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2025-12-31-accounts

The Athelney Benefice

Annual Reports from the Parish of St Peter and St Paul, North Curry May 17th 2026

1. Churchwardens’ Report

We have had a fairly eventful year. As well as services each Sunday we have held eight baptisms, three weddings, seven funerals, five burials, and eight interments of cremated remains. The services have an attendance of approximately thirty five in normal Sundays, and more on special occasions, reaching a peak of nearly 400 on the 2025 Christmas Crib Service. Extra events include Pentecostal Praise with Methodists, children’s services, with grateful thanks to Hugh and Judith, the village school services, choir concerts and opera. The monthly Produce Market, with grateful thanks to Anne Williams, together with the events mentioned, bring in much needed funds, which our treasurer, Richard Sykes will testify. Communion and a coffee morning on Wednesdays and our morning prayer meeting on Fridays add to the list of goings on in the building.

The bells have shown to be popular with outside ringers, please see the bell report for more details, and the organ’s refurbishment has given us an instrument to be proud of. There have been a few small glitches in the organ stops but they have been largely taken care of. Our organists Andrew, Patrick and Helen do a marvellous job when playing it. I can’t leave this subject without praising, in the strongest terms, the generosity of individuals and organisations in the village without which the repairs of bells and organ would be impossible. Two clean up days have been held to tidy the church up, also the flower arranging team have done an excellent job of keeping the interior in a welcoming state. The carpet has been replaced in the Lady Chapel thanks to an anonymous donor’s generosity and Anne’s raffle

Ongoing things include our solar panels. We have had, thanks to our Fabric Committee Chairman, David Akerman, some work done to make them more efficient and we think that we have finally got Ovo Energy to pay us for the overdue money that they owe us. The broken panes in the two windows have been fitted with some temporary glass. Next is our three headless statues, well they have been put on the back burner until funds can be raised for the carving of some new heads. A plan is still in existence for the reordering of the church on the south side, again delayed for lack of funds. We do however have many people in the church that virtually indispensable, David Birch with

The Parishes of Burrowbridge, Lyng, North Curry and Stoke St Gregory

his woodworking skills making the new crosses by the alter and the Lady Chapel, also the box holding the card scanner, MC helpers and sidesmen, cleaners and dusters, openers and closers, weeders and rubbish disposers, mowers and hedge trimmers, and general tidier uppers.

Most importantly of all our clergy and reader deserve the highest praise. Simon, Martin and Ralph somehow seem to look after us all despite having three other parishes to administer as well. Furthermore, my fellow Churchwarden and Verger, Mary Piers who had far more experience than I have is essential to keeping the church running.

Finally, I should mention the strong possibility of amalgamating Middlezoy and Othery with our Altheney Benefice. Testing times await us all. I hope we can do it.

Tom Jeanes and Mary Piers, Churchwardens

The Parishes of Burrowbridge, Lyng, North Curry and Stoke St Gregory

2. Treasurer's Report for the year ended 31st December 2024

The Parishes of Burrowbridge, Lyng, North Curry and Stoke St Gregory

Recel nts A¢counts 2025 Recel 2025 2024 Donailons and Lepcles Legacie5 Planned Giving Collection5. donab'ons, other giving Gift aid received Other Arttvltles Magazine income Fetelevents Aecelpts from In¥tstsnents Inte￿$t 1000 23933 8258 25288 5747 8771 932 17091 357 15264 3723 Recelpts from Chailtsble artI￿lIeS Parothial fees 8797 6653 Other Recélpts Organ, Loans received Other Collection5 for Charltie5 Total Rècelpts Restricted 29965 11821 1709 11363 1086 71637 Charltsbleactlvltles tlonationslgrants to Charltles Mission and Evangelism Parish Share Clergy Expenses Church Running Expen5e5 Churchyard Maintenance Cost of raising funds 2459 1620 23038 4255 12819 3281 10107 18385 4335 13858 3499 10865 Support Costs Administsatio Goveman¢e Other 327 475 5287 3062 Major Expendlture Repatrs to Church Buildings. Restricted unre5trirted Restricted Unrestricted Capital Purchases. Addltions 29965 5363 3958 3513 13777 Repairs to the Property 15152 Totsl Payments 104372 The Parishes of Burrowbridge, Lyng, North Curry and Stoke St Gregory

Richard Sykes, Parish Treasurer

3. Safeguarding Report

Context

Safeguarding policy and practice has seen much needed development across the Church of England over the last 15 to twenty years in response to a number of scandals involving members of the clergy and others connected to the Church. The case of Peter Ball the former Bishop of Gloucester and Lewes had a particular and marked influence on the response of the Church to safeguarding issues.

