Trustees 2022 Report & Accounts for the Parochial Church Council of St James the Great Colwall
Annual Parochial Church Meeting 23[rd] April 2023
## **Trustees 2022 Report & Accounts for the Parochial Church Council of St James the Great Colwall**
## **Annual Parochial Church Meeting on 23rd April 2023**
## **Aims and Purposes**
St James Parochial Church Council (PCC) has the responsibility of cooperating with the Rector, the Reverend Melanie Horton, in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish, the whole mission of the church, pastoral, social, evangelistic and ecumenical. The PCC is also responsible for of the church and the adjacent Ale House of St James the Great, Colwall.
## **Objectives and Activities**
The PCC is committed to enabling as many people as possible to worship at our church and to become part of our parish community. The PCC maintains an overview of worship throughout the parish and makes suggestions on how our services can involve the many groups that live within the parish. Our services and worship put faith into practice through prayer and scripture, music and sacrament.
When planning our activities, we have considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit, and in particular the supplementary guidance on charities for the enhancement of religion.
In particular, we try to enable ordinary people to live out their faith as part of our parish community. **The vision for our church is** :
- To be a Christian family which reaches out to our village community: `o` Providing pastoral care for people living in the parish
- Welcoming and supporting families and young people, and those in special need - the lonely, elderly, bereaved, those with mental health issues.
- Nurturing our communities spiritually through worship and prayer, learning about the gospel, and also enabling learning and new skills to enhance communities and care for the natural world.
- To be a Christian family which is growing and developing its faith and spirituality both individually and corporately.
To facilitate this work, it is important we maintain the fabric of the church, Ale House and churchyard.
## **Achievements and performance**
## – **Worship and Prayer Rector’s report**
For the first time since COVID-19 hit, we have had a year of almost normal worship. With all legal restrictions lifted and beginning and ending with a wonderful Easter Sunday service, worship this year has provided some real highlights as well as some more challenging moments. In June, we celebrated the Queen‘s platinum jubilee with a wonderful community service, sharing some of her late Majesty‘s own words followed by a fabulous barbecue, undeterred by rain and wind outside! It was fabulous to hear from so many different people representing different areas of our local community coming together to celebrate this historic event. Then in September we joined in a time of national mourning, with a number of services to honour her late Majesty’s life of grace and service. Other significant moments in the year were the reintroduction of the common cup, albeit in the form of intinction and finally in our Easter service the opportunity to receive from the chalice in the traditional form. I think it will be a long time before any of us take these simple acts for granted again. We were also able this year to share our Saint James Day celebrations with our friends from Saint James, Aston, and it was truly wonderful to catch up with all of the news and share worship and food with our dear friends.
This year we have continued our collaboration with the community church with joint Bible studies through the year on Johns Gospel and a Lenten course following the Big Read a book club based on Paula Gooder’s novel Lydia. Both the Bible studies and the book club have been well attended, lively occasions and it has been particularly delightful to share these occasions with our brothers and sisters from CoCoChu. That collaboration continued with the reinstatement of the walk of witness during holy week. If we are to share the gospel with our community, it is vital that we do it together and so it is wonderful to see more events being shared.
We do, of course, face challenges, particularly in the financial sphere with substantial repairs looming, as well as our continued plans to try to finally introduce water into Church with a servery area. None the less, I think it is important that we hold on to the signs of hope and the signs of God at work
## **Thank You’s and Goodbye’s**
Nothing happens in church without the support and help of an army of volunteers whether it is our regular worship or fundraising events or special services. They all take so many different people offering their skills, their time, and their talents and wisdom. It takes so many people to make sure that the worship we offer is the best
that it can be, and to ensure that our building is maintained in the best and most welcoming condition possible. So, thank you to, our audio-visual operators, our bellringers, our organists, choir members and other musicians, our cleaning team, our coffee team, our flower arrangers, our sacristans, all those who lead intercessions and read lessons, our assistant wardens, our lay deacons, our verger, and not to forget the army of volunteers who are working tirelessly to keep our churchyard in good order and to balance the needs of visitors and the needs of its natural inhabitants! I must also express specific thanks to Martyn, our church warden for his hard work and commitment, and to Joy as our administrator and so so much more! It is an enormous pleasure and privilege to work with you all.
I would like also to express on everyone’s behalf, but also personally, my enormous thanks to my retired clergy colleagues, Anne Spargo, Bernard Ingram, Carl Attwood, and Tim Wright and our reader Any Richardson. We are all truly blessed by their ministry and the diversity of styles that they bring is a real gift. Their wisdom, generosity, and skill is much appreciated.
At this point, I must take a moment to give especial thanks for the ministry of Ken Withington and express our collective sorrow at his death. Ken has been a constant presence, not just for St James Church, but for the whole community of Colwall, quietly offering his pastoral care and wisdom, and supporting our worshiping life together. He is deeply missed. We were able to celebrate his life and ministry in a wonderful Thanksgiving service in church, which had largely been shaped by Ken himself, and it was a delight to welcome Ken’s brother Keith to lead the heart of that celebration.
