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2023-12-31-accounts

PARISH OF ST MARY AND ST EANSWYTHE WITH ST SAVIOUR FOLKESTONE

ANNUAL PAROCHIAL CHURCH MEETING 2024

A meeting of the parishioners for the purpose of Electing Two Churchwardens

and

The Annual Parochial Church Meeting

to be held in the Nave of St Mary & St Eanswythe’s Church

on Sunday 28 April 2024 at 11.45am

A G E N D A

Annual Meeting of Parishioners

[Anyone on the civil electoral roll or on the electoral roll of the parish may attend the meeting and vote]

  1. Opening Prayer.

  2. Appointment of Secretary.

  3. Minutes of the 2023 Meeting and Matters Arising.

  4. To receive the Churchwardens’ Charities Account.

  5. Election of two Churchwardens.

Annual Parochial Church Meeting

[Anyone on the electoral roll of the parish may attend the meeting and vote.]

  1. Apologies for Absence.

  2. Minutes of the 2023 Meeting and Matters Arising.

  3. To receive:

  4. a. Report on changes in the electoral roll since the last APCM.

  5. b. Annual Report on the proceedings of the Parochial Church Council of St Mary & St Eanswythe Folkestone and the activities of the parish generally.

  6. c. Examined financial statement of the PCC for the year ending 31 December 2023.

  7. d. Report on the fabric, goods and ornaments of the church.

  8. e. Report on the proceedings of the Deanery Synod.

  9. f. Chair’s Report

  10. ELECTIONS

  11. a. Up to one Deanery Synod representative.

  12. b. Up to three Parochial Church Council members

  13. To appoint:

  14. a. Sidespersons.

  15. b. Independent Examiner.

  16. Any other matters of parochial or general church interest (to be referred to PCC).

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PARISH OF ST MARY AND ST EANSWYTH WITIH ST SAVIOUR FOLKESTONE

Minutes of meeting of the parishioners for the purpose of Electing Two Churchwardens and The Annual Parochial Church Meeting held in the Nave of St Mary & St Eanswythe’s Church on Sunday 23 April at 11.45

Annual Meeting of Parishioners

(Anyone on the civil electoral roll or on the electoral roll of the parish may attend the meeting and vote).

Andrew Plested: Proposed: Angela Flisher Seconded: Patricia Skelsted Tom Bertram: Proposed: Jenny Coleman Seconded: Jan Clarke

Signed …………………………………………………………………………….Dated…………………………………………………..

Annual Parochial Church Meeting

(Anyone on the electoral roll of the parish may attend the meeting and vote)

  1. There were no apologies for absence

  2. Minutes of the 2022 Meeting were accepted as a true record of the meeting. There were no matters arising.

  3. The following reports were received:

  4. a) Report on changes in the electoral roll since the last APCM

  5. b) Annual Report on the proceedings of the Parochial Church Council of St Mary & St Eanswythe Folkestone and the activities of the parish generally.

  6. c) Examined financial statement of the PCC for the year ending 31 December 2022. PK stated that a new Gift Aid secretary is required now that the work has been simplified. It is not an onerous task and she would be grateful for someone to take it on. Fr JW thanked PK for all her hard work throughout the year and JC for supporting her and for her work fund raising. PK will complete the Year End accounts for 2023/4 and then we will need a new Treasurer – hopefully someone can take over before PK retires.

  7. d) Report on the fabric, goods and ornaments of the church. Fabric etc - Fr JW thanked AP and PS for their work on inspections of the building. AP is now Clerk of Works to the fabric of the Church and he will continue to do that even if he is not Church Warden. PC is his Assistant Clerk.

  8. e) Report on the proceedings of the Deanery Synod. Fr JW thanked CT and VF for attending meetings and reporting back to the PCC.

  9. f) Chair’s Report. Fr JW thanked all the PCC for their hard work throughout the year – particularly CT for transforming Children’s church into such a popular activity. And for all the work done constantly on Welcoming, flowers, caring for the church and entertaining the Ukrainian families. For the Festival and all the musical concerts. And a special thank you to MB for all his practical support.

  10. g) Other comments:

Ian Gordon reported that that John Woolrich is working on a plan with the London Sinfonietta for them to be based at St Eanswythe’s and thanked all those who had helped at concerts over the

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course of the year. Unfortunately, because of the erratic condition of the heating we have lost some revenue from Bayle Music – they will be playing summer concerts only until we have improved the heating situation.

