Hereford CHURCH OF STJAMES THE GREAT, CRADLEY ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 Aim and ur oses Cradley Parochial Church Council {PCC) is Specifically responsible for the maintenance of the Grade 11 church of St. Jame5 the Great, Cradley, Herefordshire and has the responsibiltty of co-operating with the incumbent in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish, the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. For the past 17 years we have enjoyed working with the Reverend Prebendary Robert Ward toward5 achieving these ends. Sadly, his period of office came to an end in April 2025 and he and his wife, Mel. have now moved to Wells in Somerset, where they are very much enjoyin8 their new life of retirement. This report is written at a time of interregnum. but we look forward to welcoming the Rev. Rosie Roberts to our Parish from the beginning of July 2026 and to working with hertowards the same aims and purposes. Ob'ectives and Artivities The PCC is committed to enabling as many people as possible to worship at our church and to become part of our parish community at Cradley. The PCC maintains an overview of worship throughout the parish and makes suggestions on howour services can involve the many groups that live within our parish. Our services and worship seek to bring people closer to God through Word and Sacrament. prayer and music. When planningour activitiesfortheyear. the Pcchas considered the Chartty Commission's guidance on public benefit and, in particular. the specific guidance on charities for the advancement of religion. In particular. we try to enable everyone to live out their faith as part of our parish community through: Worship and prayer. learnin8 about the Gospel- and developin8 an under5tandin8 and trust in God. Provision of pastoral care for people living in the parish Mission and outreach work The Diocese of Hereford lof which we are part) has identified five strategic priorities for the 2020s in its shared vision of Proclaiming Christ and Growing Disciples= l. Stronger congregations - growing faith 2. Schools and intergenerational mission to help us grow younger 3. Equipping and supporting Lay leaders for mission 4. Creating generous giving and asset development (See financial report) 5. Sustainable building strategy and support for Parish offer The PCC has found these priorities a good basis for Ivriting thi5 report. wrth Priority 4 being addressed within the Financial Review Page I
Priorit I: Stron er Con re ations - rowin Dioceson Goal.. Minimum 3% of the population attending a regularart of W0h1p, l.e. approximately 42 regularottendeesfrom the porishes of Cmdley ondstomdge comblned. Worship and Prayer The PCC is keen to offer a range of services during the week and overthe course of the yearthat will be beneficial and spiritually nourishingfor ourcommunity and all are welcometo attend our regular services. Up to December 2025, there were 61 persons on the Church Electoral Roll. faith On Wednesday mornings Holy Communion 15 nOm)a1 celebrated using Common Worship. A Family Communion Service is held on the second Sundayand a lay-led service of Morning Worship on the 3rd Sunday. while a Parish Communion service is held on the 4th Sunday. Where there is a fifth Sunday, a joint benefice service is held. Our Church4AII service, which aims to appeal to a wider demographic of worshippers. continues on the first Sunday of each month, and aims to provide an opportunity for more informal worship. The service, together with the presiding clergy (where possible during our period of vacancy), is devised by a team of around a dozen parishioners. Although it roughly follows the structure of the Family service it replaced, it aims to be more flexible and provide opportunities for participation by the congregation. Taize chants are used to aid contemplation in the intercessions, and the Lord's Prayer is sun8 using the same version that children at Cradley School are familiar with. We have tried hard to link with Cradley School and to encourage families to attend and take part. Jimmy's Band plays a vital role with Fts combination of singers and acoustic and electric instruments. The band also plays for the Christingle Service on Christmas Eve. Contemporary forms of liturgy are used at the Parish and Church4AII services and coffee is served afterwards to encourage members of the congregation to stop and chat. Tea and coffee-making equipment is left out at all times for visitors to the church to make their own hot drinks should they wish to. 2022 31.17 29.79 1.38 2023 30.17 29.15 1.02 2024 30.19 29.07 1.12 Average Overall Attendance at Regular Sunday Servlces Of which adults: Of which young people: 2025 26.58 25.56 1.02 Average Overall Attendance at Regular Sunday Servi by Type Parish Communion Family Communion Family Services/Church4AII Morning Service 28.80 35.00 34.80 24.22 31.36 32.25 31.60 23.63 33.42 30.18 34.22 23.36 27.80 30.82 25.27 22.55 Average Overall Attendante at Regular + Special Servlces (Adults + Young People) Special Services vary from year to year but included are Mothering Sunday, Maundy Thursday. Easter. Ascension. Evensong, Baptisms, School Harvest, Remembrance, All Souls, Carol Service, School Carols, Christingle. Midnight Mass and Christmas Day 41.46 41.57 39.56 PdEe 2