“Promoting a Safer Church” issued in 2017 [ 5th edition ] represents the core C of E Policy to be followed by Cathedrals, Diocese, Benefice and Parishes across the country. It comes accompanied by a blizzard of documents setting out the do’s and dont’s of good practice. It closely follows national law and regulation applying to public services across the country.

The policy is designed to be followed across all levels of the Church and is monitored by the National and Diocesan safeguarding teams.

General Principles

The care and protection of children and vulnerable adults involved in Church activities is the responsibility of everyone connected to the Church. Six key principles underline the duties.

  1. Promoting a safer environment and culture

  2. Safely recruiting and supporting those with any responsibility related to children and vulnerable adults

  3. Responding promptly to every concern

  4. Caring for victims of abuse

  5. Caring for those who are the subject of concerns

  6. Responding to those who may present a risk to others.

The Parishes of Burrowbridge, Lyng, North Curry and Stoke St Gregory

The Role of the PCC

The PCC must have “due regard” to safeguarding guidance issued by the House of Bishops–not a wholly straightforward task given the sheer weight of statutory and advisory documents which have been and continue to be published.

Relating the high level guidance and advice to day to day activity in the average rural Parish Church is far from straightforward, but when boiled down to the bones the important steps for Stoke St. Gregory PCC to satisfy itself about are these:

The Role of the PSO

Each PCC must appoint a PSO to lead on safeguarding issues. The role comes with certain expectations:

In practice the key task for the PSO is to manage and update the newly introduced “Parish Dashboard”. The dashboard sets out a range of requirements which the PCC should ensure are completed within clear and fairly exacting timetables.

The Parish Dashboard

The Parish dashboard is the mechanism through which the PCC / PSO can demonstrate compliance with C of E policy. It is in use across every Parish Church in England and is monitored by the Diocesan Safeguarding Team.

There are seven separate headings in the dashboard with certain criteria under each one. It uses a traffic light system to signify progress or the lack of it.

  1. Policies and Action Plan

  2. Safeguarding Procedures

  3. Safeguarding Roles

  4. Training for Key Roles

  5. Displayed Information

  6. Reviews and Reports

  7. Church Activities

Progress has been made towards completion of these requirements by

Stoke St. Gregory PCC but it is fair to say there is much still to do, as the Diocese has recently pointed out to the PSO, especially around training for PCC members.

The Parishes of Burrowbridge, Lyng, North Curry and Stoke St Gregory

Next Steps

The changes to the Athelney Benefice currently being planned should include a careful review of how the safeguarding system presently works across the six parishes.

It would seem that some parishes are further forward in their planning and implementation than others. Ideally the Benefice would agree and develop a system which is consistent across the Parishes and avoids a piecemeal approach.

I t is recommended that a meeting of the PSOs with the Vicar be organised to discuss the issues above and plan future work.

Simon Baldwin, Benefice Safeguarding Officer

4. Fabric Committee Report

Routine

Servicing for the Alarm, Fire Equipment, Boiler, Lightning Conductor, Bells, and Clock carried out.

Two general inspection and cleanup days organised. Bulb planting in the autumn gave an effective display along the church paths in spring 2026.

Other

The new Chancel Officer of the Church Commissioners visited on 21[st] January 2025 for familiarisation. Commissioners are responsible for most of the cost of repairs to chancel fabric.

Some lead work done By Ellis and Co on the chancel roof in late 2024 seems to have been effective.

In certain weather conditions some water gets into the tower around the roof hatch.

Twice yearly checks on south porch movement show slight but not extending movement apparently depending on temperature and humidity of the ground. Toilet tap replaced.

Lighting and failed lamps replaced at the nave crossing and, in the choir.

The historic Porringer which had been loaned to Wells is in the village archive.

