DIOCESE OF Y) LICHFIELD The Parochial Church Council of Sandon with Burston Trustees, Annual Report for the year ended 31st December 2025 Registered Charity 121838 Objectives and Activities The Parochial Church Council of Sandon wrth Burston (the PCCI has the responsibility of cooperatin9 with the incumbent. in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish. the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelical, social and ecumenical. The PCC is also spiritually responsible for the maintenance of the church. The PCC is committed to enabling as many people as Fossible to worship at our churches and lo become part ofour parish community. The PCC maintains an overyiew of worship throughout the parish and makes suggestions on how our services can involve the many groups that live within our parish. Our services and worship put faith into prath'ce throu9h prayer, scripture, music and sacrament. Also, through nonsacramental actsvrties of hospitality and fellowship we aim to reach nonrychurch members of the community. Publlc Benefit The trustees of the PCC are aware of the Chanty Commisslon's guidance on public benefit in The Advancement of Religion for the Public 8enefit and have had regard to it in their admini$trab'on of the Charity. The trustees believe that, by promting the work of the Church of England in the Ecclesiastical Parish of Sandon with Burston it helps to promote the whole mission of the Church Ipasloral, evangelistic, soc¢al and ecumenical) more effectivety. wrthin the Ecclesiastical Parish. and that in doing so it provides a benefit lo the Publ by.. Providing facilibes for public worship. pastoral care and spintual, moral and intellectual development, both for its members and for anyone who wshes to benefit from what Ihe Church offers., and Promoting Chrislian values and sepii* by members of the Church in and to their communities, to the benefft of indivhduals and scciety as a who. Cleryy The Parish and wider Mid Trent Team ofchurches have teen in vacancy agaln throughout 2025. Having failed lo Secu any Inte$t in the post of Priest in Charge which had beers advertised Ihree times in 2024, the Team Council, made up of representatives of each Parish. in conjunction with the Archdeacon, decided to use 2025 as a Per of reflection. The Archdeacon supported a Team Mission and Vision Day held in August facilrtated by the foeT Chief Executsve ofthe DeSe. The outcome was four areas of focus for our fvture namely: Deepening our individual and team discipleshipl confident leadership Outreach and evangglism
Knowlng and responding to our ¢ommunilios Stronglhenlng the Benefi¢0 The Team Council has subsequently been working on a completety new Sty of profile fo¢using less on the number of churches which is seen as a barrier and much mre on our culture and our ambitions in these four areas. At the year end, Ihis work was well in hand with a viw to advertising in the fifst quarter of the new year. Meanwhile, we continue to be kykxt fortunate to have the ongoing dedication and ¢ommrf(ment of our non-stipendiary Associate Minister. the Rev'd VNienne Starkie, supported by our lay Reader Andy Cooper, a number of clergy, either retired or from nearby parishes, and lay members of our congregations, willing to take services. The Team Council continues to pay a part-time Treasurer which works well, Rev'd VNienne and Andy Cooper plan the rotas, and three members of the Team Council have responsibility for all administrative functions associated wrth Funerals, Bapts'sms and Weddings. Natlonal Lottory H•rhag• Fund Project In 2024 we rewrted on Ihe successful application to the National Lottery Hentage Fund for a grant to conserve rare hentsge features in Sandon ChuTch. including Stained glass windows, a Royal Coat of Anns. tombs, wall paintings and monuments. The main grant of £558,268 was awarded in 2024 bul a further grant of £121,391 was awarded in September 2025 to cover additional works. The grant includes an element for adivities to engage a wider audience in the heritage of our Grade 1 listed building. Work eventually started in November. Conservator5 have been onsrte since then working on the tombs, wall paintings and rnnuments in the Chancel. Work has tsken p* outside lo improve drainage. A¢¢ess to Ihe church ha$ been limited. The Chancel has been boarded up and oul of bounds sintt work commenced. We have been able lo host services according lo our rots by using the Lady Chapel Altar and managing movement around the building, but we have not been able to hold any other events or aclivilies. No untoward incidents have been noted. Church S•rvl¢ A more sèttled rola has been in place in 2025. The first Sunday ofthe nKJnth Communion takes place al Sandon, on the second Sunday one Communion service is held across the team, Burslon hosts the Communion Service on the third Sunday and the ngregation relums to Sandon on the fourth Sunday for Malins. ere a mnth has a fifth Sunday a Team service on a special theme is held. one example in 2025 was a Pel Service. We are gratefvl to all those who have led services in the Par¢sh and the wider Mid Trent Team. We a pleased to report that we held nine weddings at Sandon in 2025 (Burston is not licensed for weddings). Whilst admirtrislration is led by a Team Council Mber. OLsr Parish wedding coordinator provides essents'al and much-appreciated practical help and support lo wedding couples and lo clergy. There were six baptisms In 2025, three adults and three intdnts. There were seven fvneralslservices of Thanksgiving in 2025, three burials and Internnts of cremated remains. The Team held services throughout Holy Week culminating in most ¢hur¢hes hosting an Easter Day service. Ours at Sandon was a well-attended joyful occasion with Easter eggs offered to young and old alike. Our annual Harvest service attracted 33 people. t)onatsons of prc#luce went to the House of Bread Charity, and the collecb'on was sent to RABI (see below). The format for our Remembrance SeNice was the same as in 2024. The Police were unable to close the roads in the village for the Act of Remembrance at the War Memorial, so a local volunteer erected a temporary Remembrance display outside church overfooking the Sandon Estate. Inside, a member of
