OpenCharities

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

2025-12-31-accounts

Tideswell Parish

Annual Report of the Parochial Church Council For the year ended 31[st] December, 2025

Constitution

Tideswell Parochial Church Council (PCC) is constituted for the furtherance of the work of the Church of England. The Benefice of Tideswell, in the Peak Deanery in the Diocese of Derby, consists of the parish churches of St John the Baptist in Tideswell and St Margaret of Antioch in Wormhill, along with the daughter churches of St John the Evangelist in Cressbrook, Christchurch in Litton and St Anne in Miller’s Dale. The PCC, and the meetings of the other churches of this parish, seek to maintain their respective churches as focal points for Christian witness to the communities which they serve and also to honour their commitment to the wider structures of the Church of England. The PCC is a body corporate and a charity excepted for registration.

Achievements & Performance

During 2025 the PCC continued to run the churches as centres of worship,and were delighted when in March 2025 we were able to welcome the Revd Fiona Kouble as our Vicar. Fiona was licensed and installed as the incumbent of the parish in Lent on March 12[th] by the Bishop of Derby, the Rt Revd Libby Lane.

There were 12 PCC meetings in 2025, including one short one following the APCM to elect officers, and one extraordinary meeting in November. We hold them mostly in the Old Grammar School, but also have moved around the various churches which helps remind us that we are the PCC for the whole Parish. We start and close our meetings with prayer, reminding ourselves that we entrust all our business into God’s hands.

Church Baptisms Weddings Funerals
Tideswell 3 2 ?7
Litton 2 2
Cressbrook 0 0 1 memorial service
Wormhill 3 families:
5 children		 0 1 plus 1 graveside burial
in Peak Dale, and 2 burial
of ashes in Peak Dale
Miller’s Dale No services

At PCC meetings, there were regular finance and fabric reports, wardens’ reports and updates, church reports and safeguarding reports. Service planning, finance and other business matters were shared and discussed.

St Anne’s Church Miller’s Dale, is moving closer towards closure. During the whole of 2025 St John’s still had no heating due to the flooding of the boilers but services continued to take place in Church. An options paper was forwarded to the Diocesan chancellor in March 2025 for consideration. After a difficult year we heard at the end

1

of the year that we would be receiving a Faculty – but as the year drew to a close we were awaiting the final paperwork. We did however progress with cushion and blankets and hand warmers to help mitigate against the cold and from Advent we moved our Sunday morning worship into the Old Grammer School. We are incredibly grateful to Mandy, from the village who volunteered and has made all the cushions that are now available in the church.

We offered a variety of worship across our churches, reintroducing a monthly midweek Communion service and also a new monthly Quiet Contemplative service – Mindful Monday for the 30 minutes at noon usually on the last Monday of the month in St Johns Tideswell.

All of our church families have been actively engaged in their local Wakes celebrations and as ever the Well Blessings offer wonderful opportunities to engage and support our communities. John the Baptist came out not just to join the carnival in Tideswell but also to support the Clypping of the Church

Prayer Trees and stands with Prayer Cards are now present in all of our churches offering people opportunities to encounter and to reach out to God. This feels like an important emphasis of our ministry.

In July we hosted the County Council Civic service at St Johns, an opportunity to offer support to those who give of themselves to serve their local communities and to speak of God’s love and compassion into their work.

In September we were able to celebrate the Lighting Project in St Johns Tideswell with a celebratory service – “Let there be Light” followed by bubbles and canapes. We had hoped to hold a Pet Blessing service in September in Wormhill – however the vicar fell and broke her wrist the week before so that was postponed.

Links with church schools continued and end of term services were held in St John’s and Christ Church. Carol services were held in the various churches, and a Crib service was held in Christ Litton on Christmas Eve – where the Posada figures returned after their advent adventures around the parish.

The church families continue to do our best to connect and support the wider communities in which we are based – offering help and support a wide range of events and needs.

We relooked at our Parish Pilgrimage ( originally developed by Paul Black and the Revd Simon White), updating it and relaunching in September – and working with Faye Smith, a new church member and also a trained pilgrimage guide – we have also been able to offer guided pilgrimages via her company “HopeWalking”. This has meant that we have been able to offer the pilgrimage in different ways, people can complete it on their own, we have had days where we have said that all 4 churches will be open and finally we can direct people towards a fuller guided pilgrimage option. As we look ahead we are updating the resources and going to work on publicizing and supporting this wonderful resource.

One of these took place on the October 31[st] ,with a focus on Bereavement it coincided with the Day of Remembering that all 4 of our churches engaged in – opening up and

2

allowing space for people to come into a church, reflect on those they have loved and lost. We then offered a Memorial Service on the following day, a service that was much appreciated and complements the Memorial Candles that we offer on Christmas Eve – do please see the report later in this report.

The PCC are grateful to all that have supported the mission and ministry in our church buildings and across our families in 2025.