Gas and Electricity contract set up in May 2025 with Valda energy for 24 months.

Projects

A new burner has been fitted to the gas boiler.

The organ was refurbished during the summer by Foy and Company of Truro.

The vandalised glass in the side chapel windows has been replaced April 2025 but has yet to be stained.

We have a proposal for replacement of the south porch statues.

The lady chapel has been refurnished

The Parishes of Burrowbridge, Lyng, North Curry and Stoke St Gregory

The 12 failed inverters on the solar panels have been replaced, and all 54 panels are now generating electricity.

The quinquennial inspection will take place in the summer of 2026.

David Akerman, Chairman of Finance and Fabric committee.

5. Events Committee Report

Events Committee was established by North Curry PCC in 2019 and meets to organise specific non-worship events in or for the parish church, and offer support to others organising similar events. The Committee is chaired by the Vicar or by Mary Piers as lay chair, and clerked by David Walker. Other members are Lorraine Bryan Brown, Helen Griffiths and Denise Walker.

Thanks go to Anne Williams for leading on Coffee Wednesdays. And to Lorraine for continuing to organise a monthly Produce Market at the village hall and the annual Harvest Supper, and Open Gardens (a Church fundraiser on alternate years), and to Jenny Satchwell for her popular quiz nights.

A weekly rota of nine couples or individuals, not all of them regular churchgoers, ensures that the church is open for visitors every day from 9am to 5pm (or dusk if that is earlier), though access may be restricted due to worship, events or maintenance. We are grateful for those who volunteer for these duties, which come round every couple of months.

From April, a major restoration of the organ restricted access to the chancel until midJune.

There were concert-type events at monthly intervals or so, some partly subsidised by the Take Art rural touring organisation which helps us afford a diverse range of productions. Some worship events are included on the following list where they involved the Committee in hospitality. Colin Trim ensures wine and cordial are served to concert audiences.

More ambitious still is the North Curry Music Festival - now in its fourth year - supported by the PCC and which is reporting separately to the APCM.

Events at or for the Church in 2025 :

15 March Quiz Night_(Congo Initiative fundraiser)_
5 April Music from The Gambia_(Take Art subsidised)_
10 May Village Choir spring concert
30 May Laura & Bert folk concert
19 June Time to Spare guitar quartet_(Music Festival)_
20 June Ukulele Orchestra_(Music Festival)_
Tango Calor and dancers_(Music Festival)_
21 June Pelléas Ensemble_(Music Festival)_
22 June Festival Worship_(with NCVC and choirs from both schools)_

The Parishes of Burrowbridge, Lyng, North Curry and Stoke St Gregory

David Walker, Secretary to the Events Committee

6. Deanery Synod Report

The Deanery Synod met three times in 2025 with the Deanery Mission and Pastoral Group meeting more frequently to set the agendas, discuss the new Benefice Share, and consider the Deanery re-organisation.

The first meeting of the year was held in Woolavington Church. The meeting commenced with a service of Evening Prayer led by Revd Kirsty Wells, Rural Dean.

The guest speakers were Natalie Wainwright – Generous Church and Rob Walrond – Rural Ministry. Unfortunately Rob was unable to attend but he would be the speaker at the next meeting.

Natalie gave a very positive outline of Generous Church and outlined the Deanery Review which had been launched this year. The Deanery Review was an opportunity for members of the Diocesan staff to learn of good things in the parishes and also any problems or issues that needed support.

The second meeting we were invited to Westonzoyland Church. The evening commenced with Evening Prayer by Revd Kirsty Wells. As previously mentioned the speaker was Rob Walrond on Rural Mission. Rob’s talk was based on 1 Corinthians chapter 3 verse 6 – I (Paul) planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.

The notes outlining his talk are attached as many of the things he said were inspiring and encouraging for our rural churches.

Our third meeting of the year was held at St Francis, Bridgwater. The meeting commenced with Evening Prayer led by members of St Francis.

The speaker was Revd Catherine Carlyon on Communication with the Deaf. This talk was very enlightening and obvious simple things were shard that would make a member of the fellowship or a visitor feel very welcome.

At all three meetings thanks were expressed for the abundance of tea, coffee and delicious cakes that were made available by the parishes hosting.

