## **2025 Report and Accounts for the Parochial Church Council (Trustees) of St Edmund or St James church, Blunham** This report is for the calendar year 2024. ## **Aim and purposes** St Edmund or St James Parochial Church Council (PCC) has the responsibility of cooperating with the Rector, Revd Graham Buckle, in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish, the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. St Edmund or St James church, Blunham, is part of the Riversmeet Benefice, comprising the four parishes of Blunham, Great Barford, Roxton, and Tempsford with Little Barford. ## **Objectives and Activities** The PCC is committed to enabling as many people as possible to worship at our church and to become part of our parish community at St Edmund or St James. Our services and worship put faith into practice through prayer and scripture, music and sacrament. When planning our activities for the year, we have considered the Commission’s guidance on public benefit and, in particular, the supplementary guidance on charities for the advancement of religion. In particular, we try to enable ordinary people to live out their faith as part of our parish community through: - Worship and prayer; learning about the Gospel; and developing their knowledge and trust in Jesus. - Increasing the range of services on offer with Morning Prayer, Messy Church and Café Church, as well as Holy Communion. - Missionary and outreach work. To facilitate this work, it is important that we maintain the fabric of the church of St Edmund or St James ## **Achievements and Performance** ## **Worship and Prayer** Revd Christopher Scott has now completed his training in the Benefice and is able to apply for suitable posts. Revd Graham has instigated a pattern of worship over all four churches so that each church has two Holy Communion services each month, one at 9.30am and the other at 11am. Our services are: 1[st] Sunday – 11am Morning Prayer, led by Mrs Maureen Munro 2[nd] Sunday – 9.30am Holy Communion - 3[rd] Sunday – 11am Café Church, with a team led by Revd Canon John Parsons 4[th] Sunday – 11am Holy Communion - 5[th] Sunday – 11am Benefice Holy Communion which moves round the churches We have established Messy Church, which is aimed at families and consists of activities around a theme, worship and a meal together. Both Holy Communion services at Blunham are live-streamed and recorded each month, and uploaded to YouTube. The system has been moved to the rear of the church so that it can be monitored from next to the live-streaming equipment. The congregation has grown during the year, with new members joining, sometimes with Café Church being their first experience of services in the church. The usual pattern changes for special services. The 9.30am Holy Communion allows busy people to worship in their local church rather than visiting one of the others in the Benefice. It also means Revd Graham is able to spend time each month with the congregation of each church after their 11am service. Café Church is an informal service which welcomes people new to worshipping in church. It continues to grow its congregation with a number of people attending just this service. This congregation is continuing to grow. Messy Church has grown during the year and has attracted a number of families with young children who are new to the church. Some of these families came to the Crib Service, which we held on Christmas Eve for the second time. The number of attendees was maintained. All are welcome to attend our regular services. There were 52 on the Electoral Roll, six of whom are not resident within the parish. This roll number entitled us to nine Parochial Church Council members. Our thanks to Paul Canty for being our Electoral Roll Officer. As well as our regular services, we enable our community to celebrate and thank God at the milestones of the journey through life. Through baptism we thank God for the gift of life, in marriage public vows are exchanged with God’s