This year we have also had to say goodbye to other significant members of our church community. We joined together to say goodbye to Rene Chester, and to give thanks for her long and extraordinary life. We had a superb thanksgiving service for the life of Geoff Shaw, a faithful member of the 8.30 congregation, his life celebrated and given thanks for by family and friends, far and wide. We had a wonderfully rich thanksgiving service for the life of Mary Evans - musically sublime, particularly the moment when we got to hear a recording of Mary herself singing. It was wonderful to remember Mary’s musical contribution not just to the worship of Saint James but, through her life, to many different worshipping communities. It was with shock and great sadness that we learned of the sudden and unexpected death of Gill Hogston, another stalwart member of the 830 service. Her trademark planning and organisation meant that we were able to celebrate her life exactly as she wanted. We also said goodbye to Anne Baker and celebrated her life of faith and service. It was wonderful to see the church, so full of representatives, not just of the community of Colwall, but of all the various
communities that Anne had been a part of. It was also wonderful to see samples of Ann’s creative work displayed as a testament to her talent and creativity. Finally, as this church year came to its close, we said goodbye to Jean Amies. John and Jean have been a big part of our church family at Saint James for a long time and it was simply wonderful to hear John speak of his life with Jean, as well as the contributions from Jean’s children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Finally, at the time of writing, this we have just received news of the death of Barry Hinksman, who in the early part of his retirement was an inspirational addition to our team of retired clergy.
May light perpetual shine upon all of our brothers and sisters, to whom we have said goodbye.
## **Final reflection**
And so, as we look forward to the coming year with all its challenges and all that is exciting, I pray that together we will face it with open hearts and minds, that we will continue to offer a radical welcome and that as Gods’ family in this place we will live and grow together to more and more embody the life and teaching of Christ.
## **Churchwardens report**
The relative stability of the last year has enabled the PCC to plan the urgent repairs identified in the Quinquennial Inspection. This work relates largely to the renovation of the organ chamber roof and roof-level repairs to address the instability of the decaying and fractured coping stones. The cost of this work, which relates solely to the most critical, is around £75,000 including VAT. The PCC has resolved to undertake the repairs, subject to grants being sought from a number of heritage-related Trusts.
The works outlined above should certainly address the periodic incursion of rainwater, particularly at the west end. An extensive programme of work has been completed to clear the gutters, gulleys and downpipes of detritus including weeds, masonry and tennis balls! This will certainly reduce apprehension levels when unlocking the church after heavy rain.
The audio/visual system in the nave has been extended to the North Aisle. This will enable the large congregations present at many of our services to join our shared worship without needing to dodge the pillars.
In the churchyard, the tin shed in the car park was broken into during the summer resulting in the loss of assorted tools and grounds-maintenance equipment. An insurance claim went some way to address the loss. On a more positive note, an additional bench has been donated and installed at the southern burial area. One or two of the benches by the Ale House are beyond repair and in need of a generous donor or two............
The signage from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission designating the churchyard as the home of War Graves (we have four and numerous memorials) has been installed. Hopefully, we will soon have a defibrillator in the churchyard/car park; this is another smallish project which has benefitted from a generous donation.
Can I thank the Assistant Churchwardens: Jane Hill, Steve Hockett, Stuart and Carolyn Hands, Bill Clucas and Richard King for their good humour, willingness and enthusiasm; I’d be lost without you! Thank you to Joy for just doing lots of stuff and to Melanie for her calm advice and guidance, and for keeping me out of too much trouble.
**Verger -** The job of a Verger at St James includes the facilitation of specific services, namely weddings and funerals.
In this APCM year of 2022/23 we have been able to hold 5 weddings. We have also managed to conduct, 5 burial of ashes and 10 interments.
## **The Church and Ale House**
Those of you who have been into the Ale House will see that we have a wonderful new oak cupboard to replace the disintegrating old one. This cupboard was made by craftsman Steve Jennings to our own specifications. It holds all our tables neatly and safely, all the green and white checked tablecloths as well as leaving plenty of storage space for the cushions and other items. It is a pleasure to look at every time I go into the Ale House!
Steve also undertook the repair of the outside walls last summer and autumn. Having worked for Graham Williams in the 1980s he was one of the main people involved in the restoration and still has the recipe for mixing the daub! To comply with the English Heritage grants it had to be made with local mud so Steve acquired this, once again, from the Recordon’s Farm. This summer, once it has all settled and dried properly, Steve will paint the repaired panels so that they match the rest.
## **Church Bells**
The last 12 months have been rather challenging for us due to reduced numbers of our Ringers. we have a total of seven members here at Colwall, a slight reduction from last year. Service ringing on the Sunday mornings are continuing, although sometimes we are only four. It is important to ring for our services as well as keeping the bells ringing to tell the community we are here as the church is active and welcoming.
