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2022-08-31-accounts

Trustees’ annual report (including Directors’ report) for the period

From: September 1[st] 2021 To: August 31[st] 2022 Charity name: The Olive Tree Church Charity registration number: 1196158 Company number: N/A

Objectives and activities

bjectives and activities
SORP reference
Summary of the purposes of
the charity as set out in its
governing document		 Para 1.17 The Olive Tree Church is a Single Congregation
Local Ecumenical Partnership formed from Blenheim
Crescent Baptist Church and St Margaret’s Methodist
Church, in Luton, Bedfordshire. ‘Baptists and
Methodists United in Christ serving our community’.
The partnership was formed in 2016 and formally
constituted in 2021, with the adoption of its
Constitution on 21 March 2021.
The purpose of the Charity is to advance the
Christian faith in the Area of Benefit in accordance
with the principles and practices of the Participating
Churches.
In achieving its purpose, the Charity engages in a
range of activities, either on its own or with others,
including (but not restricted to):
- the celebration of public worship;
- the teaching of the Christian faith;
- mission and evangelism;
- pastoral work, including visiting the sick and the
bereaved;
- the provision of facilities with a Christian ethos for
the local community, including (but not restricted to)
the elderly, the young and other groups with special
needs; and
- the support of other charities in the UK and
overseas.
Luton is acknowledged to be an area of high
deprivation, and with its numerous cross-cultural
issues, we find that there is tremendous benefit in
the work of this church. Members of The Olive Tree
believe that it is the core of our mission to serve the
community in this situation. The church vision
statement includes, ‘We believe we are called to be
a Christian presence and witness in our multicultural
area, sharing the good news of God’s love and
forgiveness with all’ and ‘We aim to be good
Christian neighbours and develop deeper
relationships with other faiths represented in our
neighbourhood’.
Summary of the main
activities in relation to those
purposes for the public
benefit, in particular, the
activities, projects or services
identified in the accounts.		 Para 1.17 and
1.19		 It is a privilege to introduce this annual report, which
documents the many and varied ways in which The
Olive Tree Church has faced the challenges of the
times and lives out its mission to be an inclusive,
evangelistic, growing, justice-seeking church.
The calling of The Church is to respond to the
gospel of God's love in Christ and to live out its
discipleship in worship and mission. Most of the
work of the Church occurs within or is associated
with the local community within Luton.
With our local neighbourhood focus, we employ a
community worker who runs and supports a range
of activities, such as a Ladies Craft Group, Ladies
Gym Sessions, English classes, Home Groups and
Bible Study Groups, a Stay and Play Toddlers
Group, a monthly Messy Church and Messy
Sunday. We also have a regular Fellowship Club,
Foodbank collections and a Youth Group, as well as
social activities such as an annual Garden Party,
Barbecue and Fun Day, Quiz and Ploughman’s,
Sunday school outings and Fundraising events,
such for the Turkey Earthquake Relief Fund.
Various community groups use our premises, (both
the ‘Tree’ site, previously Blenheim Baptist, and the
‘Branch’ site, previously St Margaret’s Methodist).
These include a regular Scouts, Brownies and
Guides groups, Karate club, three different Christian
churches and until recently, a Cactus club and
Slimming World.
We are committed supporters of both Baptist work
(through BMS World Mission), and Methodist work
and charities, (such as All We Can - the Methodist
Relief and Development charity; Action for children)
and others.
We have monthly weekday lunches in support of
Christian Aid and usually have a special fundraiser
during Christian Aid week, as we raise awareness of
their projects and appeals and encourage support.
We also donate to a number of local organisations
and charities including Youthscape, Luton Town
Centre Chaplaincy, Luton Foodbank, Women’s Aid,
Keech Hospice, The Salvation Army Christmas toy
appeal and Azalea.
Statement confirming whether
the trustees have had regard
to the guidance issued by the
Charity Commission on public
benefit
Para 1.18 The Trustees of the Olive Tree Church have had regard
to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on
public benefit, such that all of the activities, projects and
services provided by the Olive Tree Church are all
regarded to be of public benefit in service to the
community.

Additional information (optional)

You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

SORP reference - N/A Para 1.38 Policy on grant making - N/A Para 1.38 Policy on social investment including program related investment - N/A Para 1.38 Contribution made by volunteers - N/A Other

Achievements and performance

Summary of the main
achievements of the charity,
identifying the difference the
charity’s work has made to the
circumstances of its
beneficiaries and any wider
benefits to society as a whole.
Para 1.20 The Olive Tree Church has provided benefit to:
-Church members, both old and young, with
opportunities to encourage and increase their faith and
Christian witness, receiving regular fellowship, home
groups, Bible studies, lunch clubs and activities, and
prayerful support, as well as support in many different
forms where needed, such as hospital and care home
visits, lifts to medical appointments, pastoral care and
financial help.
-Members of the community, with a variety of activities
to join and support where needed such as parent and
toddler ‘Stay and Play’ group, English lessons,
women’s fitness sessions, Craft club, coach outings,
uniformed groups such as Scouts and Guides,
-Individuals, for example with food and clothing, or help
to pay for transport, or the bills and rent.
-Local churches and community groups, by providing
our buildings to rent, meet in and use, such as Luton-
based ‘Oasis’, and the Karate Club.
-Luton Foodbank recipients, from regular church
collections, including at Harvest Festivals.
-Various Luton, UK and Overseas charities by regular
donations, raising awareness of their work, and
supporting where needed, e.g. giving Christmas
presents for the Luton charity ‘Azalea’ to distribute to
their beneficiaries, regular ‘Christian Aid’ lunches and
collecting for the Turkey Earthquake appeal.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Financial review