Fr JW thanked Malcolm Munro for his hard work and all the extra time he gives the church and for the new additions to the choir. Malcolm has constantly updated the PCC on the various inspections and reports supplied on the condition of the Organ and he is hoping to have an estimate shortly. It will be a huge challenge for the church to raise the money which will be required. It is intended to set up a Grant fund for crowd-funding etc.

  1. ELECTIONS

  2. a) Victoria Friedrich was re-elected as Deanery Synod representative for a period of three years. There was no nomination for our other vacancy.

  3. b) David Wright, Pamela Keeling, Jan Clarke, Jenny Coleman and Patricia Skelsted were re-elected to the PCC for a period of three years.

  4. Appointments:

  5. a) All sidespersons were reappointed en bloc together with Jan Clarke.

  6. b) Independent Examiner – Nicola Cahill was re-appointed for 2023.

  7. Matters of parochial or general church interest: Pam Keeling asked if someone would like to become the Gift Aid Secretary following the Diocese making changes in the operation of Gift Aid.

Fr JW closed the meeting with a prayer at 12.25

Signed ……………………………………………………………………………………….Dated……………………………

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PARISH OF ST MARY AND ST EANSWYTHE WITH ST SAVIOUR FOLKESTONE

ANNUAL REPORT

and

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

of the

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL

for the year ended 31 December 2023

Incumbent

The Revd Dr John Walker

Bank

National Westminster Bank PLC

Europa House Sandgate Road Folkestone Kent

Independent Examiner

Nicola Cahill M.A.A.T. Nicki’s Accountancy Services 122 Foord Road Folkestone Kent CT19 5AB

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PARISH OF ST MARY AND ST EANSWYTHE WITH ST SAVIOUR FOLKESTONE

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] DECEMBER 2023

Administrative Information

The Parish of Folkestone, St Mary and St Eanswythe with St Saviour is in the Elham Deanery, in the Diocese of Canterbury with the Church of England. There are two places of worship, the Parish Church of St Mary and St Eanswythe in the town centre of Folkestone and the Chapel of St Augustine, 39/41 Dover Road, Folkestone which is a Local Ecumenical Project shared with the Greek Orthodox Church of St Mark and St Fotini. The former Parish Church of St Saviour, Canterbury Road, is now occupied by Harbour Church.

The correspondence address is sainteanswythe@gmail.com.

The Parochial Church Council (PCC) is a charity registered with the Charity Commission Reg.No.1192616 .

PCC members who have served from 23[rd] April 2023 until the date this report is approved are:

Churchwardens: Tom Bertram
Andrew Plested
Representatives on the
Deanery Synod: Victoria Friedrich [Elected until 2026]
Elected Members: Jan Clarke [Elected until 2026]
Jenny Coleman [Elected until 2026]
Pam Keeling [Resigned 21.04. 2024]
Patricia Skelsted [Elected until 2026]
David Wright [Elected until 2026]
Marilyn Edey [Elected until 2024]
Catriona Hunter [Elected until 2025]
Jenny Coleman [Elected until 2026]
Advisors to the PCC: Parish Administrator Jennifer Griffin
Worship Malcolm Munro
St Augustine’s Centre Carol Godden
Architect James Ford
Schools Amanda Wolfram

Structure, governance and management

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

Our Parish Safeguarding Co-ordinator and Parish Disclosure Officer have ensured that our parish procedures, organisation and pastoral practices comply with our duty under Section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016 to have regard to the House of Bishops’ guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults.

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PARISH OF ST MARY AND ST EANSWYTHE WITH ST SAVIOUR FOLKESTONE

Aim and purposes

St Mary and St Eanswythe with St Saviour PCC has the responsibility of co-operating with the priest-incharge in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical.

Objectives and activities

The Church exists to make Jesus Christ known in Folkestone through worship, fellowship and mission. It looks to encourage its members and the people of the community of which it is a part, to realise their full potential as children of God. It also has the responsibility of maintaining the fabric of the Parish Church of St Mary and St Eanswythe, Folkestone a Grade 11[*] listed building.

Achievements and performance

There are 64 parishioners on the Church Electoral Roll, 27 of whom are resident within the parish. Five names were added during the year. There was one death. The average weekly attendance in the parish was 56 adults and 5 under-16s. The increase in adult attendance has largely been due to new members who have started attending Church. Ten children were baptised. Ten children and three adults were Confirmed, and one adult was received from the Roman Catholic Church. Eight weddings were held. There were two funerals, one of which took place in the church and one at Hawkinge Crematorium, and one interment of Ashes in the Garden of Remembrance..

The full PCC met six times during the year. Members of the PCC are on the St Augustine’s Joint Council our LEP with the Greek Orthodox Church which manages the St Augustine’s Centre.