Connected charities: The PCC works closely with the Trustees of the Restoration Fund which is a separate registered charity.

‘ Worshipping community’ (i.e those regularly attending worship)

Church Adults Children
Tideswell 47 2
Litton 9 5
Cressbrook 3 2
Wormhill 10 0
Miller’s Dale No services

Worshipping Community definitions:

Following consultation with dioceses, the “worshipping community” of a church is defined as anyone who attends that church (including fresh expressions of Church) regularly, for example at least once a month, or would do so if not prevented by illness, infirmity or temporary absence. It includes activities such as fellowship groups and other activities that have a distinct act of worship or prayer. It also includes acts of worship not on church premises (e.g. at a school or community centre). We include those who • come to midweek services; • are ill and unable to come to church; • are away on holiday or business; • have home communions; • are part of a regular 'fresh expression' of church; • live in care or residential homes and would consider themselves to be full members of their church; • give regularly to their church; • lead worship (e.g. clergy).

Vicar’s Report

It was a great joy to join you in March as the new Vicar and I know that both Roland and myself have been overwhelmed by the warmth of the welcome we have received

At my interview I was asked to share piece of scripture and explain how I would go about building new worshipping communities – and so I got out of my bag my favourite mug and a wooden cross ( I wanted to get out some carved wooden hands – but they were temporarily missing) and I shared the story from that first Easter Sunday from Luke Chapter 24. Two of Jesus’ friends are walking away from Jerusalem towards the village of Emmaus – they are confused and bemused discussing all that has happened when a stranger appears by the roadside and joins them. He asks them what they are talking about – and they are amazed that he hasn’t heard all about their friend Jesus of Nazareth – newly arrested and executed – and the gossip by the women that they had seen him that very day – alive - this makes no sense! The man who has joined

3

them then carries on alongside them explaining to them how all of this had to happen – “ Then he said to them, ‘Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! [26 ] Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?’ [27 ] Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures”

When they arrive at the village they invite him to stay and as he breaks bread with them they suddenly realise that this was Jesus all along and he vanishes from their sight.

‘Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?’

I love this story and this image of Jesus joining us, walking alongside asking us what we are bothered about – listening and then exploring and explaining.. and as we welcome him in – that moment of revelation…

At interview I explained that it struck me that to minister, to share our faith, to see that growth requires prayer ( hence my wooden cross) – intentional prayer and lots of cups of tea (or coffee if that is your want!) as we simply come alongside one another as we listen, as we care and as we then explore how God might already be in that situation/ that place/ that life.

And so it has come to be that here, as your new vicar I have had the privilege of coming alongside you, of gently and gradually getting to know our churches, our communities, our schools… of becoming known as well. And this is a journey that has only just begun!

It is a great honour to come and live and serve you as your vicar, I pray that as we continue to journey together we will experience “our hearts burning within us” as we recognise the Risen Lord journeying alongside, infront and behind us.

Please do take note of the rest of this report there is much to be challenged by, and to rejoice in and I wonder where and how God might be nudging you?

Revd Fiona Kouble

Treasurer’s Report and Annual Accounts

The accounts have been prepared by our Treasurer, Peter Grimshaw and independently audited. The Finance Report is added at the end of this report.

Electoral Roll Report for 2025

During 2025 a completely new Electoral Roll was prepared in accordance with Church statute. The result of this was a decrease in the numbers on the Electoral Roll for the Benefice from 78 in 2024 to 67 in 2025.

Tideswell section of the Roll dropped from 39 to 38. Throughout the full year, there were 2 additions to the roll and 3 who chose not to continue on the Roll. Litton dropped from 15 to 10 partly due to bereavement and as a result of people moving away.

4

Cressbrook dropped from 9 to 5. There was one addition to the roll during 2025. Wormhill remained constant with 12 people on the roll with no additions or deletions.

Miller’s Dale dropped from 4 people to one person, possibly as a result of the closure process.

Gillian Richards. Electoral Roll Officer

Peak Deanery Synod

Dates of meetings held at Chapel-en-le-Frith Primary School

Wednesday 2[nd] April 2025, Wednesday 2[nd] July 2025.

Wednesday 12[th] November 2025

Area Dean – Rev’d Dr David Mundy (retired 31[st] July 2025)

Assistant Area Deans – Rev’d Mark Griffin; Rev’d Louise Petheram; Rev’d Fiona Kouble (from 28[th] May 2025)

Lay Chair – Canon Nikki Goodhew

2025 Peak Deanery Synod Membership

House of Laity: Number of Representatives as per Diocesan Formula – 76 ( 2 members from Tideswell Parish) House of Clergy Number of clergy: 19 Number of elected Representatives – 45

Synod 2[nd] April 2025

At our April meeting Nikki invited us to consider questions of pastoral care, including what is distinctive about Christian pastoral care, how it is organised in our parishes, and where the boundaries are between what we do as friends and what we do as church members. A lively discussion ensued! We also said goodbye to Rev’d Canon Tony Kaunhoven prior to his retirement, and David spoke warmly about the many ways that Tony had provided leadership and support to parishes, the Deanery and the Archdeaconry over many years.

