**ST MARY THE VIRGIN, SALEHURST**
## **TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT 2025/26**
**No Incumbent** – St Mary’s was in “suspension”
ALM: Helen Winning
Safeguarding Officer: Gail Augarde
PCC
Churchwardens: Stuart Thompson (Deanery Synod Rep) and Gail Augarde (Safeguarding Officer)
Deputy Wardens: none
Treasurer: Tony Davies
Secretary: Linda Thompson (Deanery Synod Rep and Electoral Roll Officer)
Susan Anderson, Evelyn Goodsell, Gary Randall, Nigel Thonger
Co-opted: Helen Winning (ALM)
## **Our aims and purposes as a charity:**
The Sequestrator /Churchwardens and the PCC are responsible for:
- The promotion of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ according to the doctrines and practices of the Church of England.
- Promoting in the Parish the whole mission of the church, pastoral, social, evangelistic, and ecumenical.
- To deepen our understanding of our faith thereby knowing Jesus better and being better equipped to make Him better known.
- To provide practical, emotional, and spiritual support and care for all people in the parish wherever such care is needed.
- To provide support to our Church of England Primary School
## **How we planned to achieve our charitable objectives:**
When planning our activities, we have, as Wardens and the PCC been mindful of our responsibilities towards those who live in our Parish, in particular in regard to our responsibilities for the advancement of religion. We have complied with our duty under section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016, fully recognising our duty to have regard to the House of Bishops guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. We have completed Simple Quality Protects, all PCC members DBS checks are up to date, and all PCC members have undertaken the Diocesan basic level Safeguarding Training. The Churchwardens, ALM and safeguarding officer have attained advanced level Safeguarding Training.
## **Objectives and Activities planned in order to achieve our aims:**
- Enabling as many people as possible to attend our Services and become a part of our worshipping fellowship.
- Providing additional resources to help people to pray and worship
- Teaching, baptising, and nurturing new and existing believers.
- Offering a variety of styles of Worship in order to include as many people as possible.
- Putting faith into practice through prayer, scripture, music, sacrament and serving others.
- Provision of pastoral care for people living in the parish, where possible without an incumbent.
- Aiding those in need in the parish.
- Giving to other charitable organisations.
- Reaching out to the unchurched through events such as the Christmas Fair and seasonal Services such as Harvest, Remembrance, Christmas, and Easter.
• Providing Foundation Governors, leading Collective Worship, supporting the Headteachers and Staff and welcoming the school into the church for their Seasonal and Leavers Services.
- Establishing and maintaining a Children’s Library in the church.
- Maintaining the fabric of the church building as a historic centre and seeking to reestablish it as a focus of life in the villages
## **What we achieved in the last year:**
## **Worship**
Like most churches, our regular congregation has never fully recovered to pre-covid numbers. We had an average weekly congregation of around 35 during 2025, with numbers steadily growing, particularly for the family service on first Sundays.
Church attendance figures for key services April 2025-April 2026:
Christingle 22[nd] December 168 adults 56 children
Christmas day 2024 131 adults 15 children (71 communicants)
Easter Day 2025 90adults 22 children (70 communicants)
First Sunday Family Communion/Music Makers average = 36 adults 16 children
Salehurst School – end of term service in December 2025 = 140 adults 160 children
The usual summer and Easter end of term services were not held in St Mary’s this year due to scaffolding/works.
MHV School Carol Service – Sadly, the new Headmaster of Marlborough House Vinehall School decided at the last minute to move their carol service to Battle because he was concerned that, with our building works, they wouldn’t fit in all the parents and children at St Mary’s.
Funerals, including memorial services and burial of ashes:
2025 = 13 2026 up to APCM = 2
Baptisms: 2025 = 8 2026 1 infant + 2 adults 7[th] June, 1 infant 12[th] June
Weddings: 2025 = 4 2026 = 2 - 1 in July and 1 in August
As last year, the PCC has worked very hard to maintain all services despite not having an incumbent. The only service we were unable to cover was Midnight Mass. Otherwise, there was a full calendar of Christmas, Holy Week and Easter Services.
We are so grateful to the following ministers who have so kindly continued to cover our services enabling us to keep all those services going. Huge thanks to the Reverends Ann-Marie Crosse, Peter Doodes, Malcolm Elwis, Liz France, Kevin Mepham, Anne Pollington, and Robin Tree who along with our ALM Helen Winning have led, and
continue to lead, Communion and Matins services at St Mary’s. In addition, we are so grateful to this team for taking on baptisms, funerals, cremations, burials, and weddings.