Practise nights on Mondays have been variable. Sometimes we have had to cancel because there are not enough of us to make it viable on some evenings, but at this point, I must thank a few members from neighbouring towers that come to help out.
It is not only here in Colwall where numbers are decreasing, there is a nationwide shortage of bellringers. A campaign called ‘Ring for the King’ is ongoing to get new ringer's trained ready to ring for the coronation of King Charles the third in May. Following my article in December’s clock anyone interested please let me know.
There were three weddings in 2022 which we rang for. Also, we rang a special Quarter Peal of Bob Doubles (45 minutes of continuous ringing) to celebrate the late Queens Platinum Jubilee. Then three months later the sad news of her Majesty's passing was duly marked by our ringing muffled during the period of mourning. The day after the news broke the Tenor Bell was tolled 96 times for her age.
Finally the bells are performing well, I do occasionally check over the fittings et cetera once I can climb up to get to them!
## **Ministry and Pastoral Care**
## **Admirals Café (for those who have dementia or other health issues)**
In February 2023 Admiral’s Cafe completed a full 12 months of meetings for the first time without interruptions from Covid. Our customer numbers have remainder stable with new members replacing those who have had to leave us. We have folk from Cradley and Ledbury as well as from the village. We are beginning to cater to those now living alone due to the loss of their partner. We are totally dependent on the support we get. Our volunteers are tremendous, and the sessions now run seamlessly. They and other most valuable supporters from the village provide the cakes and biscuits, and the raffle prizes at no cost to the café for each session. We also are very lucky in receiving significant cash donations from the village, and customers. Richard King is our “banker” through
the PCC. Lastly, but not least, our two specialist NHS nurses Karen and Linda have been able to come and give us professional support even when, as now, the NHS itself needs our support in its troubles.
Marcus and I would like to offer a big thank-you to all of them.
We like to provide some form of entertainment or activity. (This is one of our main expenditures). We have welcome Mrs Fiona Petts with her own brand of music and movement, Rev. Carl Attwood on the piano, a Guitar player, The Gilded Lilies singing group, and pupils from the village school,
We also were able to arrange an afternoon tea party at Glebe House when Sally Cooper made us very welcome and provided a delicious repast for about 30 of us in her beautiful house and gardens. We now have an offer from the Coddington Vineyard to have a similar event this summer.
We are presently financially stable, very well supported, and look forward to another year of being actively useful to those living with dementia in Colwall and further afield, We always welcome new customers and new volunteers; we need them for our existence, and we have been very fortunate to welcome both new customers and volunteers this past year
## **Mothers’ Union:**
We are so saddened that during 2022, members Mary Howe and Margaret Chapman died, only to be followed so quickly by Doreen Bateman, Ken Withington and Ann Baker. We are so grateful to Ken for his work as our Treasurer and for taking MU services. We will miss his welcoming smile and his wise counsel. We had enjoyed a craft workshop with Ann only in November.
We heard from members on two other occasions, having settled into meetings from March. Mary Constable gave us her literary trail, which included the Dymock poets, with David and Mary reading their poetry, and Carol Pearce came with Jonathan, presenting slides about Carol’s retirement project, her dream of owning an orchard. We learnt about the project from its start, hard work producing beautiful apple and pear blossoms, to its fruition, literally, and the profit they made on juice sales afterwards was very kindly given to Mothers’ Union funds, see below.
We had a talk from Hope charity near Ross, which helps children experiencing a family health crisis, and a talk on the artist Laura Knight who for a time lived and worked at the Colwall Park Hotel. In July members were asked to bring something from their childhood and the resulting articles ranging from a puppet
to a handmade box and a beautiful piece of material also produced interesting stories and much laughter and amazement, looking into the past.
Our fundraising, from the Lent Lunch, the Marmalade Sale, the August Coffee Morning, and the Pearce’s apple juice totalled over £1,000 for the Diocesan Crisis Intervention Fund. Thank you to our members and supporters.
## **Choir**
In December we were happy to sing at the Village Carol Service, the first being held inside the church since 2019. The augmented choir with Sue Humphrey, conductor and Pam Richardson on the piano sang a variety of Christmas music interspersed with readings and traditional Carols accompanied on the organ by Ron Ward.
The choir sang at several weddings and also at All Saints Patronal Festival and the All Souls evening service at St James.
Sadly during the past year the augmented choir sang at three thanksgiving services. In August after many years of ill health Mary Evans passed away. Mary had chosen all her favourite music for the service. Nine weeks later we sang at Rene Chester’s thanksgiving service. Sue Doswell conducted the choir at both these services. Mary and Rene had been much loved and loyal members of the church choir. In January we also sang at the service for Jill Hogston. Jill’s husband Gerry had for many years also been a regular member of the choir. We were delighted to welcome several new members to our augmented choir and would be happy to see more singers joining us especially on Sundays. Finally thanks must go to our loyal Sunday choir who meet each week.