blessing, and through funeral and thanksgiving services friends and family express their grief and give thanks for the life which is now complete in this world and to commend the person into God's keeping. The church has performed three baptisms, but no weddings during the year. There have been no confirmations. We have held three funerals in our church in 2024, with Revd Graham conducting one service at the crematorium. There have been no burials of ashes. We were sad to say goodbye to members of our congregation: Gloria Aubrey and Janet Dean. The now-established, discrete Garden of Remembrance has enhanced the churchyard and given a place of reflection with two benches set on paving slabs and golden yew hedging on two sides. Our thanks go to Guy Poltock for volunteering to maintain this area. ## **Deanery Synod** Two members of the PCC sit on the deanery synod. This provides the PCC with an important link between the parish and the wider structures of the church. ## **Pastoral Care** The Blunham Church Support Group sends cards and plants to those in the village who are unwell or who have recently been bereaved. The St Edmund Fellowship meets every month and funds the cards and plants. A full programme for the year was in place. The church co-ordinates and delivers welcome packs to newcomers to the village. The pack includes information from other village organisations. We received a Mission grant of £200 in 2024 from the Deanery to enable us to have professionally-printed folders for the information. ## **Safeguarding** The PCC has complied with the duty under section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016 (duty to have due regard to House of Bishops’ guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults). All PCC members have completed the Domestic Violence course on-line as well as two safeguarding training courses. All members have enhanced DBS clearances. Our thanks to Mrs Rose Pethybridge who is the Benefice-wide safeguarding officer, and to Linda Canty who the Parish Safeguarding Officer for Blunham and Tempsford. ## **Mission and Evangelism** The PCC supports a number of charities each year. We decided to donate more to fewer charities. The ones we are supporting this year are: The National Churches Trust (this is a requirement of the grant we received); Samaritans, MS (Multiple Sclerosis) Centre in Bedford and Warchild. We have also sent donations to the British Legion, John Donne C of E Primary School, and our Christmas Extra Guest collection is sent to SMART Prebend Centre in Bedford. This year our community carol singing took place in the churchyard round a 14 ft Christmas tree on two evenings, with refreshments in the church afterwards. This was also in aid of SMART. The collection on Remembrance Sunday was taken on behalf of the Royal British Legion as well as sale of poppies. A group from the church leads collective worship for John Donne C of E primary school each month. Before the new academic year in 2024 this took place in the school, but since September the school has been able to return each month to the church for this. In December there was a Living Nativity, starting at the school, and then school and parents walked to the church for the nativity scene to be enacted outside in the churchyard. The church remained open all day throughout the year. ## **Ecumenical Relationships** The annual World Day of Prayer was organised by a member of Blunham church and the service moves round different churches in the district. Members of local Methodist and Baptist churches are invited. In 2024 the service was held in March at our church. Our thanks to Denise Hurst for arranging the service. The St Edmund Fellowship meets each month in the village hall. Our thanks to Stella Harding for running the Fellowship. ## **Financial Review** Total receipts on unrestricted funds were £55,128 of which £31,129 was unrestricted voluntary donations. Restricted donations and grants of £36,558 were also received and are detailed