Synod 2[nd] July 2025

For this Synod meeting we were joined by Mandy Cornwall, Headteacher of St Andrew’s C of E Junior School in Hadfield, and Liz Seymour, Deputy Diocesan Director of Education. Mandy led our opening worship and then talked about the difference being a church school makes, and about the MACAWS project in St Andrew’s School which supports pupil wellbeing and mental health. Liz asked us to think about our church’s mission with schools, and how churches and schools can work together in partnership. Later in the meeting we agreed the Deanery accounts for 2024 and the budget for 2026. We also welcomed Fiona as an Assistant Area Dean, and although David was unable to be with us we thanked him for his contributions to the Deanery over many years and wished him well for his retirement, which Nikki conveyed to him after the meeting.

5

Synod 12[th] November 2025

We welcomed Alison Fletcher from Derbyshire Rural Chaplaincy to our November meeting to talk about the work of the chaplaincy, and some of the issues facing the agricultural sector in our diocese and how we can support it. We then split into small groups to discuss our parish’s links with the farming community, and these discussions were then shared together. Mark also congratulated Nikki on her appointment as a lay canon of Derby Cathedral, and we heard a cautionary tale from one parish urging us to check our electrical systems are suitable before installing new appliances or heating systems!

At the end of 2025 we were still waiting for the appointment of a new Area Dean, and in February 2026 it was announced that Rev’d Fiona Kouble would be taking on this role. We look forward to welcoming Fiona as Area Dean at our next Deanery Synod meeting.

Canon Nikki Goodhew, Lay Chair

Safeguarding Report

Since taking over the role of Parish Safeguarding Officer last year, Anna Crease has been trained in all relevant safeguarding training to take on the role. Safeguarding has been spoken about more this year and it has been brought to the forefront of everyone’s mind with dedicated time being given to safeguarding and updates during every PCC meeting. All relevant safeguarding documents are up-to-date: safeguarding posters are displayed in all Churches and church buildings. A safeguarding phone has been reset and a new safeguarding email address has been set up to ensure there is a direct line for people in the parish to raise safeguarding concerns with the safeguarding officer. The Parish Safeguarding Hub has also been adjusted with up-to-date data, which is currently being updated to hold information about roles of people in the parish and their DBS checks and safeguarding training. Anna Crease, the safeguarding officer, receives monthly safeguarding updates from the diocese and she is able to access monthly face-to-face events with other safeguarding officers to refresh her safeguarding knowledge in a timely manner.

Anna Crease

Church Reports

Churchwardens’ Reports [includeing report on the Church Buildings and fabric].

Tideswell – St John the Baptist:

British Legion flag cleaned and rehung in church. 13[th] January Fire Alarm testing, Institute, Library and OGS. Rhode. 30[th] January New lighting in church tower. Current Standard Electric, February. Low pruning of trees on churchyard. Will Brindley / Peter Robinson, 25[th] / 28[th] February Paths cleaned and jet washed. MB, DR, PR, February. A faculty for a replacement church heating system was submitted to the DAC, 2[nd] March No response had been received by the end of the year, 2025. Organ serviced. Thomson’s,19[th] June

6

GBSG Roof Alarm serviced. 24[th] June Fire Alarm testing, Institute, Library and OGS. Dan Rhode. 21[st] July Fire extinguishers serviced, church, Institute and OGS. Also, Cressbrook Church. Trust Fire, 6[th] August. Church roof cleaned of debris. 26[th] August New floodlighting of tower and pinnacles on tower roof. Current Standard Electric, October Gas safety inspection / service, Institute. Chris Edmundson 5[th] November Lightning Conductors Inspection. W E Harrison. 10[th] November Organ serviced. Thompson, 3[rd] December Institute, Old Grammar School, Library five-year Electrical Inspection. Dan Rhode, 16[th] December Church bells and clock maintenance provided by the Ringers. Church cleaned by the ‘Ghost Dusters’ team. Flower tubs maintained by Beth Lawrence. Pursglove Lodge continues to be let. No change. Will Brindley maintained the churchyard throughout the summer. Plans for the toilet extension for OGS were put on hold whilst alternative ideas are investigated. During the year, the year the lights/ lanterns at the church gates have been restored. Buster Crabb, paid for by the FOSJ. Mandy Halsey made cushions for church pews.

Many thanks to all who helped in any way towards the upkeep of the church and adjacent buildings and grounds throughout the year.

Peter Robinson and Gillian Richards

Litton – Christ Church:

We welcomed Fiona in March and one of her first events was the end of term service for the school which was much appreciated by the parents. The was followed quite quickly by Easter services which were very well attended. The normal services of Holy Communion on the first Sunday of the month and the all age round the Kitchen table service on the third have continued. The regular congregation for the former has remained about the same while the kitchen table service has attracted several additional families.