## **Orchestra**
After the last APCM the orchestra had another quiet year, having played at the service for the Accession of the Queen in February and on Mothering Sunday. We were delighted to play at Harvest but the only other time was at the Alehouse Carols. We were due to be eight players but for three, illness got in the way. However, it was delightful evening with a full house and everyone happy to revive this event after three years. I have put an advertisement for joining the orchestra in The Clock but so far, have had no takers. We look forward to playing on Mothering Sunday.
## **St James Flower Team**
The Flower team had a fairly busy year and we have also welcomed a new member into our midst, so we now have a lovely healthy number of volunteers which is a bonus.
There were five weddings in the church, and we were asked to do the flowers for all of them. The first one was a bit on the poignant side though as it was for the niece of Pinkie Elliston, many will remember Pinkie as she led the flowers for quite a few years and I am sure a glass of bubbly would have been raised to her during the wedding proceedings. I received some lovely messages from most of the brides thanking everyone for their efforts as the church always looks so splendid when we have completed the wedding flowers.
We obviously put in special flowers to commemorate the passing of Queen Elizabeth and I suspect a lot of people visited the church at that time to seek a little solace.
We do like to make the church look extra special for the festivals of Christmas, Easter and Harvest. I enjoy visiting churches when on a day out and I don’t think I have ever come across a parish church with as many arrangements in as ours, it certainly makes the church looked cared for and shows that the team of ladies enjoy what they do and the pleasure it gives for themselves and hopefully many others especially the congregation. Kay Smith
## **Caring for the Environment**
## **Churchyard report April 2023**
The voluntary churchyard informal team has continued to maintain the church grass, flower areas, yew tree area, and hedges over the year, and we are very grateful to both those who attend our work parties regularly, intermittently, and in their own way and time. We have tried to keep the grass mown short on the lawns at the west end, round the yew tree memorial area, by the Ale House, and in the ‘new grave’ region. We hold regular advertised Saturday morning sessions, usually starting at 10am and finishing @1pm including a coffee and cake break. Although we usually congregate on the 2[nd] Sunday of the month, we occasionally have to move the date to avoid wedding or funeral services. The dates for 2023 are:
|**Month**|**2nd Sat in month**|
|---|---|
|March|11|
|April|8 (Easter Saturday)|
|May|13|
|June|10|
|July|8|
|---|---|
|August*|5*|
|September|9|
|October|14|
. * This is the first Saturday as there is a wedding on the 12[th]
Extra work parties might be needed at the height of the growing season. Over the Covid Pandemic period we lost the help of the Community Unpaid Work Team. I am delighted to announce that we have facilitated their return and from March onwards will help us on a 2-3 week frequency. They will be briefed on our grass mowing plans, and especially about leaving the wildflower area alone at all times unless specifically instructed otherwise. This means that much of the harder mowing tasks will be done by their team which leaves our own volunteers with the opportunity to primp and perfect the churchyard in other ways. This can include weeding, ivy control, conservation work, and other interests such as the wildflower areas and maintenance of our Monuments and Memorials. Specific areas of Churchyard interest/activity include:
- Wildflower Areas which are mown (except yellow rattle areas) till mid-April, then left till end July.
We are continuing to monitor flower species presence, and aim to undertake other species recording (mammals, birds, reptiles & amphibians, butterflies) as volunteer and expertise support allows. A4 laminated notices to describe the meadow area and plants are to be produced and installed, and the churchyard meadow will be promoted by an article for the Clock and one or more guided walks. Volunteer sessions will be advertised to collect wildflower seed again from Brookmead (available from July), and sow in the churchyard in the Autumn (our thanks to Lindsay).
- The new Green Waste Bunker is being used as a lazy rubbish dump so clear notices asking visitors to stop dumping oasis, wreathe rings, cellophane, other plastic will be erected; one of the black bins will be place adjacent to the green waste bunker for such materials.
- Mammal Surveys are planned to monitor wildlife; mammal traps would be put out in an evening and checked early the following morning. COG have the traps and resources, and Herefordshire Mammal Group might be able to help as well. Melanie has offered to ask the School if they would like the children to come along to the morning session to see the animals found and learn about them and the habitat they need, and COG have offered to assist with any school session arranged and will identify the best times for humane trapping.
- The Memorial Ashes Graves area under Yew Tree is being overseen by Sue Bienkowska with a small team of helpers to weed and provide general care
of this area. Both expansion of the space available and clearer delineation from the grass cutting area is needed; Melanie, the Archdeacon are meeting to decide on the boundary and access to the inner graves.
- A Defibrillator is to be mounted on the metal railings by the churchyard/car park gate with an installation date planned for the 13th March. Training will be arranged through HeartStart.