in the Financial Statements. The fund-raising drive has continued over the year to provide funds to continue improving the church building. The fund-raising also enables us to maintain the church as a place of worship. The usual programme of fund-raising events took place in 2024, including our biggest event, the Book Sale; the Rose Queen went ahead, but with an agreed reduced input from the church. We hosted one concert during the year, with the Bedford Sinfonia returning in July. The Book Sale continues, raising more money than ever and bringing people from outside the parish into the church. Our thanks to Sue and Peter Holden, Ros Collins and their everexpanding team for putting this event on. The November Christmas Tree Festival was very busy and raised a pleasing amount of money. Our thanks to Jo and Paul McCulloch for organising this event, with Jane Marner and Pat Warlow. Sylvia Elwes’ sales on E-bay £9,194 200 Club £1,053 Breakfast Café £1,211 Community Café £728 Refreshments for walkers £420 Book Sale £5,183 – which includes sales after the event (total on the day was £4,308) D-Day brunch £246 (in aid of Combat Stress) Rose Queen £369 Out and About Concert £201 Beer, Bells and Bangers £1,896 Afternoon tea at Gordon House £300 Bike and Hike £172.50 (each for the church and the Beds and Herts Historic Churches Trust and sent directly to them) Bells Quiz £734 Pimm’s and Platters £729 Wine and Lasagne Evening at Gordon House £433 Bishop’s Harvest Appeal £250 (to Leprosy Mission) Gift Day £4,685 Sale of poppies. We have not been advised how much this raised (this was sent directly to the British Legion) Collection on Remembrance Sunday £207 (this was sent directly to the British Legion) Christmas Fayre and Tree Festival ~~£~~ 3,284 Christmas wreath making £651 Advent coffee mornings £361 Carol singing in aid of SMART £124 (this was sent directly to SMART) Extra Guest collection in aid of SMART £243 (this was sent directly to SMART) ## **Grants** Archbishops Council – Part 2 of Grant re clock £1,000 Biggleswade District Bells Grant £1,250 Benefact Trust – Grant for parapets £4,800 Parish Council for live-streaming kit £1,200 Deanery Mission Grant for Welcome Packs £200 The Bedfordshire Bike Ride Grant £172.50 These were applied for and granted in 2024, but will not be received until the work is started/finished and invoices available A428 Black Cat Social Value fund £31,200 Anonymous, obtained by National Churches Trust £7,500 Congregational & General Charitable £15,000 St Albans Diocese £10,000 Trust National Churches Trust £5,000 Wolfson Fabric Repair Grant £10,000 Wixamtree £10,000 The Parish Share of £20,480 was paid in full. ## **Reserves policy** It is the PCC policy to hold a general reserve fund of around £60,000 in unrestricted funds. We have a small endowment fund invested with the CBF Church of England Deposit and Income Funds. The income from this endowment is for the maintenance of the churchyard and goes annually to the Blunham Parish Council, who took over responsibility for this work some years ago. ## **Volunteers** Everyone who works for and in the church, apart from our rector and contractors, is a volunteer. We thank Roy Tipping for leading the music in the church; Trish Sheath, Jane Marner and Pat Warlow for the flower arranging; Ros Collins for her work in organising the distribution of the Benefice magazine and arranging very successful advertising for events; Sue and Peter Holden for organising the Book Sale; Sylvia Elwes for her amazing work using eBay to raise money for the church general fund; Jo and Paul McCulloch for organising the Christmas Tree festival, helped by Jane Marner and Pat Warlow; Paul and Linda Canty for updating the Inventory; Sarah Harvey-Wade for taking over the running of the 200 Club; Phil Rose for being our funding manager and applying for as many grants as he can find, for trying valiantly to keep the clock accurate, for repairing various pew platforms and, with John McAteer, for moving the