The Parothlal Church Council of St Swithun's Church Bathford Annual Report lor the year erbded 31° December 2025 St Swothun's Churth. 8athford The Porlsh L)Tre. St Swithun s Chu. Church Stree¢ 8othfvd, &417RS The Reverend i*ur•tta Wllson Curnte: The Rerfid Jane Hoe Bankers: West 8anK Stall StreeL Bath ITrdependt Examlner. Mr Nick Hart Cr web site: Regtstefft¥ Chorlty Number 1211013
The Parla1 Churth Cwncll of St Swtthun's Churth Bathfryd Annual Rewt for the year ended 31A December 2025 Report of The Parochlal Churth Coundl The Parochlal Churth Coundl ofthe Ecdeslastlcal Parish ofst Swlthun's Bathford in the Dlocese of Bath & Wells (PCQ has the responsiblllty of cooperatin8 with the Incumbent in promoung In rhe eccleslastffical parfish. the whole mlsslon of the Churth pastoral, evangelistic. social and ecumenical. Wbilx th¢ parith is a member of Th¢ Uni*d B¢ncfiL of Bat1%n St Cath¢riDe Bathford (Tr Benef¢) Ix)th Fwishes wY)uld wntinw to OF¢rmle auto)nlY. this iknnual Repyt rel1 only to the xtivity of the PCC. The PCC 18 alw re4xxbible Sl Swithun's Clurch 8treeL Ilathfty of our IUMlnI lauretta WAlrn Jane w4% orthiwl W¢ll5 Cathedral on 28 JUDE 2025. Reglstratlon wlth The QrIlle$ Conthlon The PCC Is a Regtstered Charlty wlth the Charlty Number 1211013 Oblecdves and Acdvltles The PCC Is committed to making a reality ofthe Mlsslon and Wision Set out in our Beneflce Proflle to love Go¢ centrlng on Jesus Chrtst to help others encounter and know hlm and our Mlsslon stotement Is to Grow. Care. Serve and thar& The PCC malntalns an overvlew of worship at St Swithun's and makes suKgestlons on how our services can be attrdctlve the many group5 that live within our parislL Our serviLYS and worshlp put faith into prattl through prayer and scrlpture, music and sacramenL When pRannlng our acdvldes for the year. we have consldered the Charlty Commlsslon's guldance on publlc beneflL and partlcularly the supplementsry guidance on charifies for the advancement of rellglon. We try to enable people to Ilve out their faith as part of our partsh commuDIty throu. By seeklng to Grow both as a chwrh and In our own Chr15Uan I15 through dlfferent sryles of worshlp and prayer, learning about the Gospel; and developln8 knowledge and trnsr In Jesu& (thls ts through provision of services house groups and ?rayer Groupsl By Carlng for and Servln8 people living in the parlsh. (by home vlslts and other artivitie5). and in the wider world (by supportlng both local and international roups financlally and 8lvlDg of parishlonerfs tlme)
The Parothlal Church c(nd1 of St Swithun's Churth Bathford Annual Report for the year ended 31° D•comber 2025 By ShthDg lesus. teachings wlth our nelghbours through aL-tIleS such as wurking with voluntary activities in our communltfies and playing a part in the Ilfe of our Vlllage C of E Prlmary schooL To fadlltate thls worl It ts Important that maintsin the fabrlc of the Church ofSL Swithun's. Durlng the year, and under lauretta's guldance the PCC has developed a regular pattern of service& A typical month would Include: l%t Sunday. A tradltlonal based celebration of Hoty Communlon and an afternoon 'ReCOnn service designed for year 7 and 9 chlldren to re-en8a8e with church and each other as they move to various senior schools: 2nd Sunday- A contemporary servlce. often wlth a visiting speaker connected to one of our supported tharities and 'come and see. aimed ai younger children families; 3 Sunday- A contempornry celebratlon of Holy Commun50 4th Sunday. Welcome chUh wlth dlscusslon and an afternoon tradldonal evenlng prayer. and 5th Sunday (when Sn the calendar) - A Jolnt beneflce servfice of Holy Communlon wlth Batheasion wlth alternatSn8 locatio Thls servlce pattern ts kept under regular revlew by th¢ PCQ who are encouraged by the support for these servSces wlth some 40-50 regular attendees for the mornlng servlces and some 1 S.25 In the afternoon. House groups continued to meet regularty and a Series of l*nt Lunches. alternating between S( Swlthun's and Si lohn'& with vlsifing speakers were well attended. In addition. monthly film dub is n¢)w a well- establlshed as part of the vlllage community caleDdar together with our harvest