Business:

The Parishes of Burrowbridge, Lyng, North Curry and Stoke St Gregory

At each meeting after the refreshments a short business meeting was held.

The accounts were presented and approved and it was confirmed that no financial contribution from the Parishes would be asked for this year.

DMPG MEETINGS

During the year the DMPG met 6 times and mostly considered the Deanery Reorganisation. It was hoped and felt strongly by all members that Mission and Church Growth should be higher on the agenda next year.

Deanery Representation on Diocesan Synod

Revds: Kirsty Wells Lay: Katherine Cannell Dean Whittaker Ann Philcox Ed Moll Trish Lewis Suse Osmond

7. Bellringers Group Report

It has been a rewarding year as secretary and vice-captain of North Curry Bellringers and the support of the ringers, and the Church members has been very heartening. Thank you.

Thanks

Firstly, I would like to thank Darren for his dedication and leadership of our ringers during the past year resulting in considerable progress on our Bellringing journey. Also, Penny who has maintained our publicity with great dedication. Special mention should be made to David Birch who has used his incredible skills and knowledge to make our tower safer and to produce some incredible pieces of workmanship that we can all enjoy. David has also improved safety by installing a second and additional hand rope to ensure safe access.

Membership

The membership over the past year has been similar the previous year and we currently have a subscribed membership of 14. This has allowed to maintain a regular standard of ringing both for worship and practice. We are actively seeking new recruits for learning the noble art and we are confident that during the forthcoming year we will have new members to join us. We also enjoy the support of Liz and Patrick Rendell now full members of North Curry together with Paddy who is a young star in the making. Paul from Creech and Lyng Ringers have also supported us greatly during the year

Our 3[rd] Saturday practices have continued successfully

These practices run by Darren/ Owen are advertised on the Bath and Wells association website and are attended by several ringers with a range of skills and experience. They are also a great opportunity for local ringers to extend their knowledge with other

The Parishes of Burrowbridge, Lyng, North Curry and Stoke St Gregory

ringers in the area. We are delighted that our own ringers are given the opportunity learn and ring amongst more experienced ringers and will give confidence to all.

The branch holds occasional practices ant North Curry which is aimed at a variety of skill levels.

The new training simulator is now ready for active use and Darren is very hopeful that this extra training facility will benefit us going forward

Visiting ringers to North Curry

We have had again this year a strong group of visiting bands who have either visited as part of a local tour or engaged us with some wonderful quarter peals or peals during the year a very notable peal during the year was the first Peal of North Curry Surprise major which was a wonderful occasion. Darren was supported by a band of excellent and talented ringers from around the County. A board in recognition of this fine achievement is now pride of place in the tower/

Striking Competition

On April 11[th] this year six of us ventured our way to Churchstanton to enter the branch 6 bell striking competition. We were delighted to come first in a strong filed of other bands and bring home the trophy to North Curry. We are now the now the tower to beat in any striking challenge and our trophy stands proud in the cnetr of the tower

The band were

Darren, Owen, Judith, Liz Patrick and Paul who rang a very appropriate piece called April Day. We will look forward to entering the finals later in the year at a venue to be announced when the competition will be even stronger.

Hand Bells

Darren has been working very hard to get a group of handbell ringers together during the spring of 2026. It is receiving great success and support on a Monday evening and is a wonderful edition to the ringing timetable. Currently Darren is using his own set of bells, and it is hoped that over the coming months the PCC will support the purchase of a dedicated set for North Curry. It is intended eventually for this small band to offer some local performances in the Church.

Health and Safety

Owen is maintaining the health and safety documentation which has been extended from the Church Policy to ensure that we made every to maintain good health and safety standards in all that we do

Safeguarding

Owen has continued to work alongside Simon Baldwin to ensure the highest standards of safeguarding protocols for our tower which will be maintained

The Parishes of Burrowbridge, Lyng, North Curry and Stoke St Gregory

Ringers Outing

A good number of ringers ventured to some Devon Towers last June which included a wonderful trip to Buckfast Abbey a very fine ring of Bells not always available to visitors in addition some other towers completed the day and of course an enjoyable lunch was part of the agenda

Summary

We are blessed to have a committed membership who turn up each Sunday and ring which is certainly more than can be said for so many towers. Darren continues to provide excellent leadership and support for the ringers of North Curry. Thanks also to Darren for getting the bells of Lyng into a ringing standard and he provided many hours and is starting hold practices regularly. We also work closely with Creech st Michael

Owen Cullwick, Tower Secretary

8. Music Festival Committee Report

This is a report on the third North Curry Music Festival that took place over a weekend in June 2025, and the plans for the 2026 and future Festivals. Support for the Festivals form part of the church’s mission to serve the community.