inancial review
Review of the charity’s
financial position at the end of
the period		 Para 1.21 The Olive Tree Church has unrestricted funds at the end
of the financial year amounting to £128,252. This is the
first year of the charity and therefore comparative figures
for the previous year are not available. The surplus of
income over expenditure amounted to £7,429. The
balance carried forward came from the funds of the two
churches now constituted as the LEP.
Statement explaining the
policy for holding reserves
stating why they are held		 Para 1.22 The reserves policy for the Olive Tree Church is modelled
on that recommended by the Methodist Church, which is
in accordance with the Charity Commission’s Statement
of Recommended Practice (SORP).
The Olive Tree Church receives its income from
donations by church members (including Gift Aid), by
letting the buildings and renting the vacant Manse.
We have considered our mission plans for the future and
have decided that in order to employ a Baptist Minister,
we need to hold funds to cover at least 3 years of salary
and associated costs. This is in addition to the cost of
continuing to employ a Community Worker, meet our
Circuit Assessment and cover our normal expenditure
and routine repair and maintenance costs for the
buildings. We are also planning this year to update two
existing toilets so that they are accessible.
Employment of a Baptist Minister will require additional
cost to renovate the Manse before they move into it,
approximately £15,000. We will also lose any further
income from renting the Manse.
We are also aware that due to the cost of living, it is likely
that utility bills will continue to increase, particularly next
year when the current fixed rate payable for the Branch
will expire and require a new contract at most likely the
current higher rate.
We therefore agree that at this current time it is
appropriate that we hold a higher reserve of £90,000
than that typically expected of 6 months expenditure
expected, which on the 21/22 budget was roughly
£50,000.
At present, The Olive Tree Church already holds the
higher level of reserves and these will be maintained by
regular donations from the congregation, holding a Gift
Day on the church’s anniversary (Easter Day), where
funding towards specific aims will be requested, and
careful monitoring of expenditure.
Amount of reserves held Para 1.22 As at the end of the financial year (31 August 2022), the
reserves were:
Unrestricted Funds £128252
Restricted Funds £3686
Reasons for holding zero
reserves		 Para 1.22 N/A
Details of fund materially in
deficit		 Para 1.24 N/A
Explanation of any
uncertainties about the charity
continuing as a going concern		 Para 1.23 The Olive Tree Church is seeking a new minister to
continue to shape the church and enable us to meet
the challenges of the future in a very distinctive
mission field. Whilst looking for a Baptist Minister,
we have the option of seeking a Methodist Minister
from the South Bedfordshire Circuit, if the search
becomes protracted.
We therefore have no concerns for this charity
continuing as an ongoing concern.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: - N/A Para 1.47 The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) - N/A Para 1.46 Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted - N/A Para 1.46 A description of the principal risks facing the charity - N/A Other

Structure, governance and management
Description of charity’s trusts:
Type of governing document:
for example, trust deed,
memorandum and articles of
association etc		 Para 1.25 The Olive Tree Church is a Single Congregation
Local Ecumenical Partnership which was approved
by the Baptist and Methodist Church
Denominational authorities and the Sponsoring
Body: Churches Together in Bedfordshire on 18th
April 2018. The Governing Document for the Olive
Tree Church is its Constitution, which was finally
adopted by the Leadership Team and church
members on 21st March 2021.
How is the charity
constituted?
for example limited company,
unincorporated association,
CIO		 Para 1.25 The Olive Tree Church is constituted as a Single
Congregation Local Ecumenical Partnership between
Blenheim Crescent Baptist Church and St Margaret’s
Methodist Church, with allegiance to the Baptist Union
of Great Britain and The Methodist Church to serve the
Area of Luton.
rustee selection methods
including details of any
constitutional provisions e.g.
election to post or name of
any person or body entitled to
appoint one or more trustees
Para 1.25 The Constitution states that the Olive Tree Church is
administered and managed by a body of Trustees
consisting of
A) ex officio Trustees, being the ministers of the LEP,
B) Four elected Trustees, elected at the Annual
Congregational Meeting and,
C) Not more than three co-opted Trustees, appointed by
the Trustees.
Elected Trustees shall hold office from the end of the
Annual Congregational Meeting at which they are
selected until the end of the third such meeting after
their appointment, but shall be eligible for re-election at
that meeting.
No person may be elected as an Elected Trustee or
appointed as a Co-opted Trustee unless he or she:
A) is a Member;
B) Is aged 18 or above;
C) Is not disqualified from acting as a Trustee by virtue
of section 72 Charities Act 1993 (or any statutory re-
enactment or modification of that provision); and
D) Has indicated his or her willingness to serve as a
Trustee.
Co-opted Trustees serve until the end of the next
Annual Congregational Meeting following their
appointment.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Reference and administrative details

