us all to remain alert and curious and, if anyone is concerned about anything, they need to inform the Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO) or a representative of the PCC. 

Our main aim, because we are all God's children, is to provide a safe environment not only in each of our churches, but also in our communities. Our Pastoral Care Teams have all completed training for this and the register is regularly updated when changes are necessary: this means that each church and all our activities are well covered. 

A Safeguarding display board is available in each building with explanatory posters. 

## **Our Parish Safeguarding Officer is Ginnie Soffe.** 

## **Email - safeguarding.tpots@gmail.com** 

If you have any concerns, contact Ginnie on the email above or through the Church Office 

The Bath and Wells Diocese are now using a Christian organisation called ‘Thirtyone:eight’, which specialises in the safeguarding needs of churches and charities, to process all DBS checks, organise training and provide advice, guidance and support. 


## **This is taken from the Diocesan website;** 

‘Safeguarding literally means ‘to protect from harm’, a principle frequently seen in the Bible. Our name - ‘Thirtyone:eight’ - is taken from Proverbs 31:8  “Speak out on behalf of the voiceless, and for the rights of vulnerable people”. 

Beyond this verse, caring for vulnerable people is at the heart of the Scriptures. As 

Christians we are encouraged to remember the orphans,  widows, strangers and children. In fact, there are over 2,000 references to matters of justice and injustice; of which the principles of safeguarding are included’. 


27 



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28

## **PCC – Parochial Church Council** 

The Parochial Church Council, or PCC is an executive committee of the parish with powers and duties defined by certain  Acts of Parliament and is the process whereby members of the church can exercise their say over the running of their church. 

The membership consists of the clergy and churchwardens of the parish, together with a number of representatives of the laity elected by the church members at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (ACPM) of the parish. 

The PCC Secretary and the Treasurer are elected from the PCC.  In addition there are ex-officio members who are the elected members of the Deanery Synod who in turn represent the church within the local deanery. 

In addition to their formal duties, PCC members act as representatives for all parishioners in the affairs of the church. Apart from the Vicar, who is ex-officio chairman, all PCC members are elected directly or indirectly by the parishioners. 

If you would like anything related to the operation of the church raised at a PCC meeting please approach any member. This is your right and it is important that your voice is heard. Your comments will be taken seriously and will be discussed. 

Don`t forget to sign yourself on the Electoral Roll so your voice can really count. 

Contact Carole in the Church Office. 01278 769082 office.tpots@gmail.com 



29 



## _**Structure, Governance and Management**_ 

- The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules.  All Church attendees are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and stand for election to the PCC. 

- Each elected PCC member is encouraged to be a member of one of the PCC Teams.  Ex-officio members (excluding Deanery Synod Representatives) may sit on any Team. 

- Non-PCC members invited to join PCC Teams are co-opted members.  They are invited to join because of the gifts and expertise they have.  Their term on a Team might be short-term (for example, the duration of a particular project) or long-term. 

## _**Objectives and Activities**_ 

- The Parish of Three Saints PCC has the responsibility of co-operating with the incumbent, in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical (as expressed in the _Parochial Church Councils (Powers) Measure 1956 No.3 4 and 5 Eliz 2)._ 

- It also has maintenance responsibilities for the three church buildings, St Christopher’s, Lympsham,  St Mary the Blessed Virgin, East Brent, St Michael’s, Brent Knoll and also for the Church Office in East Brent. 

## **Changes to the Parish Electoral Roll  in 2025;** 

The Electoral Roll at the end of the 2024           106 

## **Total at the end of 2025** 

**70** 

## **A new electoral roll was compiled and published in 2025** 



**----- Start of picture text -----**<br>
Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals<br>Parish Total for 2025<br>Baptisms 5<br>Weddings 2<br>Funerals 16<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br>


30 



## **ADMINISTRATION AND STRUCTURE** 

## **Geographically the Parish of Three Saints:** 

Is constituted of the following villages and hamlets: Brent Knoll, East Brent, Eastertown, Edingworth, Lympsham and Rooksbridge in Somerset. 

- Has three parish church buildings: St Michael’s Church in Brent Knoll, St Mary the Blessed Virgin Church in East Brent and St Christopher’s Church in Lympsham, plus a Church Office in East Brent. 

Is in the Diocese of Bath & Wells, a member of the Church of England. 

## **Correspondence address** 

The Church Office Church Road East Brent Somerset TA9 4HZ office.tpots@gmail.com 01278 769082 Website : www.theparishofthreesaints.org.uk 

**External Support** Inspecting Architect George Chedburn and Richard Codd, Chedburn Codd Ltd Independent Examiner John Leddy 

## **Charity Commission** 

The Parish of Three Saints is a Registered Charity with the Charity Commission Registration number 1188593 

## _Financial Organisations specific to the Parish:_ 

## **The Parish of Three Saints Bank** 

CAF Bank Ltd The Parish of Three Saints 25 Kings Hill Avenue St Christopher’s Church Kings Hill St Mary’s Church West Malling St Michael’s Church Kent ME19 4JQ Friends of St Michael’s Trust CCLA, Senator House (separate Trustees)                 85 Queen Victoria Street London EC4V 4ET 

## **WHO’S WHO DURING 2025** 

## **The Parish has been in Vacancy throughout 2025** 

**Associate Priest – Reverend Neil Bidddiscombe (associatepriest.tpots@outlook.com)** _Worship, Mission and Evangelism Associate Priest_ Rev Neil Biddiscombe 

_Lay Worship Assistant_ Kate Wilford 

We have the following teams of people to support: 

_Pastoral Care Team and Lay Pastoral Assistants_ 

_Buildings & Grounds Teams_ 

Each building has its own team, supported by members of the PCC and parishioners _Finance Team_ 

Victoria Daintree, Robin Leveridge, Mike Smith and Carole Carter 

_Friends of St Michael’s_ Ged Keele 

_Organist_ Pauline Chadwick 

31 



## **PCC Membership as at December 2025** 

**Ex-officio Position Term of Office/Expiry** 

## **Rector** 

was appointed to officiate from April 2026 The  Reverend Robyn Golden-Hann 

**Associate Priest** Rev Neil Biddiscombe 

## **Churchwardens** 

St Michael’s **Brent Knoll** Mike Smith Annual Frances James Warden Emeritus St Mary’s **East Brent** Jan Bance                                                           Annual St Christopher’s **Lympsham** Victoria Daintree Annual **Deanery Synod Representatives** Sarah McClean 3 year term/2026 Dot Coles                                                            3 year term/2026 

## **Lay Members Elected** 

Pauline Chadwick 3 year term/2026 James Counsell PCC Vice Chair 3 year term/2026 Tim Hannah 3 year term/2026 Sarah McClean 3 year term/2026 Jane Watkins 3 year term 2028 

## **Co-opted** 

Victoria Daintree Treasurer Annual Carole Carter Parish Administrator Employed PCC Secretary Annual Electoral Roll Officer Annual Robin Leveridge Donations & Gift Aid Annual Coordinator 


**Website: www.theparishofthreesaints.org.uk Email: office.tpots@gmail.com Church Office, Church Road, East Brent, TA9 4HZ 01278 769082** 

32 



## **PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL ANNUAL  REPORT for 2025** 

**J A N U A R Y -** 

**D E C E M B E R** 


**2 0 2 5** 

**This report has been printed in monochrome to save valuable parish funds. A colour copy will be on our website.** 

1 



**Once again, from all of us at The Parish of Three Saints, we wish to say a very huge, warm ‘thank you’ to you all for giving of your time and talents.** 