The table above shows our attendance figures for 2025, which has been compared with the three previous years. The table shows that our attendance, has dropped slightly. We continue to work on this as a PCC but a long period of interregnum. some regular members of the congregation moving away, together with much long term illness. ha5 impacted our numbers negatively. We hope that this will be reversed with the installation of our new Rettorfrom July 2026. As well as our regular services. we enable our community to celebrate and thank God at the milestones of our journey through life. At baptism we thank God for the gift of life and celebrate the start of our journey as children of God. In marriage, public vows are exchanged with God's blessing and through funeral services friends and family express their grief, giving thanks for the life which is now complete in this world and commending the person into God's keeping. In 2025 we celebrated oneweddin& one renewal of vows, threefunerals and seven burialsof ashes. Sadly. no baptisms were celebrated at Cradley last year. Communication In order to advertise services and events and celebrate our successes, the parish has tts own Facebook page as well as a website, and a weekly communication. similar to the paper copy traditionally available in church. is distributed electronically. Information about our church can also be found on the 'A Church Near You. website. New families moving into the village are given a Cradley Church 'Welcome Leaflet, as a part of the village welcome pack. The Cradley, Mathon and Storridge Newsletter team are artively pursuing ways to broaden their readership and copies are available from the church. Music Cradley Church ha5 a small but thriving and well-balanced SATB choir which normally sings at two services a month including a choral communion setting at the Parish Communion, under professionally trained directorship. The choir is afFiliated to the Royal School of Church Music. A very successful carol service was again held this year. including members of the parish not regularly in the choir itself {along with musical friends from nearby): a tradition ha5 now become established of including a solo violinist and cellist from the village in carol arrangements, and other innovation5 are planned for future year5. There have also been occasional choral evensong services, and for the final Sunday service of our retiring Rector in April. a Mass by Joseph Haydn was included. Three members of the congregation have taken it in turns to play the organ for services throughout the year, displaying the glorious range of sounds available from our historic Nicholson organ from the 1870s. During the year we have a8ain been delighted to have recrtals from visiting professional organists, and other music groups have presented concerts in the building. Sadly, ourfine organ has begun to display problems demonstrating a need for renovation work. In 2026, the PCC will need to apply for a faculty. qUOtation5 already having been sought forthe completion of this work. Our recently acquired acoustic piano {20241 has been used in concerts and for choir rehearsals. In addition to this we have a talented group of hand-bell ringers that rehearses regularly in the church. enhancing both special services and events in the wider communtty. Jimmy's Band, a group consisting of keyboard. violins, oboe and guitars. features prominently in the monthly Church 4AII services (see above). Regrettably. the sound system in the church is ageing. has become unreliable and is no longer frt for purpose and this is hampering the enhancement of our worship and the development of our live-streaming capabilities. The PCC has committed to raising funds to upgrade and enhance our audio-visual provision, having received estimates for around
£40,000 and in December 2025 the Diocese approved our faculty application for a new system. Bells We have a fine ring of bells, which were rehung and augmented from sixto eight at the Millennium. Five of the Bells are over years old so this is their fourth century of calling parishioners to worship. The Hereford Diocesan Guild of Bellringers celebrates Its 140th anniversary in 2026. and so we are hopingto recruit 140 new ringers across the Guild. Lots of Recruiting artivities are planned to give people an opportunityto experience ringinga Tower Bell. The towerat Cradley was open for the Christmas Fair forvisitors to go up thetowerto see the bells and have a go at chiming one. Wtth the help of ringers from Mathon. our thriving group usually manages to ring at least Six bells for the main services each Sunday. Visiting ringers frequently like to ring at Cradley and the space in and around the ringing chamber facilitates training and observation. Our ringers also visit other churches around the country from time to time. The Cradley ring of bells is regularly used by the Hereford Ringing Course, which is open to trainee ringers from all over the country as well as international students. Pastoral Care, mission and Evangelism The clergy and/or members of the Three Villages Visiting Group visit members of the community who would appreciate a visit or are unable to getto church, and to tske Communion. A monthly community Newsletter for Cradley, Mathon and Storridge is produced by a team of editors. distributors, producers and printers. This keeps our parishioners informed of important matters affectingourchurch as well as reportingon the numerousotherorganisations inthe villages. The PCC is grateful to the committee. and all of its volunteer helpers. "Coffee Stop at The Leys" meets monthly, usually on the last Thursday and provides an opportunity for residents at The Leys and their friends to meet socially. It is organised by a small group of members from the church congregation, and in recent years. has been supported financially by the local Charities of Richard Hill and Qthers. Helping those in need is a demonstration of our fatth. Some