- Hedge trimming and maintenance can only be performed during the winter period to prevent disturbing nesting birds. A considerable amount was cut back on Saturday 11 February which included the Flapgate Lane hedge, an overgrown area at the corner of the War Memorial Garden, and overhanging damson/sloe trees beside the brook on the Southwest corner of the churchyard. A hedge survey course at the churchyard was held in September2022; the assessment suggested that they were all in poor condition. Lindsay Williams offered to prepare a preliminary maintenance and restoration plan for these hedges for approval by the PCC. This would be for 2023/24 at the earliest. Blandfords kindly cut the Mill Lane/car park hedge at present. A team from COG have begun to lay the hedge between the churchyard and the car park; the section they have done is amazing considering the dreadful scenario they started with. New plants will be needed, and it will take a few years to reach its full glory.
- Some of the benches are in need of renovation or replacement. In addition, it has been suggested there should be a few more around so people can linger in the churchyard to appreciate It.
- A discussion about needing more information and interpretation available to visitors has taken place with the result that lists of churchyard species to be available in church, with a way for everyone to record new records. This info needs to be accessible to visitors and clearly available, whether by use of a website, QR code, or other technology, or by display boards, information sheets/boards/leaflets.
- Volunteering: We are in constant needs of new volunteers. The Explorer Scouts will be invited to come again for Community Service Badge work in 2023. Melanie plans to write to the families of those interred in the graveyard to encourage them to come and help **.** The various societies in Colwall with conservation and wildlife interests will be contacted to promote the churchyard’s multiple role as a haven for wildlife, centre for its diverse plant collection and peaceful place of rest and contemplation. A churchyard is not just a graveyard.
## **Mission and Evangelism**
The Clock continues to be an important means of communication for the community. The variety of information, advertising and ‘what’s on’ is appreciated by all our readers, keeping everyone informed of local clubs, societies and interest groups.
From January 2022 we returned to monthly editions of the magazine (11 issues with December/ January being a double edition)
We always welcome new copy—so if you have an interesting/ topical/subjects . please do send them to thecolwallclock@gmail.com
Help with editing and producing the monthly editions of the magazine is now a priority – our current editor needs ‘back-up’. So, please if you or someone you know would like to find out more of what the ‘role’ of the monthly editor involves, please contact Joy in the office.
We are grateful for the work of the distributers who deliver the magazine each month, and a special thank you to Chris and Christine Honeywill, who collect and sort into the various ‘rounds’ for distribution.
## **Welcomers:**
Not many weeks pass without someone asking for a Welcome Pack. Thank you to all those Welcomers who keep a lookout for people moving into the village. Your welcome and the pack are much appreciated.
## **The Website**
Mark has run the church website for twelve years in much the same way as it was set up by Chris Sennett, but with increasing age and other commitments Mark would like to hand over at least part of this important communication role.
Newer and updated pages on the church website have been produced in a mobilefriendly form and some of the most used pages of standing information have been converted.
It is now simple to add new editors to our pages on A Church Near You (ACNY), which has provision for much of the information now provided on the church’s own website.
Mark’s suggested action is:
- Provide the programme of future services and events on the church’s pages on A Church Near You (ACNY). Nominate a member of the Ministry Team to maintain the ACNY pages in a way that reflects the church’s mission and outreach.
Retain on the church’s own website the administration and history pages and the library of sermons.
## **Church Development Group**
## **The vision for our church continues to be** :
- To be a Christian family which reaches out to our village community:
- To be a Christian family which is growing and developing its faith and spirituality both individually and corporately
- For the church building to provide a warm, welcoming and worshipful space to enable this vision and ensure our Christian heritage is sustained for current and future generations
- For the churchyard to be a place for peace and reflection especially for those with family members buried there, and to be a safe place for wildlife
## **The Church Development Project**
Following Covid and then the cost of living and energy supply crisis, it became clear in 2021/22 that the economic environment for the country and for individual finances had led to a change in priorities for grant funding agencies away from buildings, and especially churches, and into communities and economic regeneration.
The PCC therefore put the original major project on hold. In the interim, it was decided to look at a much smaller scale project which could be added to later: a project for a smaller servery with basic facilities including clean water in, wastewater out, a refreshments capability, fridge and storage. Costing are now being sought through the architect for this scheme. For information and guidance purposes, a separate costing would also be requested for a single toilet facility situated behind the kitchen in the north-west corner of the church. This is being investigated in 2023.
The original plan to replace some pews with chairs is also on hold, so to add some seating comfort, cushioned pew runners will be introduced in the front 8 rows on both sides in the nave.
## **Ecumenical Relationships**
## **St James Aston Link Activities**
It was a delight to welcome our friends from Aston to join us for Patronal Festival in July and share lunch in the village school afterwards.