A much needed boost to church funds was provided by the annual plant sale, a strawberry tea event and a privately organised party. The feedback from the party was that the church made an excellent venue for such an occasion. The school has continued to use the church for services, a summer play and Nativity at Christmas.

Combined the regular giving, collections, donations from school parents towards the costs of staging the plays and the events just about balance the expenditure which leaves very little available to keep the church in a good state of repair.

Mike Burrell

Wormhill - St Margaret of Antioch:

7

I have to report my great concerns at the reduced attendance at our regular Sunday services in this Parish Church. Numbers are worryingly low and efforts are being made to let people know that their presence is vital for the future of this building. We are doing this by word of mouth and by Facebook, I might add this is no reflection on the Minister who has been a ‘breath of fresh air” and we all need to continue to support her as she has done with at our Well Dressing Festival, Harvest Supper and Christmas Coffee Morning.

The other Churchwarden who also acts as our church Secretary has been indisposed for the last six months making the continued running of the Church Council very difficult. We have of course submitted our Year End financial accounts which have been approved and show a healthy balance under the circumstances.

Despite all this we are looking into the provision of water and kitchen/toilet facilities which in this day and age is essential. We need also as a matter of urgency to provide in the churchyard a Garden of Remembrance and also to highlight with the War Graves Commission that we have TWO such graves at Wormhill and ONE at Peak Dale. Whilst mentioning Peak Dale Village I know that Fiona is also doing her best to bring them back into the fold and us in contact with the Community and the Primary School.

Barry Peirson,

Cressbrook – St Johns the Evangelist:

This year, the message has been to rejuvenate Cressbrook Church and what it can offer to the local community. With the uncertainty of the last few years, it has taken its toll on the amount of regular parishioners visiting the Church on a regular basis. We started the year with a Church meeting to discuss ways to move Church forwards and events to encourage people to spend time in the building. During February half term, we opened Church to families to access breakfast, toys and craft making activities. We planned a Flower Festival for April 2025, however the road closure meant that this needed to be postponed, which will hopefully happen in Summer 2026. The Band played their annual Good Friday hymns on Good Friday Rock over the Easter period and Fiona held one of her first Café Church sessions. In May we held another Café Church on the second Sunday of the month and the Church hall was then used for well dressing preparation during the last week of the month. In June, the well dressing was displayed outside Church with Church open all week to welcome visitors. A Café was run in the school room during the weekends of the well dressing week and we welcomed many visitors and raised some money for the Church funds. We have welcomed a couple of pilgrimages during the year, which has been lovely and in October, Cressbrook Band supported our Harvest Service, which was really well attended with refreshments being served afterwards. In November, Church was opened for the memorial day, where we had many past residents return to remember family members. The yearly Remembrance Service started in Church and ended at the war memorial opposite the club. At the end of November, we hosted the fifth Sunday of the month whole parish service with a shared lunch, which was very successful. December saw a Christmas Coffee morning, an advent candle wreath making event and a Carol Service, which were all very well attended. As we entered this new year, we have concentrated on making events consistent, which has been a focus on Café Church every second Sunday of the month. Shrove Tuesday brought

8

pancake making into the school room, as well as making ash on the fire outside. The Church has undergone some improvements with new electrics being fitted and new heating being explored to ensure the Church is fit for use into the future.

Anna Crease

Miller’s Dale -St Annes:

No services have taken place at Miller’s Dale Church and the move towards closure is progressing.

Bellringers

2025 has seen ringing at practices and for services every week, with just a handful of exceptions.

A full peal of Yorkshire Surprise Major was rung in August by members of the Durham and Newcastle Diocesan Association of Church Bellringers, as part of the annual Tideswell/Durham bellringers August get together. Ten quarter peals were rung at Tideswell last year, all by local ringers. There were several of note, with one rung at the memorial service of Rev’d Simon White in February, one rung prior to the service of installation of the Rev’d Fiona Kouble in March, and one following the funeral of Geoff Goodall in November, former tower captain at Tideswell. Seven visiting bands came to ring at Tideswell during 2025.

Two weddings were rung for at Tideswell during 2025, and none at Wormhill.

New ropes arrived for the Wormhill bells in May. Five quarter peals were rung in 2025, all for services, four of them by local ringers and one by ringers on the Tideswell/Durham bellringers weekend in August. There was one visiting band to Wormhill, and a Peak District meeting was held there in September. There were also two occasions when ringing was opened up for those hadn’t experienced Wormhill bells before, as they take a bit of getting used to, given their size!

Tideswell ringers took part in the Peak District striking competition held at Stanton in Peak, coming second in both the method ringing category and the call change ringing category. Neither band went on to take part at Horsley for the whole Derby Diocesan final due to it being during Tideswell wakes week.

