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

ST MICHAEL’S CHURCH, WOBURN SANDS

ANNUAL REPORT and FINANCIAL STATEMENTS of the PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL for the year ended 31[st] December 2025

Registered Charity Number – 1209934

Vicar

The Revd Diana Young

Treasurer

Mr. Simon Young 30, Church Road, Woburn Sands MK17 8TA

Independent Examiner

Mr. Anthony Williams, 28, Conger Lane, Toddington LU5 6BT

1

St. Michael’s Church, Woburn Sands

2025 Report and Accounts for the Parochial Church Council

Aim and purposes.

St Michael’s Parochial Church Council (PCC) is responsible for working with the incumbent, the Revd Diana Young, in promoting the whole mission of the Church: pastoral, evangelistic, social, and ecumenical in Woburn Sands. The PCC is also specifically responsible for the maintenance of the Church building and the surrounding churchyard, liaising with The Friends of St Michael’s, the Ampthill & Shefford Deanery, the Diocese of St Albans and all other interested parties.

Objectives and Activities

The PCC is committed to supporting all who worship at our Church and are part of our St Michael’s fellowship and to serving the wider community. The PCC maintains an overview of worship and involvement with the wider community. Our goal is to put faith into practice and active social engagement. When planning our activities, we have considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and, in particular, the supplementary guidance for the advancement of religion. We try to enable people to live out their faith at home, at work and in all they do, in the following ways:

St Michael’s Church Prayer for Growth

God of mission

Who alone brings growth to your Church, Send your Holy Spirit to give Vision to our planning, Wisdom to our actions, and Power to our witness. Help St Michael’s to grow in numbers, In spiritual commitment to you, And in service to our local community, Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

2

Achievements and Performance During the Year

The year 2025 was one of putting the finishing touches to our internal development project and continuing to explore ways of using the space and our new facilities. The bookcases and cupboards for storing hymn books and orders of service were commissioned and made during the year. This was funded with a generous donation from the Wright family in memory of John and Evelyn Wright, who served the church in many ways over a long period.

The year began with our participation in an Alpha course run jointly in January and February with St Mary’s Woburn and St Botolph’s Aspley Guise. The course was based in Woburn, but members of St Michael’s joined as course members, as catering providers and as group leaders for the discussions. St Michael’s hosted the Service of Christian Unity in January and the World Day of Prayer Service in March.

We also hosted a number of concerts, both secular and sacred, during the year. “The Cryers” who regularly rehearse in St Michael’s performed Vulpius’ St Matthew Passion in early May, a moving work which provided a speaking part for the Vicar. In June, at Pentecost, St Michael’s church choir performed ‘Saints Alive’ by Roger Jones, a lively reflection on the coming of the Holy Spirit. In July we hosted the Linsdale Singers for an afternoon concert followed by sung Evensong. In November it was the turn of the Ladies No 1 Accordion Orchestra who took over the church for their rehearsals and a performance. In December we were delighted to welcome Fulbrook School for their Carol Concert. Our welcome at all of these events was improved by having our new kitchen and accessible toilet and ramped access to the church.

There was brief excitement in September when the Tour of Britain Cycle race whizzed through our end of Woburn Sands on a rather wet day. In September and October we observed the season of Creationtide for the first time. Having achieved the Bronze Eco Church Award in 2024, this was one of a number of demonstrations of our ongoing commitment to care for our planet. Another was our attempts to encourage blister pack recycling. This went extraordinarily well to start with, until those who handed on our collections of blister packs found that there was no sensible or economic way of recycling them in bulk. Eventually we had to give up our scheme and encourage people instead to recycle their own blister packs. However, other forms of recycling are continuing, including the collection of used bras for adaptation for breast cancer patients and soft plastics. We held a dedicated Environmental Service on 16 November. We are hoping to achieve an Eco Church Silver Award in due course.

We held all our usual services throughout the year, supported by our dedicated choir and organist. In December we added a new musical event – ‘Festive Elevenses’. This was suggested and organised by our church choir. The event took place on a Saturday morning in early December. The choir and our Music Group Kaygee played carols and Christmas songs whilst festive refreshments served from our new kitchen. The atmosphere was relaxed and welcoming, and far more people attended that we expected. Although this was not primarily a fund-raising event we raised a significant amount for the MK Food Bank. On Christmas Eve, young members of the church joined in leading our Crib service.

