st Mary-the-virgin. Shipton-under-wychwood Annual Vestry Meeting and Annual Parochial Church Meeting 12.15pm Sunday, 28" Aprll. 2024 in the Church WychwoodBenefice www.wychwwdbenefice.org.uk You are wamily invited to attend these meetings. At the Vestry Meeting we elect the Churchwardens and In the Church Meetlng we elect members of the Parochlal Church Councll. reflect on the work of the Church over the last year, and think about the way ahead. Annual Report for 2023 Churchwarden's Re ort Statistics During the period there were three baptisms, three weddings with one blessing, and six funerals. Interregnum On Sunday 9, July we said goodbye lo Geoffrey Clement who had been Vicar for five years albeit with the pandemic interruption. The Benefice officially became vacant on 31. August 2023. There was an open meeting on Saturday 14, October led by the Reverend Canon Chades Chadwick, Parish Development Advisor for the Dorchester Archdeaconry. The purpose of this discussion was to help in the drafting of the profile that the candidate would receive. Over several weeks the parishes worked together lo draft a vacancy notice which included a job description. a person profile and details of each of the parishes. A Section 12 meeting was held on 15 January to authorise going ahead lo recruit a new vicar. This was chaired by Jane Haslam, Associate Arch Deacon. By this stage Shiplon had two official representatives for the selection panel who were Rosie Chambers and Simon Randall. Everyihing was finalised for an advertisement lo be placed. Thanks go to Karen and Anne for taking services and overseeing the administration during the interregnLJm. Thanks also to those who took lay led services and PCC members who help lo manage things. James Walmsley, Churchwarden Services A one off service of Communion for the coronation of King Chades 111 attracted a total of 66 worshippers. Easter Day had 124 people but this included a baptism. There was a large wedding on 9, September with 120 attending. Harvest Festival attracted 56 with 118 al Remembrance Sunday but only 37 on Mothering Sunday. Nine Lessons and Carols proved very popular with 110 present as did the Christingle setvice with 190. The school leavers and the Wychwood School Christmas seNices experienced high numbers. Registered Charity No 1194288 Page1 of6 0810412024
Buildin and fabric Chancel roof The recovering of the roof will Commen on the 24 June 2024. This will involve the removal the existing roof covering and replacing il with new under felting battens and slates. The work is expected to be completed by mid-october 2024. The cost of the work after reclaiming VAT is £106,000 with 51.880/0 of this being mel by the Church Commissioners. Funding Grant applications have been made lo the Benefact Trust in respect of both the chancel roof repair the heating system and the south Aisle roof. An application has been made lo the National Churches Trust addition in respect of the repair to the chancel roof and further application will be made lo the Oxford Historic Church Trust. Donations Given the substantial amount of expenditure that is likely to be incurred, particularly for the repair of the South Aisle Roof and ultimately, the re-ordering within the church the PCC agreed that we should make an appeal for donations towards the cost of these repairs. This will be by way of a leaflet drop lo the residents of the Parish in much the same way as was done when an appeal was launched for the restoration of the bells. Church Heating Eleclrically-heated seat cushions have been filled to the choir stalls to benefit both those attending early Sunday services and the choir and clergy. This has been paid for with the legacy of Shauni McGregor. A faculty application has been made to replace the existing overhead gas healing system with an overhead electric infrared healing system in the nave. This will be in the form of chandeliers that will repla the existing lighting chandeliers in the arches and it is planned to relocate those. This is in addition to the fundraising that the church has been doing and will continue lo do over the coming months and years. Maintenance The lightning conductor has been lesled and complies with the relevant British standard. Portable appliance tests have been