sound system cabinet from beside the organ to the back of the church; Lee Harrison for co-ordinating Messy Church; Stella Harding for running the St Edmund Fellowship; Davina Buckle for organising ringers; and everyone on the rota for the day-to-day running of services. ## **Structure, governance and management** The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. At St Edmund or St James the membership of the PCC consists of the rector, curate, reader, churchwardens, Deanery Synod representatives and members elected by those members of the congregation who are on the electoral roll of the church. All those who attend our services / members of the congregation are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and stand for election to the PCC. The PCC members are responsible for making decisions on all matters of general concern and importance to the parish including deciding on how the funds of the PCC are to be spent. The PCC met six times during the year. ## **Administrative information** St Edmund or St James church is situated in Park Lane, Blunham. It is part of the Diocese of St Albans within the Church of England. The correspondence address is The Old Rectory, Park Lane, Blunham, Bedford. MK44 3NJ. The PCC is a body corporate (PCC Powers Measure 1956, Church Representation Rules 2006) and a charity registered as the Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Edmund or St James, Blunham with the Charity Commissioners, charity number 1208324. PCC members who have served at any time from 1st January 2024 until the date this report was approved are: Ex Officio members: - Rector: The Reverend Graham Buckle (Chair) - Curate: The Reverend Christopher Scott - Reader: Mrs Maureen Munro - Warden: Mrs Shelagh Ashley - Warden: Mrs Sue Dodson (Vice chair) - Deanery Synod representative: Mr Lee Harrison - Deanery Synod representative: Mr Paul Canty - Elected members: - Mrs Sylvia Elwes - Mrs Emma Forbes-Laird (Secretary) - Mrs Amanda Harvey-Wade (Treasurer) - Mr Paul McCulloch (from APCM 2024) - Mr Phil Rose - Mrs Kath Tipping - Dr Roy Tipping - Mrs Pat Warlow (from APCM 2024) (Approved by the PCC on 6[th] March 2025) BLUNHAIII PAROCHIAL C14URCH Cou￿,c1L OF ST ED.IIUYD OR ST JATrIES IS'DEPEN'DENT EX.4111NER'S REPORT YEAR EIN'DED.11 DECEIIIBER 2024 The charity's trusiees dre responsible for the preparation of thc accounts. The charity's trustees LonsidL'r tliat an audil is not required tor this year under section 144 of the Chllritics Aci ?01 l (the Charities Act) and that an indcp¢ndLnt Lxainiiialioii is needed. It 15 our responsibililv io= cxaminL Ihe accounls under section 14) of the Charities Act, lo folloiv the procedures laid doii'n in ihe sieneral Direc(ions bJjii¢n by the Cliarity Commission (under section 14i(i){b) ol. Ilie Charities Act, and to stale whether particular malters have come to our attention. Our examination ivas carried out in accordance ivith general Directions given by Ihc Charity Cotnmission. An examination includL's a rei'ieii, ot. the accountin&y records kepl by the charity and a comparison of the accouiils prL'SCI)IL'd iviih thosL f¢Lords. It also includes consideration of any unusual ite]n￿ or disLlosurc% in tlic aLeoun15. and seekinb explanations from the tru51ccs L()nc¢mingF any such mailers. The procedures undertaken do not provide all Ihe evidcn¢¢ Ihai Ivould be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is gii'en as lo ivliether Ihe accounts prcsc'nt a 'irue and fair, view and the rLPOrt is limited 10 Ihos¢ Inatters set out in the statement belo￿,. In connection ii'ith our e.Kainination. iio Inaterial mallers hai'e comL to our attention ii,hich (Jji'"cs US LaUSC Ic) bLIiLI'e ihal in. anv malerial respecl.. aceountinsy reLords ivere iiol kepl in accordaiice ivith section 130 Ot. the Charities Act or the accounts do nol accord ivitli Ihe accounliiigp r¢cords We hai'e come across no matiers in connection ivith Ihe examination to ,hich attention should be draii'n in order to enable a proper und¢rslanding of the accouni to bc rciichcd. T J Darrington F.C.C.A. 71 High Street Gt Barford BEDFORD IK44 3LF Dated: li, April 202) Page I Yearended 3151 Deiember Z024 Analysis tsf and ￿XPenditure Unrestrkted L)esp&nared Re5trirted EndowmEn¢ This Year Last Year INCOME AND ENDOWMENT5 Incoming re50ur EXPENOITURE C05t5 of gener41inB fund5 1.2LX) 1809 3.009 L.21X) 4.950 6,150 COSLOI events 1.789 1.789 1351.67 1.352 3.898 4.398 Grants Givin8 to charities& mlsslon 2.345 4.245 SS7 2.345 4.245 557 Actl¥StSes ielatlr•otothe V401k of IhÈ ChurLh 20.4 1373 1.592 3.171 1.