## _**These include:**_ 

_**Churchwardens**_ 

_**PCC Members**_ 

_**Worship Leaders**_ 

_**Stewards/Welcomers**_ 

_**Readers**_ 

_**Musicians**_ 

_**Chalice Assistants**_ 

_**Scripture Readers**_ 

_**Intercessors**_ 

_**Refreshment Providers**_ 

_**Finance Team**_ 

_**Fundraisers**_ 

_**Bell Ringers**_ 

_**Group Helpers**_ 


_**Flower Arrangers**_ 

## _**Church openers/closers**_ 

_**Cleaners**_ 


## _**Brass Cleaners**_ 

_**Clock Winders**_ 

## _**Churchyard Grounds supporters**_ 

## _**Coffee Morning helpers**_ 

**We are very fortunate to have so many wonderful people that we cannot name you all,  but together you combine to keep our three churches, office and grounds ship-shape and make our sacred spaces welcoming, friendly and inspiring.** 

**If you feel that you can give some of your time or talents, however small, and you wish to be a part of the Church Family, please contact any of the Church Wardens or Church Office.   01278 769082** 

2 




As a Parish we are very blessed and grateful for the care and time our Associate Priest, Neil, has given us and keeps on giving during the vacancy here. 

As a Self Supporting Minister, this is above and beyond his normal duty. 

We especially wish to thank the Reverend Eric Petrie for officiating at services and also funerals, weddings & baptisms in our parish. 

Also we are fortunate to have had support from other visiting ministers. 

We also have a Lay Worship Assistant, Kate Wilford, who takes a Worship of The Word Service when we do not have an ordained minister available. 


3 



## **Associate Priest’s Report for 2025** 


It remains a privilege to be Associate Priest in the Parish of Three Saints and I would like to thank everyone for their help and support since Revd Kevin Wright retired in September 2023. 

Some may think of 2025 as a year of disappointments as we repeatedly failed to attract a new incumbent priest. I always saw this differently and hope that I managed to convey this – we had to wait until God made the right person ready for us and us for them. I am delighted that Revd Robyn Golden-Hann has been appointed to the post, with the announcement made on 14th December. 

A wonderful Christmas present for us and the benefices of Berrow and Brean, who Robyn is also licensed to. I believe that Robyn is our parish’s first female incumbent, I believe that all will make her most welcome following her licensing on 30[th] March 2026. 

2025 saw us continue our pattern of sharing worship in each of the three churches. I do feel that during the year we experienced an increase in the number of people who would generally only attend church in their village. Regular (and frequent!) Sunday worship is an important part of faith for us Christians, not only to properly worship our Lord, but also to develop our own faith to help us grow closer to God. 

The Book Group is one way that a number of people have developed their faith and I would like to thank Carla and Geoff Searle for hosting and facilitating this group. I have heard lots of positive feedback about the group and am so glad that it continues to meet. 


No doubt the re-ordering of St Christopher’s will be covered in the report in some form, but I would like to express my gratitude to those involved. 

4 





My thanks go to everyone involved in keeping the parish going during our vacancy. This includes our three Churchwardens, all involved in the church buildings, fundraising, grounds, pastoral care, flower arrangers, cleaners, bell ringers and no doubt many more who work to keep us buoyant. 

As my focus has been on leading worship, it seems right for me to particularly thank a few people closely involved with our worship services: Pauline Chadwick our wonderful organist and singing group leader; Kate Wilford our Lay Worship Leader, Tim Hannah for organising the rotas, those who read and those who lead intercessions and Revd Eric Petrie for regularly leading worship and supporting the parish with funeral and baptism ministry. 

I would very much like to thank Carole Carter for all she does as our Parish Administrator and also Secretary to the PCC (which is always more  work than people think); without Carole our  parish would have been much more difficult to sustain. Thanks also to James Counsell for stepping up to chair the PCC. 

Whilst 2025 was a year to keep things going, 2026 promises to be a year of change and progress. I pray that we will sustain our existing congregation, attract more new people who fully and lovingly take Revd Robyn into our hearts. 

**Peace and blessings, Revd Neil Biddiscombe** 

5 




As we move onwards into a new way of being, albeit a slow process, coming together as one church community with Berrow & Brean, as the Benefice of  Berrow, Brean and The Parish of Three Saints, we can only pray that we will listen to one another and be thoughtful, caring and prayerful. 


**Easter** 

**always a special time in the Christian calendar** 


6 



## **Erecting the Easter Crosses** 

## **on top of Brent Knoll** 




7 



## **St Christopher’s Annual Church Warden’s Report** 

There may be little to see regarding the reordering project yet, but I can assure you that behind the scenes the ‘Carry On St Christopher’s’ (COSC) team have been working very hard. 

Various grant funders have been approached and some monies have been received. However, money is tight and costs are inevitably rising. The team has made the decision to apply for a higher tier of Lottery funding which will involve a lot more work and lengthened timescales. We are extremely grateful for the dedicated team that are involved with this project. 

Fundraising for the COSC project was launched with a very successful ball held at Batch Country House. Many thanks to all who were involved with the evening and to those that supported the event. 

We were blessed with glorious weather for the annual fete held in the Manor Gardens and funds raised at that event help to support the day to day running of the church. We thank James and Lisa Counsell for generously sharing their gardens with us. 

St Christopher’s Church continued to look beautiful this year, due to the hard work of the cleaners and flower arrangers. Many thanks to those people who have volunteered to help. We aim to make the flower arrangements sustainable, using flowers from our own gardens where possible. 

Trees in the churchyard have been lightly pruned and ivy removed from the church walls. Thank you to Robin Hoare for doing this work and maintaining the grass and hedges. 

St Christopher’s Church remains open for meditation and private prayer during daylight hours. We now have a team of four church openers and our thanks go to them. 

In the autumn, I appealed to the villagers for a new team to lead the Nativity service on Christmas Eve this year. I was delighted when Charlotte Howson and Olivia Coles agreed to take on the task. The service was beautiful, supported by numerous local families and their children. Well done and thank you to all involved. It continues to be the most popular service of the year and has become something of a Lympsham tradition for many families. 


It is a privilege to serve God in our journey together in this beautiful village. 

## **Victoria Daintree** 

## **Church Warden** 


8 



## **St Mary’s Annual Report** 

As many of you will know, I , Jan Bance, took over as Churchwarden from Dot Coles in May 2025. I would like to express my thanks to her for all her help and guidance in the handover. 

St Mary’s has been busy holding coffee mornings to raise much needed funds. We held a Christmas Fayre in November at the Village Hall which was well attended. 

All events during 2026 will be advertised in the church on noticeboards & sent with the regular mailings from Carole in the Church Office. 

We are continuing to work with East Brent C of E Primary School and have hosted the Leavers’ Assembly, the Christmas Carol Concert and the Christingle Service. These events involve teachers, students and their families and it was magical to see them all enjoying our beautiful Church. The children have their own corner in the church to display drawings etc. The PTA are using the Church for meetings 

Any repairs such as the outside pillars have been completed by a local craftsman and some repairs which were necessary after the break-in during December. 

Looking forward we are hoping to install a kitchen in the near future which will be an asset for all our events which we are hoping to hold to keep St Mary’s in funds. This will require us applying for grants. 