undertaken on all the portable electrical equipment used in the church. All equipment meets the recommended standards. In the south aisle there will be infrared panel heaters lo supplement the chandelier healing. In addition, healers will be installed in the vestry and the choir vestry. We also need to upgrade the electricity supply from one phase to three phases in order to support the new heating system. We are in discussion with the Diocese regarding this application, and as yet we have no date as to when the application will be considered. The gas installations have been tested and meet the recommended standards and a certificate has been issued. The fuse boards were replaced in 2023 and will next be tested in 2028 South Aisle Roof A faculty applicalion has been not yel been made for the repair that is necessary to the timber roof structure to the South Aisle because we have had lo priorilise the work needed lo the church according to the money we have available. Until we have reiVed response lo our grant application Isee below) we are not in a position lo approve any more work of a capital expenditure nature. Should we be fortunate enough to receive subslanlial gffints then this work will be commissioned. Gutters to the roofs have been cleaned out, and are due to be done again and instnjction has been given to carry out this work. During the year, the drains around al the church have also been cleaned which will enable the water from the gutters lo drain away. New manhole covers have been provided replacing the old defective ones. Quinquennial inspection The quinquennial inspection is due in September 2024, and Henry, Sanders, the church archilecl, will undertake this inspection and provide a report lo the PCC. Churchyard A new memorial stone has been erected in the churchyard lo commemorate those whose ashes have been strewn on the bank. Anyone interested in having a name engraved in the stone should contact the Benefice office. There will be a fee to cover costs. David Ensor Registered Charity No 1194288 Page2of6 0810412024
Honora Treasurer's Re ort can pul towards the roof and heating and other Capital projects. This year and next we will need lo fijndraise and apply for grants in order to be able to proceed. Hilary Matthews. Treasurer I will start with the crLJcial message that it costs £1,000 a week to run our church without considering the need for repairs and improvements. Our current regular income needs lo increase by al least a third to achieve this. The reason that our finances are as good as they are is that we have been blessed to receive legacies tolalling £105,000 between 2016 and 2023. Electoral Roll Claire Bell, Electoral Roll Officer for the past 15 years, will sland down al this year's APCM. Sue Robinson, a church member, who has been on the ER for more than 6 months, has agreed to lake over the role and will be duly elected al the meeting this year. There are 67 members on the Electoral Roll for 2024 to date. Sadly, a couple of members have died and a number of people have moved away from the 8re8 bul not all have indicated whether they would like lo be removed from the Roll. Every six years a new Roll is prepared and those on the previous Roll are infomed so that they can reapply. This will take place in 2025. It would be helpful and more cost effective, if as many ER members as possible, would ensure Sue has their email address suerobinson.timbers@gmail.com. This will enable Sue lo send out the notification of the refresh and for them to return their newly completed forms electronically. As in previous years, the accounts of the PCC have been prepared in the required format and independently examined. The independent examiner, David van de Poll, very kindly provides this service wilhoLJI charge. A one page summary has again been prepared including details of the expenditure by the Benefi. I can supply copies of the detailed accounts on request and a copy will be placed on the notice board. I have slightly changed the layout of the summary accounts lo emphasise that our regular expenditure of £54,000 is far more than our regular income of £39,000 which is similar to the position in 2022. Clearly this is not sustsinable. In addition, of course we need to raise funds to cover the capital works