## **St Thomas’ Church, Crosscrake** **Annual report of the Parochial Church Council For the year ended 31[st] December 2025** Registered Charity number 1190687 ## **Vicar** I come to this Annual report and upcoming APCM with a deep sense of gratitude and hope. Even in these early months, it is clear that St Thomas' is a church marked by faithful service, generous care and a strong sense of community. bringing opportunities to share resources, deepen relationships and discern together how God is calling us to serve our wider communities. I have already seen how deeply you care for one another, particularly through pastoral visiting and support in times of illness and loss, and how this reflects the love of Christ in action. I look forward to working alongside Terry and all of you as we continue to grow together, nurturing our life of worship, strengthening our links with the school and families and exploring new opportunities for mission through the life of the church and the Hub. My prayer is that we will remain rooted in Christ in all we do, treading gently, following daily, speaking boldly and caring deeply, trusting in God's faithfulness as we step forward together into this next chapter. _Becky_ ## **Associate Priest** It was good to welcome Revd Becky Gibbs in the autumn to take over our new combined churches of Natland, Old Hutton, New Hutton and Crosscrake. It will be an exciting journey of exploration together as we acclimatise to working more closely together. For me, it will, in time, hopefully mean I can relax into having a little less to do. However, this report is meant to look back over our past church year. our church life, with thanks to all those folk who have contributed in any way, and those who continue to manage this excellent addition to our work. I continue to work Sundays and a minimum of two days a week, usually Mondays and Tuesdays, although often needs must on other days too. Perhaps as many of our congregation and those in our wider community become more elderly, it does feel as if much of my time has been taken visiting care homes and hospitals as well as supporting at home those who are facing terminal illnesses and the questions we all have as we realise that older age has arrived. To counterbalance this I enjoy being in school every week for Collective Worship (Assembly), work as a School Governor and acting as chaplaincy support to the whole school. We are fortunate in having appointed an excellent new Head Teacher, Mrs Mandy Barnsley, who has readily taken up the good work that Linda Fletcher left behind. A team of lay people also go in to school weekly to lead collective worship. We must continue to cherish our ministry to children and families in church, Liz with monthly DJs and Tots and our first Sunday All Age worship. Thanks to our Churchwardens and all on our PCC who readily come forward to take work on board and give their time so freely. We continue to need everybody’s good ideas for the future. _Terry_ ## **Churchwardens** Again, the past year has been a time of challenges and change. promise of a house for duty incumbent based in Crosscrake vicarage. We welcomed Becky in November, sharing her time with Natland and the Hutton churches. duty assistant priest. In October, Bishop Rob opened the Hub which has already become a popular and highly successful venue for community and church use. special services and celebrations. We continue to enjoy a close and mutually beneficial relationship with the school. The DJs, Tots and the Mothers’ Union continue to thrive. Our aim has always been to make St Thomas’ a welcoming and inclusive place, offering spiritual support, hospitality and educational opportunities for all. We are facing up to financial difficulties with a Stewardship campaign led initially with diocesan help and we are seeing good progress both financially and in our church life. We are indebted as ever to Terry and Ruth for their unfailing support and work in our church and community. Their invaluable help is never taken for granted. The fabric of the church is in generally good condition, give or take the occasional roof storm damage and an outside frozen water pipe. Fire and safety inspections are routinely undertaken. ## _Mike and Marlene_ ## **Treasurer** standards of integrity and competence in its financial affairs. Our small reserve provides some stability and sustainability helping us to mitigate risks including economic downturns, changes in funding and unplanned emergencies. However, fundraising to meet rising energy and maintenance costs is a challenge. A stewardship campaign during 2025 has resulted in an increase in regular giving but we needed to reduce our Ministry Offer for 2026 to avoid a larger ## **THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF SAINT THOMAS, CROSSCRAKE** ## **Church Accounts: -** Total Income: £41,026.36. Total Expenditure: £43,850.16. The net result for the year was a deficit of £2,823.80. (This included two gift aid claims for the 2023/24 and 2024/25 tax years partly balanced by some delayed payments of parochial fees and CAP donation. NB. Donations to our Hub build project that were paid into the church account before being transferred