mission giving is organised on a benefice-wide basis, including the provision of frugal lunches in Lent. Ecumenical Relationshlps When there is a fifth Sunday in 3 month the three parishes in the benefice come together for a "gathered service.; which may be formal or infomial in nature." if non-Eucharistic, a said service of Holy Communion is celebrated, at a differenttime. in one of the churches in the Benefice. Members of all three parish churches in the benefice and Cr3dley chapel (which belongs to The Countess of Huntingdon's Connexionl form Christians Together. which holds monthly meetings. Members of the congregation join this group for prayer. Bible Study, discussion and worship. Members from the three churches have met at regular intervals over the past year to discuss the way forward for our Benefice and to find ways in which we, as parishes, can support each other. These meetings were particularly strong last year when representatives from each church met to compile our Benefice Profile, a requirement for the advertisement for a new Rector. A great deal of common ground yS found between the three churches and it was determined that we should Page 4
continue to work closely together into the fvture. Deanery Synod The PCC has three seats on the Deanery Synod. This provides the PCC with an important link between the parish and the wider structures of the church. 2: Schools and inte enerational mission to hel us row oun er Diocesan Gool.. Increasing the number of young people and children engaged with worshipping communities We are very grateful to Eryl Copp, who, for fourteen years. has worked extremely closely with the school in her role as Chair of Governors of Cradley VA Primary School. Sadly. due to ill health, Eryl has had to step downfrom this important role. but we are delighted that she continues as a governor at the school. We are fortunate that Katharine Parsons has also joined theteam of governors as Vice Chair. Although Katharine is not a member of the PCC. she is a regular member of the congregation at Cradley and as a retired teacher with much energy and experience. provides a great link between the church and the School. As Rector, Robert Ward held an ex-officio position on the Governing body, vistting the school fortnightly to lead a simplified communion service. where the children participate by taking bread. The children know it as their 'Breaking Bread, service. Following his retirement at the end of April, continuity has been generously provided by Jane MacFarlane, Lay Minister in the Parish. who has led the 'Breaking Bread. service on the first Monday of each month and a themed assembly on the other three Mondays. The school is looking forward to workingwith our new Rettor in July. Members of a large group of 'Open the Book. volunteers take it in tum5 to deliver and. with the children, act out different Bible stories. The whole school frequently attends church for special service5, and parents and children alike enjoy it very much. Special church events and services, where children would enjoy participation, are advertised in the school's own newsletter. The church continues to work closely with the school to minimise barriers. grow understandin& and improve engagement with our community. There is a small but active branch of the Mothers. Union and they continue to ralse money for MU projects, sometimes from serving coffee after the morning service. They are particularly instrumentsl in special church services such as Mothering Sunday, Harvest, Christingle and other events. Stir-up Sunday is a very popular event in the parish and growing annually. where children, parents and grand-parents participate. This year we also introduced a bread making workshop, where participants made a harvest loaf to be presented atthe Harvest service the followin8 day. We hope that this will become an established event. Every efft)rt is made to be inclusive at our Church4AII services. All ages join in the acting of stories and participating in activities. However. for all the efforts made. growth in the numbers of young families and children attending church services changes little. Priori ui in and su ortin Dioceson Goal.. New voluntory or lay leoders L leaders for mission Lay volunteers continue to be invaluable to the life of the benefice, especially in enabling and taking part in worship, online and in church, and in co-ordinating vistting and pastoral care throughout the
community. Some have taken a regular and active role in leading lay led worship. in ensuring the continuation of our worship on-line, and developing our outreach through electronic and social media. A number of people have been approved bythe PCC as Local Worship Leaders butwe are indebted to our Licensed lay Minister, Jane MacFarlane, for leading services in all of the churches within the Benefice during the interregnum and also for leading our Lent course in 2025. Lay Ministrytraining is availableto anyonewhofeelstheywould liketo be authorised to take a more central and active role in leading worship. Priori 5: Sustainable buildin strate Dioceson Goal.. A 5UStoinable clearfvturefvr every church The Church Bullding and Churchyard Cradley Church is in the Cradley Conseprfation Area and the Malvern Hills 'National Landscape,. We have arrangements with the National Landscape and Herefordshire and Worcestershire Earth Heritage Trust for them to provide information and displays in our church as part of our involvement and partnerships wrthin the community. This also encourages local tourism and, alongside leaflets and literature sponsored by the National Lottery Herttage Fund. brings