supper and qUiL The regular sessfions of the Toddlers Tea and Toast. group. held on a Friday mornln8 has contlnued to meet ID church throUollt 202S. These sesslons conflnue to attract families and little ones from across the Benefice. but also from other communltle& The PCC w15he5 to thank all those involved in maklng thts part of our artlvltles mosl successfuj wlth many families becoming engaged The Charity Action Group was very actlve throughout 202S increasing the visibility and upport for our charltable glvln& The programme of Sunday afternoon concerts continued to enjoy good support from the wlder community. This was complimented by the Mystery Meals In May 202S and a Qulz F.venlng In the summer. In addition. there were.several services where vlsltlna sFthers attended to explaln the work of thelr organisation5. The PCC would Ilke to thank leremy Furber for h15 enthusiasm and guidanLE on this initiativ&
The Parothlal Churth C(nCil of St Swlthun's Church Bathford Annual Report for the year ended 31# December 2025 All are welcome to attend our regular servi. but also the communlty focussed activities. At present there are 92 parishioners on the Church Elertoral Roll. Our worshlpping community, as defined by Diocesan guldellnes ts 90. Thts ts higher than last year (79) and ts very encoura8in& As well as our regular servlces we enable our communlty to celebrate and thank God at the mllestones of the lourney through life. Through baptlsm we thank God for the gift of life, in marriage public vows are exchanged wlth God's blessing and through funeral servlces frlends and famlty express their grief and glve thanks for the Ilfe which Is now complete in this world and to commend the person into God's keepin& Thls year. there was I baptis I weddin& and sadly. there were 5 funera15 and 4 burial of ashes. Deaoery Synod The PCC'S represenratlon on the Deanery Synod Is provlded by the Vlcar together wlth Stephen Huard as lay representsttve. They provlde the PCC wlth an Important Ilnk between the parish and the wlder structures of the churdL The Parlth Hall The hall Is a facility used regularfy by many organisations in the village. Whllst the Vlcar and the Church Wardens are trustees of the Parish Hall. the PCC plays no part in its day- to-day mana8emenL That ts undertaken by an independent commluee and the VIc7r and Warden wlsh to thank the commltiee members for their dedication. Pastoral Care Some members of our parlsh are uD*ble to attend churdi due to slthiess or age. The Virar. or lay Minlster. supported by the cura¢e. has vtslted all church member5 who have requested. to celebrate communion wSth them elther at thelr homes or In hospltal where and when p0551ble. The PCC have been indebred ro the work of the pasroral group, who under iAuretta and lane's guldance has enabled vlslts to all who are slck or unable to get out for any other reason to keep them In rouch wlth church Ilf Mlsslon and Evan8ellsm and Charlty ActloD HelpSng those In need Is a demonstradon ofour faitlL The PCC aim5 to provide financial support lo a rae of or8an5sations both at home and overseas wlth the aspiration of maklng finandal support equtvalent lo IO% of our recurring income {collectlon& planned glvin& tax recovered. sundry 8lvlng and donations) As a result of the Char6ty Action Group's artivities in 202S. wc gave supwrt to a range of organisations amounting to £10.690 (2024 £8.4603 . A detalled Ilst of those organlsatlon whfich benefitted is Set out in note li to the financial staremen Our weekly newsletter is distributed by Mallchimp or post io churth member5 in accordance wlth GDPR Ruldellnes and available in the ChurdL The newsletter keeps our parishioner5 infonned of thc important ma(ter5 affecting our Church. together with