We are grateful to The Revd John Tomlinson for his continuing contribution to the worship of the parish. Vicky Friedrich was re-authorised as a Lay Minister and sponsored by the PCC to begin training as a Lay Reader. She helps at services, weddings, baptisms and funerals. We are grateful to Pam Keeling and Jenny Coleman for their work as out joint-treasurers; to Tom Bertram and Andrew Plested for their roles as Churchwardens, and to Pam Mullett and Jenny Coleman for supporting them as Deputy Wardens

The PCC is active in pursuing the following priorities:

Ethos: We aim to embed an ethos that is kind, appreciative and co-operative in which difference is valued, initiative is rewarded and mistakes are treated humanely.

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PARISH OF ST MARY AND ST EANSWYTHE WITH ST SAVIOUR FOLKESTONE

Finance Review

All follow on the Financial Statements pages, approved by the PCC on 27 March 2023. I am extremely grateful to our outgoing Treasurer, Pam Keeling for her immense hard work not only in handling our finances so soundly, but for the time and skill she has given to completely re-organising our financial systems so that we can function in a digital world. Thank you so much Pam!!

Revd Dr John Walker (Chair)

NOTES ON THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] DECEMBER 2023

  1. The accounts are prepared on a receipts and payment basis in accordance with the requirements of the Church Accounting Regulations 2006.

  2. Planned giving is either by covenant or gift aid donations: By covenant or gift aid donation: number of contributors = 42 Otherwise: number of contributors = 10

  3. The General Account includes all voluntary, ordinary, and extra ordinary receipts including those of the Calvary: Eanswythe Books; Fabric Fund; Garden of Remembrance; Heating fund; which are all restricted.

  4. The Magazine Fund Account refers to the Rendezvous Magazine. The Flower Fund Account is for the church flowers. The Baptismal Bible Fund is for the presentation of Baptismal Bibles. These are also restricted funds

  5. Investments are held by the Canterbury Diocesan Board of Finance or the Church of England Central Board of Finance. All holding prices are shown at cost.

  6. The church insurers are the Ecclesiastical Insurance Group, Beaufort House, Brunswick Road, Gloucester GL1 1JZ.

TREASURERS REPORT

Attached are the accounts for the year ending 31[st] December 2023.

Notes to those accounts:

PAYMENTS

Planned Giving Income total of £35,729 including the Widow’s Mite and the tax refund on Gift Aid was £7,006, this was previously handled by the Diocese but is now handled by us. Some people choose to pay directly into the General Account. Withdrawals from the Planned Giving Account into the General Account are transferred in whole numbers.

The accountant employed is Nicki’s Accountancy Services at 122 Foord Road, Folkestone.

Below are general comments on the General Fund plus the various ringfenced funds.

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PARISH OF ST MARY AND ST EANSWYTHE WITH ST SAVIOUR FOLKESTONE

GENERAL FUND.

2023 has proved quite challenging as we embarked on raising funds for both the Reliquary (named as Eanswythe Found in the accounts) and the Heating Fund. The heating system was in a parlous state with one boiler irreparable and the other boiler working erratically. The PCC agreed that the shares we held specifically as a Boiler Fund could be sold and the proceeds went towards the cost of the new electric system. Both the Reliquary and the Heating Fund have made the bank balances look extremely healthy as only part payment on these items were paid out during 2023.

We did receive a grant from the Diocese which enabled us to cover our Parish Share for another year.

We are very grateful to all our congregation and friends who have continued making their donations and supporting our various ventures such as the sale of cards and notelets and the wonderful St Eanswythe Festival Day which raised £527 and our Christmas Festival which raised £1000. Many thanks to Jenny Coleman and everyone involved in making it such a success. There will be more events in 2024 which hopefully will prove to be even more popular.

As ever we are indebted to Ian Gordon for his continued work with Bayle Music and its partnership with Canterbury Music Club. The concerts were fewer due to the lack of heat in the church, but they resumed in the better weather along with other concerts etc. and the much-needed rental income has proved invaluable.

Ride and Stride took place and our thanks to Marilyn Edey, the Plested family and all those involved.

Indeed, our grateful thanks to all who have helped us to raise both funds and morale to keep our beautiful church afloat.

On a more personal note, Jenny and I would like to thank Fr John for his encouragement and leadership.

Also, my personal thanks to my joint Treasurer Jenny for all that she has done and for her incredible tenacity and good judgement in addressing some challenging times in the administration of the accounts.