2025 Festival

There were some wonderful concerts at last year’s Festival. Tango Calor performed an evening of scintillating Argentinian songs and were joined by dancers Tangopuro to create a unique concert experience. The following evening award-winning Pelleas Ensemble (flute, viola and harp) gave us beautiful renditions of pieces by Purcell, Ravel, Couperin and others. Both concerts were well attended. The weather was glorious and around 180 villagers of all ages enjoyed a free afternoon on the Pavilion Playing Field serenaded by the Pantasy Steel Band.

Local musicians gave performances in the church and in Queen Square Garden, and Sunday saw the church full for a morning family service, including school choirs from Stoke and North Curry. An improvisation workshop led by North Curry’s Tim Hill completed the Festival line-up.

Overall, music from these local and professional musicians covered folk, classical, choral, world, pop, blues, reggae and jazz genres.

One of the Festival’s aims is to bring professional performances of international standard to the village at affordable ticket prices. Equally important is to provide a platform for the wealth of local musicians to showcase their talents, and to encourage residents’ participation in music-making, especially by children. Fundamentally there is an overriding objective of bringing the community together around music.

The numbers speak to the success of these aims. Last year’s Festival attracted total audience numbers of 750 (though a number would have attended more than one performance), including 90 children. A total of 3 professional groups and 13 local groups (114 musicians including 23 children) took part across 15 performances.

The Parishes of Burrowbridge, Lyng, North Curry and Stoke St Gregory

Over 30 volunteers were involved in planning and running the events (eg for stewarding, first aid, ticket sales etc). We are very grateful to them all as they are critical to the staging of the Festival.

The church can be proud of helping to facilitate a significant and successful community event, drawing in a large number of people to the building, attracting many children and families to the Family Service and enabling many of all ages to come together arouund live music experiences.

Financially the Festival made a small surplus (which will be used to support future Festivals) but that was only possible due to a generous grant from Somerset Community Foundation – ticket sales from the professional concerts alone cannot cover the costs of the Festival.

I am grateful to the Festival Committee (Rev Simon Bale, Jenny Satchwell, Helen Griffiths, David Walker, Philippa Trim, Anna Bushell and Andrew Goodwin) for their wisdom and oversight. In particular I wish to thank my colleagues on the Working Group who worked so hard over the year in sweating the detail on a monthly, weekly and daily basis – Philippa, Anna, David, Martin Horrox (to July 2025) and Laurina Deacon (from August 2025).

2026 Festival and Beyond

The 2026 programme is finalised for 18-21 June, again showcasing a wide variety of local and professional talent and tickets are now on sale - full details are on handouts and posters around the village. There are a number of free events, including one on the Pavilion Playing Field on Sunday afternoon with the band Rooster, alongside ticketed concerts. A Benefice All-Age Service on Sunday morning will include choirs from Stoke and North Curry schools, and the Festival will conclude that evening with a full cathedral-style Choral Evensong led by Taunton-based touring choir In Ecclesia.

Plans are well underway to hold next year’s Festival on 17-20 June 2027, maintaining the momentum built with the community so far and building on the success of the last three years. The first performers have already been booked.

The future of the Festival beyond 2027 is less certain. We are dependent on grant funding to support the costs of bringing musicians to the village and holding some events for free (which we believe is essential for bringing the community together). However, the charity funding world is becoming ever tighter and obtaining grants ever more difficult. For this year we are very grateful to Somerset Community Foundation for supporting us again, and to the Parish Council for a grant towards the Pavilion Playing Field event. In 2027 we can fund the Festival from our reserves but if no grants are forthcoming that would jeopardise our ability to hold a Festival from 2028.