The Parochial Church cTrdI of St Swlthun's Church Bathford Annual Report for the year ended 315t December 2025 detalls of the service provision for the week An artlde. wrltten by the Vlar, Is Induded In the monthly Bathford BulletirL Financial Review The overall finandaj perforniance for the year shows a deficit of £12.639 (2024 surplus £92.674.) Thi5 apparent silfiCant deterioration is due exclusively w the fact that In 2024 we were blessed with the receipt of four legaaes amounting to £90,489. These glfts are n(w An8 used, a$ agreed by the PCC. together wlth brou%ht fonvard funds. noted in the para8raphs below. There was an overall surplus on Seneral fund of £2.002 (2024 deficlt £2.409). Totsl receipLs were £90,967 (2024 £92J69). The major source was regular Wvlng of £82.042 (2024 £82,126) which comprise5 regular giving by standing order, stewardshlp envelopes and (35IL together wfjth the a550dated gift ai(L Details are in note l on page 13. Regular glvlng has remalned stsdc whlch may be of fvture concern 3$ costs rlse. although the stewardshlp initiative in the summer of 202S has provlded some benefit whlch wSll help In 202& There has been a modest increase In Parochial Fee income reflectlng the number of 'life-events' In church. The year also benefitted from fvnd- rdtsing activities at £6S2 (2024 £1,440). and support for the work of the film dub and the toddler5. activltles of £L937 (2024 £1.789) £88.965 (2024 £93.734) was speni from xeneral funds to provlde the Christian mlnlstry from SL Swlthun's. Thls Includes full contrlbutlon ro the dlocesan common fund (parlsh share) of £62.212 (2024 £67.648). Our contrlbutlon to the common fund. largely provides the stlpen(ts and housfinA lor the derRy. Our 2026 contributlon contlnues to be assessed on a revlsed methodoloy. whlch should see the total payments reduce over the next 4 years, sublert to Inflatton. The assessment for 2026 Is £42,642 but on the transitional arrangements the ackn payment will be some £ 60,000. Expendlture on Churth general runnlng costs has been kept under dose contrnl and are broadly in Ilne wlth 2024. Whllst uullty Costs. have reduced from £4.221 tD £3.473 a further charge for 2025 of some £700 is due in February 2026 as a result of delays In tran51tion to a new Supplier. This Sum 15 not reco8nised in these accounts as they are prepared on a recelpts and payments bas1&
The Parochlal Church Coundl of St Swithun's Churth Bathford Annu41 Report for the year •nded 31" Docwnber 2025 Thls fund coMpe$ three Separate funds: Fabrlc- to deal wlth malntenance. general repairs and new equlpment wrcha5e& Spend on Generzl Churdi maintenan was £564 (2024 £2546) induding £278 on tables. The 2024 costs Included the rnplacement of an expanslon tsnk for the boiler (£325) and a major seThice to the sound system (£645). The main items of equlpment expenditure (£3.39S) were in respect of the ChurchDe5k 5yStem renewaj (£1.922). payments for the new photocopler (£1.074)and a new laptop (£399) Donadons of £250, Includlng ald. have been recelved towards the cost Reserve- to be held In accordance wlth tbe reservts polky set out on page 11 In 2024 the maln Income to the reserve fund was the recelpt of a Iqacy and an anonymous donatlon totall1 £33.700. The PCC approved that these should be held In the reserve fun to be drawn on as rcqulred. There was no equivalent receipt in 2025.However. the PCC authorised £5.436 to settle the'back-l0¢ Sum due on Parish sha Re4orderlng- thls fund was establlshed by the PCC to provlde fijndlng for a planned redevelopment of the interlor of the church to Include a range of accessihle Improvements including a tolleL ramp to the North Door and redeslgn of the kitchen and office space. The PCC were granted a faculty by the Dlocese to proceed wlth the project in September 202S. Donatlons of £650 Induding aid have been received towards the projeLt The plan 15 progressin& architects commlssloned and detsiied drdwfin85 and tender $pedflcatlons have been prepared. Tender returns have been recelved and are belng evaluated Arch5terfs fees are the maln outgoing in 2025 amounting to £9.996 Regular updates on thls prolett wlll be 8lven The restrlrted fund comprlses: Vlcqrfs Dlmiionary- a fund srf aslde followln8 a parishioner donation to be used ar the Vicarf5 discretion In the case of extreme need. There have been no movements on thls fund In 202S Clh7rityActlon - thls fvnd establlshed In 2024 acaunulatrs funds for distrlbution to our 'charty partners. detennined each year by the Charlty Actlon Group (CAG), a su commlttee of the PCC The PCC has set the aspiration of distrlbutlng an amount equlvalent to at leas¢ IO% of our regular 8lvln& In 2025 we achieved 139