During 2025, our expenditure exceeded our income by about £10,000, but we were able to pay our Parish Share in full by dipping into our reserves. For more information see the Finance Report on pages 8 to 14.

3

Children and Young People

We aim to welcome and nurture children and young people of all ages. Our Thursday Toddler group continued to thrive on a small scale, providing play, singing and fun for the little ones, and conversation, friendship and support for their parents and carers. Some who attend Toddler group come to our other seasonal events and activities for children, and again this year the Toddler group decorated a Christmas tree for the church. Our Sunday School and Genesis Youth groups also continued, although we sometimes did not have any takers for Sunday school. The SEND Sports Club which our young people help to run gained new members during the year. Genesis again contributed to our Eco Church project by collecting many of the outgrown plastic tree guards in the woods. The Holiday Club, run with Churches Together in Woburn and District, was as popular as ever, and the one-day Christmas Cracker reunion event took place in the week before Christmas. Many of the Holiday Club young leaders are from St Michael’s. We also held special services and activities for children on Palm Sunday, at Easter, in September, at Harvest and Christmas. We have maintained links with local schools (Swallowfield and Fulbrook).

Attendance and Electoral Roll

Over the calendar year 2025, the average attendance at St Michael’s on a usual Sunday was 51 adults and 4 children up to 16. This number does not include the major festivals such as Christmas and Easter when the numbers were much higher than usual. The total number of people attending worship on Easter Eve and Easter Day was 135 adults and 23 children, and the total number attending services on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day was 187 adults and 65 children. On the whole, attendance seemed to be stable or very slightly increasing during 2025.

A new Electoral Roll was prepared in 2025, as required every six years. The number on the new Roll was 87.

Pastoral Care in Church and Community

The church continues its significant ministry in local care homes with four services each month in Devon Lodge and two in Burlington Hall. Services are led by a team co-ordinated by our Lay Leader of Worship John Buchanan. Other leaders are Ruby Powell, our Reader, and Ruth Cullinan, also a Lay Leader of Worship. The Vicar leads one service of Holy Communion per month at Devon Lodge, and some services at Burlington Hall. Holy Communion is taken on an individual basis to those in Burlington Hall who request it.

During the year, a small team, including the Vicar, and two of our Lay Leaders of Worship, Janet Hamer and Ruth Cullinan, also distributed Holy Communion and visited about twelve to 15 people in the Community who were temporarily or permanently unable to come to church.

Education and Growth

We are committed to providing opportunities for people in the church and in our community to come together for fellowship and study of the Bible. During 2025 we continued to hold three regular groups. The largest group met on Tuesday afternoons in St Michael’s Church and followed their study with tea and chat. Two other groups met on Tuesday evening in the vicarage and on Thursday evening on Zoom. Each of the groups has its own character and approach, although we often study the same materials. For much of the year we have been studying John’s Gospel, using the study notes ‘John for Everyone’ by Tom Wright. During Lent we used ‘The Lectio Course’ by Pete Greig, and for Advent we based our discussions on Paula Gooder’s book ‘The Meaning is in the Waiting’. During Advent and Lent we specifically open our groups to members of other local churches.

4

Outreach and Mission

We began the year by joining with two neighbouring benefices to run an Alpha Course. A number of members of St Michael’s attended the Alpha course, and enjoyed mixing with new people and being able to examine their faith anew in a safe group environment.

We continued to run St Michael’s Toddlers during the year. We meet in the church building, with a small team of helpers, and Keith Price to provide the music on guitar for our singing. This group continues to attract a small but significant number of parents and carers with their children who would not otherwise engage with the church. Many keep in touch at festivals once the children are bigger and some of the children have become members of our Sunday school.

This year we decided to make our annual Gift Day letter more focussed on what we have to offer the community and on welcoming them in, and less focussed on finance. Also, for the first time for many years, we produced a church Christmas Card with details of all our Christmas Services which was delivered to every home in the Parish with Hogsty End Magazine in December.

Our Church Choir’s ‘Festive Elevenses’ event was a huge success with many people from our community who would not normally come to church attending and enjoying the relaxed atmosphere and refreshments and joining in the singing.