This is always a joyous occasion- catching up with friends old and new. We have supported them through our charity giving
We look forward to catch up again this July for Patronal Festival service and lunch in the village hall.
## **FINANCIAL REVIEW FOR 2022**
## **Fund Raising**
During the current APCM year of 2022/23 our fundraising events are starting to get back on track again. During summer we held our second Art & Crafts weekend which once again although not primarily being a fund raiser managed to be a financial success. We aim to hold another this coming APCM year. This was followed with a Craft Fair in November which also was a financial success. That month saw our ever popular Christmas Coffee Morning – thank you to Richard King for organising that. A follow up Pancake Coffee Morning (courtesy of Mr King again!) was another money spinner.
During the summer the Pax Singers gave a Concert with Afternoon Tea which was enjoyed by a very appreciative audience and added substantially to funds!
## **ANNUAL ACCOUNTS 2022**
After the Covid pandemic, now the energy and cost of living crisis has affected everyone’s income and expenses. Our budget expectation was a £6,108 deficit by year end. But for yet another year, thanks to the continued generosity of church members, we limited the deficit on normal income and expenditure to £2,582. The PCC did however approve two items of capital expenditure and have started on the work preparing for significant repair work on the roof and stonework highlighted in the most recent architect’s Quinquennial report. Overall, this has reduced funds by £10,057.
## **Income - total for the year in all funds: £88,227**
**The Parish Giving Scheme** : 45 households are in the scheme at end 2022- one new joiner in the year, but two deceased. Collections up on last year due to the number of weddings and funerals where St James was the beneficiary.
**Fund Raising** : there were 7 events in 2022: the Arts Festival in the summer and the Christmas Craft Fair, a Pax Singers concert, the Pancake and Christmas coffee morning, Ale House Carols, and the Jubilee BBQ. raised £3,845 net of costs (including small income from printing and coffee sales). Donations from the Bishop’s Gift Day Appeal were £2,615, and donations to the Admiral’s Café were £750.
**Church Fees (Weddings, Funerals)** : We had 5 weddings this year, and 30 funerals/cremations – almost £7,000.
**The Ale House** : After lettings of £3,310, there was a surplus on normal income of £2,065 as there was only a small amount of repair work. The new oak cupboard has been installed: attractive, tidy storage for tables and other items.
**Grants, Legacy and Insurance Claim** : The PCC received a grant from the Malvern Hills AONB Sustainable Development Fund in June of £1935 was granted to support the conservation work in the churchyard to enhance biodiversity; a £1,450 insurance claim after the theft of equipment from the car park shed, and a donation in memoriam of £1000 towards the church Development Fund. There were no legacies this year.
## **Expenditure - total for the year in all funds: £98,284**
Major costs (Parish Share Offer £50,300, Parish Administrator, Insurance, church maintenance) were very little changed from 2021. With careful management of the use of heating, there was lower expenditure on electricity and water, but on the other routine items of expenditure costs were little changed. However, there were a number of one-off expenditures (£9,824) including architect’s fees prior to repair work on the stonework around the roof. The business support grants we received in the Covid years from the Herefordshire Council Discretionary Fund have allowed us to improve our facilities – this year covering the installation of the AV system extension in the North Aisle, the Ale House oak cupboard and a defibrillator. Equipment for the churchyard of £1,665 was from of the grant. Volunteers have continued to maintain the churchyard completely, as, for a third year, the Community Payback Team could not get here while Covid was still prevalent.
We have contributed £3,000 to mission and charity (including war and natural disaster areas - 2021 £2,350) from PCC funds, £591 from special collections and charity fund raising, and £3,349 from weddings and funerals.
**Our CBF investments reduced in value by £9,296 in 2022, so together with our income deficit of £10,057 this year, our total funds now stand at £132,493 (2021 £151,845), a decrease of £19,353** . Our funds are now back to a level in 2019.
If anyone who would like to see a copy of the full detailed accounts or have any questions to ask on these accounts, please do not hesitate to contact me on 01684 541215.
## **Reserves Policy**
The PCC has a policy of retaining reserves to cover a year’s normal income which is presently around £85,000. Approximately 54% of the reserves are held in investments with the CBF, and 46% in cash on deposit and current accounts at bank.
My thanks to the Finance Committee for their expertise and support. We have met quarterly to review progress and assess any significant impacts of investment and income changes. Actions on any items of an exceptional nature are recommended for approval at the PCC meetings.