The Parochlal Church cncIl of St Swlthun's Churth Bathford Annual Report for the year ended 31* Docember 2025 The CAG IS been very artlve In ralslng funds through a serles of events and themed services. which has enabled £10.690 (2024 £8.460) to be distributed to a range of oryanisacioN Thls been ftded by the programme of events (concerts mystery meals and quiz) £7,456 (2024 £493) plus £ 1.840 (2024 £1,742) from general church services with a charitable focus, together wlth rttoverable gift al(L Details are set out Sn noie I l. The PCC would like to thank the CAG for thelr hard work to make this E>ossible. Inveslments The PCC continues to hold vartous Investments whlch are mana8ed by the Churches Charities and Iml Authorities Investmenl Management Lt(L In 2025 these investments, whllsr generatlng a solld income, lost overall value of £3.196 (2024 Increase £2.240} Total cash and Investments have decreased from £197.938 to £182,373. A detalled breakdM ts glven on page 12. The PCC remalns commltted to securln8 a sound firture fDr SLSMrfthun's. It wlll contlnue ¢0 manage expendl¢ure prudently and explore ways to Increase Income. The budget for 2026. approved by the PCC on 26 November 2025, contlnues to meet the oblertlves previously set and shows a modest defldt whlch the PCC are confident in redudn8 as the year untold& Reserves poll¢y An explanatlon of the type of reserves held Is In note 2 on page 12. Itls PCC pollLy to try to maintain a balance which equates to approxlmately slx months of general paymen and currently £40.2001s held w1th5n the total Designated Funds at the end of the year at £154,427. Thts reserve Is held to smooth out flurtuatlons In cash flow when required and 10 meet emer8encle& A note setting oiit how the cash and Investment balances are allocared to the varlous funds Is set oul In the"Statement of Assets" on page 12. Volunteers We would Ilke to thank all the volunteers who work so hard to make our Churcb a lively and vlbrant part of the communlty. We are grateful to all those who not only take part In our services and undertake pastornl Yts but also those who malntaln the fabrlc of the buildlng and ground5 to rnake sure our church Is welcomlns and sa
The Parothial Church Council of St Swithun's Church Bathford Annual Report for the year ended 31° De¢ember 2025 The method of appoinlment of PCC members is set out In the Church RepresentaOn Rules. At SL Swithun's the membership ofthe PCC consists ofthe incumben4 churchwardens, and mcmbers elerted by those members olthe congregation who are on the electOTa] roll of the thurch. All those who attend our servlces members are encouraged to re8lsier on the ector81 Roll and stand for electlon to the PCC The PCC member5 are re5ponslble for maktng dedslons on all matters of general concern and Importance to the partsh including deciding on how the funds of the PCC are to be 4)enL New members recelve Inltlal tralnlng Into the worldngs of the PCC The lull PCC met slx tlmes durfn8 the year wlth an average level of attendance of 80 Gfven its wide responslbilities the PCC has sever41 committees each deallng wlth a partlcular aspert of parlsh life. These commlttee5, which indude 5tandin& fabric and char5ty aciiorn are all responslble to the PCC and report back to It regularty wlth mlnutes ofthelr dedslons belng recelved by the PCC and dIscuS as necessary. Admlnlstratlve Inlormatlon SL Swlthun's Church Is sifuared In Church S(reel, Bathford It ts part of the Diocese of Bath and Wells withln the Church of F.ngland. The correspondence address is SL Swlthun's Church. Churth Stree( Bathford, BAI 7TE Telephone 01225 9200SO. E.mall:. The PCC Is a body corporate (PCC Power5 Measure 19S6. Church Representation Rules 2011) and a charfty reglstered wfth the Charfty comm15510 number 1211013. PCC members WI have served durln8 202S (together wlth their attendance) were: Incumbent (ex offido): The Reverend lauretta Wilson (616). Chalr Curnte (ex offido): The Reverend lane Hoe (416) Wardens (ex oftldo): John Keelty (212)- re$led APCM 27 Aprll 2025 Th¢Tr are currtndy 2 wacanaes Elects&. Contlnul Mark Dfixon (316). leremy Furber (416). Mlchael Gllbert (616}- Trnlsur. Stephen Huard (416)- Deanery Sym£ Ann Wade (516). Robert Wolsey (616). Appolnted at the APCM 27 Aprll 2025. Christine Huard (4/4)- sofwording officer, Uz Townsend (314). Helen Carniel (414)