We continue to be actively involved with Christian News Magazine which has a circulation of just under 400 in Woburn Sands, Aspley Guise, Woburn, Eversholt, Milton Bryan, Ridgmont, and Husborne Crawley, and which aims to offer a gentle invitation to faith as well as providing community news and information. We also continued to actively support Love Woburn Sands, a local charity founded to encourage charitable volunteering which runs a Community Transport Service with a wheelchair accessible vehicle in and around Woburn Sands and the nearby villages.

Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals

There were three baptisms during the year and one thanksgiving for the birth of a child. One wedding and six funerals were held in St Michael’s with a further five funerals conducted at crematoria. There were two burials of ashes during the year.

Ecumenical Relationships

St Michael’s plays an active part in our local Churches Together in Woburn and District. The Service for the week of Christian Unity held in St Michael’s attracted over 100 adults. The World Day of Prayer Service which we also hosted in early March, was a very beautiful contemplative service, but not as well attended, possibly because it took place on a Friday evening. We hold an ecumenical Procession and Act of Witness at the War Memorial in Woburn Sands on Good Friday. Our Act of Remembrance at the War Memorial on Remembrance Sunday is also ecumenically led. The Holiday Club in Woburn Sands is an ecumenical initiative. We have an active Churches Together Committee, and a separate Ministers’ group so that we can support one another and work together as much as possible.

Community Events in the Church Building

Especially since the completion of our new facilities, we have been very pleased to find ways of welcoming the community into our building. For the first time in 2025 Aspley Heath Parish Council held their Annual Meeting in our church. Our regular visiting choir ‘The Cryers’ continued to meet in church on Thursday evenings, and other groups gave concerts during the year.

5

Volunteers

Everything we do in St Michael’s is supported by volunteers, and almost nothing would be possible without them. As the Vicar I would like to express my huge gratitude for the dedicated and committed way in which all of this work is carried out – from maintenance of the churchyard to visiting and providing services for the elderly, to assisting with the leading and running of our services, updating our website and Facebook page, administering our finances, contributing to our music, or serving on our regular committees.

Structure, Governance and Management, including Safeguarding

Safeguarding

The PCC has complied with the Safeguarding duty under section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016, (duty to have due regard to the House of Bishops’ Guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults). Copies of the Safeguarding Policy and other Safeguarding documentation are on the notice boards in the nave and vestry and on our website.

Our Safeguarding Officers during 2025 were Valerie Symon and Sue Brown.

Deanery Synod

Synod met three times during the year, on 19 March, 17 June and 6 November. We were very sorry that our Deanery Secretary, Alan Aldridge, died on 29 November 2025. He will be very much missed.

We always begin Deanery Synod by sharing good news from our Parishes. In March our main speaker was Revd Simon Moore, Diocesan Growing Vocations and Lay Ministry Officer. He encouraged us to think about what or who has helped us in our faith and to consider whether God might be calling us to use our gifts and skills in new and different ways. Ministry is for ordinary people, and training is available. In June Revd Canon Dr Tim Bull spoke about AI and its effect on us as Christians, and some of the areas that could well be affected by this developing phenomenon. In November we heard from Revd Dan Drew, Assistant Director of Mission and Ministry at the Diocese of St Albans. Dan spoke about the Alban Way, a non-residential year out for 18 to 35-year-olds in St Albans Diocese. The aim is to engage young adults on spirituality and to teach them to pray. This can lead to phenomenal growth.

Parochial Church Council

The PCC, together with the Vicar, is responsible for governance and management of the church. During 2025 we had one permanent and one ad hoc Working Party as below.

List of PCC Members (Trustees) during 2025

Revd Diana Young – Chair David Biles - Churchwarden – Vice-Chair – Standing Committee Keith Price – Churchwarden (until August 2025) then co-opted member – Standing Committee Ruth Cullinan – Deanery Synod Representative – elected 2023 for three years Janet Hamer -elected member May 2023 for three years – Standing Committee Jenny McCarville – elected member May 2023 for three years Valerie Symon – elected member May 2023 for three years David Hancorn – elected member May 2023 for three years Revd Nick Parkinson – Co-opted member

Geoff Cooper – elected member May 2023 for three years – Standing Committee

6

Wendy Ardern – Deanery Synod Member – elected May 2023 for three years Bob Ardern – Deanery Synod Member – elected May 2023 for three years John Scott – elected member - elected April 2024 for three years Mark Tomkins – elected member – elected April 2025 for three years Hazel Tomkins – elected member - elected April 2025 for three years Elaine Syratt – elected member – elected April 2025 for three years