visitors into the buildin& including local people who may not otherwise enter it. Brown tourism signs direct people from the main roads to the church and village hall. The PCC is responsible for maintainingthe church and churchyard in good condition and extends its thanks to all who volunteer to keep the churchyard in such good condition. We are grateful for the contributions from the Parish Council to the cost of employing contractors to cut the grass in the churchyard to the north side of the church. Many villagers volunteer in the churchyard, with about 30 helping to mow the lawns and others supporting ecological themes including maintaining bird boxes, checking hedgehog boxes, weeding the flowerand herb beds bythe porch, keepingthestonewalls weed free, looking afterthe compost bins, taking mature compost away, keeping nettles and hogweed out of the meadows, trimming hedges, keeping historical graves tidy, haymakingfrom the wildflower meadows, and soon we hope to add a bee house to the list. We provided a flower trug for the WI/Cradley Wild 'planters for pollinators, projett by the lychgate and hope it will support the bee village initiative in 2026. We were delighted to achieve our Eco Church Silver Award in May and thanks must go to John Parsons for his hard work in achieving this wonderful accolade on behalf of the church. The plans for the proposed Garden of Remembrance continue to be delayed the Environment Agency finally agreed to the position of the trench arch for the new toilet to the west of the tower on 27 November 2025 and so that no longeraffects ourGoR plans. Further action is to be agreed by the PCC with our new incumbent from July 2026. Our grateful thanks go to Tony Copp for his extensive work on developing this and his diligent oversight of the maintenance and development of our churchyard over very many years. Sadly. Tonywill be stepping down from his role as Chair of the Churchyard Committee at the end of February 2026. Frequent, regular inspettions of the thurch fabric ensure that early action is taken to rectify problems and help preventthe need for major repair works. As in previous year5, volunteer5 carried out routine maintenance tasks and regular inspections of the building were made in order to detect any deteriorating elements. Page 6
Some maintenance doe5. of course, need to be carried out by specialist contractors, such as checks to fire protection equipment. lightning conduttors and any work at high level requiring scaffoldin& etc. In 2025 it was necessaryto engage contractors to replace slipped and damaged tilesto the nave and chancel south elevation and the central roof valley. A report received following the Triennial Inspection. although pleasin& did recommend the need to carry out test drilling of all vulnerable timbers within the towerto identifywhether any urgent repairs are needed. The church architect is currently reviewing this. Work commenced on construction of the new toilet facility in March. Although it had been hoped that the project would be completed before the end of the year. delays in re-routing electrical cables underground and the issuing of an Environment Agency Permit for the installation of a trench arch meantthatworkwasdelayed forseveral months. Completion is nowscheduledforthe end of March 2026. A section of the boundary wall adjacent to Rectory Lane collapsed, fortunately into the churchyard and not the lane. It was subsequently cordoned off and a quotation accepted forworkto be carried as soon as possible. As in other years. the organ was tuned twice during 2025. It is considered that some work to the organ is now required and surveys and quotation5 are currently being reviewed by the PCC. A grant was awarded from Churchcare to cover conservation Vrk to the medieval oak chest located at the west end of the nave, with work scheduled to be undertaken shortly. Overarchin Priori Safe uardin The PCC has complied with the requirements imposed by the code under section 5A of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016. We are grateful to Wendy Long, our Beneficesafeguarding Officer. who, injune, led atraining course for all members of the PCC. She also oversee5 DBS IDisclosure and Barring Service) certificate applications and renewals for the PCC ensuring all members are fit and proper representstives of the Laity. Page 7
Priori 4: Creatin enerous ivin and asset develo Diocesan Goal.. Breokeven budqet/sustoinable benefi$ Financial Review ment The basis on which the financial statements have been prepared is set out in Note l on page 13. Total receipts and payments on unrestricted and restricted funds are shown in detail in the Statement of Financial Activities. For the year ended 31 Dernber 2025. total income was £75642.721£80593.61- 20241 and total expendtture was £80597.321£70069.45-2024}. Net receipts from fundraising events for general purposes amounted to £7263.28 which is higher than £5775.11 in 2024. This was due to reduced restricted fund rdising and the need to increase fundraising to meet General Expenditure. The Open Gardens contributed £2461.96 to the generdl funds. which included £368 from the raffle. The 2(K) Club has raised £784 net of prized money which is slightly more than the £743.lJJ in 2024 due to a number of new members. The Bums Night celebration raised £812.85 which was shared wwth the Village Hall. The St David's Day Contert in March. which was held jointly with the Village Hall. raised £528.09 for Church funds. The Lent tslks and Lurbches raised £660.38 and were held for MSF and We are Farming Minds charities. The Owen Chan Organ recital in May raised £259.27 and the Violin & Piano Concert in October raised £724.90 The Creaffl Teas held in Church throughout the Summer months raised a total £1036.74 which was higher than the 2024 amount of£847.13. As mentioned above, the Open Gardens raised a significant contribution to the General Fund. Other fundraising events were the Plant Sales in May £297.81, the Village Fair in December £308.89 and the Christmas Raffle £361.97. During the year a section of the south wall of the Church Yard fell onto the South Lawn and will need to be repaired before further problems arise. The estimate for the cost of repair is £10.600 and we will need to seek appropriate grant funding to enable us to carry out repai. We are extremely Erateful to Sheila Mullaney who raised over £1500 for the wall repair by perfonning a sponsored walk around the village resulting a total mileage equivalent to a marathon. During Lent we held a Lent course and a series of lent lunches to raise money for MSF and WAFM charities. We raised over £660 which was split equally between the two charities. Our Harvest Setvice raised £90.35 forWaterAid. The remembrance seNice raised £346.60 forthe Royal British Legion and the Christingle service raised £224.59 for the Children's Society We contributed £33.(M)O to the Diocesan Common Fund, which pays for ministry and mission in our diocese. which was the same contribution as in 2024. We have pledged to Contribute £34.OCM) in 2026 as there is no further funding required for the Toilet Installation. In addition to the Wall Repair the Church Organ requires remedial work costing around £I0,c and the aBeing sound system needs replacing. In 2025 we have spent £27.898.91 on the Toilet installation. Thi5 was delayed by over 5 months due to the delays in rerouting the elertrical supply to the Church. National Grid informed us that this would be done free of charge. butthey were unable to complete the underground rerouting due to not being able to get Wayleave permission on a property on the supply route to the church. The net result for the year was a deficit of income over expenditure of £4060.511£6018.8- 2024 deficit) on unrestricted funds. The restricted funds decreased by £894.09 as a result of the expenditure on the Toilet being slightly offset by a number of donations and grants for the installation of the Disabled Toilet. There 15 a further grant of Els,0 from the Heritage Lottery Fund when we have completed the project. Including bank and deposit balances brought forward at the beginning of the year. the balances carried Page8
fOard at 31° December 2025 on unrestricted funds totslled £26447.721£30508.23- 20241 which was held in cash, current accounts and on dep05tt. Overdll there was a decrease of £5123.84 in the financial balance5 mainly due to insufficient income to meet our general expenses and the expenditure on the Toilet. The re5tritted fund balance decreased to £84161.081£85055.17 20241 mainly due to the expenditure on the Church Toilet being oftset by the payment of grants. Grft aid is Shown apportioned between the restricted and general funds. It is a significant amount. due to gifts for the Toilet and other donations. This is likely to be significantly lower in 2026. The revaluation of the Dr Webster investment saw a decrease in Wdlue to £14,328.84. The voluntary giving decreased again in 2025 and is insuffKient to meet our contribution to the diocese. Since our successful stewardship campaign in 2017 this has been gradually decreasing as well as reductions in the open plate collections at services, donations and the associated Gift Aid. We continue to rety upon fees forweddings and funerals and fundraising events to cover the other costs of ministry and the running expenses of our larye building and churchyard. Within the yearthe Parish Council contributed £2,(KN)towards the upkeep of the churchyard. Expenditu on the Church Graveyard is taken from a restricted fund into which the Parish Councils, contribution is deposited along with other donations for the upkeep of the Church Yard. We are grateful for the support we receive from the Parish council. In 2025 we spent £1632.34 as a result of the long dry summer reducing the need for the number of grass cuts quid. There is a surplus in the fund of £250.54. Thi5 fund will also be used to accumulate funds forthe repair of the south wall. The contactless payment devices have proved beneficial for donations and fiJndraisin8 and in 2025 £1014.CK) was paid via these devices. This is over a £ILXK) le55 than 2024 due to a reduction in donations for the toilet. The PCC tries to build on the help and guidance given by the diocese on encourdging giving within the wider ontext of Christian stewardship. We hope 2026 will be a year where more fijndrdising events are held and further regular giving can be secured. Members of the Church family will again be asked to review the giving of their time and talents as well as their financial supw)rt. Diocesan priority 4 recognises the urgent need to become financially sustainable to fesource mission. Our thar¢ks go to Howard Painter who ha5 again very generously gtven his services as Independent Examiner of the 2025 finances pro bono. Reserves policv It Is PCC policy to try to maintain a balance of unrestricted fvnds which equates to at least six months. unrestricted payments. equivalent to about £25.orxi.co. It is held to smooth out cash flow and to meet emergencies that may afise from time to time. The cash and bank balances of £26447.72 held on unrestricted funds at the year-end exceeded this target. The PCC also holds other funds that carbnot be included as "free" reserves as they are held for restricted