Jennifer Coleman and Pamela Keeling

20[th] March 2024

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PARISH OF ST. MARY AND ST. EANswYfHE WtrH ST. SAVIOUR FOLKESTONE GENERAL ACCOUNT IUNREsfRICTEDI 2022 RECEIPTS 2023 2022 PAYMENTS 2023 25,128.27 Balance at Bank 1st January 2023 ao.638.35 The Mlnlstry Clergy Expenses 1,822.59 1,822.39 Voluntary ReceSpts Planned Giving Contrlbutlons Collection5 Church Boxes and Hlstorles 17,715.lJO 47.00 7,638.72 35,729.00 1,880.54 5,042.06 The Church and Expenses Wa8e5 And Verger Expenses Muslc Fund, Choir, Salaries Bread. Wlne Candles Water and Sewer rates 011 and Heatln8 ElectrlcSty Postage. Statlonary and Sundry Expenses Copler Service Char8e Ac¢ountancy Fees DBF Fees Insurance In Servlce Church Schools 4,680.CK) 8,550.16 633.71 195.25 6,218.37 1,587.28 78.24 1,166.04 225.QO 1,418.00 5,107.68 229.03 19.95 4,618.14 6,552.37 691.05 471.03 45.953.Sl 1,414.47 1,055.20 90.26 225.00 1,639.00 10,859.49 32.rJ) Other Ordlnary Recelpts Investment Income Heatlng Fund Grants rhree Days in January Historic En8land Grant Calvary Archbishop Council Grant Llsted Places of Worshlp 1,092.04 670.00 10,919.80 7,381.70 6,250.00 1,360.00 io,o(x).00 4,106.57 1,113.57 57.321.32 I2,050.￿} 10.926.32 500.00 Extra Ordlnary Recelpts Insurance Payment Weddlng and Baptlsm Collectlons Funeral Fees Refunds Colouring Books Coffee Sales Votive Candles Flower fund Concerts & Art Exhibitlon hire Varlous Donations Harvest Fe5tivallFete/Christmas Festival Grant from Rendezvous Magazine Findin8 Eanswythe Books Bequest Table Sales Baptismal Blble Fund 2,954.00 3,139.rKI 1,470.iKJ 20.00 4,080. P•ymènts Outslde the Parlsh Parish Share Chubb Flre Books Sacconl and Soclal Expenses Cleanin8 and Hy8iene Leaflets Flower Fund Ar¢hitett & Plannlng Fees Telephone Christmas Miscellaneous expenses Rye Roofin Bullding & Maintenance 318.60 31,755.00 445.24 1,157.97 621.47 22S. 212.91 433.60 263.20 749.38 337.20 559.LKI 20,700. 1,127.90 28,928.00 497.68 201.57 385.72 489.34 324.21 2.000.00 6,133.92 4.033.79 2,110.00 501.20 645.46 I,cK)o.co 183. 179.80 112.85 404.08 2.765.10 6,9(￿.81 257.04 228.02 888.74 315.1)O 2,324.79 450.00 1,080.00 260.(M)

150.00 1,329.53 80.00 288.80 251.70 1,500.00 1.497.00 2,347.00 400.00 2,053.96 19.069.67 167.50 First Day Covers Give A Little St Eanswythe Day Float Christmas Tree/Card Donatlons Children's Soclety Garden of Remembrance Tours Widow5 Mite Sallctuary lights Organ Fund Sale of Shares Kent Ride and Stride Eanswythe Found 66.61 251.70 29.CQ 160. 50. 179.80 205.68 AIBMS Children's So¢1 Float lor Eansvrythe Day Reimbursment R Chapman Charitable Donation 8aptismal Bible Fund Good With Devices Ean5WYthe Found 327.71 95.00 40.00 808.07 527.00 125.00 96.00 122.50 296.65 13,194.46 170.00 2,831.00 810.97 3,922.82 132.50 15,316.43 26,532.67 Three days In January 10,518.70 2,000. Transfer from Buslness Reserve alc from sale of shares 7,777.33 30,638.35 Balance at Bank 31st December 2023 66.990.23 148.632.98 202,565.72 148.632.98 202,565.72 I hereby approve thèse Accounts based on the Informatlon and explanations pfovlded kGwo2Q Nicola Cahill M.A.A.T 2610312024 10

PARISH OF ST. MARY AND ST. EANs￿HE wwfH ST. SAVIOUR FOLKESTONE BUSINESS RESERVE ACCOUfrIT 2022 RECEIPTS 2023 2022 PAYMENTS 2023 2.886.10 Balance at bank 1st January 2022 2,592.88 Income from investments 146.91 1555.14 C8F Deposit Fund CBF Investment Fund CCLA Investment Bank Interest 865.6 8946.03 227.S3 48.63 2,C4X).00 Transfer to General alc 7.777.33 4.73 2592.88 Balance at Bank 31st December 2023 4903.34 4,592.88 12,680.67 4,592.88 12.680.67 I hereby approve these Accounts based on the informatlon and explanations provlded Nlcola Cahill M.A.A.T 2610312024

PARISH CHURCH OF ST MARY AND ST EANSWYTHE, FOLKESTONE

Investments held on 31[st] December 2023 and valuations as per statements.