Eco Church Working Party

Wendy Ardern; Bob Ardern

Mission Action Planning Group (Ad Hoc Working Party)

Ruth Cullinan; Hazel Tomkins; Mark Tomkins; Elaine Syratt; Geoff Cooper; Janet Hamer

PCC Business in 2025

The PCC met seven times in 2025, on 16 January, 20 March, 15 May, 10 July, 25 September and 20 November, and for a brief meeting after the APCM on 6 April. The Mission Action Planning Working Group was set up during the year, and produced an interim report for the November meeting. Work is ongoing to produce a new Mission Action Plan

We received regular reports from the Eco Church Working Party during the year. Having achieved our Bronze Eco Church Award in 2024, the desire is to move towards the Silver Award. Working Party members were energetic in pursuing links with local ecological initiatives and groups and in encouraging us to recycle. They also produced a display in church and they roped off areas to protect the wildflowers in the churchyard in Spring/Summer.

We progressed the making and installation of the new bookcases and cupboards at the back of church, using a gift of £5,000 from the Wright family. These were dedicated in December 2025 with a plaque in memory of John and Evelyn Wright. We also discussed and developed a hire agreement for groups using the church to ensure that everyone using the church knows they must comply with our Safeguarding Policy, and to encourage more external groups to hire the church.

We received regular reports on our finances and on Safeguarding, which is always an agenda item. We approved a Social Media Policy. We oversaw the completion of a new section of our Garden of Remembrance. We reviewed the Alpha course undertaken jointly by local churches and which took place in St Mary’s Woburn in January and February. We discussed the latest Quinquennial Inspection Report and other issues to do with the fabric of the church. We reviewed the requirements for church cleaning now that we have our new facilities.

7

Finance

2025 was a less eventful year, financially, than the year before. The financial statements are set out on pages 10 to 14 of this Report.

In the church’s General Fund, Receipts increased to £83,500, compared to £80,571 in 2024. These figures exclude the very generous legacy of £84,163 received in 2024 from Ms Eleanor Rowe; they also exclude fees received by the PCC which are later paid on to the Diocese and others. Planned giving rose by £6,001 to £47,010, thanks to the introduction of the Planned Giving Scheme. Gift Aid tax reclaimed rose by £1,784; and Investment income by £1,402. However, these increases were offset by lower receipts from fundraising activities and from funeral fees.

Payments from the General Fund increased to £94,644 (again, excluding fees passed on to the Diocese and others). The comparative figure from 2024 was £84,549, after excluding the late payment of 2023 Parish Share, and the additional mission and charity donations made from Ms Rowe’s legacy. A further complication is that £2,760 was paid in 2025 for the cleaning costs in 2024. Adjusting for this also, payments rose from £87,309 to £91,884, an increase of £4,575. Key factors were that we paid £2,754 more for various repairs to the church; and £1,389 more for utilities.

As a result, the balance in the General Fund has reduced to £37,081 at the end of 2025.

In 2026, we will be paying slightly less for the Parish Share; and we expect also to see a reduction in gas and electricity costs, thanks to new 3-year contracts which started on 1 October 2025. However, in order to avoid or minimise another deficit, and a further reduction in our reserves, we will still need a significant increase in receipts. Some of this may come from fundraising, but it will mostly be dependent on the generous regular giving of church members. Early in 2026, members have been asked to review their giving and to consider whether they are able to increase it.

In the Restricted Funds, the main item of expenditure was £5,084 for the new bookcase and cupboards which were designed to complement the facilities erected at the West End in 2024. We are very grateful to the family of John and Evelyn Wright for their very generous gift to pay for these.

Three legacies which had been invested in the Central Board of Finance Deposit Fund were transferred during 2025 to the Central Board’s Investment Fund. This change was made by the Diocesan Board of Finance at the request of the PCC, with the aim of maintaining the future value and income of these legacies, in real terms.

In January 2026, we were notified of a very generous legacy from the estate of Miss Guinevere Parker, who died in November 2023. The Diocesan Board of Finance has so far received £807,388, “with a request that the funds be invested in such manner as they see fit and the income therefrom to be paid annually to the Vicar and Churchwardens of St Michael’s Church, Woburn Sands for the maintenance and upkeep of the churchyard and for no other purpose.” In February, we heard that an additional payment is also expected.