purposes. These represent the proceeds of donations and fundraising projects, including grants. for specific purpose5. Investments It is our general policy to invest our funds. balance5 With the CBF Church of England Deposbt Fund. The Dr Webster Fund however ts invested in accumulation units in the CBF Investment Fund for the Church of England. Income is reinvested within the fund itself. and not distributed in cash to unit holders. Voluntee We would like to thank all the volunteers who work so hard to make our church the lively and vibrant community it is. In particular, we want to mention our Churchwardens lan Bailey and Diane Roberts who worked so tirelessly on our behalf. and 311 the other members of the PCC for their valuable contrÉbution to our ministry and for keeping the church running. In particular. we wish to thank lan Bailey for his work on the electrical in5ts11ation and Tony Copp for his work in the Church Yard. Pdge 9
Administrative inforniation The church of St. James the Great is situated in Rertory Lane, Cradley. It is part of the Diocese of Hereford within the Church of England. The corS}ndence address is The Rectory. Cradley, Maivern. WR13 5LQ. The parish forms part of the United BeTrefi of Cradley, Mathon and Storridge. PCC members who have served from I"January 2025 until the date this report ¥ns approved are: Ex Officio members.. Incumbent.. Churchwardens.. The Reverend Robert Ward Ichairmanl until 30 April lan Bailey Diane Robert5 lan Bailey Mike Hames (Lay co Chair) Christopher Roberts Sue Bailey Eryl Copp Margaret Edgar John Parsons Sue Warner Peter Wamer Jane MacFarlane lelected April 20241 Diocesan Synod Member- Deanery Synod Representstives: Elerted members.. Structure, governance and management The Parochial Church Council is a corporate body established by the Church of Englond and was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 16 June 2020, number 1191XJ26. The PCC operates under the Parochial Church Councils Measure. The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. At St.Jame< the membership of the PCC con515ts of the incumbent lour Rector). Churchwardens and members elected by those members of the congregation who are on the elertordl roll of the church. The PCC members are responsible for making decisions on all matters of general concern and importance to the parish including deciding on how the funds of the PCC are to be spent. All members of the congregation are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and stand forelertion to the PCC. The fijll PCC met eight times in person during the year, with an average level of attendance of 75%. Business was also transacted by email. Given its wide responsibilities the PCC has several committees and working parties. each dealing with a particular aspett of parish life. These committees. which include churchyard. outreach and events, repairs and development. and worship are all responsible to the PCC,- their reports a received by the full PCC and discussed as necessary. The following officers seNed during the year: Lay vice-chair. Mike Hame5 Treasurer Christopher Roberts Secretary Susan Wamer Minute Taker John Parsons Stewardship Secretsry Sue Bailey Approved by the PCC on IO, March 2026 and signed on tts behalf by the Mike Hames {PCC chairman) and Christopher Roberts (Treasurerl io
Independent examinerfs report to the trustees/member5 of the Parochial Church Council of St James the GTeaL Crddley I report on the accounts of the Trust for the year ended 31 December 2024, which are set out on pages 12 to 16. Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 {the Charities Artl and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to: examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act. to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section14515llbl of the 2011 Act), and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of independent examinerfs report My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting CordS kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the tmstees Conrning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audtt, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and tsir. view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. Independent examiner's statement In connection with my examination. no matter has come to my attention which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect. accounting records were not kept in accordan with sertion 130 of the Charities Art, or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records, or statutory fees were not accounted for correctty. I have come acros5 no other matters in connettion with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order t able a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. H N Painter JP Bsc FCA The Firs Church Road Crowle Worcester WR7 4AX 8th M(Jrch 2026 Paee li
PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNaL OF sfJAMES THE GREAT. CRADLEY srATEMEpifoFHIlAI(ACTMTh5 F(THEIEAR EMtD 31 tIECEMBER2025 TOTAL 2025 TOTAL 2024 fulld5 Income ond efjdowm Voluntary income AthfiiesforÈenerdtingfunds Incomefrom investsr Church artwities Tot41 incoming reswr 26.16158 9.144AS L345_41 3.306 39.95&84 29,LW. 2,5f4).13 2.936.15 I.)2.(M) 35.&43 55,25&18 II71X98 4,281.56 4,398.(X> 75.642.72 21bl 58,784.50 12,11&95 4,883.16 4,809. 80,593.61 21dl Expenditu Church c0stsofgenernXfuds Totsl resources expended 31al 42,137.78 1.88157 44.019.35 36548.17 78.685.95 1.911.37 PA),59732 68,145.63 1.923.82 70,069.45 36.$77.97 Net incomin8 re50urce5 befo transfers 14.(WSII 1894.091 14.954.FA)I 10,524.16 Transfer between fvfftds om Net incomin8 resour befDre other recognlsedgains/lkissÈs 14J)WS1) 1894.TrJ) {4,954.f4)1 10.52&16 Revaluation 8ain5 on inVeStsts 1169.231 1169.231 704.18 Its231 1894.091 15,123.831 11,22&24 Balan bTWfonYard ljan 3ry2025 SK23 14.49WI 85,L55.17 I30,L4? I18,3.13 Ba*ancesc3rried forYdrd31 mbÈr 2025 26.447.72 14,328.84 84.161.08 124,937.64 130,061.47 All SMEET ASAT311)KtMBER2025 TOTAL 2025 TOTAL 2024 funds fuEKIs ryxed a55ets Tan8ib In¥e5trnents funds 1,571.40 1,5n.40 14.32&84 IS,24 2,103.20 14,498.07 16.f4)1.27 14.32&84 1432&84 L577.40 Currerta55ets DEbtors and prepayments Short-terni dÈpttsit5 Cath at bankand hand 2.OqO.74 3LS47.22 IJ3L74 34,920.70 IL405.08 101.348.6Z 5,064.42 117.822.12 10,86a43 96,960.rrt) 13.720.96 121,541.99 69.801.40 3,731.68 82.WL42 credit(S- amourrt5falnn8dtte withln oneyear &472S8 317.74 8,M.Tl 8,081.79 Net¢uent assets 26.447.72 82.583.68 IW.031.40 113.460.20 TotBI netasset5 26.447.72 14.32&84 84.16L08 124,937.64 130.061.47 RÈpre5ented byParfsh Fvnds Ljnrestritted Designated Restricted Endowment 26.447.72 14,328.84 34,16LD8 30.50&23 14,498.07 85,055.17 124,937.64 130,061.47 Apptyved PCC4)n I Marth and Its PaEe 12
l A¢¢ounting policte5 Basis of financial statements The financial statements have been prepared on the accruals basis and under the Church Accounting Regulations 2(KJ6 in accordance with applicable accountinE Standard5 and the current Statement of Recommended Practice, Accounting and Reporting by Charities and applicable accounting standard FRS 102. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention except for investment assets, which are shown at market value. The financial statements include all transactions, assets and liabilities for which the PCC is responsible in law. They do not include the accounts of church groups that owe their main affiliation to another body. nor those that are informal gatherings of church members. Fund accounting Eftdowment funds are funds. the Capital of which must be retsined either permanertly or at the PCC'S discretion- the income derived from the endowment is to be used etther as restricted or unrestricted income funds depending upon the purpose for which the endowment was established in the first place. The PCC currently has no Endowment Funds. Re5trirted funds comprise la} income from endowments that is to be expended only on the restricted purposes intended by the donor. and {bl revenue donations or grdnts for a specwfic PCC activity intended by the donor. Where these funds have unspent balances, interest on their pooled investment is apportioned to the individual funds on an average balance basis. Unrestrirted funds are income funds that are to be spent on the PCC'S 8enerdl purposes. Designatedfunds are general funds set aside by the PCC for use in the future. Project funds are designated for particular projects for administration purposes on. Funds designated as invested in fixed assets for the PCC'S own use are abated in line with those assets, annual depreciation charges in the SOFA. Designated fijnds remain unrestricted and the PCC will move any surplus to other general funds. Incoming resources Planned giving, collertions and similar donations are recognised when received. Tax refunds are recognised when the incoming resource to which they relate is received. Grants and legacies are accounted for when the PCC is entitled to the use of the resources, their ultimate reIpt is considered reasonably certain and the amounts due are readily quantifiable. Dividends are accounted for when declared receivable, interest a5 and when accrued by the payer. All incoming resources are accounted for gross. Resources expended Grants and donation5 are accounted for when paid over. orwhen awarded, if that award ¢ateS a binding or constructive obligation on the PCC. The diocesan parish share expected to be paid over is accounted for when due. All other expenditure is generdlly recognised when it is incurred and is accounted for gross. Fixed asset5 Consecrated and benefice property ts not included in the accounts in accordance with S.1012llal and Icl of the Charities Act 2011. Movable church furnishings held by the rector and churchwardens on special trust for the PCC and which require a faculty for disposal are inalienable property. listed in the church's inventory, which can be inspected lat any reasonable timel. For anything acquired prior to 2() there is insufficient cost information available and therefore such a$5ets are not valued in the financial statement5. Subsequently the only items costing more than £l,(XK) are the chairs and tables purchased as part of the reordering of the north aisle (including the Lady Chapell in 2019 and the purchase of an acoustic piano in 2024. Equipment used wwthin the church premises is depreciated on a straight-line basis over five years. Individual items of equipment with a purchase price of £l.(KK) or less are written off when the asset is acquired. Investments are valued at market value at 31 December. Pdge 13
2 Income and endowments
TOTAi
2025
hjnds
fvnds
hrnds
2024
anned gmng
Colle¢tiQa5atserv
.479.
,409.10
16.20&38
4.15&96
L(.34
5,22&30
6,465.21
Donation5
L32730
2.672.(K
3.999.30
10.7B9.55
Leeacies
Grants
20.OllK
20.76109
18,292.50
GfftAk4 recovered
3.148.33
L741C
4?.33
6,W.78
Other woluntary re¢ets
3,2.17
4.971.06
138.08
26.16158
29.(Y>&
55,25&18
58,784.50
bl Acii¥Me$fDrgr8tiryfuryLs
Fundtsi5m8
9.144AS
2,5fA).13
IL704.98
116.95
9.144A5
2.5EQ.13
11,704.98
12,116.9S
Interest
1.345AI
2,936.15
4.28156
4,883.16
1345.41
2.936.15
4,28156
4,.16
dl thurth acU¥lVes
Feesfor weddhw and funer¥15
txsbutsefflenrs
3,441AJ
3,389.C4)
9S7.fY)
957.Lk)
1.420.00
1.092.LX)
4.398.