On behalf of St Mary’s I would like to thank everyone who helps with the running of the church and who support our events in every way. 


Thank you 

Jan Bance 


9 



## **St Michael’s Annual Church Warden’s Report** 

As we look back on 2025, we are grateful to our Associate Priest Rev Neil Biddiscombe and to the worship team and to Rev Eric Petrie who have continued to lead our worship as we continue in our vacancy. 

We are also thankful to the local ministers who have taken Funerals and Weddings when we haven’t had a minister available to do so. 

The church has continued to be well looked after; thanks to all those who work tirelessly behind the scenes: the cleaners and brass cleaners, the Bell Ringers and to our flower arrangers, who have brightened up the church throughout the year. Sadly, the flower arranging group has dwindled, but we are extremely grateful to those who continue to arrange flowers for our church. Thanks also to those who quietly tend the churchyard. 

Sunday services wouldn’t be the same without the team of people who welcome us and serve refreshments: thank you. 

We met with the congregations of Berrow and Brean on the 5th Sundays for worship and some of our congregation continue to join in their Wednesday morning prayers. Some of their members joined us for our Harvest service at the cider farm in Brent Knoll. 

The school has joined us on several occasions through the year, for Easter, Leavers, school welcome and presentation of Bibles, Harvest services and the Nativity and Christingle Services;  they also held some assemblies in the church. 

In November we held the Annual Service of Remembrance led by the Royal British Legion as well as in May a VE day Memorial service at the war memorial. 

During the year several projects have taken place, these include: 

In February we held a Churchyard clear up and cleaned gulleys and general garden maintenance. 

We have also introduced a Borrow Book bookcase and an honesty café. 


Discussions are ongoing with the Diocesan Advisory Committee about the North Aisle pew removal project. 

The front vestry was redecorated and windows cleaned thanks to a legacy . 

Every 5 years each church has to have a formal buildings inspection and this Quinquennial Inspection (QI) was carried out in May. When we have this report we will understand more what our priorities are for works in the church and churchyard. 

10 




In September Brent Knoll Methodist Church held their last service and we hope that the members are now settled into East Brent Methodist Church where they have combined to be Brent Methodist Church. 

We remember fondly the Toddler Group we ran jointly in the Methodist Church and the combined Bible Studies, etc. our members attended. 

The Fun in Fundraising Group have been busy. We held a lot of events which were both fun to organise, volunteer at and hopefully fun for all who came and supported us raising much-needed funds. 

In February we held a successful Soup and Pud lunch in the Parish Hall. In the spring/early summer we had a series of concerts in the church by Gregory Steward, and the LLH Trio; we also had a film afternoon showing films of Brent Knoll and its people from the past. 

Again, we had a presence at the village fete with a plant and cake stall. In July we held a successful Open Gardens at Ball Copse Hall and Dolphin Cottage. 


In September we held an Autumn Fayre at the Westcroft Cider Farm and in November we had a Spud and Pud lunch in the Parish Hall. 

The Friends of St. Michael’s organised the Easter and August Teas. 

The Christmas Tree Festival in St. Michaels was very successful, and we look forward to repeating that and the Soup and Pud lunches in 2026. 

Thank you to all the helpers and to all those who attend our events. 

I would like to thank Neil and Carole in the office for keeping us informed and looking after the churchwardens, to Victoria and the finance team who keep us in order and to Frances for her devotion in unlocking the church daily and to the countless other people who do jobs for us, like putting the bins out and keeping an eye out for the building. 

In December it was announced that Rev Robyn Golden-Hann will be joining us as Priest in Charge of Berrow, Brean and TPoTs in the spring. 

## **Mike Smith  -  Churchwarden** 


11 



## **Financial Review of 2025** 

The Parish finances are managed through two different funds, Church Life and Heritage. The Church Life fund contributes to God’s mission and ministry across the Parish and the Heritage fund supports our three buildings. 

Throughout the year donors have been encouraged to make their donations via the Parish Giving Scheme. This simplifies the way donations are recorded, and gift aid is automatically transferred to the relevant bank accounts. The campaign to encourage more people to donate in this manner will continue in 2026. 

The Church Life fund is supported by regular church goers and members of the wider community.  It has been a difficult year financially for the Church Life fund. As predicted last year, we were unable to pay the Parish Share by direct debit from May, without adjustments to the arrangement of funds between the Heritage and Church Life accounts and we had to cancel the direct debit payments. The PCC voted to move £1,000 from each Heritage Fund to ease the shortfall. In addition we qualified for a reduction in Parish Share from April because the parish is in vacancy. To improve the situation going forward, the PCC voted to share all future fundraising 50/50 with Church Life. As a result, £19,514.69 was paid, out of the total ask of £23,943.60, leaving a shortfall of £3,546.00. 

The current end-of-year balance is £10,630.47. 

The Heritage funds for St Christopher’s and St Michael’s remain in a healthy state due to generous monthly contributors and some very successful fundraising events. It would be fantastic if we could rely entirely on regular donations, but sadly this is not the case. The Heritage fund for St Mary’s remains at a critical level, despite the valiant efforts of the new Church Warden, Jan. It will be difficult for St Mary’s to remain solvent without the support of the other churches during 2026. 

The Parish was fortunate enough to benefit from grants from the Nuttall Trust. St Christopher’s received £3,500 towards the reordering project and £101 for a St George flag. St Michaels received £800 for lighting work. 

The closing current account balances for each church are as follows: 

St Mary’s: £4,409.32 St Christopher’s:  £13,371.28 St Michael’s: £28,237.77 

In addition: St Christopher’s has £205,085.82 on deposit St Michael’s has £21,500 on deposit  (Friends of St Michael) 

I would like to thank Robin Leveridge for his help and support with the banking and gift aid and Carole Carter for her support and encouragement with this job! 