The PCC has discussed how this very large sum should be invested; and has drafted a list of the types of work which could be covered within the terms of the gift. These will be discussed and agreed with the Diocesan Board of Finance and the Diocesan Estates and Trusts Officer, and then with the Charity Commission, if required.

8

Independent Examiner’s Report to the Parochial Church Council of St. Michael’s Church, Woburn Sands

Registered Charity number 1209934

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 31[st] December 2025, which are set out on the following five pages.

Respective responsibilities of the Trustees and the Independent Examiner

As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).

I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent Examiner's Statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Signed: 16 February 2026

The Financial Statements on pages 10 to 14 were approved by the Parochial Church Council on 19 March 2026

9

Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31st December 2025

Receipts and Payments Account

Notes
(p29)
RECEIPTS
Voluntary Income / Receipts:
1
Tax efficient planned giving
3
Collections at services
4
All other voluntary receipts & appeals
A
6
Gift aid recovered
7
Legacies
8
Grants
B
Total voluntary income
Other Receipts:
9
Gross income from fundraising activities
C
10
Investment income
11
Statutory fees retained by the church
D
12
Gross income from trading
E
Total income receipts
Receipts on behalf of others:
Suspense A/c - Due to diocese
Suspense A/c - Due to others
RESOURCES USED (Payments)
Costs of generating funds:
17
Costs of fundraising activities
F
Church activities:
18
Mission giving, donations & grants
G
19
Diocesan parish share contribution
H
20
Salaries, wages and honoraria
J
21
Clergy and staffing costs
K
22
Mission & Evangelism
Church expenses:
23
Church running expenses
L
24
Church utility bills
M
25
Costs of trading
Major capital expenditure:
27
Major repairs / Re-decoration
29
99
Other outgoing resources / payments
TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED
Suspense A/c - Due to diocese
Suspense A/c - Due to others
TOTALS OF ALL PAYMENTS MADE
Excess of receipts over payments
Transfers between funds
Cash at bank and in hand at 1st Jan 2025
Cash at bank and in hand at 31st Dec 2025
New building work (see Restricted Funds page)
TOTAL RECEIPTS
SUB-TOTAL for Church activities & expenses		 General
Fund
Designated
Fund
Restricted
Funds
Total, 2025
Total, 2024
(New Garden of
Remembrance)
(See Table on
page 12)
£
£
£
£
£
47,010
47,010
41,009
2,772
2,772
3,446
7,235
6,395
13,630
9,799
15,066
15,066
13,282
-
-
84,163
300
100
400
74,601
72,383
-
6,495
78,878
226,300
3,503
80
3,583
7,568
1,845
1,262
3,107
865
3,823
3,823
4,911
1,946
1,415
3,361
4,440
83,500
1,415
7,837
92,752
244,084
2,397
2,397
2,982
1,219
1,219
1,143
87,116
1,415
7,837
96,368
248,209
178
178
1,058
5,074
450
5,524
12,275
63,088
63,088
70,008
2,500
600
3,100
2,950
519
519
564
79
79
4
15,012
3,156
18,168
10,834
8,122
8,122
6,733
72
796
868
1,048
-
-
5,084
5,084
95,808
94,644
796
9,290
104,730
201,282
-
-
94,644
796
9,290
104,730
201,282
1,329
1,329
2,965
1,169
1,169
1,380
97,142
796
9,290
107,228
205,627
(10,026)
619
(1,453)
(10,860)
42,582
-
-
-
-
(10,026)
619
(1,453)
(10,860)
42,582
47,107
6,330
7,272
60,709
18,127
37,081
6,949
5,819
49,849
60,709

10

Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31st December 2025

Statement of Assets and Liabilities as at December 31st 2025

Assets
Monetary Assets
Bank current account xxxx5279
Bank receipts account xxxx1240
Bank account for s106 funds xxxx7467
CCLA investment account
Cash in hand		 General
Fund
Designated
Fund
Restricted
Funds
Total, 2025
Total, 2024
(New Garden of
Remembrance)
£
£
£
£
£
4,014
-
-
4,014
5,151
55
-
-
55
88
-
-
-
-
2,027
33,012
6,949
5,819
45,780
53,443
-
-
-
-
-
37,081
6,949
5,819
49,849
60,709

Note. The interest received on the CCLA Investment Account is allocated between funds, in proportion to their balances are held there.