into the St Thomas’ Community Hub account, totalling £26,018.44, are shown in the 2025 accounts as contras. Grants to charities totalled just under £3,000. Some, such as Christian Aid envelope collection and Lent Lunch donations were paid direct to the charity. ## **St Thomas’ Community Hub Account: -** Total Income: £40,063.22. Total Expenditure: £133,226.09. For the year ended 31.12.25 there was a surplus of expenditure over income amounting to £93,162.87 resulting in a closing balance of £4,887.23. Grant awards, donations & legacies received for the Community Hub project are designated (restricted) for the purpose of a new community building as detailed in the financial statements. ## **Reserves Policy** The policy relating to any remaining free reserves is to look at maintaining the balance between paying all lines of expenditure as they fall due and remaining solvent at the year end. By far the largest level of expenditure is the Diocesan Ministry Offer payment. The Charities Commission recommend that reserves should be at least 3 month’s expenditure, which is about £11,000. The Virgin Money account originated with an unrestricted legacy. This account has been closed because it paid very little interest and had no online banking facility. The church reserves are now held in the Barclays savings account. This fund is mainly used for church building maintenance. ## _Helen H_ ## **Secretary** I took on the role of secretary at the APCM in April 2025 and since then I have been learning and understanding the requirements of the Secretary role, whilst streamlining the way we produce and store documentation to make it easier for everyone to access. my first year. I am extremely grateful for all the help and guidance received from Terry, Becky and Mike and the support from the PCC and congregation. ## _Rob_ ## **Safeguarding** This year, Churchwardens, PPC members and leaders of activities that involve children or vulnerable adults have completed foundation training. This took place in July 2025. Hub. Other policies have been updated in line with the models provided by the Church of England. It is with sadness that I needed to stand down from the role in January, due to the requirements of my new job. I am so grateful that Dawn Read has picked up the baton and I wish her well. I am sure that she will have more time to dedicate to the role. I would like to say thank you to you all – it has been a privilege to carry out the role. I always felt behind and needed to do more with regards to the paperwork and the dashboard, but walking alongside people in prayer and practical guidance was an honour. ## _Kathryn_ ## **Mothers’ Union** Over the past 12 months we have averaged 13 members meeting together. With activities from growing mustard and cress then making egg sandwiches in church to attending St Andrews Church Greystoke Service for a visit from the new MU Worldwide President Kathleen Snow from Canada; each meeting is enjoyable time together. Our speakers have included Geoff Gill – Mission Aviation Fellowship; Ros Taylor – Kendal Swift; Reverand Ashley Henderson – Uncle Harry in WW1; Jean Anderson – “One Woman at a Time”; Susannah Bleakley – “SouthlakelandCurlews”. Remembering also our “Summer of Hope” campaign to support women in the Republic of Congo to be educated, grow their own food and earn money; and our regular Christmas Jacobs Join and Januarys Christmas meal at The Smithy, in Holme. ## _Dawn_ ## **Deanery Synod** Clergy and Laity meet 3 times a year in different churches around the Kendal Deanery as well as current business there is a speaker on various subjects. This last year the Spotlight issues included. _June 25 at St Bartholomew's Church, Barbon_ _Charlotte Tudway DBE - She spoke of the Board of Education having a general role in promoting and assisting education that is consistent with the Church of England – in church schools and beyond, highlighting the need to build relationships across the school system to facilitate this._ _Oct 25 at St Thomas, Milnthorpe_ _Joanna Van Lachterop, the Diocesan Safeguarding Officer. Spotlight issue Safeguarding in Carlisle Diocese - How far have we come and what are the next steps?_ _March 26 at St Oswalds, Burneside_ _Katy Hall spoke about NISCU’s work with pupils in primary and secondary schools across Cumbria and parts of Lancashire and Yorkshire. Katy and Laura Kirkham work with schools in South Lakes – wherever possible engaging the local church as they do so._ I have been Synod Representative for 3 years and should step down, would someone else like to do this role. _Helen B_ ITS C ¢D N) r Fr) tn rt) ) o o (n (n C? co o ts TrJ 0004 ) KJ n try pr) try ) N) r CO ts) NJ (n 0 ti) N) ￿ O (n CO cts N) o a) Ln o (Ji 17) O iD O O CO O N) o a) ts NJ o) o o ¢) ￿ O (D O N) ￿ O ) pr) ￿ CO 0 ¢5) co prj NJ ¢TJ O O Èg ) rt) oooco 000 ry) O O CV N) N) fo o tij U) (D ) o ts) o ) O L• Cts cts on CD co o o ￿ c> O Ln o c o co 0 40 ro z J) W tt) 4- b ￿j Ln o O O (D tr) ¢Joo UJ c c ty o J CO Q) CI) CU (Q fAJ ts) ts) NJ CQ ¢4) v n (M cn cts ln ) o o < iD O) Q C CO (*) (Fl ¢7) D h) ¢ 00000 o ¢Q (D ￿ ¢7> (n ) o c> O) ooooooooooooo tn tn tn tn O e* O O O ¢D ￿ ¢0 (D N) O CD cfs ¢7) O O th O ￿ O Ln o (n C* Ln J N) O oooor) o 00 ¢) o 0000 0 ¢71 (n C) ¢51 (D (JJ h) >0 o n N) W (T) (u cn o c ¢D F) J w c ) ￿) PJ ￿? h) PJ PJ OOQOOOOCsOOOC*Q ) ￿) NJ N) ro Ln Ln ￿ (n on J sJau!wex3 iuapuadapui ## **CROSSCRAKE HUB BUILD PROJECT 2025** |**RECEIPTS**
**PAYMENTS**
Dividends