## **Victoria Daintree    Treasurer** 


12 



|||**Church**<br>**Life**<br>**Fund**|**Heritag**<br>**e**<br>**Fund**|**Year**|**Year**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||**2025**|**_2024_**|
|**Receipts**||£|£|**£**|_£_|
|||||||
|**Donations and Legacies:**||||||
||Plannedgiving|19,104|5,041|**24,145**|_24,540_|
||Collections, donations & othergiving|2,678|34,856|**37,534**|_20,807_|
||Income tax recovered|-|11,529|**11,529**|_7,000_|
||Legacies|-|53,027|**53,027**|_5,000_|
|**Other Trading activities**||||||
||Magazine/Bookstall sales/Hall Lettings etc|85|-|**85**|_84_|
||Income from other Properties||-|**-**|_-_|
||Annual Fete/events|6,114|28,750|**34,864**|_10,820_|
|**Receipts from Investments:**||||||
||Interest & dividends|18|3,567|**3,585**|_3,685_|
|**Receipts from Charitable activities:**||||||
||Parochial fees|4,744|-|**4,744**|_3,233_|
|**Other Receipts**||||||
||Insurance claims|-|-|**-**|_-_|
||Saleproceeds from fixed assets|-|-|**-**|_-_|
||Loans received|-|-|**-**|_-_|
||Other|891|10|**901**|_1,729_|
|||||||
|**Total Receipts**||**33,634**|**136,780**|**170,414**<br>**76,898**||
|||||||
|**Payments**||||||
|||||||
|**Charitable activities:**||||||
||Donations/Grants to charities|(30)|-|**(30)**|_(30)_|
||Mission & Evangelism|(256)|(40)|**(296)**|_(190)_|
||Parish Share|(19,515)|-|**(19,515)**|_(29,334)_|
||Clergyexpenses|(409)|-|**(409)**|_(676)_|
||Church runningexpenses|(2,044)|(17,786)|**(19,830)**|_(13,800)_|
||Churchyard maintenance|(221)|(4,140)|**(4,361)**|_(15,036)_|
||Cost of raisingfunds|-|(6,170)|**(6,170)**|_(1,345)_|
|||||**-**||
||Support costs|(718)|-|**(718)**|_(1,096)_|
||Administration costs(inc. staff costs)|(13,409)|-|**(13,409)**|_(13,200)_|
||Governance Costs|(60)|-|**(60)**|_(60)_|
||Other|(943)|(7,237)|**(8,180)**|_(7,788)_|
|**Major expenditure**||||||
||Repairs to church buildings|-|(7,512)|**(7,512)**|_(31,231)_|
||Repairs to otherproperty|-|-|**-**|_-_|
||Capitalpurchases/additions|-|-|**-**|_-_|
||Loan repayments|-|-|**-**|_-_|
|||||||
|**Totalpayments**||**(37,605)**|**(42,885)**|**(80,490)**<br>_(113,786)_||
|||||||
|**Surplus/(Deficit) of Receipts overpayments**||**(3,971)**|**93,895**|**89,924**<br>**(36,888)**||
|||||||
|_Transfers betweenfunds_|||-|**-**|_-_|
|||||||
|||(3,971)|93,895|**89,924**|**(36,888)**|
|_Cash at bank and in hand at 1Jan(Actual Balance)_||8,142||**194,006**|_230,894_|
|||||**-**||
|_Cash at bank and in hand at 31 Dec(Actual Balance)_||4,171|93,895|283,930|194,006|



13 



|||**Statement of Assets 2025**|**Statement of Assets 2025**|**Statement of Assets 2025**|**Statement of Assets 2025**|**Statement of Assets 2025**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||||
|**Account**|**Account Name**||**Opening**<br>**Balance**|**Transactions**<br>**IN**|**Transactions**<br>**OUT**|**Actual**<br>**Balance**|
||Combined Accounts||£194,005.42|£289,376.37|-£200,182.17|£283,199.62|
|**A**|The Parish of Three Saints(Ca||£8,141.63|£46,739.82|-£44,250.98|£10,630.47|
|**B**|St Mary's Church(Cash)||£9,030.07|£8,884.23|-£13,504.98|£4,409.32|
|**C**|St Christopher's Church(Cash||£25,455.94|£94,216.76|-£103,201.42|£13,371.28|
|**D**|St Michael's Church(Cash)||£31,377.78|£33,592.23|-£36,732.24|£28,237.77|
|**E**|St C Teachers(Cash)||£75,000.00|||£75,000.00|
|**F**|St C CAF(Cash)||£45,000.00|£40,000.00||£85,000.00|
|**G**|St C Deposit|||£45,085.82||£45,085.82|
|**H**|St MC Deposit|||£21,500.00||£21,500.00|
||||**Fund Raising**||||
|**Event**|||**Church**<br>**Life**|**St.**<br>**Marys**|**St.**<br>**Christophers**|**St.**<br>**Michaels**|
|**Easy Fundraising**|||£89.57|-|-|£36.43|
|**Coffee Mornings **|||£65.23<br>£126.52<br>£3,980.96|£807.23<br>-|£525.72<br>-<br>£3,300.84|-<br>£126.53<br>£680.11|
|**Film Night St MC**|||||||
|**Fetes**|||||||
|**Open Gardens St MC**|||£755.25|||£755.25|
|**Concert St MC**|||£142.13|||£386.46|
|**Soup and Pud St MC**|||£230.81|||£230.81|
|**Christmas Craft Fairs**|||£184.25|£244.25|||
|**Tree Festival**|||£734.15|-||£734.16|
|**Teas**|||-|-||£564.15|
|**Misc**|||||£18.97|£25.00|
|**Ball**|||-|-|£11,937.84||
|**TOTALS**|||**£6,308.87**|**£1,051.48**|**£15,783.37**|**£3,538.90**|



**St Michael’s Church also has a Trust Fund run separately from the PCC by three Trustees.** 

**Trust Fund Balance as at 31 December 2025 is £31,457.52** 

14 





## **Parish Giving Scheme (PGS)** 

We have adopted a new form of tithing in the parish & if you would like details of this regular giving scheme please contact the Church office or our Treasurer, Victoria, or alternatively access The Parish Giving Scheme from your own home 

## **https://www.parishgiving.org.uk/donors/find-your-parish** 

Once you have located The Parish Giving Scheme website and under ‘Giver’ use the ‘Find your parish’ search tool and type in the name of your church, parish or location. Click on your chosen church and you’ll be able to cross-check that it’s the right place by using the map, address details and description on that page.  Then follow the instructions. 

The Parish of Three Saints unique code is  01A601047 

## **We need your help please ……………..** 

to maintain three Church buildings and our Church Office: we have to provide these costs through The Parish of Three Saints, and, if people want to have children baptised here, get married here or have a funeral here, then annual running and maintenance costs must be realistically met by the parishioners. 

## **Use and support your church, or lose it.** 

More importantly, we need your support to grow the church family, focus on Jesus, support each other in attending regular public worship, sharing in the Eucharist and being diligent in your private prayer. Show your friends, family and neighbours that your faith is important to you. 

## **Thank you** 

15 



St Michael's
Christmas Tree Festival
16

## **St Christopher's Buildings & Grounds** 

## **Summary of Planned Re-ordering of St. Christopher’s Church** 

This is being undertaken by the St Christopher’s re-ordering team which has members with various expertise driving and supporting this project, known affectionately as ‘Carry On St Christopher’s’ (COSC). 

Key Areas: Provision of Cloakroom with disability access Provision of Kitchen & Serving Facility 

Both the above require the installation of a Water Supply & External / Internal Drainage. This obviously requires major works involving the flooring, so it makes sense to update the Heating System at the same time. 

Pews to be reconfigured / adapted (with additional new seating) to allow for different events e.g. Traditional, ‘In the round’, performances, etc. 

Updating of Lighting / Electrics: Not only to provide appropriate supply & illumination for different areas & activities, but also to make it more energy efficient for the future. 

Ceiling Repairs & Decoration alongside Internal Redecoration: required by the Quinquennial Review following past lead replacement works, leaks, etc. 

Various additional items, depending on funding. 

It’s an ambitious project and funding is being sought by the team as the costs could be approaching  £1million, but it will provide the community with a welcoming centre for local activities, courses & exhibitions, some of which should provide revenue for the future, whilst sustaining the Church’s importance in the Parish. 

There is a ‘thermometer’ outside the Lympsham Pavilion monitoring our fundraising progress. 

## **Robin Leveridge** 

## **Chair of St Christopher’s Buildings & Grounds Team** 



17 



## **St Michael’s Buildings & Grounds Committee** 

## **The Church Buildings** 

**North aisle project** – in May 2024 we received a visit from the DAC about this project. Our architect, George Chedburn,  had prepared a scheme to cover the North Aisle space with a wooden floor that would create a level surface in the aisle space.  This scheme was rejected by the DAC on the grounds that the church was subject to flooding and general dampness. Over the past 2 years a revised scheme has been proposed that will lower the current floor space and cover the area in Purbeck stone with blue lias stone edging. 