Recruitment is an ongoing focus, there continues to be only 7 Tideswell bellringers (having lost Eileen to ringing in October, but gained Philip as full member of the DDA in September), so we are always reliant on others from local towers to be able to ring all 8 bells, and we are fortunate to be very well supported in that respect, which is reciprocated when possible. We have two recruits who all going well, will become full members in the next few months.

We are very grateful to Giles Lacey of Hartington for supporting us with both bell maintenance and also the clock chime maintenance.

We were very saddened by the loss of our former tower captain, Geoff Goodall in November, and also the shock diagnosis that Eileen Goodall received in October. The gradual transition of the tower secretary/treasurer duties from Eileen to Gillian Beer planned at our AGM in May had to be expedited rather more quickly than planned.

9

The year ended with our customary ringing out the old and ringing in 2026.

Josh Eldridge, Tower Captain

The Year’s Mind List 2025

As usual this list was updated during “Twixmas” (2025) in readiness for implementation at the start of next year.

Changes from previous years

As previously names are added at the request of loved ones, for a nominal fee. Thanks to Gill R. for dealing with requests during the interregnum. Kathyrn Black

Memorial Candles:

Once again, a successful event for our community. I was so pleased that it was agreed we maintained the tradition of holding the event & service in church despite still having no heating.

October was a busy month:-

November involved:-

December was full on as usual:-

10

Positive thoughts:-

Kathyn Black

Ministry to Visitors in Tideswell

March 12[th] Fiona’s Licensing Service. Homemade refreshments served in the Institute after the service.

May 3[rd] Makers Market in church. Drinks served throughout the day.

June 11[th] Archaeological Society visit. Drinks and homemade refreshments served. June 21[st] Jonathan Scott Concert. Drinks and homemade cakes/ biscuits served after the concert.

June 22[nd] /23[rd] Wakes. Drinks and homemade cakes etc served throughout the days. June 30[th] Archdeacons Visitation. Drinks and homemade biscuits and tray bakes served before the service.

11

September 13[th] /14[th] – 20[th] /21[st] Heritage Open Days . Drinks and biscuits served throughout all days. September 20[th] Lighting Thanksgiving Service. Drinks and homemade refreshments served after the service. September 27[th] Harvest Supper. Held in the Institute. October 25[th] Choir Concert 1pm. Drinks served from 12 noon. November 1[st] Memorial Day. Drinks served throughout the day. November 29[th] Christmas Fair 11am- 2pm, held in the Institute. Refreshments of soup, savouries and cakes and drinks served throughout. December 8[th] Archdeacon’s Benefice Inspection. Lunch provide of soup, cheese/ biscuits. Served in the Institute. December 21[st] Annual Church Carol Concert. Mulled wine and seasonal refreshments served after the service. Provided by the churchwardens. Tea and coffee continues to be served after the weekly Sunday 9.30am service. Café Church continues to be held in the Institute on the first Sunday of each month.

Janice Robinson

Bookstall

The bookstall is settling into its new home in the de Bower chapel. It probably experiences less footfall and suffers more from petty pilfering, but is still used. Now people pay by card, it's a little hard to quantify sales. Thanks are due, especially, to Samantha Hughes, Judith Torrington and Carol who generously their time and the fruits of their labours with notebooks, notecards, lavender pouches and crochet items and Tideswell Teddies

Juliet Waugh

Tideswell Church Flowers

Gill Richards organised a fortnightly rota of volunteers to place fresh flowers near the high Altar. Lent and Advent excluded.

EASTER: Memorial lilies were once again displayed on the tomb in the chancel. Extra Spring flowers / plants around the church.

Easter Garden in the church south porch, made by volunteers. Easter Cross in church, made from previous years Christmas tree trunk. HARVEST: Autumnal arrangements around church.

DECEMBER: An 18ft Christmas tree erected and decorated in Lytton Chapel. A smaller tree near north door of church. The supplier of the trees, Mr Howes of Cressbrook, donated a third tree free of charge to be ‘raffled’ at the Christmas Fair. Seasonal decorations around the church, including ‘stick’ stars ( kindly made by David Richards) on the pillars.

Fresh flowers in the chancel at Christmas.

Extra flowers throughout the year on occasional dates eg. Fiona’s licensing service, Lighting Thanksgiving, Wakes etc.

Janice Robinson

12

Friends of St Johns, Tideswell

The parish is grateful for the support that has been offered over the years by the members of the Friends of St Johns both in time, energy and financially. Sadly there have been no meetings during 2025 to update but there are plans to relook and revision during 2026. However, many thanks are always owed to the wider community who continue to support us.

Churches Together in Tideswell & District Annual report for 2025:

• Joint Services

Joint services took place throughout the year: friends from Fountain Square Church have continued to join us at Café Church, whilst special services ranged from the Good Friday walk of witness and service to the Christmas morning joint service. This year we joined together in carol singing outside St John’s as a witness, rather than trying fund-raise for a specific charity.