£184.28
Electricals
Donations at Cream Tea
£1,019.50
Fire Risk As
Endmoor Choir Concert
£1,000.00
Flooring
Grant: Arnold Clark Auto
£500.00
Furniture
Grant: Baywind Energy Trust
£5,000.00
HUB Main B
Grant: Bryan Lancaster Fund
£400.00
Kitchen Ap
Grant: National Lottery
£6,038.00
Materials
Grant: The Hadfield Charitable Trust
£2,750.00
Plumbing /
Grant: URC NW Synod Trust
£1,000.00
Project Man
Individual Donations
£9,851.55
TGT Build: K
Lent Lunches
£993.00
PCC "loan" pending VAT reclaim
£1,400.00
PCC payment repaid from hire income
£1,696.00
Small Donations
£155.00
Xfer of Donations made via PCC account
£4,050.08
Gift Aid Refund
£4,025.81
**Grand Total**
**£40,063.22**
**Grand Tota**|**RECEIPTS**
**PAYMENTS**
Dividends
£184.28
Electricals
Donations at Cream Tea
£1,019.50
Fire Risk As
Endmoor Choir Concert
£1,000.00
Flooring
Grant: Arnold Clark Auto
£500.00
Furniture
Grant: Baywind Energy Trust
£5,000.00
HUB Main B
Grant: Bryan Lancaster Fund
£400.00
Kitchen Ap
Grant: National Lottery
£6,038.00
Materials
Grant: The Hadfield Charitable Trust
£2,750.00
Plumbing /
Grant: URC NW Synod Trust
£1,000.00
Project Man
Individual Donations
£9,851.55
TGT Build: K
Lent Lunches
£993.00
PCC "loan" pending VAT reclaim
£1,400.00
PCC payment repaid from hire income
£1,696.00
Small Donations
£155.00
Xfer of Donations made via PCC account
£4,050.08
Gift Aid Refund
£4,025.81
**Grand Total**
**£40,063.22**
**Grand Tota**|**RECEIPTS**
**PAYMENTS**
Dividends
£184.28
Electricals
Donations at Cream Tea
£1,019.50
Fire Risk As
Endmoor Choir Concert
£1,000.00
Flooring
Grant: Arnold Clark Auto
£500.00
Furniture
Grant: Baywind Energy Trust
£5,000.00
HUB Main B
Grant: Bryan Lancaster Fund
£400.00
Kitchen Ap
Grant: National Lottery
£6,038.00
Materials
Grant: The Hadfield Charitable Trust
£2,750.00
Plumbing /
Grant: URC NW Synod Trust
£1,000.00
Project Man
Individual Donations
£9,851.55
TGT Build: K
Lent Lunches
£993.00
PCC "loan" pending VAT reclaim
£1,400.00
PCC payment repaid from hire income
£1,696.00
Small Donations
£155.00
Xfer of Donations made via PCC account
£4,050.08
Gift Aid Refund
£4,025.81
**Grand Total**
**£40,063.22**
**Grand Tota**| |---|---|---| ||Electricals
Fire Risk As
Flooring
Furniture
HUB Main B
Kitchen Ap
Materials
Plumbing /
Project Man
TGT Build: K
**Grand Tota**|-£1,822.19
sessment
-£150.00
-£5,578.42
-£3,948.75
uild
-£93,751.01
pliances
-£3,336.00
-£541.83
Heating
-£14,519.74
ager Mileage
-£972.00
itchen
-£8,606.15
**l**
**-£133,226.09**| |**PAYMENTS**|| |---|---| |Electricals|-£1,822.19| |Fire Risk Assessment|-£150.00| |Flooring|-£5,578.42| |Furniture|-£3,948.75| |HUB Main Build|-£93,751.01| |Kitchen Appliances|-£3,336.00| |Materials|-£541.83| |Plumbing / Heating|-£14,519.74| |Project Manager Mileage|-£972.00| |TGT Build: Kitchen|-£8,606.15| |**Grand Total**|**-£133,226.09**| |**Bank Balances**|| |---|---| |Barclays Hub Project Account 31/12/2024|98,050.10| |Barclays Hub Project Account 31/12/2025|4,887.23| |**Bank Balance Difference**|**-93,162.87**| |**Receipts**|40,063.22| |**Payments**|-133,226.09| |**Receipts - Payments**|**-93,162.87**| Independent Examinerfs Report on the Accounts section A Independeni Emarriiner's Report Report to the Trustees l Members of= The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Thomas, Crosscrake Charity Ref.. 1190687 On the Hub Build Project accounts for the year ended= 3111212025 Re5pertlve ￿SponsIbl11t1es of trustees and examlner.. The charlty's trustees are responsible for the preparatlon of the accounls. The charity's trustees consider that an audit 15 not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to= examine the accounts under Section 145 of the Charities Act, follow the procedures laid down in the 8eneral d4￿CtiOnS Biven by the Charity Commission under section 1451511bl of the Charities Act, and to stste whether particular matters have come to my attention. Bosis oflndependent exominerfs statement.. My examination was cafried out in accordance with general directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a revlew 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 account5 and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that WOLFld be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is 8iven as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fairf view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. Independent exomlnews stotement.. In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention which Elves me reasonable cause to believe that. in any materlal respect, the requlrements-. to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act,. to prepare accoLFnt5 which accord with the accounting records and comply with tF7e accounting requirernents of the Charities Act,. have not been met,. or to which, in my opinion. attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Sl8ned: Date: Prlnt Namp: Mlke Fell Relevant prirfessional qualthcati¢>nlsl or body {If any): Address.. 7>AL