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Lechlade Baptist Church CIO Registered Charity No. 1200361 Accounts for Year Ended 31 December 2024
Regstered Cknrity I2361 I report on my exonimtion of the of 1he above chan.ty Cthe Tnsf) for the ye¢Jr ended 31 December 2024. (md setout IYÉ eS 3 4 att*xhed. As charity trustees of the Tnst. you are respongble for the preparth.on of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Chan"ties Act 2011 Cthe Acr). I report in respect of my exomimtion of the Trusys acCts carried out Imder section 145 of the 2011 Act. having followed the appficable Directions gwen by the (Iwity Commission under section 145(5)b of the Act. My examirntion was carried out in accordance with the general thrections given by the Charity Commissi¢XL An exami includes a rewew of acCOtry records kept by the charity and a comparison of the acco presented with those records. It also includes consideration of uwsuol itews or disclosures in the 1xcow. QKI seeking explanations from the appointed officers of the LThurch concerning (ry matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence thot w(wld be required in (m dIt. and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts esent a'true and fairf view and the report is fimited to those matters set in the statement below. In connection with my examination. no matter has come to my attention: (i) which gives me reas(% cixse to bebeve that in materiol respect the requirements: (a) to keep accou1 records in aCcOre with section 130 of the 2011 Act: and (b) to prqwe acc<ymts which accord witti the accountiNJ records to comply with the aCCoti requirem& of the 2011 Act have not been met: or (2) to which. in my wruon. attelrtl4 should be dr in ¢)rder to enable a proper understan&ing of the accounts to be reached. . 2025 26 St Phillips R¢ad. ijp 5wiThJon. SN2 7QH
2023 Totsl Incoming Resouros Collettions. donattons & other g-fft5 Grants Received Planned Giving Loose Collections Tax Refunds 495 279 495 279 7.480 1.149 558 2373 558 2373 GiftAid 373 930 1,656 12.000 Use of Church Beans Café Manse ReFrt Interest 1.499 27 27J25 27 27J25 25,686 Gifts & rrthes BU - Home Mission BMS- World Mison Educacion Plus Other Mission Agencies Metropolitan Mission. Intra ' Pa¢Loral Support I00 6200 6200 L500 240 1,300 5.500 240 1,273 11,553 Totsl Gsfts & rrthes J80 280 thurth Costs Heat. Light & Water Maintenance New Fixtures & Frttings Insurance CCLI Licences / rr Cleaning & Flowers & Ststio Totsl Church Costs L430 9979 1,569 11.895 214 783 770 1,292 9979 L051 14,166 14.166 Other Expen Visiting preacher/ mustctan exp* Baptist Union Subscription Beans Legal Costs Other expenses Auditor's honorarium 880 170 526 1,280 407 81 3262 Manse Costs Insurance 376 1241 376 1241 331 1.485 Ridgeway Fees Total Manse Costs 3J17 3J17 3257 Total - All Expenses 30266 30266 34.595 Total Income less Expenditu (3.140) (3.140) (8,909) Cash Balan at l January 14,845 23.754 Cash Balance at 31 December 11.705 I445 The notes overleaf fonn part of these account&
financial Statements year ended 31 December 2024 Statement of Assets and Liabilities 31-Dec-23 Bank Accounts Barclays Bank IL705 14A45 11.705 14,845 Debtors Working4Wellbeing Baptist Insurance HMRC re GiftAid 60 L8 L657 3.470 2571 2.631 Uabllltles Chaplaincy to Swindon Crown Court 250 400 Other Assets indude: Freehold Churth premiw at&wtx StreeL Lechlade Freehold Manse. at 3 The Close. Hambidge lane. Lechlade Church Organ. Piano. Computer and Photocopier Church Fthwes Manse FtureS and Fittings Notes l This was received from the Bapttst rspett of50% ofthe cost of (ming out the church building quinquennial inspection in 2023. 2 Education Plus operates in the shanty towns of Costs Rica for the relief of poverty and advanrnent of educ3tion paticularly afiongst chiktren and young persors in Costa Rica. Opportunity ar05e for it to buy at a favourable pri the premises it had been using for many years. A very generous offer to prots mostofttE fu rame from a canaSed tharity. LBC agreed to make an addiiional. 4)ecial donation of E5JKKJ. 3 Includes Medical Misg"onory News and Soaetyfvr Dtstrdxn9 HebrewScnpknre5 4 Brickwork repair and repointing with IiTne mortar. Furtherwork is required on the north wall. The building is over 200 years oEd and Grade 2 Listed. 5 2023 relates to the fonnation ofthe new ao. 6 2023 includes payment in respect of 2023 and 2022 accou 7 Following an arson incident atthe church prerri a shed and its contents were destroyed. The claim was settted in JaTwary and ad received r%arding security will be implemented. Signature: Iq A Ji02(
Lechlade Baptist Church
ACM Review of the Year - January December 2024
Review of the Year
During the twelve months from January to December 2024 60% of services were taken by visiting speakers, 40% by members of LBC. Two services were not held due to strong gale storms. The following specific services were held: Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Christmas Carol Service, Christmas Day, our Covenant Service and three Bring and Share services.