(63 315 3530 548 2,994 20.480 2.373 1.59Z 3.171 1.063 315 3.530 548 2,994 100 19.93S 1.353 825 5,516 1,131 271 3.375 Workin8 expenses of clergy Church runDin8 exp-Gas Churih runnln8 exp- Elettrici¢v Church runnin8 exp- WalEt Church runnin8 exp- Insurance Church rnaintenance Or83n/piano lunirtg Services Administration Upkeep of churchyard Magazine and booksiall expense 28.218 285 2.418 3.L70 3,170 92 91 360 6,IlS 10.199 1.962 51.498 34.691 12.398 57.288 1.962 9B.679 Total 34.691 12.398 92 69.851 thurch man38èmEn¢ and 4dmln55tiaLion 1.274 1.274 56.461 1.274 1.987 1.987 76.795 EXPENDITURETOTAL 37.7 I6.￿4 92 110 347 SURPIU5 DEFISC 8.389 -39.925 31.511 15 3.991 164.407 BLUNHAM PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL ND ORST JAMES Year endtd 31st Decèmber 202 ststementof Flnancl•l Artlvltles Unrestrlcted Restricted Endowment Funds Funds Funds Prlor Year Total Funds Total Funds Income and endowments from: Incomlng resources from donors Other voluntary incomlnB resourcès Activities in furtherance of the counci15 objects Income from investments Totsl In￿e 23,303 6,925 31,009 5,388 66,626 1.940 36,570 9,095 25.244 43,495 40.104 5.495 114338 26,913 184,412 28,513 1,364 241202 107 107 47,605 Expendlture on: Costs of 8eneratln8 fund5 Grants Actlvltles relatln8 to the work of the Church Church management and admlnlstration T•t•l •xp•ndltur• 4,798 1,9 86,189 1.274 94,161 1,352 2,345 12.398 6,15Q 4.245 98.679 1.274 110.347 4,398 558 69,852 1,987 76,795 92 16.094 92 N•t In¢ome I le¥pendlturel .Z7,5J5 31,511 15 3.991 164.407 LUNIIAM PAROCIIIAI. CIIU li cou nt•she•t 88ok EXPENOITURE C05t5 of gener41inB fund5 1.2LX) 1809 3.009 L.21X) 4.950 6,150 COSLOI events 1.789 1.789 1351.67 1.352 3.898 4.398 Grants Givin8 to charities& mlsslon 2.345 4.245 SS7 2.345 4.245 557 Actl¥StSes ielatlr•otothe V401k of IhÈ ChurLh 20.4 1373 1.592 3.171 1.(63 315 3530 548 2,994 20.480 2.373 1.59Z 3.171 1.063 315 3.530 548 2,994 100 19.93S 1.353 825 5,516 1,131 271 3.375 Workin8 expenses of clergy Church runDin8 exp-Gas Churih runnln8 exp- Elettrici¢v Church runnin8 exp- WalEt Church runnin8 exp- Insurance Church rnaintenance Or83n/piano lunirtg Services Administration Upkeep of churchyard Magazine and booksiall expense 28.218 285 2.418 3.L70 3,170 92 91 360 6,IlS 10.199 1.962 51.498 34.691 12.398 57.288 1.962 9B.679 Total 34.691 12.398 92 69.851 thurch man38èmEn¢ and 4dmln55tiaLion 1.274 1.274 56.461 1.274 1.987 1.987 76.795 EXPENDITURETOTAL 37.7 I6.￿4 92 110 347 SURPIU5 DEFISC 8.389 -39.925 31.511 15 3.991 164.407 BLUNHAM PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL ND ORST JAMES Year endtd 31st Decèmber 202 ststementof Flnancl•l Artlvltles Unrestrlcted Restricted Endowment Funds Funds Funds Prlor Year Total Funds Total Funds Income and endowments from: Incomlng resources from donors Other voluntary incomlnB resourcès Activities in furtherance of the counci15 objects Income from investments Totsl In￿e 23,303 6,925 31,009 5,388 66,626 1.940 36,570 9,095 25.244 43,495 40.104 5.495 114338 26,913 184,412 28,513 1,364 241202 107 107 47,605 Expendlture on: Costs of 8eneratln8 fund5 Grants Actlvltles relatln8 to the work of the Church Church management and admlnlstration T•t•l •xp•ndltur• 4,798 1,9 86,189 1.274 94,161 1,352 2,345 12.398 6,15Q 4.245 98.679 1.274 110.347 4,398 558 69,852 1,987 76,795 92 16.094 92 N•t In¢ome I le¥pendlturel .Z7,5J5 31,511 15 3.991 164.407 LUNIIAM PAROCIIIAI. CIIU li cou nt•she•t 88ok