For now, we are focused on making this year’s Festival as much as a success as last year’s. We look forward to seeing you there!

Hugh Andrews, Chair of North Curry Music Festival Planning Committee

The Parishes of Burrowbridge, Lyng, North Curry and Stoke St Gregory

9. North Curry Prayer Fellowship

We host the north curry village prayer meeting - as well as members of the parish church we are joined in the group by friends who go to Creech Baptist, Fivehead Baptist, Stoke St Gregory Baptist and the Methodist Church. We meet at 9.30 on the final Saturday of the month with an extra breakfast together at the start of the year. Our youngest member is one and our oldest is ......who knows?

Each month we follow a simple pattern of saying thank you for God's goodness to us and praying for God's blessing on different areas of village life and praying for any topics of need or challenge we are aware of. Some people voice their prayers aloud and others voice their prayers quietly in their hearts. We believe that God hears all of our prayers.

People have often commented that they find our hour together encouraging and enjoyable. Most of us cannot make it every single month so there is the opportunity to join in and pray in your own time by receiving the monthly emails or picking up the sheet from the table by the prayer board. To find out more speak to Hugh or Judith 07941326559

Judith Sergeant and Hugh Andrews, Coordinators

10. Electoral Roll Report

The North Curry Parish Church Electoral Roll was completely rebuilt last year.

Since then, 3 people have died and 4 new people enrolled. The total at 7th May 2026 is 66, of whom 3 live outside the parish

The roll has been adjusted to account for deaths and new registrations since the 2025 APCM .

The list as at May 7th 2026

Hugh Andrews Norma Cullwick
David Lenton Akerman Owen John Cullwick
Hannah Louise Baker Janet Ann Dare
Susan Bethune David Davies
Sheila Mary Billinghurst Margaret Davies
David Gordon Birch Lesley Durrant
Claire Brown * David Frederick Farnham
Lorraine Bryan-Brown Lillian Ann Farnham
Pamela Floretta Burgess * Andrew William Goodwin
Katherine Scott Cairns Helen Elizabeth Griffiths
Thelma Louise Price Clark Patricia Jean Guernsey
Helen Churchill Comrie Mary Harrison
Julian Kitto Comrie Susan Harrison
Mary Charlotte Cridge Judith Howett Hincks

The Parishes of Burrowbridge, Lyng, North Curry and Stoke St Gregory

Richard Colton Jackson Isabel Jean Smith
Wendy Elizabeth Jackson Olivia Spall
Heather Jeanes Helen Mary Stewart-Wilson
Thomas Henry Jeanes Frances Mary Swatton
George Jones Richard Sykes
Teresa Grace Jones Zillah Sykes
Sally Keele Ken Tate
Jeanne Leader Mary Tate
Laurence Leader Dianne Joan Tilley
Carole McFadyean William John Tilley
Linda Jane Paul Colin Trimm
Mary Gertrude E Piers Philippa Trimm
Kate Roberts Denis Viner
Ralph Roberts David Walker
Joan Ryan Denise Walker
Jenny Satchwell Trudi Watkins
Anthony Paul Scott Audrey Ida L West
Jennifer Mary B Scott Anne Williams
Judith Sergeant Darren Woodyear *

Jenny Satchwell, Electoral Roll Officer

11. Family Worship

We now hold a monthly Family Worship as a Benefice Service on the third Sunday of each month. This began in September of 2026 and has become a fixture through the subsequent months. Each time together is child-focused but also seeks to provide spiritual value for adults. The planning team meet to consider the theme for the month and design a time of worship that addresses important aspects of our faith. We have explored topics such as “finding Jesus”, “Motherhood”, “Prayer” and, most recently, “The Kingdom of God”. There are songs and activities, and wonderful prayers often featuring bubbles. The service lasts 30 minutes, after which there is food and drink and a time for craft which continues the theme.

The Family Worship is a time to grow our church family, beginning with young children and their families. Thanks go to Judith Sergeant, Jenny Satchwell, Claire Smith and Jo Washington in particular for their enthusiasm, but this is a whole church, whole benefice, worship. We are still exploring and experimenting. Who knows where we will go…

Revd Simon Bale

The Parishes of Burrowbridge, Lyng, North Curry and Stoke St Gregory