Visiting speakers were as follows: Mr. Alan Bailey, Mr. John Cairns, Mr. Bill Eteson, Rev. Roger Hitchings, Mr. Tony Jones, Rev. Dr. Andrew Kirk, Mr. Grev Parmenter, Mr. Alan Pilbeam, Rev. Geoff and Mrs. Hope Price, Rev Simon King.
Members of LBC who took services were Mr. David Chandler, Mrs. Lisa Cherrett, Mrs. Ann Hopkins, Mr. David Hopkins. We joined with St. Lawrence for the Remembrance Day Service. Thanks must go also to our four accompanists: Mrs. Anne Crowe, Mrs. Lisa Cherrett, Mrs. Ann Hopkins and Mr. Bill Eteson.
January 2024 : Our Covenant Service was held at the beginning of the month.
A gift of £1,000 was sent to Medical Missionary News.
February: News was received that LBC’s Christmas Child boxes were successfully received in Belarus. Rev. Keith Holder returned from his extended visit to Costa Rica.
March : The World Day of Prayer Service was held in Lechlade Baptist Church. A Quinquennial Report Grant of £279.00 was received. Copies of the Safeguarding Policy were made available to members and friends. £5,000 was sent to Educacion Plus (EP) in Costa Rica as a contribution to the purchase of a house in San Jorge that can be used not only as the EP Office but also for classrooms and workshops. A donation of £1,000 was also sent to the Baptist Missionary Society (BMS) World Mission working in Ukraine The monthly rent for the Manse was increased by £50.00.
April: Three stonemason companies were contacted to give estimates on repairs to the church south- west walls.
May: Two new taps were fitted in the church kitchen and a new water meter installed. Sadly, it was decided to terminate the services in St. Birinus Complex taken by members and friends of LBC due to ill health and lack of manpower.
June: Mrs. Maureen Duffey accepted the role of DBS validator (checker) along with Mr. David Hopkins. A gift of £500.00 was sent to the Society for the Distribution of the Hebrew Scriptures.
July: Norse Brickwork began the cleaning and repairing of the south and west walls of the church and upgrading the guttering on the west wall. The coffer tomb of William Fox, the church founder, was also re-pointed. The membership decided that each month one Bible Study on a Wednesday morning should be replaced by a prayer meeting.
August: The church gallery was reorganized and a number of out-of-date items removed. It was decided to continue the Ladies’ and Men's Bible studies this month. New plants were planted in the church garden. Two of the main lights in the church were replaced, bringing the full complement to eight. We said farewell to Mrs Ann Crowe, one of our church accompanists, as she moved to Cumbria.
September: Mrs. Maureen Duffey, Mrs. Ann Hopkins and Mr. David Hopkins completed their Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) updated training and certification. The wi-fi system in the church was upgraded. Preparations began for the Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child Appeal.
October: A Harvest Supper was held, including a video on the work of Operation Agri. The church fire extinguishers were inspected (one of which was replaced). An arson attack was carried out on the church garden destroying a number of plants, hanging baskets, water butt and a shed with its contents (chairs,
Christmas decorations, a large Nativity Set, a wheelchair, an A1 flipchart and easel, and a broom). Police Forensics visited the site and gave advice.