Investment Assets (see also further details below)

Investment Assets (see also further details below)
CBF Investment Fund
CBF Deposit Funds(2024 value re-stated: see note below)
Prepayments
RSCM membership (12 months)
Liabilities
Suspense account - Due to Diocese
Suspense account - Due to others
Statutory fees received for next year
Expenses not invoiced or paid before year-end:
Gas
Cleaning
Memorial Plaques and Inscriptions
Public performance & copyright licence fees (9 months)		 -
-
13,660
13,660
5,966
-
-
-
-
8,000
13,660
13,660
13,966
341
-
-
341
331
137
-
-
137
137
478
-
-
478
331
1,085
-
-
1,085
17
50
-
-
50
-
348
-
-
348
-
602
-
-
602
1,757
-
-
-
-
2,760
-
-
-
523
2,085
-
-
2,085
5,057

Investment Assets (All investments are held by the St. Albans Diocesan Board of Finance on behalf of St Michael's)

Description Restricted Shareholding Year End Year End
Value Value
Central Board of Finance Investment Fund 2025 2024
£ £
Chester Fund - Churchyard Upkeep Y 258.0000 5,727 5,966
Hebbes Bequest - Sunday School Y 44.6662 992 1,000
Hebbes Bequest - Hebbes Grave Maintenance Y 89.3324 1,983 2,000
Mrs White Legacy - Organ Maintenance Y 223.3309 4,958 5,000
13,660 13,966

Note: The legacies from Miss Hebbes and Mrs White were previously held in the Central Board of Finance Deposit Fund. They were transferred to the Investment Fund in September 2025, at the request of the PCC.

In the case of the two Hebbes legacies, only the capital value was invested in the Investment Fund. The accumulated interest, which had been held in the CBF Deposit Fund, was paid to St Michael's; these receipts are shown in the Receipts and Payments Account. The 2024 year-end values on this page have been re-stated to exclude that accumulated interest.

11

Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31st December 2025

Restricted Accounts

Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31st December 2025
Restricted Accounts		 Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31st December 2025
Restricted Accounts
Bottoms
Legacy -
Choir/Books
Chester
Legacy -
Churchyard
Upkeep
Clock
Repair
Fund
Flowers
Genesis
Youth Group
and SEND
Sports Club
Christian
Holiday
Club
Hebbes
Legacy -
Hebbes
Grave
Hebbes
Legacy -
Sunday
School
New Build
Fund
White
Legacy -
Organ
Section
106
funding
Total
Total
2025
2024
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
RECEIPTS
Donations
General
300
65
365
350
For new Bookcase and Cupboards
5,000
5,000
-
Entry Fees
200
830
1,030
935
Sands Singers
-
100
Grants
Aspley Heath Parish Council
-
300
Beatrice Laing Trust
-
2,500
Friends of St. Michael's
-
69,451
Milton Keynes Council
-
2,300
Woburn Sands Town Council
100
100
50
Fundraising Events
Sponsored Night Walk
-
245
Sale of Church Pews and Bookcases
80
80
450
Investment income
Central Board of Finance
Investment Fund
166
14
8
37
225
162
Central Board of Finance
Deposit Fund
399
199
214
812
260
CCLA Account held by PCC
45
25
-
62
53
23
17
-
225
-
Total Receipts
45
191
-
300
427
883
413
207
5,103
268
-
7,837
77,103
PAYMENTS
Grants made
St Mary's Church, Woburn Sands
50
50
50
Woburn Sands Methodist Church
400
400
200
Honorarium for Churchyard Maintenance
600
600
600
Church expenses
Arboriculture Services
300
300
60
Extension to the New Garden of Remembrance
2,027
2,027
-
Organ Maintenance
220
220
220
Outing - Entrance Fees
-
492
Printing
-
35
Repairs to Church Boundary Wall
-
2,226
Sports Equipment
-
75
Sports Hall Rental
360
360
280
Other
218
15
16
249
22
Major Capital Project: Kitchen, Accessible Toilet and Accessible Entrance
Architectural Services
-
2,872
Building Contractor
-
101,153
less, VAT recovered through
Grants from the Listed Places of
Worship scheme
-
(9,260)
Kitchen Equipment
-
767
Floor Repairs
-
276
Bookcase, Cupboards and Plaque
5,084
5,084
Total Payments
-
1,118
-
-
360
465
-
-
5,100
220
2,027
9,290
100,068
Excess of receipts over payments
45
(927)
-
300
67
418
413
207
3
48
(2,027)
(1,453)
(22,965)
Transfer from General Fund
-
10,200
Balance at 1st January 2025
1,056
702
189
-
1,486
1,140
-
-
365
307
2,027
7,272
20,037
Balance at 31st December 2025
1,101
(225)
189
300
1,553
1,558
413
207
368
355
-
5,819
7,272
45
191
-
300
427
883
413
207
5,103
268
-
7,837
77,103
50
50
50
400
400
200
ance
600
600
600
300
300
60
emembrance
2,027
2,027
-
220
220
220
-
492
-
35
-
2,226
-
75
360
360
280
218
15
16
249
22
sible Toilet and Accessible Entrance
-
2,872
-
101,153
-
(9,260)
-
767
-
276
5,084
5,084