Charity name THE OLIVE TREE CHURCH
Other name the charity uses
Registered charity number 1196158
Charity’s principal address 42-46Blenheim Crescent
Luton
Bedfordshire
LU3 1HB

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

Trustee name Office (if any) Dates acted if not for
whole year		 Name of person (or body)
entitled to appoint trustee (if
any)
1
Rev Joanne
Sherwood		 LEP Minister
(Methodist) -
Chair		 The Methodist Church
2 Madit Grant Treasurer Annual Congregational
Meeting
3 Helen Owen Communications Annual Congregational
Meeting
4
5
6		 Dr Louise
Newport		 Annual Congregational
Meeting
Peace Okyere Annual Congregational
Meeting
Ramon Akib (Co-opted) Annual Congregational
Meeting
7
Mary Huffman		 Community
Worker (Co-
opted)		 Annual Congregational
Meeting
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20

Corporate trustees – names of the directors at the date the report was approved

Director name - N/A

Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity

Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year
The Baptist Union
Corporation Ltd
The Methodist Church

Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others

unds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Description of the assets held
in this capacity		 - N/A
Name and objects of the
charity on whose behalf the
assets are held and how this
falls within the custodian
charity’s objects		 - N/A
Details of arrangements for
safe custody and segregation
of such assets from the
charity’s own assets		 - N/A

Additional information (optional)

Names and addresses of advisers (optional information)

Type of
adviser		 Name Address Address
- N/A

Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (optional information)

- N/A

Exemptions from disclosure

Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details

- N/A

Other optional information

- N/A

Declarations

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report (including directors’ report) above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees/directors

Signature(s) Full name(s)[Mrs Madit Grant ] Position (for example Church Trustee Secretary, Chair, etc)

Date 26th June 2023

The Olive Tree Annual Reports

Community Worker Report - March 2022 to March 2023 ........................................................................ 15 HOME GROUPS ........................................................................................................................................... 16 2022 Annual Report Sunday School and Messy Church ........................................................................... 17 The Olive Tree Church Fellowship Club ..................................................................................................... 18 22[nd] LUTON BROWNIES ............................................................................................................................ 19 1[st] Wardown Guides ...................................................................................................................................... 21 Beaver & Cub Section Report 2022 ............................................................................................................. 22 SCOUT SECTION ANNUAL REPORT 2022 ............................................................................................ 24

Community Worker Report - March 2022 to March 2023

Although Covid is still around, this year has felt a lot more like a normal year with activities resuming and for them to be able to keep running during term time.

Monday afternoon OTC runs a Stay and Play group for the families in our community. It’s such a needed activity especially due to the previous years of staying home and with limited help from flying start due to the drastic funding cuts which took the staff serving all of Luton from 90 staff to 16 staff. We have a community link person Naeema, who we can refer concerns to and I (Mary) attend Flying start zoom meetings to find out what other help and programs I can offer the parents. Talk Talk has been well used due to the children being behind in with their speech because of Covid Lock downs. We have over 40 mothers in our Whatsapp group and a regular 12- 14 families a week. Quite a few with 2 kids each. Help is always welcome.

BIG thanks to Elaine and Helen who faithfully support this weekly and Jenny who always jumps in at the last moment when we need her. Alexandra and Josie (Ywam) are now helping when they can.

Tuesdays over the last year we have been blessed to have the help of both Shammah and Alexandria to enable our church to keep running two important activities – Ladies Exercise class and English class. Shammah is a personal trainer so has lead the women in the community in vigorous exercises using weighs and our gym equipment. The women have really enjoyed the next level she has led us into. While she is away, February to April I’m leading a badminton class. In May, we hope to get Shammah back till the summer break in August.

Alexandra does a great job at leading our English class. We have a variety of nationalities coming to the group – Pakistani, Bangladesh, Spain, Chile, Morocco and China. Weekly 4 – 8 people.

Thursday – OTC continues to work with Rukia and Fatheha – Creative Expressions. We have been working together to for the last 8 years. Our numbers have risen after Covid took quite some time to get the women to come out of their homes. This year 16 – 20 ladies and a creche of 2 – 4 kids.

BIG thanks to Barbara, Gloria and Rose who faithfully support this group fortnightly.

Monday morning I attend a prayer meeting for the community, pastoral phone calls and work on the projects Administration. Thursday morning I visit folk in our church who are mainly unwell or house bound with Joanne.

Last Sunday of the month , Claire or Loess help me run a Messy Sunday to help bring our European families into the church alongside our OTC kids. Some weeks we have 14 kids.

I was able to host 3 fundraisers for our community – Pakistan flooding, Somalian drought and 25[th] February Turkey/Syria earthquake.

Plus I have been nominated for Heroes of Biscot ward for my service in the community.

Mary Huffman – Community and Pastoral worker for the OTC church.

HOME GROUPS – Reports

The Monday evening group meets fortnightly and we start our meeting with a cup of tea or coffee and biscuits before spending time sharing news. Then we read and discuss a Bible passage before uotoiopraying for each other and the needs of others. We are currently studying the gospel of Mark. New members are welcome – please speak to Elaine or Helen.

