## **ARDAL GWEINIDOGAETH BRO EIFIONYDD MINISTRY AREA** **ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024** **Registered Charity Number: 1201299** **ARDAL GWEINIDOGAETH BRO EIFIONYDD MINISTRY AREA TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024** The Trustees present their annual report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31[st] December 2024. ## **Background** The charity's full formal title is 'Ardal Gweinidogaeth Bro Eifionydd Ministry Area', known as ‘Bro Eifionydd’, registered with the charity commission, number 1201299 on 12th December 2022. Bro Eifionydd seeks to advance the work of the Church in Wales locally through public worship, special services and pastoral work, including support for schools, visits to the homes of the elderly and people with disabilities or illness, and witness with other faiths. Bro Eifionydd Ministry Area is an operating district of the Church in Wales, in the Diocese of Bangor, Meirionydd archdeaconry, North Wales. It is approximately fifteen miles across from Abererch on the Llŷn Peninsula through to Beddgelert in Eryri (Snowdonia), with currently nine churches open for regular worship, private prayer and, in some, additional community services. The current Bro Eifionydd ministry area was established in July 2016, following a diocesan reorganisation - most of it was formerly within a ministry area known from 2014 as Bro'r Holl Saint. In earlier times most of the churches were in separate parishes which have been gradually combined to be administered by fewer clergy. The nine churches are in the towns of Porthmadog, Criccieth and Beddgelert, and villages Abererch, Llangybi, Llanystumdwy, Treflys, Borth-y-gest and Dolbenmaen. Some of these church sites have been used continuously for Christian worship since the 7th century, and the oldest current buildings date from 14th century, several are listed buildings, some grade I. Bro Eifionydd area also includes eight churches either closed, or no longer used for regular worship, at Llanarmon, Criccieth St Deiniol's, Pentrefelin, Ynyscynhaearn, Porthmadog (old) St John’s, Tremadog, Penmorfa and Llanfihangel y Pennant. Four of these remain open to the public or are in use providing community services. ## **OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES** ## **Objectives and aims** Its object is the promotion of the whole mission of the church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical in the ministry area. ## **Public benefit** The Trustees have given consideration to the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit and believe the charity provides public benefit. ## **Review of Activities in the Year** 2024 began with a new beginning, as Archbishop Andrew blessed and commissioned New St John’s, the new home for the congregation of St John’s Church Porthmadog. The support from across the Ministry Area was greatly appreciated and the national interest in the story took us by surprise, but we quickly felt at home. During 2024, the Service pattern established during the previous year became fully established, and the regularity of that pattern has borne fruit, including a change to the day and time of the midweek Eucharist at St Cyngar’s, Borth y Gest to better accommodate the Clwb Coffi social time, which resulted in a reinvigoration of the service, and a closer relationship with local residents who join us for fellowship. Bro Eifionydd continues to be a ‘destination’ for weddings, and many couples this year made the commitment to worship regularly with us to establish a qualifying connection in order to be married here. This has been a source of blessing to both the congregations and the couples, as they find a **ARDAL GWEINIDOGAETH BRO EIFIONYDD MINISTRY AREA TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024** warm welcome and support as they plan their wedding day. Many couples have kept up their connection and return throughout the year. Good working relationships with local reception venues has also brought in couples who wish for their civil marriage to be blessed in church. Messy Vintage continued throughout 2024 in both Cricieth and Porthmadog, serving both the regular congregation and those beyond. This time of creativity, worship and hospitality has been a real blessing for the older members of our community, and has established a fellowship of fun and laughter as well as support through difficult times. Sadly, the Porthmadog branch of the Mother’s Union closed during the year, however the members still meet together regularly, in an informal way for coffee and fellowship. Our relationship with our church school, Ysgol Llanystumdwy continues to thrive with regular assemblies and celebrations for the festivals of the year. We also welcomed some of our non-church schools for celebrations and social events. We look forward to deepening these relationships in the coming year. Between May and July our Ministry Area Leader took a long delayed sabbatical, thanks to the kindness, support and hard work of the retired Clergy and Ministry Team. While away, Kim walked the Camino to Santiago de Compostella and through the generosity of the community raised over £2300 in sponsorship, shared between the Ministry Area and Cymru Verses Arthritis. As ever, Bro Eifionydd loves to get together, and our calendar was busy with social events, as we gathered for meals, games, quizzes, and talks. These events attracted many from beyond our worshipping congregations and has opened our doors to the wider community. This is particularly true of Clwb Coffi and Amser Te, our weekly social outreach drop-ins, offering hospitality and a gathering place, as well as our Monday Teas during the school holidays, originally started as a fundraiser, however many visitors note the warm welcome and fellowship they encounter there. We continued to support Pwllheli Foodbank with food donations and direct cash giving, we also supported Christian Aid, Water Aid, and various Disasters Emergency Committee appeals throughout the year. 2024 saw the loss of some dear friends and keystones in the life of Bro Eifionydd, their loss is keenly felt but their example of faith and service continue to be an inspiration. The weight of mission, ministry and supporting a Ministry Area of 11 Church buildings and 7 worshipping communities falls on to fewer and fewer shoulders and the hard work of our Wardens, Treasurers, Administrator, worship leaders, musicians, and Pastoral Visitors cannot be overestimated, so our thanks go to all who are committed to making Bro Eifionydd the wonderful place it is. ## **Review of financial activities of the Charity** Overall, 2024 saw an increase in loose plate offerings, and donations as well as an increased return on investments. It is impossible to budget for fee income from the Occasional Offices, However, a continued increase in income from weddings is cause for rejoicing, there