The Diocese also supported us with visiting senior Clergy including Bishop Martin of Chichester, Bishop Will of Lewes (x2) including a memorable Christmas Day address
with a snow machine triggered remotely as he processed out at the end of the service.
## **The Pattern of our monthly worship:**
1st Sunday 11 am informal Family Communion with Music Makers – Pat and Pete Beament have continued this very successful format, starting at 10.15 teaching children to accompany, with percussion instruments, some of the songs for the service that follows. Adults and older children play piano, violin, guitar, and recorder to accompany the songs with a small informal choir, and children are encouraged to go to the front and play percussion instruments. Numbers for this really joyful service have been consistently growing - regularly 40+. Jane Ollis mostly gives the Talk, captivating the children (and adults alike). The two retired vicars who have led these services have both repeatedly said they think this is unique and brilliant format!
2nd Sunday 11am Sung Eucharist, traditional language, sung worship led by organ and choir.
9 am Prayer book Communion
3rd Sunday 11 am Matins, traditional language, sung worship led by organ and choir.
4th Sunday 11 am Sung Eucharist, traditional language, sung worship led by organ and choir.
5th Sunday 11 am Matins, traditional language sung worship led by organ and choir
## **General**
## Friends Of St Marys the Virgin Report
The aim of the Friends is to contribute towards the maintenance of the churh building including fixtures and fabric by means of fund-raising events and membership fees.
At present we have seven committee members, holding meetings throughout the year to discuss the business of the friends. We are always looking for new members to join the committee to increase our expertise and diversity.
Since my last report we have had both annual members and life members join as Friends. We aim to send out two newsletters each year to keep the Friends informed of fundraising events.
The process of registering with the Charity Commission continues albeit at a slow pace.
Since the last Meeting of the PCC the Friends have held a very successful cheese and wine quiz evening. They have assisted with the open day and art exhibition and Christmas Tree and Christmas Fair events held in the church.
Following the well-attended fundraising event last summer and the increase in membership it has allowed the Friends to donate £6,000 towards the restoration of the church and urgent repairs.
Along with Robertsbridge churches they had a stall at the highly successful Robertsbridge 800 event. We continue to assist the PCC where possible with their fundraising efforts and use any opportunity to raise the profile of the Friends.
JT Hopwood, Chair
## ALM
Helen Winning was commissioned as ALM at Chichester Cathedral in May 2025 and has regularly led Matins services in St Mary’s . She has also led various non-communion seasonal services at St Mary's, including Light in the Darkness, Christingle and Good Friday, and has also led several services of Matins, when she has also preached.
During this year with no incumbent, Helen has continued to give pastoral support, visiting sick and housebound parishioners and offering Holy Communion at home. She also works as an ALM for Holy Trinity, Hurst Green.
## **FUNDRAISING:**
We held several social and fundraising starting with a Spring Fair and plant sale in the Village Hall (to replace the Christmas Market cancelled the December before) which was very successful. St Mary’s shared tables with FOSM and Robertsbridge Community Church at the Robertsbridge 800 in July, and FOSM organised a very successful wine tasting fundraiser in August. In September, FOSM and the PCC jointly hosted an Open Day in the Church with an Art Show and sale, several stalls, the ever popular tea and cake (café style in the open area at the back), and the Teddy Zip wire whizzing teddies and cuddlies down from the tower. Fundraising for 2025 finished on a high with another very successful Christmas Tree Festival, drawing in village groups, businesses and organisations, alongside a slimmed down Christmas Fair attended by Father Christmas and the Christmas Fairy! Fundraising events planned for 2026 include a joint RAP/St Mary’s Opera concert on the 12[th] June, Spring Plant Fair, Art Show and sale and cream teas on Saturday 20[th] June and year 3 Christmas Tree Festival with Christmas Fair. All in St Mary’s, now with WC’s, heating and drainage! The 100 Club continues to be popular, raising much needed regular income for the Church and providing windfalls for the three lucky winners drawn on the first Sunday of every month.
## **Mission and Prayer**
Nigel Thonger, our Prayer Leader, continues to lead prayer for our church and villages on 1st Tuesdays at 1pm in the Church and 3rd Thursdays at 6pm on Zoom. Nigel shares the prayer lists for each meeting by email to those who have expressed an interest, and he publishes them on St Mary’s website, which he regularly updates.
There are currently two weddings booked for 2026 – the first on11th July. And one booked for 2027.