November: Norsebrick completed the repairs on the church gallery wall. Baptist Insurance offered full compensation for all items damaged in the arson attack. DNA marking was carried out on all church property. The Crime Prevention Report was made available to members and friends. A new gas hob was fitted in the church kitchen.
December: Advice was sought from sister churches as to the usefulness of CCTV cameras being installed as against motionsensor lighting. The Christmas Carol service was held on the 15th of the month.
During the year, we continued live streaming of our morning services on You Tube. Ladies’ and Men’s Bible Studies were held weekly. Leadership meetings were held every month an d Members’ Meetings every two months.
Our Hobbies and Handicraft group met the first Monday of every month. Later in the Year this became the Hobbies, Handicraft and Horticulture Group. “Beans” café was open every Saturday morning throughout the year, and the Working for Wellbeing weekly “Talking Café” on Thursday mornings. The Church Newsletter was produced during the year, keeping everyone up to date and providing a means of informing visitors about LBC’s past, present and future activities. During the year, LBC premises were used by Lechlade Voices Choir, a WI Reading Group and occasionally groups from St. Lawrence Church.
David Hopkins
Beans Café
“Beans” has continued to be very popular over the past year and has a wide range of faithful “customers” as well as numerous visitors appearing at the door. A word of thanks must be given to those who run the kitchen, serve at the tables and provide the delicious homemade cakes, bara brith, cheese and fruit scones and so much more. This year has seen a very welcome increase in the number of those who have given their time and energy to “Beans”, especially Pam and Geoff. From the setting up of the tables, the coffee machine, washing up, vacuuming, to the rearranging of the furniture ready for the Sunday service, your help and support has been very much appreciated.
David Hopkins
Ladies’ Bible Study Group
The Ladies Bible Study group continues to meet in church on Wednesdays at 10:30 am, starting with tea or coffee and a catch up, before settling down to study the Word.
Our current study guide is based on the second coming of our Lord Jesus and entitled “End Times.” There are 13 studies, and we are almost at the end, having spent two sessions on each of the lessons. Some have been challenging, to say the least, and have instigated lively discussions.
Engaging with God’s word is crucial for spiritual growth and together we can support and encourage each other in our daily walk.
We are a small group of approximately nine, but we love to have visitors and always welcome new members .
Maureen Duffey
Men’s Bible Study
During the past year we have been studying and discussing “Evangelism” and “Hebrews” in the Lifebuilder Bible Study Series. Many a time discussion has inevitably taken us deeper into the Word of God. It has been a pleasure to have Dr. Colin Slater join us in our studies and discussions. Wednesday mornings at 10.30 am are times of real blessing as we study and pray together. We are a small group but there is always room for more men to join us!
David Hopkins
Hobbies, Handicrafts and Horticulture
This group meets on the first Monday of the month from 2:00pm – 4:00pm. It is an opportunity for members and friends of our fellowship to come along and bring any handicraft project they are working on or their gardening expertise. There is always some work to be done in the garden and the next project is restoring the area where the shed was burnt down.
We would appreciate some enthusiasm and ideas for what could be done.
Our handicraft project is the creation of a new flag for LBC. Maureen and I have now almost completed the flag and are deciding where we can place it.
Some friends regularly bring along their individual craft projects and work on them. We chat while we work and have a cup of tea/coffee too.
Ann Hopkins
Tools with a Mission (TWAM)
In common with all charities, TWAM has had its share of challenges and changes. Personnel have come and gone, notably Mike Griffin (chief executive), has been replaced by John Noble, and various other long serving members have retired and/or departed. Other pressures have come with the many and varied legal and financial hoops which the organization has had to jump through.
The amount of equipment which has been donated continues to both impress and delight, the details of which can be seen on the noticeboard underneath the world map in the church. I receive a monthly update and anyone wishing to see this can ask me and I will gladly forward it on.
