The Friends of St. Margaret’s Church, High Halstow CIO Registered Charity Number 1189941 ## October 2024 ## Trustee’s Annual Report The Friends of St. Margaret’s Church have had a successful year with well supported events which, with members’ subscriptions raised £23,042 This helped fund the £25,458 repairs carried out in the year to the Church roof replacing the temporary roofing that was installed after the theft of lead. This was a complicated process requiring employing an Architect, obtaining the necessary planning consent from the local council and approval from both English Heritage and the Diocese. ## **Organ restoration fund.** A fund has been set up to restore our Victorian Church Organ. It is proving to be very popular and donations have been coming in steadily. Alastair Curtis, an organ tuner and restorer has surveyed the Organ and is preparing a restoration specification and quotation of circa £18000. ## **Recent Events.** ## **History Talks.** A series of talks have been delivered which were well supported and very enjoyable. The most recent:- Ken Reynolds – “The Life and Times of Thomas Aveling” ## **Garden Party July 2023** Our stall displaying Scarecrows and encouraging children to play games with no charge was a successful “Awareness Raiser” ## **Music Night, March 2024.** An excellent evening with local band Nashville Exile who chose to support the friends by making no charge for their performance. It was a “Sell Out Evening” and we hope to have them return. ## **Christmas Cards.** Ray Collins once again produced and sold good number of Christmas Cards at the Christmas Fair and in the Post Office. ## **Christmas Tree Festival.** A wonderful success. The Church was magical for the Christmas Services and the Carol Concert, which was packed with villagers. ## **“Songs from the Musicals”** The Community Choir Concert in July was a great success. This raised over £182, was well supported as was The Christmas Concert in St. Margaret’s Church and both were very enjoyable. The Friends are very grateful to the Community Choir who consistently support us and add greatly to Village life. ## **The Annual Scarecrow Festival, May - August 2023.** Scarecrows were displayed in front gardens throughout the summer. A display at the Rectory Garden party on July 1[st] proved popular. ## **Forthcoming Events.** At a recent Trustees Meeting the following were agreed:- ## **Community Choir Concerts** Commencing with:- The Friends of St Margaret's are pleased to present High Halstow Communlty Cholr Memorlal Hall 100., ANNIVERSARY Saturday 9th November 2024 7:30pm at The Memorial Hall High Halstow ME3 8SG Adutt fKket - £6.00 Childs ficket - Voluntary Contribut Tlckets available from the Village Shop or on the door Refreshments wlll be avallable on the nlght **Consideration** is being given to future Music Nights and the viability of The Annual Scarecrow Festival. ## **Wedding Photos** Mitch Dowsett is continuing to coordinate the project to celebrate the role of St Margaret’s in the community. In the October edition of the High Halstow Times you may have noted the article recording two Dowsett family weddings. If you have memories of events in which St. Margaret’s Church played a significant part then please contact Mitch at mitch.dowsett@btopenworld.com ## **Membership.** In order to build upon our success it is important that the “Friends” recruit new members. I am sure there are villagers who care about their church and wishes to help preserve the oldest building in the village so that it remains our distinctive landmark and is available for generations to come. Membership Forms and details are available. Mike Meredith. Chairman of Trustees. ## **THE FRIENDS OF ST MARGARET’S CHURCH CIO ACCOUNTS 2023/24 FINANCIAL REPORT APRIL 2024** ## **Subscriptions** We currently have 44 subscribers 42 monthly, 2 annually and 1 four weekly ## **Income** Included a £10,000 Legacy ## **Expenditure** £30947.04 was spent on Church roof repairs Administration costs were £597.08 ## **Current Funds** Bank £33550.07 Cash in hand £25.48 **Total funds £33575.55** ## **Earmarked Reserves** Organ fund £5500 Window repairs £3728 Grouting £1500 Decoration £1000 **Total £11728** ## **Debtors** Gift Aid £1149.13 Which will be claimed for in the new financial year ## **Accounts** These have been independently audited ## **R W Collins Treasurer April 2024** ## **AUDITOR –** Gary Thomas Recently retired from Medway Council where he was responsible for:- The implementation and managing of the main finance management systems Managing Exchequer Services (payments, debt management and cashiering) Managing insurance requirements and claim processing