Church expenses
Arboriculture Services
Extension to the New Garden of R
Organ Maintenance
Outing - Entrance Fees
Printing
Repairs to Church Boundary Wall
Sports Equipment
Sports Hall Rental
Other
Major Capital Project: Kitchen, Acces

Architectural Services
Building Contractor
less, VAT recovered through
Grants from the Listed Places of
Worship scheme
Kitchen Equipment
Floor Repairs
Bookcase, Cupboards and Plaque
Total Payments
Excess of receipts over payments
Transfer from General Fund
Balance at 1st January 2025
Balance at 31st December 2025
-
1,118
-
-
360
465
-
-
5,100
220
2,027
9,290
100,068
45
(927)
-
300
67
418
413
207
3
48
(2,027)
(1,453)
(22,965)
-
10,200
1,056
702
189
-
1,486
1,140
-
-
365
307
2,027
7,272
20,037
1,101
(225)
189
300
1,553
1,558
413
207
368
355
-
5,819
7,272

12

Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31st December 2025

General Fund: Notes relating to the Receipts and Payments Account

Receipts

A
B
D		 2025
2024
Voluntary Receipts & Appeals
£
£
C
General Donations
3,683
6,702
Collections for Missions and Charities
3,402
1,162
Fees waived by vergers and others
150
550
Total
7,235
8,414
Grants
Statutory Fees Retained by the Church
£
£
Confirmation Certificate
37
-
Funerals and Monuments
2,992
4,203
Weddings and Banns
794
708
E
Total
3,823
4,911
Note: The 2025 figures in this Note include £2.722 (2024, £1,853)
received through Contactless payments.
(See Note E for non-statutory fees. Note A shows fees relating to vergers
and others, if these were waived by the people concerned.)
St Michael's is very grateful to have received grants in 2025 of £300
from Aspley Heath Parish Council and £100 - in support of the
Genesis Sports Club - from Woburn Sands Town Council.		 Gross Income from Fundraising
Afternoon Tea Event
Bike & Hike
Christmas Tree Festival
Community Market Kitchen
Concert
Easy Fundraising
Gift Day Donations
Gift Day Stalls
Linsdale Singers - tea after concert
"Saints Alive"
Wreath Workshop
Total
Gross Income from Trading
Magazine sales (Christian News)
Total
Additional Funeral and Wedding Fees for
Heating, Travel and Other Costs
Note: The 2025 Fundraising figures include
through Contactless payments.		 2025
2024
£
£
543
-
512
504
-
1,859
-
71
-
623
21
73
1,615
2,573
567
795
129
-
116
-
-
375
3,503
6,873
£
£
96
72
1,850
2,120
nil (2024, £646) received
1,946
2,192
aymen ts
2025
2024
Costs of Fund Raising Activities
£
£
G
Christmas Tree Festival
-
40
CollecTin purchase
-
310
CollecTin line rental
53
5
Concert performer
-
312
Concert posters and flyers, printing
-
45
Gift Day letters, printing
68
68
Gift Day hall hire
57
54
Legacy leaflets, printing
-
150
Wreath Workshop materials
-
74
Total
178
1,058
Diocesan Parish Share Contribution
£
£
Parish Share requested
63,088
62,724
Arrears for 2023 paid in 2024
-
7,284
Parish Share paid
63,088
70,008
Salaries, Wages and Honoraria
£
£
Independent Examiner for the Accounts
100
100
Organist / Choirmaster
1,600
1,500
Supporting Clergy
800
750
Total
2,500
2,350
Clergy and Staffing Costs
£
£
Books
87
108
L
Post, Phone & Stationery
7
10
Travel
375
414
Miscellaneous
50
32
Total
519
564
Church Utility Bills
£
£
Electric
1,400
1,422
Gas
6,232
4,926
Water
490
385
Total
8,122
6,733
Note: Due to a change from quarterly to monthly billing during
2025, we paid for an additional 2 months electricity (£162) and gas
(£807) in the year.		 Mission Giving / Donations / Grants
Banana Box Trust
Beds & Herts Historic Churches Trust
Christian Aid
Church Army
Church of Eng. Children's Society
Churches Together in Woburn & District
Daniel Estick Trust
Dementia UK
Diocese of St Albans, Ordinands support
Leprosy Mission GB†
Love Woburn Sands
Mercy Ships
Milton Keynes Food Bank
Mission Aviation Fellowship
Mission Direct†
Royal British Legion
Water Aid
Willen Hospice
World Day of Prayer
World Vision UK
Total
†= Bishop's Harvest Appeal
Church Running Expenses
Altar Supplies, Candles, Palms & Flowers
Bibles & Books
Building & Plant Maintenance
Church Cleaning
late payment for 2024 Church Cleaning
Governance (Quinquennial Inspection)
Insurance
Memberships & Licences
Miscellaneous
Post, Telephone, Stationery & Printing
Roof Alarm
Safety Inspections
Stepladder
Web Site
Total		 2025
2024
£
£
531
1,000
50
40
-
1,000
-
1,000
377
428
153
-
194
1,000
352
-
-
207
-
122
653
1,091
-
1,000
-
1,068
-
1,000
221
-
393
302
500
626
1,620
1,000
30
-
-
1,141
F
H
J
K
M
5,074
12,025
£
£
242
152
107
190
3,412
658
2,745
-
2,760
-
-
100
2,771
2,575
592
713
337
143
277
288
1,006
1,432
322
412
320
441
441
15,012
7,424