4.809AM)
Totsi IrKome
39J5
35.683.88
75.64Ln
80,59a.61
3 Expendlture
al avjrch
Brtfwd 2024 NetTransferfrom Geheral to flesthcted Actnt 2025 Transfer from Genernl to Rearthd Account 5.$35.12 124*40 S Trnilbleflxedasseb At l January2021 Addthons At 3IDernber224 4.720.26 (¥J 4.72026 2.629.(X) At ljanuary 2025 DeprEd3tH Charged ITh theyear At 31 De(ember2025 4.720.26 525.8 4,720.26 1,051. At31 Dernber 2025 1.STI.40 At31 ember2d4 2.103.20 Fixed A55etln%p5tments C05tor valuation At ljanuary 2025 Addltyons valUatn chan8e5 D0585 At 31 December2025 14.49&07 .16923 1432&84 CorYwnRamourt At 31 Dember 2024 14,aM84 14.49&07 Atal tknber 2023 7 Treblovs retiwerable LA Interest Transfer from Gert¢al bankaccount 2025 Transfer from General bankaccaunt2024 1.72120 319S4 882. 5.$35.12 9.36834 2,010.74 Credltors Daw50n & MEW Invoi Ch$118& Caro15erwce Colwn$ 4QTR Elettlty Transfer to Re#ricted BaDkAcuu•t2025 rrafflsferto Aestrthd Bankknuni 2024 72X 317.74 2.243.40 5.535.12 8,472.98 317.74 Page IS
- Funds Fund Unre5tri£tedfvJJds General U8htftyward Transfers TrBnsfers ovt C4rriedfwward 4,035 De5ignoredfvnds Dr WebsterFund Re5trKtedfvFJd5 2(A)Club 26.447.72 14.49&07 -169.23 14,328.84 259.74 1286.(X) 513.59 1S68L 8elS &To**r Choir -22.26 9,358. 24.21 484531 145. Church hbtir Disbursements Fbwer 618.61 270.(K) 3,656.84 I17.4K¥ 41531 1.027.(X) Ha&socks & Cushlon5 Ncf Maintenan Organ & Pvano Refvfbishment Church Y?rd maIntle Restrirted fvndfaistng Special colknlon5 UnallocatÈd Interest 254.56 52.20 5031 i.6617 2.4KJ 67,43656 -14L12 339.17 L520.84 98&76 63,385.(K) 250.54 1.157.66 2592 2,024LKI 2.67838 889.01 63L I9.3(.45 ).2.34 693.91 L984A7 OA 889.01 793.01 707.02 793.01 707.02 S5.5.17 36.596.56 37,4.6$ 84,161.08 Total all Funds 130.Q6L.47 76,386.17 81,510.rx) 124.937.64 The General Fund represents income to be used for the general purposes of the PCC The Dr Webster Fund represents the residue of a legacy from the late Dr Webster, received in 1962. For many years it was thought that this was restricted to the maintenance of the church fabric, but research in 2019 has confirmed that it is for the generdl purposes of the church. The PCC has however earmarked it for maintenance of the fabric. It is invested in CBF Church of England Investment Fund Accumulation Units and therefore no dividend is received as the income of the fund is re-invested. The 2CKI Club Fund represents subscriptions paid in advance. which are held in this fvnd until the month of the draw to which they refer, when they are transferred to the General Iunrestrictedl Fund. The Bell & Tower Fund represents surplus funds raised in 2C(K) for the refurbishment and augmentation of the bells and associated necessary work on the tower, and subsequent donations when the bells are used at weddings. The Church Fabric Fund represents accumulated donation5 and appeals for fabric maintenance. Disbursements represent fees for bell ringers. the verger and the organist at weddings and funera15. where the PCC is merely acting as agent. The Flower Fund represents donations to be spent on the purchase of flOVrS to decorate the church. The Hassocks & Cushions Fund represents funds held for the purchasè of materials for making these item5. The Organ & Piano Fund represents accumulated donations and appeals for maintenance of the organ and for the purchase and maintenance of the church prano and contsins the remaining value of £1577.40 for the piano. The Refurbishment Fund represents donations to finance the necessary furbIshMent and adaptation of church premises to facilitate greater communlty use. This will be used for the installation of the Disabled Toilet. The Church Yard maintenan Fund was setup in 2021 to hold the contribution made by the Parish Council Pdge 16
and other donations for Church Yard Maintenance Spetial Collections represent the collections at services which are specifically for the benefit of some other organisation, and where the PCC is merely attinE a5 agent. The Restricted Fundraising Fund is used for raising funds for restrirted purposes and at the moment holds the donations for Sheila Mullaney's Sponsored Walk for the repair of the Church Yard Wall and the purchase of titkets for the AV Evening in January. The expetted Gift Aid from HMRC is also included. The unallocated interest represents the Interest income from the restricted CCLA account for the 4 Quarter of 2025, which is not capitalized until January 2026. Signed.. -.mike Hames IPCC Vice Chairl Signed:.........._......-........ -.Chris Roberts IPCC Treasurer) Signed=...................................................................... ..HaA>ld Painter Ilnd. Examiner) Page 17