required and the fund raising committee have done fantastically lo almost double the funds raised in 2023 10 £13,000. Approximately two thirds of our electoral roll of 69 gives regularty either through the Parish Giving Scheme IPGSI or into our old HSBC account. We would like to encourage everyone to use the PGS because il makes the administration easier and improves our cash flow because we automatically receive any gtft aid in the same month. Another advantage of the PGS is that you can opt to have your giving increased annually by an inflation adjustment. However, only about half of our PGS givers have opted for this. Clalre Bell Sacristan's Re ort The linen and communion vessels, (chalice, ciborium, paten and cruets), are in good condition. Aller frontsls are showing signs of wear owing to age and previous allacks by mi. Some chasubles are also showing signs of wear because of their age. My thanks to Alan Waugh who helps prepare the communion table and acts as altar server when needed. Thanks also to the people who administer the second chalice. urge you all to either join the PGS or if you already give this way to review the amount you give. The best way to find out about the PGS is on their website.. https.'//www.parishgiving.org.ulddonors/how-it- works/ It has been a pleasure to assist the clergy during ServIS in the church and in Old Prebendal House in the past year. There is a number to ring if you want to do il over the phone or if you want to set il up online choose "find your parish" on the left hand side. Our parish code you can enter to find St Mary's is 270627092. Joy Brooks At the end of 2023 we had total funds of approximately £134.000. Six months regular expenditure is circa £26,000 which means that we have only approximately £108,000 that we Registered Charity No 1194288 Page3of6 0810412024
Bell rin in Church and Brass Cleanin In an attempt to increase the number of our ringers, with the help of the Vicar, Geoffrey Clemenl, we held a taster course for prospective new ringers on four Saturday mornings in January 2023. Disappointingly this only resulted in one of the four participants, a 12-year-old girf, continuing and joining our regular team of ringers. She has made great progress and has advanced to ringing quarter peals11,260 changes} in several lowers In the Oxfordshire 8re8 - a great achievement! Another of our ringers successfully completed the riniing of fifty quarter peals in 2023 with the 50 being rung al Shiplon on 22 of Dernber. Three further quarter peals were rung at OLJr tower during the year. One to celebrate the Coronation of King Charles 111, and another as a tribute to Rev. Geoffrey Clement on the occasion of leaving the Benefice. Church The cleaning of the church loor and carpel b John Hollom now lakes place on the 1°, and 4 Fridays of each month lo coincide with the pattern of services li.e. there is normally no setvice at Shiplon on the 3rd Sunday of th8 monthl. Thank you to Mary Drainer and her band of helpers for their regular cleaning sessions which keep the church looking cared for. Thanks, are also due to David Ensor who can often be seen wielding the vacuum cleaner along the main isle carpel before and after services and events in the church. Brass Our brass deaners, Sandra Darnell and Jenny Meredith, have, when personal circumstances allowed, kept the brass sparkling. On a Saturday in February 2023, a band of Shiplon ringers visited the chUh on the Colesbourne Estsle in Gloucestershire to ring as part of their Snowdrop Festival. On a Saturday in October 2023, we had the honour of hosting The Oxford Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers, 6 Bell Striking Competition. We rang the bells for six weddings during the year and hosted three bands of visiting ringers. The bells were also rung before the Advent Carol Servi, the Nine Lessons and Carols Service, the traditional "Carols Around the Tree" on Christmas Eve and to signal the start of the Christmas Tree Festival held in the church. Mlke Bmoks Servlce Du Rota Thank you to all our sidespersons, readers and inlercessors on behalf of the congregation and ministry team, for their contribution lo our services in Sl Mary's. The rola covers a period of two months al a time, and I try lo issue il a month in advan lo