## **Electoral Roll:**
The Electoral Roll was completely revised last year. There were 145 on the Roll at the 2025 APCM. Since then, several have sadly passed away, some have moved away, and 3 new people have joined. The revised 2026 ER stands at 138,
## **Plans for the future:**
The major re-ordering project for St Mary’s is well underway (see Re-Ordering and Fabric Officer’s Reports attached for more detail). The stunning space created at the back of the church, by the removal of some pews and installation of an oak floor, has already proved it’s worth, hosting two funeral wakes as well as the Christmas Tree launch and convivial gatherings for coffee and biscuits following the family services. A Quinquennial will take place later this year.
At the end of last year, a connection was made to mains sewerage enabling W.Cs to be installed during the first quarter of 2026.Similarly an upgrade to 3 phase power and 2 radiant heaters over the rear space will be connected and commissioned.
## **Moving from Suspension to Interregnum**
During late summer last year, Archdeacon Martin Lloyd asked us to prepare a Parish Profile at short notice (available by email on request from
stmarysalehurst@outlook.com) , with a view to sharing it with a potential candidate for our vacancy. The Church Wardens were instructed to keep the entire process confidential.
At the same time, it was made clear that we needed to increase our Parish Share if we were to be successful in preserving our status with a full-time stipendiary priest, for the United Benefice with Holy Trinity Hurst Green.
To raise our contribution and communicate the need for regular financial support to the wider community, a letter was hand delivered, in early September, to 1,200 households in Salehurst and Robertsbridge. Happily, this produced a positive response, for which the Trustees and the Diocese are very grateful.
In early October the “applicant” visited the Parish and was interviewed by a panel consisting of senior clergy, Church Wardens Stuart Thompson and Alan Digman, together with Patricia Barnes, who kindly stepped in for CW Gail Augarde, who was away.
Having successfully completed the interview process, and accepted the offer to serve as Priest-in-Charge of St Mary’s, Salehurst, and Holy Trinity, Hurst Green, the Reverend Hugh Reid was formally appointed by the Diocese on 30 January 2026. Rev Hugh was licensed and inducted by the Bishop of Lewes and Archdeacon of Hastings on Monday 18[th] May. Rev Hugh’s wife, Francesca, was licensed the following day as Rector of Brede, Beckley, Peasemarsh and Udimore. Hugh and Francesca are living in the Vicarage in Brede, and Rev Hugh has a daytime base in Robertsbridge. The Diocese will be renting out the Vicarage in Glenleigh Walk – the PCC has no further responsibilities for the Vicarage.
ST MARY THE VIRGIN
SALEHURST
ANNUAL ACCOUNTS 2025
For The Year Ended 31st December 2025
PAGE I
ST MARY THE VIRGIN SALEHURST
ANNUAL ACCOUNTS 2025- INDEX
PAGE
INCOME
EXPENDITURE
BALANCE SHEET
ANALYSIS OF INCOME AND
EXPENDITURE BY CLASS
FUND MOVEMENTS IN
THE YEAR
INVESTMENTS HELD WITH
THE DIOCESE
ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL
POLICIES
ST MARY'S SALEHURST 2025 ANNUAL ACCOUNTS
PAGE 2
INCOME
2025
2024
GIVING, DONATIONS AND LEGACIES
GIVING
Parish Givind Scheme
Standing orders
Cash collecti
ns:
St Mary's
CMR
20,692.89
3,421.00
20,460.55
2,330.00