The Wednesday Evening house group meets fortnightly and has been meeting on Zoom for the last three years. There are nine of us in the group and we share the leadership of meetings between us. We always spend some time sharing news and praying for each and for the needs of other people. After finishing a course on Mark's gospel, we had a few 'one-off' sessions when whoever was leading chose the theme and Bible passage. We have now just started a 7-session series on Colossians. We always try to start our discussion of the Bible reading by responding to the questions, 'What stands out for you in this passage? What particularly speaks to you?' We also circulate notice of the Bible reading and discussion starters by email a few days before we meet, to give people the opportunity to prepare if they are able to. Kate Silwood

Thursday afternoon group

The Bible Study group has continued to meet on alternate Thursdays over the past year. We have a small group of those who come regularly, together with others who come when they are able. We will miss John Roberts, one of our core members; although he was not able to contribute to the discussion recently, his prayers were always appreciated.

Over the past year we completed reading through Mark’s gospel, and then in the Autumn term studied the seven signs in John’s gospel. This gave some of us the motivation to look again at John’s gospel as a whole. We are now studying some of the psalms. These are stand-alone sessions, so do please come and join us at the Olive Tree if you can.

2022 Annual Report Sunday School and Messy Church

Sunday School

2022 was a really good year for growing our Sunday School at the Olive Tree. We regularly now have 7-9 children joining us on a Sunday Morning from the ages of 3 to 11. They all get on well together and we have been able to have some great times most recently going to Smyths Toy Shop at Christmas and onto McDonalds.

Elaine, Loess and I lead the Sunday School on a rota with support from Peace, Betty and Christina. Betty has decided to stand down now and we would really thank her for all the support she has given children over the generations and we will miss her. Thanks to Peace and Christina for their ongoing support.

Each Sunday we follow the Roots programme of activity, bible story, games and crafts. It often aligns to the theme in the church. We have reintroduced recently the Children Slot in the service which we hope you are enjoying.

On the 4[th] Sunday of each month, we have a Messy Sunday where we invite families from Messy Church to join us and have a family event in the hall. This is a great way to get our Messy Church families more engaged in our Sunday activities and they are very popular.

During 2023 we want to really get our children engaged and involved in the life of the church – and we are really keen to ensure the services encourage and involve them. Please do chat to them and ask them about what they have been doing…!

Messy Church

Messy Church meets on a Saturday morning once a month and we encourage families in our community as well as our own church families to come along. We regularly have 40-50 people attending mainly children with their mums and dads. We then also run Messy Sunday once a month as above.

We follow a theme each month – during 2022 – we had Messy Easter, Messy Love, Messy Wedding, Messy mothers etc and all the craft, stories and games are based on the theme with link to a bible story. The crafts are encouraged to be messy and fun. We have also had some popular social events like a Messy Fireworks night and a Fun day. In December we had a Messy Christingle.

The families come from the local community and represent many cultures, religions and countries – it is really great to have such a diverse and inclusive group. We can all learn from each other. Messy Church finishes with refreshments and gives the children chance to eat the cakes they have made. Pizza is still definitely number one favourite.

Do come along one Saturday and join in with us.

Claire

The Olive Tree Church Fellowship Club

What a happy, successful year 2022 proved to be for our Club! We were so blessed in many ways - being able to meet in the church with a varied programme over fourteen mornings (only once a month after Easter), an average attendance of about twenty, and speakers who were entertaining, informative, and often uplifting through their passionate presentations. Above all perhaps is the happiness of the camaraderie and friendship we experience as we meet up again and share in the ups and downs of each other’s journey through life, exchanging news and views and a kind word or two of encouragement.

Let us cast a look back on some of the highlights of this past year! Often, through the wonder of modern technology, as ‘arm-chair travellers’ we were conveyed virtually far and wide. In Bedfordshire we discovered beautiful wild orchids: we participated in the National Open Gardens Scheme: we toured UK holiday areas and visited historic buildings: we joined in British folklore celebrations, singing traditional melodies to live music: we were also transported to India where images of a missionary’s 50 year’s work with needy children were very moving: we flew with the Children’s Air Ambulance Service, being inspired to donate to this amazing charity: we even accompanied a contestant as he appeared in the TV show ‘The Chase’– a very popular morning. So too was that of a police officer and a bank manager to advise on personal and financial security in today’s world of scams and fraud.

The Christian ethos of our group is reflected by the special services we held – firstly at Easter, which was kindly led by the Minister, the Rev Joanne Sherwood and then at Christmas for the first time in two years. This was a team ministry of members with the lusty singing of beloved carols. The familiar Biblical messages of hope and love that Christ’s coming, passion and resurrection inspire were conveyed movingly. It is our practice to close each meeting with a prayer of thanksgiving and intercession as we go our separate ways.

The Fellowship Club is part of the Olive Tree’s outreach and attracts a goodly number of members from outside the church community as well as a faithful core of those from within. We are truly grateful for the leadership and commitment of three church members - Betty McKean, Jenny Woodham and Wendy Fielding. We also greatly value the encouragement and caring support that Mary Huffman, the Church’s Community Worker, generously offers. A sincere thankyou to all these friends, to all the members for making each meeting a joy with their enthusiastic presence and to others who help with lifts, seating arrangements, musical accompaniment and in various practical ways.