give people time to plan their Sundays or to arrange lo swap duties if they are unavailable on a particular Sunday. We are desperately short of people to lead intercessions and would welcome new recruits to this important roll. Anyone who feels that they could offer their setvices for this please talk Anne or Karen. Wednesday practices have been well attended and additional practiS have been held on the last Friday of the month for more advanced ringers. Many thanks lo our team of ringers and those from neighbouring parishes how have 8SSlSted us with the above and for Sunday Service ringing during the year. If there is anyone out there who would be interested in taking up bell ringing, please contact Mike Brooks at '. Also, additional sidespersons would be welcome. Sidespersons are elected officers of the church, and as such musl be members of the Church Electoral Roll and are elected at the APCM. If you feel that you could offer your services for this duly. please speak lo myself or James Walmsley Mike Brooks mikeandjoy18@gmail.com Mike Brooks, Tower Captain Registered Charity No 1194288 Page4of6 0810412024
Church Flower Re ort Music Re ort on again we have enjoyed arranging the Church flowers. Costs have risen and our total expenditLJre was over £400.00 this year. This was offset by donations memorTam amounting to £42.00 bringing us a little below £400.00 and a couple of weddings redLJced the total number of arrangements. In September 2023 Anne allende Sustainable Church Flowers Demonstration at Si Michael and All Angels Church, Great Tew, which was both interesting and inspiring. This means rethinking the way we source and arrange our flowers and will lake some time, effort and practice to Introdu some of these ideas. One step we have made is to use biodegradable floral foam somewhat better but still not ideal for the environment. The heart of the music at Shipton church continues to be the wonderful choir. Membership of the ehoir can be a rather less pleasant experience in winter.. coming out in cold weather knowing that one is going to spend two or more hours in a freezing church is not aayS the easiest achievement. However, shoruy before Christmas, new heated cushions were installed in the choir stalls, thanks to a bequest by the late Shauni McGregor, a long-tem member of the choir. The choir only ventured OLJtside the Benefice once during the year, lo sing the services at the University Church, Oxford on 18 June 2023. This required preparation of a selection of Tudor music, due lo constraints of the venue,. the clergy at the University Church were very appreciative afterwards of Shiplon choir's contributions to the worship there. After many years of very few problems, the organ has had a number of technical issues over the last 18 months. There is one particular issue that means that the full scope of the organ cannot currently be used., this has remained a problem despite a couple of visits by the current tuner, so further work needs to be done to resolve that issue, and il is possible that a different tuner may need lo be found to carry out that work. There have been a number of 'occasional offi8,, particularly funerals, for which I have been unable lo play during the year. l am very grateful to the other organists who have played for these in my place, and lo the clergy for liaising with them so supportively. I remain incredibly grateful to the singers who give up their lime throughout the year to fom) such a wonderful choir, the like of which very few churches are lucky to have these days. I am also grateful lo the support of the congregation and PCC which enables the choir's contributions lo the worship lo continue. Bgmard West, Direotor of Music Once again, new members always welcome to join the team. Anne Hilling 01993 830656 WITmpy Scott 01993 830144 Refreshments and S ecial Occasions would like lo thank everyone on the coffee rola for their continued help and support, not only with making the coffee on Sundays bul for providing food and help for other occasions such as the Church Fete, Geoffrey's Leaving Lunch, Harvest "Bring and Share" Lunch, Carols By Candlelight followed by refreshments and recently The Lent Lunch. These events were well supported and were happy, relaxed occasions. The rota is a juggle al limes as people have time off for one reason or another bul fortunately the coffee makers are flexible and will swap and help out where necessary, even al short notice. Recently we have had lo replace the coffee machine, partially paid for from the coffee money - no-one wants to go back to instant coffeel More help is always welcome and if you would like to join us please call Claire Bell on 07973157693 Clalre Bell Registered Charity No 1194288 Page5of6 0810412024