has also been a large rise in the number of funerals held within the church. There was an increase in the amount raised by various activities in the Ministry Area, the Trustees are aware that this must increase even more if possible. The Ministry Area cannot pay its way simply by relying on church collections. Activities such as _Clwb Coffi_ , which bring people into the buildings can help to lead the way, other fundraising events included social evenings, Flower festivals and a share in the proceeds from the sponsorship of the Rector’s walk along the Camino to Santiago de Compostella. Our decision to keep more Church buildings open during the day, particularly during the summer months has given greater opportunities for people to offer donations. It is good to see continued support for the Food Bank in Pwllheli and also the response to many disaster appeals throughout the year. ## **Volunteers** The charity relies on the support of volunteers in all aspects of its work, including assisting in leading worship, visiting the housebound, engaging in missional activities, such as schools work and fellowship groups. They also help maintain the church buildings through cleaning and regularly inspecting the fabric to keep the structure sound, running the finances, fundraising, stewardship and all aspects of lay leadership from churchwardens, treasurers, administration and safeguarding. **ARDAL GWEINIDOGAETH BRO EIFIONYDD MINISTRY AREA TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024** The Finance team of Treasurers is comprised of volunteers, and the Trustees are very grateful for their continuing commitment and responsibility for the careful administration of the finances. ## **STRUCTURE** , **GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT** ## **Governing Document** The ministry area is governed by a constitution adopted on 31st March 1920, when the Church of England was disestablished within Wales under the Welsh Church Act 1914. ## **Organisational structure** The ministry area is overseen by a Council (‘MAC’) comprising clergy, lay officers and one representative from each church. Members of the ministry area council are the Trustees of the charity, and the following served throughout the year: |Revd Canon Kim Williams|Ministry Area Leader| |---|---| |Christine Dinneen|Ministry Area Secretary/Administrator| |Katharine Dobson|Ministry Area Treasurer| |Brian Sharman|Ministry Area Safeguarding Officer and| ||Ministry Area Warden and St. Cyngar, Borth-y-Gest| |Stephen Hopkins|Ministry Area Warden and St John, Porthmadog| |Valerie Davies-Hughes|St Catherine, Criccieth & St Michael, Treflys| |Keith Burrows|St John the Baptist, Llanystumdwy (Deceased 16/12/24)| |Liz Evans|St Mary, Dolbenmaen| |Paul Handby|St Cybi, Llangybi| |Sally Jones-Morris|St. Mary, Beddgelert| |Will Rowlands|St Cawrdaf, Abererch| ## **Recruitment and appointment of new Trustees** The Trustees are appointed each year at the Vestry Meeting, usually in April or May. Members of the congregations may be deputed to fill casual vacancies as and when required, although this has not occurred in 2024. ## **Induction and training of Trustees** New Trustees are briefed on their responsibilities when attending MAC meetings and encouraged to take suitable training courses provided by the dioceses and the Church in Wales. All Trustees are checked before appointment by the Disclosure and Barring Service (‘DBS’) and training on safeguarding is provided to all Trustees and other groups of volunteers. ## **Risk management** The key risks facing the charity are financial leading to poor maintenance and ultimately loss of premises, loss of key clergy and volunteers, fraud and safeguarding. The MAC considers all of these periodically and is able to mitigate the last two by robust internal controls (two people authorising all expenditure, two people present when counting cash etc) and by regular safeguarding training and applying good practice. However the first two risks have no simple available remedy: the ministry area is currently not able to sustain long-term the maintenance of its property as well as making the expected annual contribution to clergy costs. Similarly the ministry area is reliant on a relatively small group of very committed clergy and volunteers, and recruitment is patchy. This is an ongoing challenge and common to many similar ministry areas in the diocese and across the country. ## **Reporting Framework** **ARDAL GWEINIDOGAETH BRO EIFIONYDD MINISTRY AREA TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024** The accounts comply with Church-in-Wales requirements and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), effective for accounting periods commencing on 1 January 2015 or later. ## **Reserves Policy** The Trustees of each church seek to retain sufficient reserves to meet future operational costs, to cover a period of a minimum of six months. ## **REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS** Bro Eifionydd’s website is www.broeifionydd.weebly.com which contains contact information. Correspondence can be addressed to the ministry team leader, Revd Canon Kim Williams at The Rectory, Y Maes, Criccieth, LL52 0AG. All the churches are insured with Ecclesiastical Insurance, and each church or group of churches has its own account with a range of banks or CCLA investment managers. ## **Statement of Trustees’ responsibilities** The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Report of the Trustees and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).The law applicable to charities requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that year. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to: - select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; - observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP; - make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; - state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and - prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in business. The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011 and the applicable Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. In so far as the Trustees are aware: - there is no relevant audit information of which the charity’s independent examiner is unaware; and • the Trustees have taken all steps that they ought to have taken to make themselves aware of any information relevant to the examination and to establish that the independent examiner is aware of that information. Ardal Weinido aeth Bro Eifion dd Minist Area Accounts for the Year Ended 1 Docembor 2024 BRO EIFIONYDD Règisterèd ¢harfty number 1201299 Anlal Weinido •lh 8ro Elflott dd MlttS6 Rogi$toNd Charfty 120129• arE 31 ber 2024 M•mb&vs d hllnlst Ar•a I rel￿t￿the trustOB8 on my vxgrnrn￿I￿ oflh8 gctounts ofth8 8bw charfty rth•Tr￿sf) lor Iheyeurend•d 31 D￿r￿1b*r2o24. 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