The loss of staunch supporters through advancing years and changes of personal circumstances has been sad and none of us is getting any younger. We pray that God will bless us with an influx of new members from the church community and wider afield to share actively in the work and enjoyment of the Club.

We also pray that God will continue to guide and bless us in 2023. We meet regularly in the hall on the last Tuesday of each month from 10.15 a.m., starting with a cuppa and a chat. Our meetings are very lively and enjoyable so why not join us? A warm welcome awaits you.

Pat Gillespie (Committee member)

22[nd] LUTON BROWNIES

We seem to have done a lot since last year - perhaps making up for time lost due to Covid.

For Mother’s Day we painted plates and pots and made cakes – so everyone had a lovely present for their Mum - along with a bunch of daffodils. For Easter we made chocolate nests.

We went to Legoland on 26[th] March 2022. It was lovely to have a fun trip with the girls – who really enjoyed their day out.

After the Easter break we worked on the Innovate skills builder badge – making edible architecture (fruit and vegetables joined with cocktail or kebab sticks); a boat made out of a sponge to see which sail was the best shape to get it across the paddling pool the fastest, and thought of an invention.

We visited Woodcroft – our Guide Activity Centre at Bramingham - on two occasions – one at the end of May and one at the beginning of July – and collected wood to light a fire and toast marshmallows – yummy!

We made cakes and bunting for our Platinum Jubilee Party in June to celebrate 70 years of the Queen’s reign. We also sent cards thanking her for being such a special person. We went to Wrest Park for Dragons in Tiaras – a Brownie event organised by Bedfordshire County Girl guiding - to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee. We took part in many activities – decorating biscuits, making tiaras and learning from the sailors on HMS Wales what needs to be done on a ship. We also met a dragon!

Not forgetting Dads – we made cards and presents for them for Father’s Day.

We ended the term by having an “All the fun of the Fair” evening, with ice creams, on one of the hottest evenings of the year.

On our return in September we had received a letter from the Queen’s lady in waiting at Balmoral Castle thanking us for the Platinum Jubilee cards we had sent. However, by this time the Queen had unfortunately passed away. We were very proud of our letter and this took pride of place on our notice board in the hall for some time – along with messages from the Brownies remembering the Queen.

We then worked on the Explore skills builder badge – learning how to read a map, to make a compass, and giving our feet a pamper after a walk.

We went to Woodcroft over the weekend of 4-6 November for a Pack Holiday – when the girls stayed 2 nights, carried out activities and learnt home skills. Our theme was Magical Kingdoms and we worked to gain a challenge badge which included activities from Disney films.

We learnt about the working of Parliament as we celebrated Parliament week in November. We found it is sometimes very difficult to make decisions when you can see both sides of the argument.

We finished term with a “Come as you like” party and enjoyed cakes and Brownies (the chocolate variety) we had made the previous week.

Since January we have been working on the First Aid skills builder badge – chosen by the girls - and now know how to treat a wound and put someone in the recovery position if they are unconscious.

On Saturday 14[th] January we went to the Gordon Craig Theatre to see the panto “Cinderella”. This is always a highlight of our year and again it did not disappoint! Many thanks to Jenny Woodham who organises this event for us every year and is our Home Contact when needed.

Most of the girls attended the Division disco at Woodcroft on 20[th] January. It was lovely to see them enjoying themselves in their sparkly party outfits!

We are celebrating Thinking Day at our meeting on 21[st] February (Thinking Day is actually on 22[nd] February – the joint birthdays of Lord and Lady Baden Powell our founders - when we remember all girl scouts and guides around the world) with a campfire and learning about the Guiding World flag and World Centres. We may also have some pancakes as this is Shrove Tuesday.

Some of the girls are attending the Division Thinking Day event on Sunday 26[th] February when we will be meeting Miku – a cartoon girl – and take part in activities to help her find peace and balance within the world.

We have 14 Brownies at present and have been encouraged that most of the older ones have now moved on to Guides.

Kirsty and myself are the main Brownie leaders but we also have two new helpers – Sue Skinner and Lauren Abbott (who has returned on her gap year from University). This extra help is lovely as it gives us flexibility to provide help with the Brownies or the Guides – who now meet at the same time. Fiona is mainly with the Guides but will always help out with the Brownies if needed.

I would like to thank all the leaders for their help and support over the last year, as without them our activities could not take place.

Anne Gibbons - Brownie Leader

1[st] Wardown Guides

With the end of covid our numbers had dropped to one guide, but in the past year that has now increased to 7.

Within the 6 themes we have worked on various Skills Builder badges and Unit Meeting Activities (UMAs) including

Know myself :- UMAs – World Centre Welcome, Votes for Women, Against the law, Poppy pinwheels, Hello my fabulous friend, Aeroplane answers, Dear future me.

Express myself :- Skills builder Innovate.

UMAs – Prepare to be amazed, Claymakers, Wait…what?.

Be Well :- Skills builder First Aid.

UMAs – Road Trip, Safe places, Heads shoulders knees and cone, Totally ga-ga, Know your strengths, Save your Tail.

Have adventures :- Skills builder Explore.

UMAs – Thirsty work, Help, Sneaky smores, Solar simulation.

Take Action :- Skills builder Make Change.

UMAs – Carbon calculator, K is for kindness.