## **ACCOUNTS SUMMARY: YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2022**
|**INCOME**||**2022**|**2021**|
|---|---|---|---|
|Collections||2,551|1,790|
|Planned Giving (PGS,envelopes,Std orders)||40,387|41,978|
|Tax recovery||11,257|11,048|
|Other voluntaryreceipts – includes:||9,775|10,778|
|Grant: Malvern Hills AONB for Churchyard|1,472|||
|Admiral's Café|750|||
|Donations(incl Bishop's Gift DayAppeal)|4,618|||
|Friends of St James and Flowers Funds|485|||
|Gift in Memoriam(Development Fund)|1,000|||
|Insurance claim(theft of shed equipment)|1,450|||
|Fund raisingreceipts – includes:||15,245|17,430|
|Ale House rents and A/H 100 Club|3,940|||
|Magazine sales and adverts(Clock)|7,011|||
|Fund RaisingEvents|4,294|||
|Investment income||2,051|1,975|
|Church fees||6,960|7,222|
|**TOTAL INCOME**||**88,227**|**92,220**|
|||||
|**EXPENDITURE**||||
|Diocesan Offer and Deanery Quota||50,300|50,300|
|Otherpayments – includes:||47,984|36,550|
|Contributions to Mission and Charities|3,000|||
|Ale House expenses|1,875|||
|Magazineprinting|4,427|||
|Churchyard(incl new equipment)|2,479|||
|Office, general support and administrator|11,331|||
|Fabric: N Aisle Projection,A/H cupboard,|9,824|||
|Architect fees re repairs,defibrillator||||
|Insurance(church)|3,059|||
|Maintenance, power,organ/music,other|11,989|||
|||||
|**TOTAL EXPENDITURE**|**98,274**
**86,850**|||
|||||
|**(DEFICIT) SURPLUS FOR THE YEAR**||**(10,057) **|**5,369**|
|Add Unrealised Gains/(Losses) on
Investments||(9,296)|1,482|
|||||
|**ADJUSTED(DEFICIT) SURPLUS FOR THE YEAR**|
**(19,353) 6,852**|||
|||||
## **BALANCES IN THE CHURCH FUNDS**
|FUND|**2022**|**2021**|
|---|---|---|
|Friends of St James(Designated)|8,641|8,331|
|Fabric Fund|114,543|134,794|
|Organ Fund(Designated)|5,331|5,331|
|Flower Fund(Designated)|1,612|1,782|
|Bells Fund(Designated)|1,560|1,608|
|Church Development Fund(Restricted)|806|-|
||||
|**TOTAL ALL FUNDS**|**132,493**|**151,846**|
||||
|INVESTED IN:-|||
|CBF shares and deposits|72,612|81,907|
|Lloyds Bank Plc|1,471|3,287|
|Santander|13,851|13,355|
|Cafcash Deposits|50,654|59,449|
|Debtors less Creditors|(6,095)|(6154)|
||||
|**TOTAL**|**132,493**|**151,846**|
## **ADMINISTRATION AND GOVERNANCE**
## **Church Electoral Roll**
The Electoral Roll has been updated as of 29 March 2023 and stands at119. This is a decrease from 2022, due to deaths ad people moving away.
## **GDPR**
All confidential records and personnel information is kept in a locked metal filing cabinet in the parish office or password protected computer.
Baptism, Marriage & Funeral registers remain locked the Vestry Safe or when in use in the locked filing cabinet in the parish office.
## **Safeguarding**
The PCC have adopted the updated the Church of England Safeguarding Policy and are compliant with its regulations of displaying relevant notices. There is a file at the back of church in which all the relevant information is available to be seen. We keep a register of all regulated activities organised and run by St James Church.
All Adults who work with young people and vulnerable adults have DBS certificates, and we regularly check this list and update/ renew as necessary.
The website is now compliant with CofE Safeguarding requirements.
The Parish of St James is registered with the CofE Safeguarding Portal. This enables all Safeguarding data for the parish to be recorded and updated on a regular basis.
Our safeguarding action plan is regularly reviewed and updated as appropriate.
## **Health and Safety**
Fire Safety: all fire signs and extinguishers are in place and serviced in early 2021, with replacement's purchased as advised by contractors. Evacuation procedures are explained at any non-regular event.
First Aid: first aid boxes and accident books in the Church, Ale House, Belfry and Parish Office are checked regularly. No accidents have been reported in the last year.
Electrical Appliances: are checked annually – report details in the Parish Office. Child and Vulnerable Adult Protection: Joy Conlon is the relevant Officer and no incidents have been reported.
Pest Control: Red Kite is contracted to carry out regular annual checks in the Church and Ale House.
Slips, Trips and Falls: a careful eye is kept on potential hazards. The new path at the West door enables easy, safe access into the churchyard.
Risk Assessments: these are overseen by Martyn Steer (warden and H&S Officer).