On a more personal level, though, for health reasons, I no longer actively collect but my garage is still being used as a storage facility. I have been promised a large quantity of tools by the group "Men in sheds". Mrs. Mary Bainbridge, from St Lawrence Church, has taken over collecting and has amassed a sizable collection of sewing machines. The work continues.
Thank you for your support and prayers over the year.
Dave Chandler
Educación Plus
There have been no Educación Plus meetings as such at Lechlade Baptist Church this year, although we are very grateful for the church’s continued interest in, prayers and support for our ministry in Central America.
This included a ‘rapid response’ (and an extremely generous one!) to our appeal for help with the cost of purchasing the building that we’d been renting as our office in Costa Rica. The landlady was in her 80s and didn’t wish to continue renting after thirty years of the Holder family living there and then, after their return to England, EdPlus using it as an office. Lechlade Baptist’s immediate response was the first of a number of important gifts
for that purpose but was particularly significant because it confirmed to us that it was God’s will to continue with the process.
After completing all the complicated legal requirements, (large amounts of foreign money coming into Costa Rica immediately arouse suspicions of drug running and money laundering) the purchase of the property was finally settled in December. It actually consists of two houses on one plot and, during my time back in Costa Rica in January and February, the EdPlus team were busy clearing out the back house after the tenants had left it in a pretty disgusting and run-down condition. Juan Carlos now has some exciting plans for the two buildings together; including a conference area and classrooms for the teenagers from the shanty towns who benefit from the various courses we offer, mainly at weekends.
Juan Carlos has plans to visit the UK in May/June this year to help celebrate 30 years of Educación Plus UK and stimulate continued interest and giving for the ministry. We hope that Lechlade Baptist Church will be able to host a meeting during his time here, when he will be able to update us, not only with news of the office development but also of the important ministry of EdPlus.
Life in the shanty towns of Costa Rica continues to be difficult and often very dangerous. During my two months back there, there were a number of deadly shootings in one of the places where we work, including five such murders in less than 24 hours in an area smaller than Lechlade. Two of the victims were exmembers of the Educación Plus Bible club and youth group there. Ninety-nine percent of these murders result from the trade in illegal narcotics and the powerful and feared gangs that operate it. Please continue to pray for safety and wisdom for the EdPlus staff as they seek to shine God’s love into such challenging and dangerous circumstances. Thank you.
Keith Holder
Working for Wellbeing
We would like to start by expressing our heartfelt thanks to Lechlade Baptist Church for their continued support in allowing Working for Wellbeing to use their space.
As a charity focused on signposting and providing support, one of our main goals is also to reduce isolation and loneliness in the community. We have made significant progress toward this through our Talking Café, which runs every Thursday from 10:30 AM to midday. We are also pleased to announce that, thanks to a generous grant, we have been extending our Talking Café hours once a month with an option to stay for food. W4W has also been offering a community meal in the evening at the Lechlade Memorial Hall once a month. These have not been as well attended as we would have liked.
These meals create a warm, welcoming space for everyone to come together and enjoy a meal- a recent survey I took demonstrated that the majority of attenders live on their own and the W4W events give them a routine and for some are the highlight of their week. To further expand our outreach, Working for Wellbeing is introducing a Craft and Chat session once a month at Lechlade Baptist Church, in partnership with No Labels. These crafting sessions are free and take place on the first Thursday of every month from 7 PM to 9 PM. We hope this new initiative will provide another avenue for connection and support.
W4W have been able to offer theatre and Shopping trips to the locals at very low cost as well as a trip to Westonbirt Abortorium in the Autumm.
In addition to our in-person activities, we also offer digital support, available during the Talking Café or by appointment. We are excited to announce that we are partnering with the Lechlade Health Centre to offer a pop-up service for anyone needing assistance with their devices or help navigating the NHS app. As
we look to grow and reach more people, we are reviewing our marketing efforts to better connect with the local community. We have always felt that Lechlade, being slightly more rural, could benefit from greater awareness of our services, and we are committed to improving this.
Thank you to everyone who has supported us so far- a massive shout out of thanks goes to our team of Volunteers who always show up with a welcoming smile and go above and beyond, and we look forward to continuing to serve the community.
Working for Wellbeing Team