The details of this project are being finalised and we hope to be able to progress the project in the summer of 2026. 

**Lighting** – the Nuttall Trust kindly gave us a grant to upgrade our lighting to modern standards by replacing the old-fashioned bulbs with LED equivalents.  The internal tower required to do the work was very impressive.  The enhanced light in the nave now shows up the blemishes in the wall paintwork! 

**South steps repair of coping stones** - the coping stones by the steps had disintegrated and it was decided to replace them.  The work was completed in January 2026 at a cost of £3,500. 

## **The Churchyard** 

**Tree work –** in May a substantial ash tree shed branches in the churchyard; initially we thought it was affected by ash dieback.  Fortunately this proved not to be the case, but part of the tree hung over the footpath up the Knoll, so action had to be taken to deal with the tree in the winter. This was finally completed in January 2026 at a cost of £1,750. 

**Path to the Remembrance Garden –** sadly the floods in January washed out a section of the path.  Remedial work to repair the damage will be organised once a scheme to relieve flooding in the area is completed by the Parish Council.  At the time of writing this work has started. 

## **Legacies** 

St Michael’s has been fortunate over the years to receive legacies which help to maintain these beautiful buildings for all to enjoy. 

This year was no exception & we received news of a substantial legacy left to The Friends of St Michael’s Trust.   At the time of writing, the funds are being held in a reserve account by the Friends of St Michael’s Brent Knoll Trust.  We have clarified that these funds can be used to support the North Aisle project when this project commences. 


**Ged Keele Secretary St Michael’s B & G Team** 

18 



## **Singing Group** 

In our second year since formation, we have built up our knowledge and confidence, also our repertoire, learning one or two new hymns and one or two new carols. 

We sang at St Michael’s Christmas Tree Festival and thoroughly enjoyed it. The group also sang the first verse of ‘Once in Royal David’s City’ at the Carol Service in St Christopher’s, a traditional thing at most Carol Services, before the congregation joins for the next verses. It was wonderful to hear and also to hear them start each verse with the organ, helping everyone to know exactly when to sing. This might seem a trivial thing, but it is important to ensure the smooth and joyous singing in the church. 

We have started 2026 by branching out to learn one or two descants to the hymns and songs we have in services, and are hoping to help take our worship forward by the addition of a few new songs. 

I thank all the members of the group for their dedication and attendance every fortnight, giving of their best. They are a great group. We meet on alternate Mondays: do get in touch if you would like to join us - we sing, have fun and drink tea/coffee halfway through, so we get a chance to have a good chat. Can’t be bad! 

## **Pauline Chadwick** 

**01278 760224** 



19 




## **Bellringers** 

The ringing of church bells is one of those quintessential British sounds that we often take for granted. The unique English style of ringing evolved over 400 years ago and is part of our heritage. 

All three church towers in The Parish of Three Saints have six bells, though their tone and characteristics are very different. 

St Michael’s bells at Brent Knoll are heavy and majestic (tenor 21cwt) and ringers come from all over the country to ring them. 

St Mary’s at East Brent are lighter (tenor 16cwt) and can be rung more quickly which makes them sound bright. 

St Christopher’s at Lympsham are lighter still (tenor 11cwt) and produce a higher pitched, merry sound. 

You are welcome to visit us during our normal Tuesday practice between 7.30 and 9 p.m. 

For more information please contact: 

## **Tower Captain** 

**Mr David Polly** 

**07720 844152** 



20 



As bellringers, we have had rather an eventful year.   Melvyn Freeman, who has been our Tower Captain for the last 25+ years, has moved to the Quantocks along with his other half Mo and their dogs, depleting our numbers a little.   We are so grateful for all that Melvyn and Mo have done for us over all those years.  Melvyn is still a regular on our Tuesday practice nights and is also helping with maintenance. 

On Tuesday nights, our weekly practices are very well attended – often with 15 or more people, including some from the neighbouring areas Mark, Burnham-on-Sea, Puriton and Street.  Our ringing is generally to a high standard and we are able to ring many of the more complex methods.  This attracts people to travel to us, either to learn something new and stretch themselves (no pun intended) or to enjoy supporting those who are less experienced and learning new things.  With bellringing there is always something new to learn.   This influx benefits us as a group of ringers, as well as the wider area. Of course, many have their own churches to ring for on a Sunday and we find now that Sundays are a little more of a challenge and we would benefit from a couple more people.   We are a group whose ages span broadly 18 to 80 and ringing is a great leveller.   If you are interested in learning to ring, then please contact me and come along on a Tuesday evening and ‘have a go’. 

Our three churches have quite different peals of bells which at present seem in a good state of repair. Our ropes, however, seem to need constant maintenance as they age.  We have replaced the hemp in some of the top lengths with Terylene (referred to as “Terylene Tops”).  These have the benefit of being more durable and generally less affected by the changing seasons, but at Brent Knoll they haven’t been too successful as they have remained stretchy – normally this settles down after a short while, but the stretchiness remains and on two of our bells it is like trying to ring them using an elastic rope – not good for our timing – so more work needed.  Elsewhere, we are finding that the hemp is becoming dry and powdery and we are having to regularly splice ropes before we have a breakage. 

We often measure ourselves by Peals and Quarter Peals.  A Peal typically involves around 3 hours of continuous ringing and a Quarter Peal about 45 minutes.  They are a good way to consolidate learning or to celebrate an event.   At Lympsham we rang just one quarter peal in 2025 and had a visiting band ringing a quarter peal at East Brent.  However, Brent Knoll has had 5 Quarter Peals and 1 Peal in 2025.  The Peal was rung to commemorate 80 years passing since VE day and included 4 ringers who are or have been connected with our Parish. 

As we move into 2026, we are wondering how bringing together the Parish with Berrow and Brean will impact us.  Neither of those Churches now has regular practice or service ringing  – so it is perhaps something we can help with, but with that comes another 11 bells and ropes to maintain! 


21 



## **St Christopher’s Church, Lympsham** 

## **Fundraising Report 2025** 

2025 was a really successful year for us in terms of fundraising.  The highlights were two events: the Church Fete in the Summer and the Night on the Tiles Ball in October.  It also saw the launch in earnest of our campaign to renovate the church building, known as ‘Carry on St Christopher’s’. 

Thank you to all who gave their time to help organise and all who came to the events.  In June, we held our annual garden fête and vintage car show in the grounds of the Manor.  As the photos show, the fete was incredibly popular as ever and we were very lucky with the weather, attracting a large number of locals, together with those who come from further afield every year.  Amongst the star attractions were the ever-popular tombola, the tea and cake stall and the barbecue. 

This year was another record and the first time we have exceeded £6,000 – easily in fact, with a total of just over a £6,600!  The generosity of all who comes never ceases to amaze.   Minute by minute the fête took £44! 


Huge thanks to the organising committee and all the stallholders but particularly to Rosemary and Andy Carr, who took over running the fete 18 years ago.  To make things easier, we have now set up a team all with individual responsibilities and this new arrangement worked really well this year. 

Thank you also to Graeme Hale for his fantastic work in the garden. 

If you would like to join the team or help out on the day with one of our stalls or activities or just find out what is involved, do let us know. 

## **This year the fete will be on Saturday 4th July.** 

**Please come along if you can.** 

22 





## **The Night on the Tiles Ball took place on Friday 17 October.** 

It has become one of the highlights of the village year as 200 glamorous guests descended on Batch Country House for the long-awaited Night on the Tiles Ball. 