• Tideswell Tea Club

Under the banner of Churches Together Tideswell Tea Club offers a monthly Tea for those over 65 living in the Parish – please see report below

• Lent Group

Discussions followed by a soup lunch were held weekly during Lent, with members of both Churches in attendance. Rev. Carole Marsden led discussion, looking at different crosses as a starting point.

• Posada

The Posada figures progressed around all our villages again in November and December organised by Thelma and her team. Groups of figures were hosted by families from local schools, villagers and local businesses. please see report below

• General

We finally managed to update the bank details, and got a statement for the first time since Margaret Filer moved! Costs have remained constant as the insurance premium has not increased, and that is the biggest ongoing cost.

Treasurer’s report attached: NB year for Churches Together accounts is SeptemberAugust.

13

Churches Together in Tideswell and District: Treasurer’s report

September 2024-August 2025:

Income Expenditure
Christian Aid collection
St John’s sub
FSC Sub
Christmas Collection		 £125.00
£125.00
£125.00
£142.93		 Christian Aid
Methodist
Insurance
RBL Poppy Appeal
Reuben’s Retreat		 £125.00
£181.12
£25.00
£143.93
total £393.93 £350.05

We continue to work together and to enjoy our covenant and fellowship, so that we can work together for the coming of God’s Kingdom both locally and in the wider world.

Katie Eldrige

• Posada

The Posada was again very popular during Advent with 72 households and businesses taking part. Members from all the churches, Bishop Pursglove and Litton schools, many businesses in Tideswell, as well as individual households were involved. The figures all came together on Christmas Eve for the Crib Service. The whole process ran smoothly with the excellent help of the “Billeting Officers”: Gill Richards, Sonia Rigg, Beth Lawrence, Margaret Brignell and staff at the schools. It wouldn’t work without you all so thank you all very much.

Thelma Burrell

• Tideswell Tea Club [Part of Churches Together]

Tideswell Tea Club continues to offer an opportunity for over 65-year-olds living in the parish of Tideswell to meet up for a chat and a traditional afternoon tea We met 12 times in 2025 on the second Tuesday of every month from 2-4pm at Fountain Square Church. We celebrated our

members birthdays each month and have had special teas for Easter, the Tea Club’s birthday in September and at Christmas when we had a visit from Father Christmas who delivered gifts. Children from Bishop Pursglove School also came along and sang carols.

Membership stayed constant at 43 and guests averaged 35 per month. There are 19 Volunteers who help with all aspects of the Tea. All who handle food completed or refreshed their Food Hygiene and Safety training in 2025.

We were inspected by Environmental Health in April 2025 and were pleased to receive a 5-star rating.

Wherever possible food was sourced locally and our bank balance remained healthy [we continue to work on a cost recovery basis]. We continued to use the Community

14

Bus to enable our less able guests to attend without difficulty. The use of the bus was made possible by generous donations from local organisations and is a popular option for those who need it.

Tea Club general insurance was provided by Churches Together and Safeguarding Training was provided to Volunteers under the umbrella of Churches Together.

Administration and organisation is done by Gillian Richards and Pam Muchan [Treasurer]. Since March 2025 , when she took up her post, Fiona has attended whenever possible.

Overview

Tideswell Tea Club continues to grow from strength to strength. The focus will always be built around our community ensuring that warmth friendship and companionship remain at the heart of what we do.

Gill Richards

• Open the book

The Open the Book team visited Bishop Pursglove School and Litton Primary School approximately three times each team during 2026. Barbara Ryder (FSC) continues to lead the team. Janice Robinson

Social Media

The main Social media presence is on the Church of England supported site AChurch Near you where each church is named as part of the wider parish or benefice.

There is a Facebook Page for St John the Baptist Church -which had not been active for over a year which has 181 followers

A new Facebook page was created in mid 2025 – for the whole parish, representing all 4 of the churches ( this was done as it was more realistic to manage one page than trying to start and keep 4 individual pages upto date). Posts are then shared onto the variety of local community pages. This page currently has 161 followers.

We need to consider an Instagram page for the parishes and need to recruit at least 2 more people who can be given editing rights to ensure that we keep the page active

Fiona Kouble

Board Games Night

In July 2025 the vicar initiated our first Board games night offered in the Institute, Tideswell between 7 and 9pm. Initially a one off event they have continued as a monthly event and regularly attract between 8 and 24 people, representing people across the full age range and even welcoming one Great Dane – who admittedly doesn’t join in with the games but is very supportive! We hope to see this evening build in the coming year,

Fiona Kouble

15

REUBEN’S RETREAT REPORT 2025

Donations through collections at Festival services, Harvest and Christmas, have continued to support Reuben’s Retreat in Glossop as one of St John’s chosen charities.

£245 was sent in April, this to pay for two named ‘Lego’ bricks which will be incorporated in a wall in the new wing of the Retreat currently being developed.

£338 was sent in December.

Janice R receives monthly newsletter/ reports.