Skills for my future :- UMAs – Patch up plastics, Interstellar engineers.

In addition, to these Huda also achieved :- Express myself theme award by gaining an interest badge (confectioner), a skills builder (innovate) and over 240 minutes of UMAs in the theme, and Have Adventures theme award by gaining an interest badge (Backwoods cooking), a skills builder (camp) and over 240 minutes of UMAs in the theme.

By gaining 2 theme awards Huda also achieved her Guide Bronze award – a great achievement.

We also celebrated the Queens platinum jubilee in the summer.

Went on a “Magical Kingdoms” indoor holiday weekend in November at Woodcroft with the Brownies.

Took part in activities for Parliament week – again with the Brownies.

Went to the see the pantomime ‘Cinderella’ with the District at the Gordon Craig Theatre in Stevenage, where 4 girls made their promise as a Guide.

Attended a Division Disco with other Brownies and Guides.

As you can see, we have been very busy and now with more girls, we can do so much more.

Fiona Watson - Guide Leader

Beaver & Cub Section Report 2022

The Beavers and Cubs started the year still meeting together due to a lack of leaders.

After an evening playing games and problem solving they made a cup and ball game from paper cups and then tried activities which tested co-ordination. Skills activities included: tying shoe laces, laying the table, ironing their scarf and changing a light bulb. Some Beavers and Cubs planted trees at Bromham campsite as part of the Queen’s Jubilee Canopy and started collecting toys and games to donate to Keech to sell in their shops. Chair basketball and Boccia made a paralympic sport evening. They made chocolate chip biscuits, carrot cake and carrot batons then after eating talked about healthy snacks. A popular teambuilding activity was building a marble run.

During an evening outdoors in early March, they learnt to light firesand then boiled water to make hot chocolate drinks, while enjoying their drinks, they came up with ideas for future activities and then had a campfire. On St. Patricks day the evening had an Irish theme. This was followed with finding out about local services and included going out for a walk around the Biscot area to find some of them. The month ended with separate beaver and cub hikes. The beavers went on a hike along the river walk to the source at Wauluds Bank and the cub’s hike took them on a circular route from Putteridgebury out to Cockernhoe and back.

In AprilSt. George and the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee provided themes for meetings and to allow the Beavers and Cubs to complete their Outdoor challenge badges a Saturday meeting was organised when they pitched tents, lit fires, prepared and cooked a meal and cleared up.

Meetings with a science theme enabled beavers to gain the experimenter badge and cubs the scientist badge. The Outdoor Messy Science was particularly popular with erupting volcanoes and launching rockets! Cards were made for father’s Day along with fudge. Another hike this time both sections did the same route across Bradger’s Hills and Stopsley Common. The Cubs completed the athletics badge and Beavers started the Health and Fitness badge. For the final meeting of term they went climbing at Tokko.

It was decided that separate meetings were needed for Beavers and Cubs so in September Beavers started at an earlier time of 5.45pm and then finishing at 7pm with Cubs starting at 6.50 and finishing at 8.15pm, this enabled a joint game before the Beaver closing ceremony followed by the Cubs opening ceremony.

Beaver Section September to December

Each evening starts with a coming in activity that beavers can join in with as they arrive. This is often a craft type of activity linked to the theme for the week. This is followed with games and the main activity. Finally we have a joint game with the cubs taking advantage of the larger number of children in the combined group for some team games.

The first meeting was taken up with games, a fire drill and devising a code of conduct. An evening at the park to play wide games was a joint session with the cubs. The Health and Fitness theme was resumed and after looking at healthy food, balanced diet and junk food the beavers made apple boats, next they learnt about healthy hearts and how to take their pulse before and after a game. For the final part of the badge we spent an evening looking at tooth care. After eating some chocolate – the beavers cleaned their teeth and then used disclosing tablets to see how well (or not) they had done the job!

The Beavers started working for the communicator badge, for this they wrote a letter to themselves and posted it, learnt their addresses and phone numbers, sent a text and learnt to spell their name phonetically, the badge was completed with a session at Jamboree on the Air.

The beavers made paper planes as part of the Air Activities badge which they completed by a visit to the RAF Museum at Hendon, travelling by train and bus with the cubs and scouts.

The beavers went to visit the fire station in Studley Road and were joined by the cubs, here they visited the hazard house and saw around the station. The photographer badge was tackled next with a talk about how cameras work and how to take good photographs. The photographs they took were used to make calendars. Beavers decorated hearts for care homes and held a bring a friend evening, finishing term with a world cup countries evening involving games from other countries and tasting breads and biscuits from around the world.

Cub Section – September to December

Cubs worked on the Local Knowledge badge and looked at the Luton coat of arms and then designed their own, and had a speaker visit to talk about living in Luton related to Black History month. They also worked on Air Activities both before and after the museum visit in order to gain their badge. As a Youth Shaped activity cubs planned their dream camp, the fire station visit and some follow up activities meant cubs gained the fire safety badge. Healthy eating for cubs was part of the skills challenge. Cubs had a bring a friend evening and there were slots of activity bases for them to try. St. Nicholas day was the theme for an evening towards the Our World challenge badge and the term ended with a games night – sadly depleted by illness.