Cost Valuation A/C No Vicar & Churchwardens Trust Funds Fabric £18,117.45 £17,573.26 106001875D £25,432.06 106001094S PCC Trust Funds Fabric £4,884.60 £3,705.23 106001970D £8,690.26 106001087S Ecclesiastical Charity £10,182.56 £31,956.52 106001718S (Interest allocated to Churchwardens Discretionary Fund) Davies Trust £969.34 £32,647.83 106001089S General Fabric Fund £10,021.31 £15,732.70 606139001S Vera and Leslie Vale Fund £40.64 £809.63 606139002S Pilcher Bible Fund £642.70 £785.62 606139004D (for St Eanswythe’s School) Music and Choir Fund £1,781.55 £1,836.22 606139005D Pipe Organ Fund £6,000.00 £2,000.00 606139002D

In 2022 the following holdings were sold: Dick’s Bequest; Hammond Bequest; Crookes Bequest and Churchwardens Historic Charities. In 2023 Aston Boiler were sold with funds going towards the cost of the new heating system.

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PARISH OF ST MARY AND ST EANSWYTHE WITH ST SAVIOUR FOLKESTONE

ANNUAL REPORT 2024 APPENDIX: SUPPLEMENTARY REPORTS

CHAIR’S REPORT

I’m approaching a crossroads at which I’ll turn in a different direction to you, and our journeys will diverge but go on. But I’m sometimes confused about exactly how we got here together! I thought there’d be loads of hospitality within our faith community and between it and the wider community in which we’re set. Lots of eating, drinking, telling stories, listening, learning, connecting. And the journey hasn’t been like that at all.

Covid put paid to most of that. Vast swathes of time when we couldn’t be together at all but, even when we could, we couldn’t share food or very much proximity. We’ve had to find different ways of connecting, between ourselves, and with others. In my early years I developed film making and social media skills I never thought I’d have, and the numbers of isolated people both within and beyond our faith community who appreciated the online worship we produced together have surprised me!

I didn’t think I’d have to replace one Parish Administrator, let alone recruit four! Or find a new Choir Director. I wasn’t expecting to become the Chair of Governors at St Eanswythe School, or be involved in recruiting new headteachers for both our church schools.

I had no idea we’d have to fund-raise for a new heating system, our organ to be restored and a security system for our church, although I was aware we’d have to raise money to repair the Calvary and have a new Reliquary for St Eanswythe designed.

And who could possibly have predicted the extraordinary range of events our church has hosted in the last four years? The classical concerts, yes, but the multi-media concerts and performance arts of dance, poetry, body sculpture and sound baths have involved the most surprising conversations and negotiations about the balance between provocativeness and appropriateness. Worth doing: our church has been packed with folk who are not regular churchgoers on several occasions. For seasonal and civic services too, although these were more expected. Neither could we have anticipated that we would develop a circle of Ukrainian friends who would come to feel that they are very much a part of our extended church family.

Then there have been ground-breaking events of historical significance. The scientific confirmation, beyond reasonable doubt, that we really are custodians of the relics of Holy Eanswythe. Permission from King Charles and his Privy Council for the first burial in our churchyard for some 125 years.

All through this there has been woven the rhythms of our patterns of worship prayer and study; some week by week; some unfolding with the seasons of the church year. Grounding our common life together as the people of God in this place with the life-giving God who is at the heart of us all, and without whom there would be nothing extraordinary; nothing vibrant; nothing truly alive . Within this rich weaving, we have learned more about being the people of God together; caring for one another and our visitors through our welcome and hospitality; through attentiveness to the challenges we each face through personal support or our Pastoral Care Team; through events to celebrate our common life, whether that might be cakes after services, lunches in the Woodward Hall, or festivals for Eanswythe or Christmas.

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PARISH OF ST MARY AND ST EANSWYTHE WITH ST SAVIOUR FOLKESTONE

And all this doing has been held by learning more about the best way of being . We’ve been learning that the way we do anything is the way we do everything. So that it’s really important that we cut out gossip, criticism and backbiting; it’s vital that ours is a place where it’s okay to have a go and where it’s safe to make mistakes and learn from them positively. Where we appreciate the qualities we each have, and accept one another’s limitations with patience and understanding. We don’t always manage it, but we’re definitely well on the way.