8,062.53
6,191.37
1,130.90
30.112.82
32,176.42
GIFf AID RECOVERABLE
Planned Giving Scheme
Other
5,266.13
17,288.97
22,555.10
85,559.82
2.000.00
142,291.34
5,085.46
6,395.00
11,480.46
27,535.42
10,285.63
79,414.33
DONATIONS
LEGACIES
FUND RAISING
9,210,48
7,919.68
TRADING ACTIVITIES
Fees for weddings and funerals
Parish Magazine
3.697.60
3.682.32
3,093.80
INVESTMENT INCOME
5,306.78
3,962.17
SUNDRY INCOME
761.51
TOTAL INCOME
164.950.03
94,389.98
ST MARY'S SALEHURST 2025 ANNUAL ACCOUNTS
PAGE 3
EXPENDITURE
2025
2024
CLERICAL EXPENSES
DIOCESAN CONTRIBUTION
Parish share
33.600.IXI
less: Hurst Green contribution (3,600.00)
30,000.00 34,331.28
CLERGY LIVING EXPENSES
Council tax & water rates
Visiting cler8y fees
3,203.20
325.55
3,528.75
less: Hurst Green contribution (1,100.00)
CHURCH EXPENSES
CHURCH EXPENSES
Insurance
Electricity
Water & other
2.428.75
3,286.00
4.546.85
1.902.19
355.04
CHURCH REPAIRS & MAINTENANCE
Fabric
Other
6,804.08
6,545.06
7,440.20
1,824.00
9.264.20 12,693.42
CHURCH MISSION ROO
EXPENSES
419.33
1,437.98
ST MARYS REORDERING
63,082.44 22,133.46
CHURCH UFE
OUTREACH
SERVICE EXPENSES
CHOIR & ORGAN
(201.44)
753.04
1.775.00
1,221.52
1,393.96
1,479.00
OTHER
DONATIONS
1.162.50
300.00
115,637.90 84,821.68
ST MARY'S SALEHURST 2025 ANNUAL ACCOUNTS
PAGE 4
BALANCE SHEET 31 DECEMBER 2025
2025
ASSEfs HELD BY PCC
2024
BANK ACCOUNTS
CURRENT Accoumfs ,
DEPOSIT ACCOUNTS I
71,607.65
65,090.90
136.698.55
26,981.53
65,037.54
92,019.07
PErrY CASH
58.65
260.26
DEBTOR5
20.391.25
157,148.45
7.487.91
99,767.24
LESS LIABILITIES
CREDITORS
39,430.29
117.718.16
38,815.38
60,951.86
ASSETS HELD BY OIOCESE
BATES TrUST
CHANCEL TRusr
37,637.99
2,860.63
40,498.62
36,738.74
2,733.22
39,471.96
TOTAL NEf ASSETS
158,216.78
l(K),423.82
REPRESENTING
PCC FUNDS
GENERAL FUND
PROJECT FUNDS
15.000.00
102,718.16
117.718.16
27,361.33
33,590.53
60,951.86
DIOCESE FUNDS
40,498.62
39.471.96
TOTAL FUNDS
158.216.78
100,423.82
ST MARYS SALEHuILsf 2025 ANNUALACCOUNTS
PAGE 5
IIICOME AND EXPENDtruRE ANALYSIS BY CLASS-
PAR15H SHARE
GENEIIAL EXPENSES
PROJE FUNDS
PARISH
GENERAL
SMARE EXPENSES
PROJEcr
FUNDS
INCOME
GIVING
GIFf AID
2.176.42
5.266.13
17.288.97
32.176.42
5266.13
2.S85.88
AIINUAL CLAIM
1.291.84 12,StyJ.IKI REOROERING
880.00 WC FUND
31.25 CHOIR
75.215.00 REOROERING
4,009.00 WC FUND
125.CKI CHOIft
DONAT10145
85.559.82
6.210.82
LEGAaES
FUND ILIISING
FEES
INVESTMENT INCOME
TPAOING INCOME
SUNDRY
2.fXQ.CKI
9.210.48
3,697.60
,306.78
.682.32
761.sl
164.950.03
2,0.((•
9,210.48
3,697.60
5,306.78
3.682.32
761.51
32.161.35 92,760.25
40.028.43
EXPENOITURE
PARISH SHARE
CLERGY LIVING EXPENSES
CHURCH OVERHEADS
REPAIRS & MAINTENANCE
sr MARYS REORDEWNG
CMR EXPENSES
OUTrEACH
SERVICE EXPEP45£S
CHOIR & ORGAN
DONATIONS
30,(bJ.O)
2.428.75
6.804.08
9.264.20
63,082.44
419.33
1201.441
30.CW.00
2.428.75
6A04.08
9,264.20
63.082.44 REORDERING
419.33
1201.441
753.04
1.775.C
1.312.50
20.126.71
.775.00
.312.50
IIS.637.SN)
32.428.75
63,082.44
SURPLUSI{DEFiaT)
49,312.13
7.599.68 12,034.64 29.677AI
ST MARY'S SALEHURST 2025 ANNUALAccouf4TS
PAGE 6
SUMMARY OF FUND MOVEMENTS IN THE YEAR
{INCORPORATING YEAR END APPROPRIATIONS ANO TrANSFERS)
blf
2025
2025
INCOME EXPENDITURE
APPROPAIATIONS/
TRANSFERS
clf
31.12.25
PROJEcf FUNDS
GRAVEYARD RENOVATION FUND
SUNDAY CLUB
FLOWER FUND
ALPHA FUND
ORGAN FUND
REORDERING FUND
DIOCESE BATES INCOME
DIOCESE CHANCEL INCOME
CHOIR FUND
GENERAL EXPENSES RESER VE
TOTAL OF PCC PROJECT FUNDS
,036.