The Parochlal Churth Coundl of St Swlthun's Church Bathford Annual Report for the year ended 3151 December 2025 Reslgned at the APCM 27 Aprll 2025 Glll Gllbert (212). Clwlotte Hart (012) In AuRust our part-tlrne administrator. Zoe Hill. left to take up a new full-time role. The PCC would Ilke to thank Zoe for her Invaluable support and contrlbution for the (4) years she was with us. The PCC were dellghted to welcome Becky Bull as our new administrator in September 2025. and she has already esrablished herself as an Importsni part of the tea Our thanks also go ro all the Church Famlty ofSL Swlthun's for thetr contlnued support which has enabled the PCC to plan with confidence In the fuwre ofour Parts Approved by the PCC on 16 March 2026 and slgned on thelr behalfbr. n.locumbent Mldmel Gllbert. Treasurer
The Parothial Church nl of St Swlthun's Church Bathford Annual Report for the year ended 31° Iyecember 2025 Independeni Examlner's Report Thè Pwc#YtsI Churth of St Swlthun's Churth, Bathfotrd Ch•rtty no 1211013 R•sp•ctlv• rnspon•lbllttl•8 T1 chanvs trust803 are rBswxkuble ft)r the mrntK)n of the acunts. LfKler 8¢clKJn 144 of tho Charities Acl 2011 (tha Charilbe8 Act) that 11 is rny resp311 l£: b) ftAhyA7 the prcxthm lakd d¢Y•m In wrnl DIkTh gIn ty tt Chwty Ccrfnmtssicffj (urthf seclN)n 145(5Xb) d the Chanlbes Acl, •ThJ tt•m8 <x th"Kkw88 in tho acCnts. and saokw explanatKTh from the ovth 811 Ihe evklerKe thal be rewirgd in an alit. Ind•p•nd•nt •xamlnees In wlth ry oxannakn, mater1 matters h*ve come lo my 18 Mwch 2026 qu•llfication(s) or body (If
The Parothial Church C(xJndl of St Swithun's Churth Bathford Annual Report for the year ended 31" D¢cemb•r 2025 Fw 2024 VdLW 41p11 RwLgr gvirvJ 85.576 101.971 7•7 7J72 4,181 1J• 4,43 T•l•l v•¢•l 71 7J1 10 IIX.782 Fln¥th Chvg 375 YJ3 T*1 11 11 110 J71 11glrt 10 171m 12A2 19TJYI F1• al l 202$ 92,674 i• 197, li
The Parochlal Churth CnCil of St Swithun'5 Churth Bathford Annual Report for the year ended 31° Dec•nber 2025 CCLA Fthll CCLA F CCLA 014 7T.792 144•4 15.861 •J74 10,3WI 10 11.11• 7U54 70. IJ 94 11 m 197 938 SORP. Apwov•d by th• PCC on th• 16 M•vth 2026 and nad on its b•haff trf. The r#xes on py$ 12.15 forni part of these ac(¢xMrts
The Parochlal Church Coundl of St Swlthun's Church Bathford Annual Report for th• year ended 311t t)ecember 2025 TOTAL TOTAL •1(¥J1 4.010 55ni 174 123 7,3r2 123 11 23 3313 3213
The Parothlal Church Cnd1 of St Swithun's Churth Bathford Annual Report lor the year ended 31" D•cember 2025 TOTAL 7Jl 751 1•.••D 67.648 11034 1.315 Sal¥y (xts IlnckKliNJ fr¢ rxfvm.) 1W4 747 747 4.479 w A4n 4221 •qulww 1An IA7J 4.132 1• 11 14
The Parothial Churth Coundl of St Swithun's Churth Bathfwd Annual Report for the ye•r ended 31" December 2025 Donations & Appe•ts Legi Gift AKI 418 S20 938 130 3,(kn3 839 1.307 3,713 5A120 Il¢p•irs & ffl•inten•fKe New Equlpment 3.395 {2.6521 13,391 114.371> 16.283) (5.4361 Tot41 Income from eThts Gfft Akl IDbE5tmtni Income Costs of Trts 10,047 L394 (7511 io. 17511 10,6YJ L)DTration5 to th•rlty •nd mlsslon Total
The Parochlal Churth Council of St Swithun's Church Bathford Annual Report for the year ended 31# D•cwnber 2025 The monies raised ty CAG eveTrts1£7.4561 pkn thurth l£1.840) tQ8dtr with reco¥rnb 8ift akl h•ve be•n dIstrted to v•rlous 1x8anitIOnS as set Jt Mi the table below. Mary's Meals Owthy H¢>u Genesi5Tn(.I0{K1bank 750 MSF TrfurnI Émbrxe the midd East 750 250 750 fw's F•rffl Bath Wekornes Refiq¢e5 Children's Soclety Roy•l Brit Le81( LUX IBath YFCI Wlltshire Rurnl Music He•fth & Hope CM5 ljon & Elise Fletcher) Mothers. Un#M Intsmatx)rwl 39) 350 350 To¢•1 £5350 £5 0,69) FUNI (Paynts) M•rket V•k lance General 14,338 1.967 188.965) 16.340 FatrKi Rtrorderlr4 Rè5eTht 22.737 66,284 82.557 13.959) 19.996) 15,4361 383 20.468 fA).CM)i 73.958 3.713 {3.1631 Chrtty Actk Vlcs Discretionary 11.441 111.4411 L632 1.632 Pittman 11151 13011 2.753 7221 NWAF 7522 Totlls 197.938 91674 {3.196) 2.JTJ 16