Thank you for journeying with me during the last few years. I’m grateful to far too many people to be able to name everyone. But I have valued so very much not only those whose help has been public and obvious; leading worship, preaching, playing, singing, organising, running things, fundraising. I have also valued those whose support and encouragement is quiet and behind the scenes. The practical caring, quiet conversations, faithful prayers, benign presence – you know who you are! Thank you all for all you have done and all you have been.

I’ve loved being the priest at St Mary & St Eanswythe. It’s a wonderful community full of wonderful people and with a wonderful history and facing a wonderful future. Like everyone else here, I have my strengths and my limitations. I hope you have enjoyed and been helped by what I’ve been able to bring by my own combination of experience, knowledge and skills. And I hope you have not been too distressed by what that combination has not offered. For now, at the crossroads ahead where we will part, you have the opportunity to pray for and seek a priest with a new and different combination of experience, knowledge and skills. One that will fit her, or him, to journey well with you on the next stage of the pilgrimage.

Our PCC, with the help and support of Archdeacon Darren, has this well in hand, but please be praying for them all for the wisdom they will need to make the right appointment and, of course, for the right person to apply!

May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face; the rains fall soft upon your fields and, until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Fr John Walker

REPORT ON THE FABRIC, GOODS AND ORNAMENTS OF THE CHURCH

1 Quinqennial Phase 2

Weather Vane - Having erected the scaffolding on the top of the Tower to access the weather vane, it was found to be in much worse condition. We now have quotes for the repair. The weathervane needs taking down and reinstalling by someone else as the companies do not like working at height! Rye Roofing has quoted for this process. We have had a £5,000 grant towards this work and I have applied for grant funding for the balance for this work .

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PARISH OF ST MARY AND ST EANSWYTHE WITH ST SAVIOUR FOLKESTONE

Nave Roof seals to stonework - For some unknown reason, when the church was re-roofed in 1988 the slate to Tower and Western Gable stonework for the central span of the Nave was made in mortar rather than the usual lead flashing used elsewhere. The mortar is well stuck to the slates but has pulled away from the stonework. This work requires scaffolding to the west end and against the Tower. I have applied for grant funding.

Belfry Louvres mesh - This is to keep the pigeons from roosting/nesting on the louvres and causing blocking of gutters etc.. I have a quotation for abseilers to fit the screens and a supplier for the screens but need external measuring, probably only possible by abseilers.

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PARISH OF ST MARY AND ST EANSWYTHE WITH ST SAVIOUR FOLKESTONE

both designed to reduce the dampness in the north wall of the Chancel and thus reduce the humidity in the Niche, Firstly, the two headstones that currently lean against the wall must be moved 700 mm away and the wall, which has been re-pointed many years ago with cement needs this removed and re-pointed in lime mortar. However, despite being informed by the DAC that these two measures are necessary, I still need to submit Faculty applications for both. Until all three Faculty applications are approved, we cannot commission the fabrication of the new Reliquary.

999

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PARISH OF ST MARY AND ST EANSWYTHE WITH ST SAVIOUR FOLKESTONE

Andrew Plested

MUSIC, CHOIR AND ORGAN

Choir report

The choir or St Mary & St Eanswythe have continued to serve the church with dedication this year. We are still a small choir, and that can pose challenges when singers are away, but we are blessed with singers who can raise their game when needed. We have welcomed several new regular singers this year, and several more have made enquiries.

We have been working to establish relationships with singers from the church community and beyond. So far this has mostly been around special services like Christmas and Advent Carols, but having our numbers boosted by extra singers from the town can elevate what we can do in terms of repertoire.

My plan is to attempt to make this a more regular occurrence so that singers who do not want to commit to being in the choir every week can still sing with us on occasional Sunday mornings. This will enable more rewarding repertoire to be sung, which will hopefully be a positive for choir and congregation alike.

Organ report

As you may be able to hear, the organ is becoming less reliable by the week. On a recent Sunday the swell manual was completely unusable by the end of the service, and every time the instrument is switched on it provides a fresh menu of faults and peculiarities.

The PCC has considered proposals from four firms of organ builders, as well as advice from the diocesan organ advisor and an external consultant. They have decided that the proposals from

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PARISH OF ST MARY AND ST EANSWYTHE WITH ST SAVIOUR FOLKESTONE

Nicholson & Co of Malvern represent the best scheme to rescue and preserve the organ. As a result of this, we have also appointed Nicholson to take over the maintenance of the organ from the summer of 2024.