Shipton-u-wychwood PCC Statement of Financial Activities For the perlod from 01 January 2023 to 31 December 2023 Total Pfloryoar 47. 82.495 87.118 a.e58 1.707 10,3&1 7,488 Totsl Incom• 495 Exp•t•¢." 25.037 80.028 96.807 1,175 2,061 441 13,441 74,228 3,72D 3.120 Total eXKUrt 06.380 64.374 1S,617 80.433 14•tlncoowJll•xp•rM4tyrnl r•w¢•• 88.360 Tr•nth.. 72,93S (72.•J61 172,9361 I4•tnM•nl In ru• Rewlllal¢yi of fur Totsl fvnds Total fundi cvthd •281 140$ JO,447 171.92fl 13(781 1J4JBQ 104337 134,f86 121816
Shipton-u-wychwood PCC Balance Sheet (Church of England> As at 31 December 2023 31M2fth23 3111212W22 C•ih At 133.120 132.438 134,380 134.785 134,380 134,785 Total 134,380 134.785 134,380 134.785 148.25 1.321 Oa*iatthJ. Buldirg 16.45$ 18,455 2.731 2.731 10.435 r11,V211 Fund7rtys 134.3 134,780 APPROVED BY THE PCC ON 2024AND SIGNED ON THEIR BEHALF BY James Walmsley, Church Warden AND Hilary Matthews. PCC Treasurer. / T k4J4A James Walmsley Hilary Matthews
Shlpton-u.Wychwood PCC For th• pèrlod from l January 2023 to 31 fJK•mbor 2023 RÈspÈctlwè responslbllltles of trustees and examlner The chaiity's trustees are re5kK)nsible for the preparatlon of the accounts. The thartvs trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under sectlon 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charitles Actl and that an Independent examinatlon Is reded. It is my responsibility to: ' examlne the accounts under section 145 of the CharItS Art. . to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commlsslon lunder sertion 1451Sllbl of the Charities Act, arml to state whether partlcular matters have come to my attentlon. Ba$ of Independent examlnerfs statem My examination was carried out in accordance wlth Beneral Dlrections 8lven by the Chartty Commisslon. An examination Includes a revlew of the accounn8 records kept by the Chaty and a comparison of the accounts presented wlth those records. It also include5 consideration of arry unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, nd seekirvd explaftations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The kvocedures undertaken do ntst Provide all the evidence that would be required In an audit. and conwuently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and falrf view and the report ts Ilmfted to those matters Set out In the statement telow. Independert examlnerfs statement In connection with my examlnatlon. no rnaterlal matters have corneto my attention whlth glves me cause to believe that in, any material respect.. accountlr8 records were not kept in accordance wlth sectlon 130 of the Charltle5 Act or the accounts do not accord wlth the accountin8 records I have come across no other matters In connection with the examlnatlon to whlch attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understandin8 of the accounts to be reached. Slin•d 024 Address Threeways. Bruem Rd. Mllton.u.Wythwood. OX7 6LL AcC(ntIng Polldes These accounts have been prepared under the htstorlc cost conventlon and In accordance wlth the Church AccoLsntlng Regulatlons 2006. Page 3
Shipton-u-wychwood PCC Analysis of income and gxpendithre l January 2023 to 31 December 2023 Totsl G•1 B911 Fund Fund Thls year La•t year Incomo and endoneThts fn)m: Dw•Uons and l•ycl GMIAkl. Bw 26.1 25.154 26,211 3.417 3.447 4,2S7 271 121 2.OOD 047 12140 13.404 8,180 1010 2,018 8.&J1 0.861 8.421 10, 39011 250 26 507 Don•tkins gnd regad rot In¢om• from charts1O q¢¢lvlU•• 47.332 14,656 62,495 87,118 Income from charrtabk Xpirtl¢s T¢X Othgr trndlwvj a¢Uvltl•• 1,707 1,707 10.381 13.L 7,423 66 Other Iradlng advlt*• T¢Y•t• 2,828- 10.381 13.9 7,488 19$ Investment$ Tot815 495 $4MB4 037 80.021 96.807 Pap4