It is hoped to have another visit to the Retreat during 2026

Janice Robinson

Restoration Committee Report

The Trustees of the Restoration Committee met three times during 2025 in April [AGM], July and October. The meeting planned for February was postponed due to inclement weather. There were no changes to the Trustees during 2025.

Trustees Who Manage the Charity

Trustees Who Manage the Charity Trustees Who Manage the Charity
Ex-officio trustees (4 places)
Vicar Fiona Kouble
Churchwarden Peter Robinson
Churchwarden Gillian Richards
Covenant Secretary Gillian Richards
Trustees nominated by the PCC (4 places – appointed for a term
of 3 years)
Chair Diane Flint
Treasurer Peter Grimshaw
Paul Black
Mike Burrell
Co opted Trustees (up to 3 places–appointed for a term of 3 years)

16

Beryl Robinson Audrey Hopkins Jennifer Bower

During 2025, Kathryn continued to act as Minuting Secretary dealing with correspondence and sending cards and letters of thanks to those who have made donations to the Restoration Fund. There were no requests from the PCC or money paid out for the repair, maintenance and preservation of the Church building itself, although both the continuing ingress of water via the North Transept Roof and the Church downpipes have been discussed as potential areas of future concern. There have been no significant donations to the Restoration Committee during 2025 and the main income was from repayments from the PCC towards the Pursglove Lodge loan which totalled £10,800. This is being steadily repaid and it is expected this loan will be finalized during 2026 and the repayment of the loan for the Lighting Appeal will then begin. As Covenant Secretary, Gill is tasked with sending the required return to the Charity Commission incorporating the audited accounts accepted at a regular meeting of the Trustees – many thanks to Peter G for preparation of the annual accounts and to Alan Brignell for auditing these.

Diane Flint, Chair

Tideswell Benefice, Treasurer’s Report for year ending 31[st] December 2025

The financial position for the Benefice and the individual churches is shown in the table below:

Benefice Tideswell Wormhill Litton Cressbrook Millers
Dale
£ £ £ £ £ £
2025 251844.89 112450.57 61537.56 7,439.29 69431.51 985.96
2024 183646.43 105,358.18 61276.91 9,185.80 6839.58 985.96
Move
ment		 68198.46 7,092.39 260.65 -1,746.51 62591.93 0

Comments on the financial position:

  1. The Benefice has held its own financially over the year.

17

Specific comments:

  1. Cressbrook due to a significant bequest of over £65,000 is now in a stable financial position going forward. This will enable the church to undertake works and projects which previously it has not been in a position to do.

  2. Litton has undertaken some maintenance etc works during the year of nearly £3,000. However receipts from fund raising, weddings and funerals are somewhat lower than the previous year by over £2,500. These factors have contributed to the decline in available funds at the end of the year.

  3. Millers Dale The funds in the bank have remained the same as the previous years as all financial transactions were through Tideswell. There was a generous contribution to costs of £500 from Wormhill towards costs. All expenditure for insurance and electricity though the Tideswell bank account.

  4. Wormhill has had a steady year being well supported by the local community. As mentioned above £500 was contributed to towards the costs of Millers Dale and £3,200 towards the Common Fund being significantly more than its pro rata expected contribution.

  5. Tideswell

  6. a. General. The Old Grammar School, Institute and Pursglove Lodge made a positive contribution but this could have been different had there been any significant works required. Moving forward it is hoped that letting of space in the Institute will make a significant contribution to income in the Institute.

  7. b. The lack of heating in the church has saved over £9,000 a year in gas charges. However when new boilers are installed and we again have a “warm” church costs will increase. We are having issues obtaining a new gas contract due to no consumption for the last three years. With the present issues in the Middle East the increased costs could be significant once we are in a position to enter into a new contract. Currently we are on the standard variable contract which at this point in time is the cheapest option available.

  8. Common Fund. The Benefice made a significantly higher contribution of £30,000 towards the Common fund in 2025 compared to only £5,000 in 2024. Depending on the financial position in 2026 it is hoped that we will be in a position to contribute nearer to the requested sum of £44,602.

  9. Appeal Fund. There was no significant expenditure with regard to the Appeal Fund but Income was generated through general donations contributing a further £6,122.70 to the Common Fund balance of £11,375.76.

  10. Loan Repayment. A further £10800 was repaid on the loan from the Restoration Fund leaving a balance of £7,200 which will be repaid during 2026. The PCC will then be able to commence repaying a further loan from the Restoration Fund of £8,200 in respect of Appeal Fund.

Peter Grimshaw, Treasurer Tideswell PCC

18

Independent examiner’s report to the PCC of Tideswell Parish,

Derby Diocese

We report on the accounts of the Tideswell Benefice for the year ended 31[st] December, 2025 which are set out in the attached accounts.

Respective responsibilities of the PCC and the Examiner

The PCC are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The PCC consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.