Payments

Note: Due to a change from quarterly to monthly billing during 2025, we paid for an additional 2 months electricity (£162) and gas (£807) in the year.

13

Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31st December 2025

Restricted Funds

The name given to each fund states the purpose for which it is held. For some of these funds, further details are given below. The current values of these funds are shown on pages 11 and 12.

Bottoms Legacy
(Choir/Books)		 Thomas William Bottoms, who died in January 1940, left £200 “to the Church
Wardens of St Michael’s Church, Woburn Sands to be invested by them and
the income of the fund so created to be applied by them in the provision
of Books and Music for the Choir of St Michael’s Church aforesaid.”
Chester Legacy
(Churchyard upkeep)		 Tom Aubrey Chester, who died in March 1962, left £200 “to the Vicar and
Church Wardens of the Church of St Michael at Aspley Heath upon trust
that they shall invest the same and shall apply the income thereof in keeping
the churchyard of the said church in good order and repair.”
Hebbes Bequest –
Grave Fund		 Muriel Hebbes (1905 – 2011) left to the St Albans Diocesan Board of Finance
£2,000 to be invested, with the income to be to be paid to three Trustees
from the St Michael’s PCC and used to keep her grave in good repair and
the lettering on it legible. Her will, copies of which are held by the Diocese
and by the PCC, included provisions for the re-distribution of the capital in
the event of her grave no longer being in good repair. (Miss Hebbes is
buried with her parents, near to the West end of church.)
Hebbes Bequest –
Sunday School		 Muriel Hebbes left £1,000 to the PCC of St Michael’s, to be invested and the
income to be used “as they shall in their discretion see fit [to] grant prizes
or awards of books for deserving scholars attending a Sunday School in
connection with the Church of St Michael’s … for proficiency in religious
knowledge provided that no one scholar shall receive my prizes or awards
in respect of any one year exceeding £10.”
White Legacy
(Organ)		 Evelyn White, who was our organist and who died in October 1994, left
£5,000 “to be invested and the income to be used for maintenance of the
church organ.”
Section 106 Funding Under section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, local
planning authorities make agreements with developers to provide a
contribution to local infrastructure and services. When the PCC obtains a
grant from Milton Keynes Council from these funds, for specific work in the
churchyard, we are required to hold this in a separate bank account.

14