Expendlture on: Ral¥lno fund8 2.176 2,420 120 120 R•hltwJ knd•TLMal• ExpBndliur• on chartlabh T11¥1 911 2.1T6 2.561 376 29.941 9.791 9,791 8,517 4.255 Ow itrarcc•l• 3.707 3.672 441 20 819 019 490 28 3.960 261 1.7SS $22 13.441 1S.441 9.314 Exp•ndltur• on ¢1bI• acUvrtl•• Tot41• 441 13.441 74.a8 83,79 3.120 3.120 0thr•XndliUrg T¢•l• Exp•ndMuf• Grt01 3.120 84374 3,120 4DN32 441 14817 P485
Shipton-u-wychwood PCC Statement of Financial Activities For the perlod from 01 January 2023 to 31 December 2023 Total Pfloryoar 47. 82.495 87.118 a.e58 1.707 10,3&1 7,488 Totsl Incom• 495 Exp•t•¢." 25.037 80.028 96.807 1,175 2,061 441 13,441 74,228 3,72D 3.120 Total eXKUrt 06.380 64.374 1S,617 80.433 14•tlncoowJll•xp•rM4tyrnl r•w¢•• 88.360 Tr•nth.. 72,93S (72.•J61 172,9361 I4•tnM•nl In ru• Rewlllal¢yi of fur Totsl fvnds Total fundi cvthd •281 140$ JO,447 171.92fl 13(781 1J4JBQ 104337 134,f86 121816
Shipton-u-wychwood PCC Balance Sheet (Church of England> As at 31 December 2023 31M2fth23 3111212W22 C•ih At 133.120 132.438 134,380 134.785 134,380 134,785 Total 134,380 134.785 134,380 134.785 148.25 1.321 Oa*iatthJ. Buldirg 16.45$ 18,455 2.731 2.731 10.435 r11,V211 Fund7rtys 134.3 134,780 APPROVED BY THE PCC ON 2024AND SIGNED ON THEIR BEHALF BY James Walmsley, Church Warden AND Hilary Matthews. PCC Treasurer. / T k4J4A James Walmsley Hilary Matthews
Shlpton-u.Wychwood PCC For th• pèrlod from l January 2023 to 31 fJK•mbor 2023 RÈspÈctlwè responslbllltles of trustees and examlner The chaiity's trustees are re5kK)nsible for the preparatlon of the accounts. The thartvs trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under sectlon 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charitles Actl and that an Independent examinatlon Is reded. It is my responsibility to: ' examlne the accounts under section 145 of the CharItS Art. . to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commlsslon lunder sertion 1451Sllbl of the Charities Act, arml to state whether partlcular matters have come to my attentlon. Ba$ of Independent examlnerfs statem My examination was carried out in accordance wlth Beneral Dlrections 8lven by the Chartty Commisslon. An examination Includes a revlew of the accounn8 records kept by the Chaty and a comparison of the accounts presented wlth those records. It also include5 consideration of arry unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, nd seekirvd explaftations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The kvocedures undertaken do ntst Provide all the evidence that would be required In an audit. and conwuently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and falrf view and the report ts Ilmfted to those matters Set out In the statement telow. Independert examlnerfs statement In connection with my examlnatlon. no rnaterlal matters have corneto my attention whlth glves me cause to believe that in, any material respect.. accountlr8 records were not kept in accordance wlth sectlon 130 of the Charltle5 Act or the accounts do not accord wlth the accountin8 records I have come across no other matters In connection with the examlnatlon to whlch attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understandin8 of the accounts to be reached. Slin•d 024 Address Threeways. Bruem Rd. Mllton.u.Wythwood. OX7 6LL AcC(ntIng Polldes These accounts have been prepared under the htstorlc cost conventlon and In accordance wlth the Church AccoLsntlng Regulatlons 2006. Page 3
Shipton-u-wychwood PCC Analysis of income and gxpendithre l January 2023 to 31 December 2023 Totsl G•1 B911 Fund Fund Thls year La•t year Incomo and endoneThts fn)m: Dw•Uons and l•ycl GMIAkl. Bw 26.1 25.154 26,211 3.417 3.447 4,2S7 271 121 2.OOD 047 12140 13.404 8,180 1010 2,018 8.&J1 0.861 8.421 10, 39011 250 26 507 Don•tkins gnd regad rot In¢om• from charts1O q¢¢lvlU•• 47.332 14,656 62,495 87,118 Income from charrtabk Xpirtl¢s T¢X Othgr trndlwvj a¢Uvltl•• 1,707 1,707 10.381 13.L 7,423 66 Other Iradlng advlt*• T¢Y•t• 2,828- 10.381 13.9 7,488 19$ Investment$ Tot815 495 $4MB4 037 80.021 96.807 Pap4
Expendlture on: Ral¥lno fund8 2.176 2,420 120 120 R•hltwJ knd•TLMal• ExpBndliur• on chartlabh T11¥1 911 2.1T6 2.561 376 29.941 9.791 9,791 8,517 4.255 Ow itrarcc•l• 3.707 3.672 441 20 819 019 490 28 3.960 261 1.7SS $22 13.441 1S.441 9.314 Exp•ndltur• on ¢1bI• acUvrtl•• Tot41• 441 13.441 74.a8 83,79 3.120 3.120 0thr•XndliUrg T¢•l• Exp•ndMuf• Grt01 3.120 84374 3,120 4DN32 441 14817 P485