## **PCC MEMBERS IN 2022**
## **Elected Members:**
Chairman: Rev Melanie Horton (Rector) Churchwarden: Martyn Steer Treasurer: Richard King Secretary John Doswell Electoral Roll Officer:Joy Conlon Deanery Synod Rep: Sue Humphrey Marcus Allen Others: Jonathan Pearce Christine Bagust Michael Hakes Steve Hockett (Fundraising Coordinator) **Ex Officio Invitees** Assistant Wardens: Stuart and Carolyn Hands, Jane Hill, Bill Clucas Readers: Andy Richardson
## **Declaration**
**The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees report above. Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees. Signature(s)**
**18[th] April 2023**
St James the Great Colwall
INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT
Unrestricted Designated Restricted
funds
fvnds
lunds
Total
2022
Total
2021
Income
Parish Giving Scheme
Other planned and gift aid donations
Non-gift aid colleclions
Tax recovered
Other voluntary receipts1ry0ie 4a)
Fundraising receipts Inote 4b)
Invesirnent income (ncte 4cl)
Insurance Claim . Ale House
Church fees
Awards for All: projector granl
29,646
10,741
2,551
11,2S7
6.818
15.24S
2.051
29,646
10,741
2,551
11,257
9.775
15,245
2,OSI
30,090
11,888
1,7
11,048
10,778
17,430
1,975
485
2471.75
6,960
6,960
7,222
85,271
2,472
88,227
92,220
Expenditure
O,ocesan offer aiid deoiiery quot
Other paynients fnote 4d)
50,3Q3
45,926
96,226
50,300
47,984
98,284
50,3CX)
36,550
86,850
393
393
1,665
1,665
Deficit/Surplus for the year
Transfers between funds
Adjusted Surplus
110,956)
92
(10,057)
5,370
(10,9561
92
(10,057)
5.370
Unrealised Gainsl(Losses) Inote 4c2 >
Overall Deficit/Surplus
9,296
20,252
19,296)
19,353
1,482
6.852
92
£807 -
BALANCE SHEET
Balance at l January
Add Over311 Surplus
Balance at 31 December
17,052.
92
17,144
151,845
(19,353)
132,492
144,993
6,852
151,845
{20,252)
114,542
Represented by
C8F deposits and shares
Lloyds Bank
Santanoer
CAF
Debtors (note 5a)
72,611
1,471
13,851
32,702
950
121,585
(7.045)
114,540
72,611
1,471
13,851
50,654
950
139,536
(7,045)
132,492
81,907
3,287
13,355
59,449
750
158,749
16,904)
151,845
17,144
807
17,144
Creditofs (note 5b)
Independent Examiner's Report to the PCC of the Church of St James the Great, Colwall
for tho Year Ended 31st Decomber, 2022
This is my report to the Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish (PCCI of St James the Great. Colwall
on the af7nual report for the year endod 31 sl December 2022 as set oul atx)ve.
Responslbilltles and
basls of report
As the PCC, you are responsible for the preparatior, of the accounts in accordance with
the requirements ot the Charities Ac.t 20111-the Ad")
I rpoort in respecl of my examination of the acc(xJnts carried oul under SeCtn 145 of the Act
and, in Carn9 out my examination. I have followed all the Directions given by
Ihe Charity CommissK)n under section 145(5)Ib) of the Act
Independent examiner's
statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention
In connection with the examination which oive me cause to believe that in, any niaterial speCt.
accounting records were not kepi In accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act: or
the ac.coiints do not acLord wilh Ihe acw'nt4ng rpc.ord8 or
statutory fees were not accounted for correclly, or
the accounts do rx)t comply with the appllcable requirements concerning the form arxd
content of accounts set out
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters In connection with tho examination
to whh attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of
the accounts to be reached.
Examiner of Accounts
Mr Luke Kee8an
Rev. Melanie Horton
Rectof
Richard King
Treasurer
Date
fj,JJlL
23111
INDEPENDE.YT EXANII.YER'S REPORT TO THTr: lE]BERs OF COLWALL PCC
I report on the accounts of the PCC for the year ended 31 sl December 2022 which are attached.
Respectii'e responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The charit) s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees
consider that an audit not required for this year (under Section 144 of the Charities Act 2011
(the 201 l Act)) and that an independent examination is required.
It is my responsibility to:
examine the accounts under Section 145 of the 201 l Act
to follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission
(under Section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act); and
to 4itate M,hether particular matter41 have come lo my attention.
Basis of the independent examiner's report
My examination was carried out in accordance uiith the General Directions given by the Charity
Commi4ision. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity
and a comparison of the account4) pre4iented with those records. It also includesb consideration of
any unusual items or disclosures in the accounls, and seeking explanations Irom you as truqtees
concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do nol provide all the evidence that
would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion i4• given as to ,hether the accounts
presenl a 'true and fair view ' and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statements
below.
Independent examiner's statement
In connection with my examination: no matter has come to my attention:
( l ) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the requirement.
to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 130 of the 201 l Act; and
to prepare accounts :hiCh accord with the accounting records, comply with the accounting
requirements of Ihe Charities Act
have not been met; or
(2) to which. in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the
accounts to be reached.
LLI
Luke Keegan
Chartered Managyement Accountant
IA The Homend
Ledbury
Herefordshire
HR8 IBN
Dated
13rJ
1 2012