Dinner was delicious and enjoyed by all. Auctioneer Rob Stone then inspired guests to dig deep for the lots on offer, very generously donated by local people and businesses. 

The evening was capped off with music and dancing from the Lipinski Brothers. 

Huge thanks must go to everyone who organised, donated and supported this unforgettable evening, which raised a grand total of £11,788. 

Special thanks to our generous hosts James and Anna Brown, and all the volunteers who worked tirelessly behind the scenes. The night was not just a success—it was a wonderful celebration of Lympsham’s amazing generosity and community spirit. 

2025 also saw the launch of our campaign to raise funds to carry out substantial work on St Christopher’s. The church is a natural focal point, in the centre of the village, and is ideally placed to meet the needs of all in our village and our surrounding communities. 

However, at the moment, it has real limitations, including a lack of a water supply, no kitchen nor serving facilities and no toilet.  In addition, there is an urgent need to update the antiquated heating system to make it sustainable and to reorder the seating to make the space more flexible and capable of being used for other community activities, besides worship. 

The project, if completed, will include the installation of an accessible toilet, refreshment and servery facilities, flexible and comfortable seating, an efficient, all-green heating system, together with much needed repairs to the damaged fabric of this beautiful 14[th] century building, to include repairs to the plasterwork and calligraphy and improved accessibility for those of all ages and abilities. Please support this hugely important project and our thanks to the team who are coordinating this. 

## **James Counsell & Victoria Daintree Feb 2026** 

23 



## **Our Local Schools** 


**Brent Knoll Primary School** 

**Lympsham C of E Academy** 

The pupils at all three local schools continue to attend Services over the year, with the schools devising and leading some of their own services, which allowed the children to really participate. 




24 



“ 

## **Support Groups for our Parish** 

**Jesus said “A new commandment I give to you: love one another.** 

**Just as I have loved you, you must love one another.”** 

**This is the aim of the Pastoral Care Team at TPOTS** 

**to meet people where they are** 

**to show love, care and support unconditionally and without judgement.** 

## **Going through a tough time? Need someone to talk to?** 

Sometimes people need practical help, such as lifts to hospital or church, meals prepared for the freezer while they recover from their operation, help with shopping and library books or someone to collect their prescription. 

Sometimes it’s company they need, someone to have a cup of coffee and a chat with or a friendly telephone call. Sometimes it’s an encouraging card put through their letterbox. Sometimes it can just be a friendly wave or a smile or a willingness to listen. 

The current team comprises Carla, Jane, Tim, Dot, Margaret and Ginnie and we regularly place articles in the village magazines. The whole team have appropriate Safeguarding training and up to date DBS checks. 

We give thanks for the Lay Pastoral Assistants (LPAs) and our Lay Worship Assistant (LWA) and pray that all our visiting and caring for people will be done in God’s strength not our own. 

The team meets on a regular basis for prayer, reflection and discernment, training and sharing ideas and experiences. We trust God to show us the way forward and feel very privileged to be His hands and feet, His ears and eyes, as we reach out to those in our parish. 

If you would like to know more about the team, feel God is calling you to this ministry or are in need and would like us to visit, please contact us by e-mail or telephone: 

office.tpots@gmail.com 01278 769082. 

**The Village Agent scheme** . This was created in response to the fact that many people living in rural communities have difficulty accessing key services and support agencies that help maintain well-being and quality of life. All advice is free and completely confidential. 

The village agent, **Kim Wilcox** , provides very useful and helpful information about the support available for parishioners and carers in the area. 

**Kim can be contacted on 07943 555519** or by email – kim@somersetrcc.org.uk or through the Pastoral Care Team. 


25 



THE PARISH
QIF THREE SAINTS
26

## **Safeguarding** 

Safeguarding in the Church community (i.e. making our churches a safe haven for children, young people and vulnerable adults) is everyone’s responsibility. Safeguarding is all about protection from abuse, neglect, harm or being exploited. 

The Safeguarding policy for our three churches and the Office is in accordance with the Church of England House of Bishops’ Document & Diocesan Guidelines. 

The PCC reviews our policy regularly and Safeguarding is always down as an agenda item at PCC meetings. PCC members regularly undertake DBS checks and Safeguarding training. 

As always it is important for us all to remain alert and curious and, if anyone is concerned about anything, they need to inform the Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO) or a representative of the PCC. 

Our main aim, because we are all God's children, is to provide a safe environment not only in each of our churches, but also in our communities. Our Pastoral Care Teams have all completed training for this and the register is regularly updated when changes are necessary: this means that each church and all our activities are well covered. 

A Safeguarding display board is available in each building with explanatory posters. 

## **Our Parish Safeguarding Officer is Ginnie Soffe.** 

## **Email - safeguarding.tpots@gmail.com** 

If you have any concerns, contact Ginnie on the email above or through the Church Office 

The Bath and Wells Diocese are now using a Christian organisation called ‘Thirtyone:eight’, which specialises in the safeguarding needs of churches and charities, to process all DBS checks, organise training and provide advice, guidance and support. 


## **This is taken from the Diocesan website;** 

‘Safeguarding literally means ‘to protect from harm’, a principle frequently seen in the Bible. Our name - ‘Thirtyone:eight’ - is taken from Proverbs 31:8  “Speak out on behalf of the voiceless, and for the rights of vulnerable people”. 

Beyond this verse, caring for vulnerable people is at the heart of the Scriptures. As 

Christians we are encouraged to remember the orphans,  widows, strangers and children. In fact, there are over 2,000 references to matters of justice and injustice; of which the principles of safeguarding are included’. 


27 



jW,I,'I','
28

## **PCC – Parochial Church Council** 

The Parochial Church Council, or PCC is an executive committee of the parish with powers and duties defined by certain  Acts of Parliament and is the process whereby members of the church can exercise their say over the running of their church. 

The membership consists of the clergy and churchwardens of the parish, together with a number of representatives of the laity elected by the church members at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (ACPM) of the parish. 

The PCC Secretary and the Treasurer are elected from the PCC.  In addition there are ex-officio members who are the elected members of the Deanery Synod who in turn represent the church within the local deanery. 

In addition to their formal duties, PCC members act as representatives for all parishioners in the affairs of the church. Apart from the Vicar, who is ex-officio chairman, all PCC members are elected directly or indirectly by the parishioners. 

If you would like anything related to the operation of the church raised at a PCC meeting please approach any member. This is your right and it is important that your voice is heard. Your comments will be taken seriously and will be discussed. 

Don`t forget to sign yourself on the Electoral Roll so your voice can really count. 

Contact Carole in the Church Office. 01278 769082 office.tpots@gmail.com 



29 



## _**Structure, Governance and Management**_ 

- The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules.  All Church attendees are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and stand for election to the PCC. 

- Each elected PCC member is encouraged to be a member of one of the PCC Teams.  Ex-officio members (excluding Deanery Synod Representatives) may sit on any Team. 

- Non-PCC members invited to join PCC Teams are co-opted members.  They are invited to join because of the gifts and expertise they have.  Their term on a Team might be short-term (for example, the duration of a particular project) or long-term. 