The work on the organ will be extremely expensive at a time when the church has a number of other costly projects on the go. If you are interested in supporting the organ project in any way, please let me know.

Malcolm Munro

CHILDREN’S CHURCH

Children’s Church celebrated its second birthday in December and we continue to meet on the second Sunday of each month.

Children from a number families attend regularly, some with their parents, and we are always ready to welcome more. In our time together we enjoy stories, singing and activities based on the Gospel for the day. At the moment, the Upper Room is still big enough us.

The Children’s Church team is Sue Bauhahn, Maureen Foreman, Pam Keeling and Clare Tomlinson. We are very grateful to Maurice Bauhahn for ringing us up to let us know when the Creed is beginning (it’s tricky sometimes to gauge how long the Liturgy of the Word will be), and to Carol McBeath and Caroline Hayward for stepping in to help out when we’re one short.

The family area in church is used every week and its position means that families can engage with the service easily. On Sundays when Children’s Church doesn’t meet, we provide activity sheets connected to the Sunday readings. You are welcome to have a look at these and perhaps take one home to pass on to a grandchild or neighbour.

Highlights from the past year –

Very many thanks to everyone for your continued prayers for all of us.

Clare Tomlinson

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PARISH OF ST MARY AND ST EANSWYTHE WITH ST SAVIOUR FOLKESTONE

EANSWYTHE FOUND

2023 was a very exciting year for us – having completed Finding Eanswythe we could then move on to the next stage of the Eanswythe project - Eanswythe Found.

The EF Team comprised of an archaeologist, members of the Diocese, the PCC etc, met on a regular basis to discuss requirements for the new Reliquary to house our Saint’s bones in her original resting place.

Dr Andrew Richardson prepared a brief for possible designers and this was released by the Diocese Communications Team.

We received 41 applications for the design pack and 13 were returned to us with suggested designs. These were varied, quirky and interesting and beautiful.

At a very enjoyable meeting we decided almost unanimously that we would like Sophie Hacker to work on the design for us. We had various meetings with her and the Conservator and in September finalised our choice.

We unveiled Sophie’s design on St Eanswythe’s Day – September 12 and launched our appeal for donations that evening. We ultimately received just over £13,000 which was wonderful – our target was £9,000. People from Orthodox churches in the USA contributed greatly and so did members of our congregation and the general public. The extra money will be used to enhance the church for pilgrims’ visits in the future.

Before we can give final approval for the Reliquary to be completed we have been requested to move two gravestones which are leaning on the wall adjacent to the niche and which could cause damp to penetrate the wall.

It is our hope that we will be able to instal this beautiful work of art on September 12, St Eanswythe’s Day.

Jenny Coleman

FLOWERS

Mothering Sunday is our first event of the year, and is always very welcome coming in the middle of Lent, when we have no flowers, so it is a joy to watch the children from our Children’s Sunday group take a small bunch of Daffodils to each lady in the Church, and the smiles given to each other.

Easter follows on which is a busy time, preparing the Easter Garden, and bringing flowers and greenery back into the Church, and breathing a new life into it. The spring flowers symbolising renewal and growth lift our spirits and brings hope of better times to come.

In May 2023 the country was awash with Red, White and Blue, and in our own way, mirroring those colours we celebrated in flowers the Coronation of King Charles the III & Queen Camilla.

Summer flowers are always a joy, varying from pastel shades to bright vibrant colours.

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PARISH OF ST MARY AND ST EANSWYTHE WITH ST SAVIOUR FOLKESTONE

We are very fortunate to have some lovely silk flowers that we carefully blend with fresh flowers, and added with the greenery from my garden we keep the flower budget as low as we can.

Harvest time comes next in our year, and the Harvest table is packed with tins and packets that is gratefully received by the food bank.

The autumn colours of the vines and flowers bring a warmth and vibrance that is appreciated by all as the days start to shorten.

For Remembrance Sunday we decorated the Pulpit again with a mesh of Poppies and Rosemary, and placed wooden crosses and poppies on the steps leading up to the High Altar.

We ended 2023 with once again a Christmas Tree from Clough’s Farm at Barham. Thanks to my husband Paul for once again putting on the lights and helping us with the decorations.

“Where flowers bloom so does hope”

Jan Clarke

FRIENDS OF ST MARY AND ST EANSWYTHE

Over the past years we have provided funds for the fabric of the church to a considerable sum, including a £9,000 payment in 2023 towards the Heating Fund.