Two Beavers gained their Chief Scouts Bronze award: Shayaan and Isaac and four Cubs gained their Chief Scouts Silver award: Correy, Sami, Zayaan, and Dishen. Well done to all of them for achieving these top awards.

There are still no leaders for either the Beaver or Cub sections and meetings are led by Brendan supported by Chetana (Raksha), Ambiga (Baloo), Kelly (Maple), Young Leader CJ and parents on a rota.

SCOUT SECTION ANNUAL REPORT 2022

Our year started with a visit from the District Commissioner to present C.J. with his Chief Scout Gold award. Some scouts went to Bromham camp site to plant trees as part of the Queen’s green canopy, which was one of the Platinum challenge activities these were activities which started with the letters in platinum and we under took several of them but not all. For Chinese New Year we made dragon puppets and devised a dance for them.

We regularly organise activities which encourage teamworking and the scouts working together rather than as individuals which is a concept they seem to find difficult. To cover environmental issues we looked at recycling: why we do it, what can be recycled and how and where to recycle as well as what gets made from recycled products. The scouts were asked to think of a skill they had they could teach the others and one session as a result of this was playing badminton. As gifts for Mothering Sunday the scouts made dragonfly paracord keyrings and cards. Some scouts spent a weekend on a boat supporting John on his practise Queens Scout expedition. We held an easter egg treasure hunt to end the term.

Back after a break we celebrated St. George by designing our own heraldic shield. With the better weather we spent a lot of evenings outside working on the Outdoor challenge this included making camp gadgets, knots, using an axe and saw safely, learning to use lamps and different types of stoves, pitching tents, first aid and fire lighting then we toasted sandwiches wrapped in foil.

At the group AGM Ayaan was presented with his Chief Scout Gold award.

We spent an evening weeding the area around the stores but then had to cancel the last meeting before the summer break when John (Beech) tested positive for Covid and so did Cedar.

The first meeting back in September was an evening led by John about what he had done to complete his Queen’s Scout Award, this was the day following the Queen’s death. The hope is that some of the scouts will be inspired to move on to explorers and gain the top awards. We walked to the park and went into the arboretum area and played games one was called smuggling.

Ready Steady Cook was popular and the parents who supervised each patrol had a fun time too. Next we made a bug hotel which is outside by the stores. We have embraced the crisp packet project which involves cutting the empty packets so they open flat, washing and drying them to get rid of the grease then putting them between layers of plastic which is ironed to seal it, the result is a blanket, with the foil inside to help warm people up, these

are being given to people in need and homeless and is an ongoing project we are working on, donations of empty crisp packets gratefully received.

To complete stage 2 of the air activities badge we made hot air balloons and flew them with the aid of hair dryers, sent messages using phonetics, looked at the dangers at airfields and spent a day at Hendon air museum. Scouts took part in JOTA and did lots of activities as well as talking on the radio, morse activities were the most popular. The scouts painted poppy stones and took part in the Remembrance Day parade in town. We made Christmas decorations and learnt new skills like sewing, knitting and made chocolate fudge. We finished with a party for Christmas with games, pizza, crisps, drinks and fudge.

There are currently 17 members in the troop with regularly 14 present each week. Thanks to the parents who have come along and helped out when needed. I would like to thank John (Beech) for coming along and especially encouraging the scouts to say about what they want to do. I also want to congratulate him on being awarded the Queens Scout Award. A very special THANK YOU to Paul (Oak) for all he does with the troop, the work he puts in on the crisp packet project and congratulations on getting a ten year service award.

Janet Owen (Cedar)

CHURCH RECEIPT5 AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS THE METHODIST CHURCH STANDARD FORM OF ACCOUNTS THE OUVE TREE CHURCH local Ecumenl¢al Pathwshl Church FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 August 2022 South B•dlorfshlr• Clrcu Circult no. 3414 Reglst•r•d Ch•rlty. Charlty R•gi•lrallon numb•r W not O Wistered chaiity Her IA•S•Ws Rw•nu• and Customs Gift Aid ThUM￿r (rhe HMRC number is equivalent lo a registered charrty number in temis of emdence of chariiable status and may be used to give to dorm w grant fvnders ¥&ishirKJ to see evKlence of the Organi&￿10Th'S aritable status. Methixlbst chanties in EngLqnd and Ws that are not registered chorths arn excepted from regiStra￿n under Statutory Inwment 2014 No.242) 1196158 VA"nisW. Rev. Jwne She￿￿1x￿1 LEP Twstees Mcs Madit Gfant Ms Pea(* Okywe Treasurnr. Mrs Grant lols