60.00
886.74
3CQ.17
177.72
4.047.07
1,298.22
21,036.(KJ
1,360.(M)
901.24
300.17
2,177.72
76,621.45
14.50
92,604.fy)
163.082.441
43,052.82
11,298.221
165.33
2 319.28
33,590.53
156.25
321.58
12,319.281
39.435.32 102,718.16
92.774.75
163,082.441
GENERAL FUND
27361.33
79,629.45
152,555.461
139,435.321 15,000.00
TOTAL FUNDS
60,951.86 172,404.20 1115,637.9)1
117,718.16
ST MARVS SALEHURST2025 ANI4UAL ACCOUIITS
PAGE 7
SUMMARY OF INVEsfMEPnS HELD WITh ThE OIOCE5E ANDANP4UAL CHANGE IN VALUE
ApplItIon/
Marketvalue Market value -Depreciatlon
31.12.2025 31.12.2024
Te
C Number No of units
2025
BATESTRV5r
FW Interest fvnd
CW1352F 24,637.03 37.637.99
36,738.74
899.25
cFtANCEL TRusf Investrnentfund IlncoTh*l I
Fjxed lThterest fund
und1strltred irKomt
(kX11472S
Crf)01029F
456
57.48
withdTrwn by D8F February 2020
wrthdrawTr OBF February 2020
2.860.63
2,733.22
40,498.62
39.471.96
127.41
1,026.66
The value of thè Irwestrnems In the Chancel Fund wfthdrawn In 2020 was £8W5.29 on 31.12.19, £10,232.08 OTr 31.12.25.
sr MARY'S SAIEHUIIST 2025 ANNUAL ACCOUNrs
PAGE 8
ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL POUCIES
IACCOUNTING BASIS
The accounts are prepared on an accruals. not a cash, basis.
2. PARISH SHARE
In 2025 the contriblon of st Mary's Salehurst to Parish Share was £30,C.
From 1st January 2026 the contribution was increased to £40,IXQ pa, and from 18th May*
the date of Licensing of Or Hugh Reid, will be increased to £50,CXXJ pa. Monthly payments
of contribution will be adjusted accordin81v.
Any contributions received from Holy Trinty Hurst Green from 1st January 2026 will be paid
in addition to the above amounts.
In recent years St Mary's Salehurst has pald a supplementary contribution to Parish Sha
in the li8ht ol actual income from Giving in the year. This practice will be discontinued.
3, RESTRicfED FUNDS
As quIred. the PCC restritts Withrawals from Restricted Funds to the purposes specifed in
each case. Sums added to and charged to Restricted Funds, referred to in these Accounts
as Projert Funds, are shown on page 6 of the Accounts.
4. GENERAL RESERVES
In recent years the PCC of St Mary's Salehurst has endeavoured to malntaln a conslstent
balance on Geberal Reserves at each year end. With effert from the year ending
31st December 2025 this balance has been reduced from £27,361.33 to £15.IX(I.(K)
5. ARCHDEACON'S LOAN
An Archdeacon's Loan of £18,5 was raised in 2022 to enable purchase of heated pew
cushions in the church. No interest is payable on the Loan, and the agreed terms specify
that It will be repald out of the share of the proceeds of the sale of the Mission Room slte
accruing to 5t Mary's when the sale Is effected.
6. THE VILL4GER
With effect from 1st January 2025 the transactions of the Villager. the parish maeazine,
have been incorporated in the accounts of St Mary's Salehurst. and the general reserves
of the Vlllager at 1st January 2025- £7439.67 - were added to those of St Mary's on
that date.
## **Independent examiner's report on the accounts**
## **Section A Independent Examiner’s Report**
**Report to the trustees** THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST MARY THE VIRGIN SALEHURST IN THE DIOCESE OF CHICHESTER **On accounts for the year** 31/12/2025 **Charity no** 1212642 **ended (if any) Set out on pages** 1-8
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 31/12/2025.
**Responsibilities and** As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the **basis of report** 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** I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have
- **examiner's statement** come to my attention in connection with the examination ~~(other than that disclosed below *)~~ which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
- the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or
- the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or
- the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair’ view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
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.
- _Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply._
|**Signed:**
**Name:**
**Relevant professional**
**qualification(s) or body**
**(if any):**
**Address:**|**Date:**|01/06/2026|
|---|---|---|
||||
||Richard Davies||
||||
||None held.||
||||
||67 High Street||
**Oct 2018**
1
**IER**
Robertsbridge TN32 5AN
## **Section B Disclosure**
Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners).
**Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose** .
**Oct 2018**
2
**IER**