It is our responsibility to:

Basis of Independent Examiner's Report

Our examination was carried out in accordance of the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the PCC and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair view’ and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

In connection with our examination, no matter has come to our attention:

  1. which gives us reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements

  2. a. to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011Act; and

  3. b. to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act have not been met:

or

  1. to which, in our opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Name : Alan Brignell

Date : 10[th] March 2026

Administrative Information

Tideswell Parish has two Parish churches: St John the Baptist, Tideswell and St Margaret of Antioch, Wormhill There are three daughter churches: Christchurch, Litton, St John the Evangelist Cressbrook and St Annes Millers Dale

19

Tideswell Parish is part of the Peak Deanery, Diocese of Derby within the Church of England. The correspondence address is: The Vicarage, 6 Pursglove Drive, Tideswell, Buxton SK17 8PA

Membership of the PCC Notes:

Membership of the PCC in 2025 ( from April 2025): Membership of the PCC in 2025 ( from April 2025): Membership of the PCC in 2025 ( from April 2025):
Name Church Notes f
Fiona Kouble PARISH Vicar/Chair
Peter Robinson Tideswell Church Warden/
Lay Chair
Gillian Richards Tideswell Church Warden
Barry Peirson Wormhill Church Warden
Deanery Synod
Ruth Taylor Wormhill Church Warden
Christine McDermott Tideswell Deanery Synod
PCC Secretary
Peter Grimshaw
(Treasurer)		 Tideswell Treasurer/ PCC
Mike Burrell Litton Deputy Church
Warden/PCC
Anna Crease Cressbrook Deputy Church
Warden/PCC
Kathryn Black Tideswell PCC until April 2025
Thelma Burrell Litton PCC
Diane Flint Tideswell PCC
Sonia Rigg Tideswell PCC
Beryl Robinson Tideswell PCC
Janice Robinson Tideswell PCC
Sid Sherborne Tideswell PCC

The Finance Report and audited Accounts were approved by the PCC on 17[th] March 2026 and signed on their behalf by the Revd Fiona Kouble (PCC Chair).

20

illiii iiiiiii= IlllllllllllUlllUlllllll= - Iiiiiiiiiii¥iilliiiiuiiiuiiiiiiiiiu2' giiuii- .

IIIIIUlllllllllllllllUIUIIII Illllllullll IIUlkkklllllUllUllllllllUlUUlllUlllllllll-

Independent examlnerfs report to the PCC of TideswolF Parish, Derby Diocese We report on the accounts of the r￿esW￿l BenefK£ for the year ended 31 St December, 2025 which are set out in the attached accounts. Respectlve responsibS1itles of the PCC and ￿ Examinor The PCC a￿ responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The PCC consider that an audrt is not required for this year under sectK)n 144(2) of the Charrties Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent exarnination is needed. It 18 our responsibility to: Examine the accounts under sedion 145 of the 2011 Art. To follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners under section 145 (5b) of the 2011 Acl," arKI To state whether particular matter8 have ccxne to our attention. Basls of Indep•nd•nt ExamlMf• Roport Our examination was carried out in accordan￿ of the General Directions gtven by the Charty Commission. An examination indudes a review of ts aco)unting records kept by the PCC and a comparison of the accounts presented wth those records. tt also includes consideration of any unusual rtem8 or di8dosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from you as trustees t￿ncerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the eviden￿ that would be required in an audit. and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts pr&8ent a 'true and fair view, and the report is limrted to those mKS set out In the statement beltrw. In connection with our examination, no Matter has CO￿ to our attention: l. which gives us reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements a. to keep accounting records in act0rdan￿ with 8ectMX1130 of the 2011Act,' and b. to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirennts of ts 2011 Act have not been met: or 2. to which, in our oplnion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper urKlerstanding of the accxjunts to be reached. Name . Alan BrvJnell Signed . Date .

Independent examinerfs report to the PCC of fideswell Parish. Derby Diocese We report on the accounts of the T￿SWell Benefi￿ for the year ended 31st December, 2025 which are set out in the attached accounts. Respective responslbllitles of the PCC and thé Examin•r The PCC are responsible for the Prepa￿tiOn of the accounts. The PCC conslder that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It rs our responsibilty to: Examine the accounts urKler sedion 145 of the 2011 Act: To follow the procedures laid down in ts General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners under section 145 (5b} of the 2011 Act," and To state whether particular matters have <x)me to our attentton. Basis of Independent Examlnots Report Our examination was carried out in accordance of Ihe Gener81 Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the PCC and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consKleration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the eviden￿ that would be required in an audit, and consequentty no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a Yrue and fair view, 8nd the report is limited to those matters set out in statement below. In connection with our examination. no matter has to our attention: 1. which give8 us reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements a. to keep accounting records in accordan￿ with section 130 of the 2011Act: and b. to prepare accounts whKh accord with the a(wunting records and comply with the accounling requirements of the 2011 Act have not been met: or 2. to which. in our opinion, attenlion should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of ￿ accounts to be reached. Name . Alan Br¥jr￿lI Signed . Date .