THE OLIVE TREE CHURCH -Local Ecumenical Partnership SÈCTION A FutMI Fknnds year RECEIPTS Off8Trn 8 T8x r8COV8red ank and CFB interest and Investment incoffl8 152 152 19 Letbn a5 Other receipts TOTAL RECEIPTS 767 1,8 1.896 1663 114,993 9,119 49.032 113.￿7 la71 SEcnoN b1 PAYMETr￿s b2 CircuitA55e5$ment orSh8re 25.704 12,316 b3 Donalons 3.498 airn and M8intenarKa UUitie$ Ilnsuranc8$, Tratsr ¢harJr 98. h8ang & IW"rMJl b5 ye￿ted- dir￿1 14.2(&5 b7 Other paymont5 TOTAL PAYMeKrs 13.482 105. 41.388 133M4 44,5gM) 961 b8 SECTION C NET RECEIPTSIPAYMENrJ FOR THE YEAR 28.010 Totslfurvts troLvJht forwwd from last year 150 Sub totsl ¢1+c2 131.514 424 131.93B Tr8n8fer5 and sd'usimo 3.262 ¢7 1LK).939 TOTAL FUNDS AT END OF YEAR Ic3+c41 128352 131.938 Ic81 150,519 SECTION D Baknce bThi tfONA￿ from Lgst 1.185 BALANCE STILL TO 8E PAD Id1+d2431 cbUtthRMdPIOI5￿ 2015

131 131 1• 131 912

Na1￿ of . Th• Olfv• Tr•• c￿[ch {L¢Kal Ecum•nkal P•rtrbw¥hlp) Declarations and Scrutiny SIgn￿reoftrea￿r.......................... .. . . 38 Mon1￿ A¥¢nue Luton Btyjs LU3 1IR Prewntatlon to Iho Chureh tntst•o5 presented to lh8 m8•ting crfth• Church trus* hekl cffl .4. . Sign•tur& of I￿ Chair ofthe moetlThJ ............. ....... Name Lrfthe c￿￿Of￿8 ....J.:...sH£kW..Q.O?......... Independent Examlneffs Report to the Trustoes of the 011￿ Treo Cur¢h ( Local Ecumenlcal Partnershlp) Charlty Nwnb•r. 1198158 R••ponslbllllle• and bJ•l• of r•port 31 August 2022 set ¢Jut C￿ pages l. to 3. As the tru5te&s, are re$[￿S4b1e tsthe . I rewt in resped of ry gxomination ofihe Church's 8Kcowts carried rArt undpr 145 of Ihe Aca i anA. n ¢arrwg out my examinaknon, I have fol¢Md al the 8ppts¢able Otr¢¢b￿S given by Ihe Charity Comnwth uruter seciw 1445Kbl rfthè ACL 4rfS

Nam8 of Church . The Olive Tree Churcj) (Local Ecumenical Partnership) Independent Examlnorfs Statement I have completed my eXamina￿n. I confim that no material matters have come to my attention in connect￿n wilh examinat ' whith give me cause to t￿tseve that in. any material respett. the accounts'ng reC￿rdS We￿ not kept in accordan￿ v￿th 130 of the Act.. or the ￿)Unts do not accord ￿ the aCc￿n￿ rwds. I have no cOn￿M$ and have come across no other matters in o)nnection wth the examinati¢)n to which attention should be drabyn in this rewrt in order to enable a proFer understanding of the accounts to be reached. I k8vefftave not. obtained independent verifution of all Investm￿ with the Trustees for Methodlst Church Purposes or held in other trusts, bank balarKes and fvnds at the Central Finan￿ Board of the Methodist Church are indNidualty in ex(x&8 of £10,(KJO (ten Ihousand [￿nds} at the balance sheet date. signatu￿ of IrKlependent examiner Name of Independent examlner .V.o CKAA Relevant professional qualrfication of indepetht examiner !?Er!A!>... A. Date t*..: !l....&oz ' delete or circle as apprwiats Sep22 2015 P. 5015

Notes to THE OLIVE TREE Accounts Year ended 31 2022 The Olwe Tree Church is a local ecunrnical partnership comprising the Blenhelm Crescent 8aptist Churth and St Margarets Meth¢xlirt Church. The Partnershipp wbKh had been operating inforrnollyfor sorrt years, was le1•1￿ Inst￿1fted on l April 2021. It has been aR￿ed that the LEP woull operate on a'sin purse, prfnclp31 wlth all rnonetary accounts under the control of the Trusthes ol the LEP. AJI incoffand eXp￿￿tture would be reflected in the LEP accounts Iwf inactordance with the ￿￿ulatiOnS apFertaIni￿tQath Chureh the ownernhlp of Church buildin85 rtmalns wlth the indmdual ¢hurthes. In the event of a di5501￿10n of the LÉP Ét isayted thatGeneTrl Funds held as at the date of di5sOhrt￿n woukl be distributed asfolknws: al The unspent fvnds attributed to each thurch lft respect of legades bequeathed tothe Bèpti$i and Meth¢>Jist churches be returned tothe dentxninational fvnds. itr.t jtwerod by •ach Paft.ne fhab in Y:tr- gf uhd< ￿ld er a+ * Ap%AI 2021 afterthe deduction of the legacy funds held as at l Apfil 2021. will be returned tothe Partner Churche¢ bl In the event tsf eiihera surplus Idefftil arising on GeneTrl fvnd$ over the tenn of the Partr¥ership thi 11 be dittributed equalty between Partnerthuths Le8ary fvnds form part of the General fvnd but rt 15 detided tr￿these￿ndS be Identhd bywoy of note as between th Partner thuwrhe& The bala￿e$ on Leyry Funds as at 31 Wust 2022 were as folli)ws Blenhelm Crescent Baptirt I part ofthe BCBC Deposf£ xcountl 15565.59 TMCP ￿COUnt. MethcAILst des 22304.99 Ollve Tree Church 2097.74