This year the Friends have been working alongside the Folkestone Inner Wheel and Folkestone Rotary Club to host coffee mornings for the Ukrainians in the Folkestone area. This has proved to be very popular as they are able to meet up and offer help to one another, an unexpected side effect has been various impromptu short concerts which have delighted visitors to the church.

We held a very successful Quiz at the Woodward Hall, and I can tell you that there is another planned for Friday October 13[th] . It will be the last one with Ian Gordon as Quizmaster and for anyone who has not been to a Quiz Ian has organised, I would suggest that you do not miss this opportunity.

The Friends were present at Armed Forces Day, telling people about the church and selling a few of our books. We also had a stall at the St Eanswythe Festival which proved to be very popular. All the funds from these events went directly into the church heating fund account.

The Creative Quarter Carol Service was packed with young and old, and the Friends did a sterling job in serving everyone with mulled wine and mince pies.

The Friends Facebook site is still being used extensively due almost to entirely Fr John as he reaches more and more people with his excellent services, daily prayers, and reflections.

The Friends website also continues to prove very successful, and the second website created for the project ‘The Women’s Role in World War 1’ is still in regular use presumably by some Primary schools.

Pam Keeling

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PARISH OF ST MARY AND ST EANSWYTHE WITH ST SAVIOUR FOLKESTONE

ELHAM DEANERY SYNOD REPORT

The focus for the Deanery Synod this year has been mission and ministry and creating new disciples. With this in mind we have enjoyed talks from Jen Tobin, the Diocesan Lead Officer for Children and Young People’s Ministry, Richard Heyward, Youth Minister for St John’s Church, Folkestone, and Jon Marlow, Diocesan Director of Ordinands. We have also had talks from Deanery members about the challenges facing rural ministry and the interest surrounding our own patron, St Eanswythe. The speaker at our upcoming meeting will be Nigel Collins, Diocesan Warden of Readers. The meeting will be held on Thursday 16[th] May at 7pm, venue to be confirmed.

Business meetings have followed the themes of the talks and the Area Deans have encouraged parishes to speak to one another about what they are already doing and to use each other’s interests and expertise. The Area Deans were very encouraged by the increase in discernment and acknowledged the number of people from within the Deanery who are currently in the process of training for ordained and lay ministry.

Our parish in entitled to have two representatives on the Deanery Synod. Currently we only have one. If this is something you may be interested in, please speak to Vicky Friedrich about what is involved.

Vicky Friedrich

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PARISH OF ST MARY AND ST EANSWYTHE WITH ST SAVIOUR FOLKESTONE

First meeting of St Mary & St Eanswythe’s newly elected Parochial Church Council 28 April 2024

A G E N D A

(Minutes of the last meeting will be received at the May PCC meeting)

A. Appointment of Deputy Wardens

B. Election of PCC Officers

  1. Interim Chairs

  2. Secretary

  3. Treasurer

  4. Electoral Roll 5. Safeguarding:

  5. a. Parish Safeguarding Coordinator

  6. b. Parish Disclosures Officer

  7. c. Safeguarding Policy Statement

C. Future Meeting dates

  1. PCC Meetings will take place in the Upper Room on Mondays at 7pm: 2024 : 27 Jan, 25 Mar, 27 May, 22 Jul, 23 Sep, 25 Nov 2025 : 27 Jan, 24 Mar

  2. The Standing Committee comprises the Chair, Churchwardens, Treasurers and Secretary. Meetings will take place in the Upper Room on Tuesdays 10.00-11.00: 2024 : 13 Feb, 11 Jun, 13 Aug, 8 Oct, 10 Dec 2025 : 11 Feb

  3. The Standing Committee may meet at other times as need demands.

  4. The 2025 APCM will take place after the Eucharist on Sunday 4 May

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Parish Safeguarding Policy Statement

Parish of ST MARY AND ST EANSWYTHE WITH ST SAVIOUR FOLKESTONE

This parochial church council has adopted the safeguarding policies and procedures of the Church of England. In particular we are committed to:

We have appointed ……………………………………………………………………

Tel: ……………………………………………………………………

as the Parish Safeguarding Coordinator

Approved by the Parochial Church Council on ………………………………………..... Signed ………………………………………………. Date ………………………...

(Parish Priest)

Signed ………………………………………………. Date ………………………... Signed ………………………………………………. Date ………………………... (Church Wardens)

Any child wishing to talk about a problem can contact Childline on 0800 1111

Any parent or carer wishing to talk about parenting problems can contact Family Lives on 0808 800 2222

The Parish Safeguarding Coordinator is available to speak with adults or children.

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