## _**Objectives and Activities**_ 

- The Parish of Three Saints PCC has the responsibility of co-operating with the incumbent, in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical (as expressed in the _Parochial Church Councils (Powers) Measure 1956 No.3 4 and 5 Eliz 2)._ 

- It also has maintenance responsibilities for the three church buildings, St Christopher’s, Lympsham,  St Mary the Blessed Virgin, East Brent, St Michael’s, Brent Knoll and also for the Church Office in East Brent. 

## **Changes to the Parish Electoral Roll  in 2025;** 

The Electoral Roll at the end of the 2024           106 

## **Total at the end of 2025** 

**70** 

## **A new electoral roll was compiled and published in 2025** 



**----- Start of picture text -----**<br>
Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals<br>Parish Total for 2025<br>Baptisms 5<br>Weddings 2<br>Funerals 16<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br>


30 



## **ADMINISTRATION AND STRUCTURE** 

## **Geographically the Parish of Three Saints:** 

Is constituted of the following villages and hamlets: Brent Knoll, East Brent, Eastertown, Edingworth, Lympsham and Rooksbridge in Somerset. 

- Has three parish church buildings: St Michael’s Church in Brent Knoll, St Mary the Blessed Virgin Church in East Brent and St Christopher’s Church in Lympsham, plus a Church Office in East Brent. 

Is in the Diocese of Bath & Wells, a member of the Church of England. 

## **Correspondence address** 

The Church Office Church Road East Brent Somerset TA9 4HZ office.tpots@gmail.com 01278 769082 Website : www.theparishofthreesaints.org.uk 

**External Support** Inspecting Architect George Chedburn and Richard Codd, Chedburn Codd Ltd Independent Examiner John Leddy 

## **Charity Commission** 

The Parish of Three Saints is a Registered Charity with the Charity Commission Registration number 1188593 

## _Financial Organisations specific to the Parish:_ 

## **The Parish of Three Saints Bank** 

CAF Bank Ltd The Parish of Three Saints 25 Kings Hill Avenue St Christopher’s Church Kings Hill St Mary’s Church West Malling St Michael’s Church Kent ME19 4JQ Friends of St Michael’s Trust CCLA, Senator House (separate Trustees)                 85 Queen Victoria Street London EC4V 4ET 

## **WHO’S WHO DURING 2025** 

## **The Parish has been in Vacancy throughout 2025** 

**Associate Priest – Reverend Neil Bidddiscombe (associatepriest.tpots@outlook.com)** _Worship, Mission and Evangelism Associate Priest_ Rev Neil Biddiscombe 

_Lay Worship Assistant_ Kate Wilford 

We have the following teams of people to support: 

_Pastoral Care Team and Lay Pastoral Assistants_ 

_Buildings & Grounds Teams_ 

Each building has its own team, supported by members of the PCC and parishioners _Finance Team_ 

Victoria Daintree, Robin Leveridge, Mike Smith and Carole Carter 

_Friends of St Michael’s_ Ged Keele 

_Organist_ Pauline Chadwick 

31 



## **PCC Membership as at December 2025** 

**Ex-officio Position Term of Office/Expiry** 

## **Rector** 

was appointed to officiate from April 2026 The  Reverend Robyn Golden-Hann 

**Associate Priest** Rev Neil Biddiscombe 

## **Churchwardens** 

St Michael’s **Brent Knoll** Mike Smith Annual Frances James Warden Emeritus St Mary’s **East Brent** Jan Bance                                                           Annual St Christopher’s **Lympsham** Victoria Daintree Annual **Deanery Synod Representatives** Sarah McClean 3 year term/2026 Dot Coles                                                            3 year term/2026 

## **Lay Members Elected** 

Pauline Chadwick 3 year term/2026 James Counsell PCC Vice Chair 3 year term/2026 Tim Hannah 3 year term/2026 Sarah McClean 3 year term/2026 Jane Watkins 3 year term 2028 

## **Co-opted** 

Victoria Daintree Treasurer Annual Carole Carter Parish Administrator Employed PCC Secretary Annual Electoral Roll Officer Annual Robin Leveridge Donations & Gift Aid Annual Coordinator 


**Website: www.theparishofthreesaints.org.uk Email: office.tpots@gmail.com Church Office, Church Road, East Brent, TA9 4HZ 01278 769082** 

32 




Independent Examination of The Parish of Three Saints 2025 Annual Accounts 



27[th] February 2026 

Prepared by John Leddy 



## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINATION OF THE PARISH OF THREE SAINTS 2025 ANNUAL ACCOUNTS** 

## **DOCUMENT INFORMATION** 

|Document Title:|Independent Examination of The Parish of Three Saints 2025<br>Annual Accounts|
|---|---|
|Report Version No:|1|
|Reference:|Leddy/IE/TPOTS|
|Produced by:|John Leddy<br>5 Cedarn Court<br>Manor Gardens<br>Kewstoke<br>Weston super Mare<br>North Somerset<br>BS22 9XU|
|Telephone:|07863554902|
|Email:|John_leddy@btinternet.com|
|Distribution Action:|Trustees of The Parish of Three Saints,WorkingPapers|
|||



## **DOCUMENT AUTHORISATION** 

|Document Authoriser:|John Leddy||
|---|---|---|
|Date Authorised:|27thFebruary 2026||
|Document Author:|John Leddy|Independent Examiner|
|Report Quality Review<br>Panel:|||



ii 



## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINATION OF THE PARISH OF THREE SAINTS 2025 ANNUAL ACCOUNTS** 

## **Table of Contents** 

|**Subject**|**Page**|**Paragraph**|
|---|---|---|
|Introduction|1|1|
|Background|1|2 – 7|
|Aim|1|8|
|Approach|1 – 2|9 – 11|
|Findings|2|12 – 14|
|Recommendations|2|15|
|Conclusion|2|16|



iii 



Intentionally Blank
iv

## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINATION OF THE PARISH OF THREE SAINTS 2025 ANNUAL ACCOUNTS** 

## **Introduction** 

1. This report has been prepared by John Leddy on behalf of the Trustees of The Parish of Three Saints who are the sponsor, and to whom any queries should be addressed. 

## **Background** 

2. In the medieval period there were three separate parishes for the villages of South Brent, Brentmarshe and Lymplesham, and each had a significant church. By the end of the nineteenth century the villages became known as Brent Knoll, East Brent and Lympsham respectively. During the 1970’s the Parishes were brought together to operate as a Benefice served by a single priest. In 2011 a decision was made to form a single Parish and The Parish of Three Saints came into being in 2012. 

3.  The Parish includes the churches of St Mary’s East Brent, St Michael’s, Brent Knoll and St Christopher’s in Lympsham. The new Parish has a population of 3,400, which is concentrated in the villages of Brent Knoll, East Brent, Lympsham and Rooksbridge. Since the days of the Benefice Sunday services have been held in rotation at the three Parish churches. This practice continues in The Parish of Three Saints. 

4. Brent Knoll, formerly known as South Brent, is a village and civil parish in the Sedgemoor district of the county of Somerset, in the south west of England. It is an attractive village which clings round the western slopes of the Knoll, a hill that dominates the low surrounding landscape of the Somerset levels. 

5. East Brent is a village and civil parish, on the eastern edge of Brent Knoll, close to the M5 motorway, 5 miles (8 km) west of Axbridge, in the Sedgemoor district of the county of Somerset, in the south-west of England. The parish includes the hamlets of Rooksbridge, where the A38 road crosses the Mark Yeo and Edingworth. 

6. Lympsham is a village and civil parish six miles west of Axbridge and six miles south-east of Weston-super-Mare, close to the River Axe in Somerset, England. The parish includes the hamlet of Wick. 

7. The Parish of Three Saints presently has a church membership of 25 and is rated category C for the purposes of Parish Share of the Common Fund. The Parish comes under the Axbridge Deanery and the Diocese of Bath and Wells. As its combined income is above £100,000 the Parish is registered as a Charity[1] with the Charity Commission. 

## **Aim** 

8. John Leddy is to conduct the Independent Examination (IE) of The Parish of Three Saints accounts for the year ending 31 December 2025. 

## **Approach** 

9. Eligibility to examine the accounts and conduct an IE was confirmed. 

10. The Parish of Three Saints Annual Accounts for the period 1[st] January to 31[st ] December 2025 were examined in accordance with Charity Commission (CC) guidance, details are at Annex A. Additional investigations were conducted where necessary and supporting documentation for the operation of the funds requested if required. 

> 1 Charity Registration Number: 1188593 

1 



11. As part of the examination discussions were held with the Parish Treasurer to ascertain answers to the CC Directions. 

## **Findings** 

12. Examination of the annual report confirmed that the gross income of The Parish of Three Saints did not exceed £1 million[2] and the aggregate value of assets (before deduction of liabilities) did not exceed £3.26 million. In addition to the upper threshold, the Gross Income was above the £25,000[3] lower threshold set for an IE rather, than Audit, to be carried out. Fund Balances are: 

**Table 1 – The Parish of Three Saints Account Balances** 

|**Serial**|**Fund**|**Gross Income (£)**|**Gross Assets (£)**|
|---|---|---|---|
|**(a)**|**(b)**|**(c)**|**(d)**|
|1|TheParishof Three Saints|169,719|283,235|



13. The Gross Income of the Charity is below £250,000 which means that the accounts could be prepared on a Receipts and Payment basis. On inspection of the Charity accounts the Trustees have elected to prepare their Accounts using this method.  The Bath & Wells DBF R&P Cashbook is utilised. 

14. **Points from Last Year’s Review** .  Last year’s IE Report was reviewed. On inspection of that Report no observations were outstanding. 

**Additional Observations.** The Independent Examiners report is a statement to confirm that the Charity is operating within the accounting and governance tolerances set by the CC. In conducting the IE I have the following observations to report. 

- a. The Parish does not produce a Trustees Annual Report in line with CC Direction 12. However, a Treasurer’s Financial Review has been completed and evidenced. 

## **Recommendations** 

15. It is recommended that; 

a. The Parish investigates producing a Trustees Annual Report incorporating the Annual Accounts.  An example Trustees Annual Report can be found on the Charity Commission website. 

## **Conclusion** 

16.    The Parish of Three Saints has received an unqualified report which can be found at Enclosure 1. 

Annex: 

A. The Charity Commission’s Directions on the IE of Charity Accounts. 

Enclosure: 

1. IE Report for 1 Jan to 31 Dec 25 – The Parish of Three Saints. 

> 2 Charities Act 2011 Chapter 3 Section 144(1). 

> 3 Charities Act 2011 Chapter 3 Section 145(1). 

2 



**Annex A to Leddy/IE/TPOTS Dated 27[th] February 26** 

## **THE CHARITY COMMISSIONS DIRECTIONS ON INDEPENDENT EXAMINATION OF CHARITY ACCOUNTS** 

1. The CC produce an examiners’ guide to IE of Charity Accounts. It is specifically written for independent examiners and explains their role and duties in examining the accounts of a charity. In accordance with Section E of the guidance the 13 specific directions and how they were addressed are as follows: 

a. **Examination and accounting thresholds** . The annual report for the period 1 Jan – 31 Dec 25 was examined to confirm IE thresholds[4] had not been breached. 

b. **Conflicts of Interest** . The examiner was not influenced or perceived to be influenced in any way as he did not have any close personal relationships with the Trustees, was not a major donor to the Trust, did not have any control of funds and was not involved in the day to day running of the Trust. 

c. **Documentation** . Working papers were examined and evident. All procedures carried out and any matters arising to support conclusions reached or statements provided in the report have been documented. 

d. **Understanding the charity** . Detailed briefs and free access to all charity documentation ensured a full understanding of the charity’s constitution, organisation, accounting systems, activities and nature of its assets, liabilities, incoming resources and application of resources. 

e. **Accounting records** . The charity accounting records have been subject to a review and appear complete and consistent with statutory requirements. 

f. **Comparison with accounting records** . A comparison of the charity’s accounts with the accounting records in sufficient detail was carried out which provides a reasonable basis to decide that the accounts are consistent. 

g. **Accruals Basis Checks** . As the Accounts of The Parish of Three Saints are prepared on a Receipts and Payments basis this section is not relevant. 

h. **Accounting policies, estimates and judgements** . Reviewed the accounting policies adopted and consider their consistency with the SORP and their appropriateness to the activities of the charity. 

i. **Financial circumstances and Going Concern** . The examiner checked whether the Trustees have considered the financial circumstances of the Charity at the end of the reporting period and have made an assessment of the Charities position as a going concern when approving the Accounts. 

j. **Form and Content of the Accounts** . The examiner carried out procedures as considered necessary to provide a reasonable basis on which to conclude whether or not the accounts have been properly prepared. The examiner checked that they can lawfully prepare Receipts and Payments Accounts, that all accounting statements are present, and the funds of the Charity can be correctly identified. 

> 4 Gross income greater than £0.025 and not to exceed £0.25M for receipts and payments, gross income not to exceed £1.0M and the aggregate value of assets should not exceed £3.26M otherwise a full audit is required. 

A-1 



k. **Analytical Review** .  The examiner carried out an analytical review of the current accounts to identify if any entries required further explanation or evidence. The 2025 Accounts were compared with the 2024 Accounts to see if any material changes could be identified. 

l. **Compare the Trustees Annual Report with the Accounts** . The Trustees have not prepared a Trustees Annual Report, which incorporates their Accounts. The Treasurer has prepared a Financial Report for the APCM. 

m. **Examiner’s report** .  The IE report can be found at Enclosures 1. 

A-2 



**Enclosure 1 to Leddy/IE/TPOTS Dated 27 February 26** 

## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE PARISH OF THREE SAINTS** 

I report on the accounts of The Parish of Three Saints for the 12 months ended 31[st] December 2025, which are set on pages 1 to 2. 

## **Respective responsibilities of trustees and independent examiner** 

As trustees of the charity, the members of The Parish of Three Saints are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an IE is needed. The Charity is preparing Receipts and Payments Accounts, and I am qualified to undertake the examination by being a qualified member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA). 

Having satisfied myself that the charity is not subject to audit and is eligible for IE, it is my responsibility to: 

- Examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Charities Act; 

- To follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the CC under section 

- 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Charities Act; and 

- State whether particular matters have come to my attention. 

## **Basis of Independent Examiner’s Report** 

My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the CC. 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 you as trustees concerning any such matters. 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 those matters set out in the statement below. 

## **Independent Examiner’s unqualified statement** 

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect: 

- a. Accounting records were not kept in respect of the Parish as required by section 130 of the 2011 Act; or b. The accounts do not accord with those records. 

2. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. 

John Leddy FCMA CGMA CPFA 5 Cedarn Court Manor Gardens 

Kewstoke Weston super Mare BS22 9XU 

_John Leddy_ 

John Leddy 27[th] February 2026