our congregation affixed an enornous card poppy to the wooden partytion installed in front of the Chancel. The service in church afterwards, led by our fom*r Interim Team Rector the Rev'd Dr Lesley Bentley and attended by 63 people was well-rl¥ed. We anticipate thts being Ihe fomial for years to All Saints, was b8autifvlty decorated for Christrnas. albeit on a smaller Sca than usual due to the Heritage W0S. Our lay-led Carol service attendance was 81, a Similar attendance to the previous year. We also held a Carol Service for children from the local day nursery who were accompanied by their parents and nursery staff. Our popular Sandon ChrISting service was retained in its usual slot on Christmas Eve. The addition of Rev'd Duncan's larye in)latable and illuminated nativity scene not only helped to Conceal the wooden partrtion in front of the Chancel, but it delighted the children. Attendancè was 142 with a good mix of children and adults. We were pleased to see the retum of Rev'd Duncan Leake to lead our Midnight Communion, where he delivered his Christrnas message as he played gentle music on his keYrd. The o)ngregab'on numbered 44. a kqrge increase on last year. We continue to benefft from having regular organists at Sandon and one at Burston who greaty enhance our wship. Betsveen them they cover all weddings and funerals as well. Charltable Glvlng We have maintained our usual practice of making charitable donakn.ons frorn church funds and Gollecting for chanties at special services. This year we made donats'ons of £200 to each of the following: The Myanmar Earthquake Appeal The Samaritans Salt Church RoofApp8al We also donated £100 to the MOD Chaplaincy trj SUPPOrt their Mission efforts with families. In addition, specific collections were held and remitted to the Royal British Legion, Dougie Mac Charity (Donna Louise Hospice for children), The National Children's Home, Oak Tree Fami Rural Project for Adults with a Leaming Oisabilty, and RABI. the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Insts'lution. In conjunction with other churches in the Trent Team, we continued our practice of regularcollections of donations of food, toiletries and clothing for House of Bread, a Slafford based Christian Charity supportin9 homeless and vulnerable people. othor Actlvltles The Associate Minister ran a Lent and an Advent urne across the Team. Those members who attended from Sandon with Burston benefitted from her work. Members of our congregation and friends enjoyed a (COUrse meal for Harvest Supper followed by an entertaining quiz. On Sunday 21 September 2025 All Saints. held its customary National Heritage Open Day when we welcomed 136 adults and 14 children an increase on 2024 numbers. Many guests took a guided tour of the interior of the ¢hur¢h and the churchyard,. enjoyed chiming a bell and taking refreshments. This year we were SUPFY)rted by the Heritage Prqect Activth"es Coordinators who Offe crafts to children in our new gazebo purchased with Hentage funding. Member5 of our Herilage Project History group displayed their research and were on hand to talk to visitors. Children and staff from the k)cal day nursery have visited the church at Easter, Harvest time and ChTiStmas leaming al)out our festivals and participats'ng in actNities.
Under our Heritage Project up until November when Works started we continued to be open on Tuesday mornings with a steady flow of visitors, on Monday evenings which are more popular in summertim8, and we continued to trial Sunday aftemwn opening but wth limrted success. Before the works started, we were able to offer visrts to 5 groups including guided tours of the heritage of the church. bellringing history and an opportunity to chime the bells andlor guided tours of the graveyard. We had hoped to continue hosting school visits but due to the need lo plan and the uncertainty of ts'rning for the heritage works this did not materialise. Wo have continued to distribute informalion regularty to over 50 people on the Parish ,O'S Who, Contact list. The website Content on A Church Near You conttnues to be efficiently updaled by the dedicated support of a Team Counal member. The number of enquiries through the 'contact us, facility has increased again on previous years. Our own website Iw¥Yw.sandonallsainls.coml set up as part of the HeriL9ge project is now eonstanlly updated with Servi and event infomation as well as the Heritage conlenl and a News blog. Interested parties can now 1ct us directy through the website lo order tickets for events. The PCC is grateful to the Stafford Arts Society which has undertaken a project to produce a bound book of the ¢onlents of All Saints Church. Two copies have been made for use by groups and individuals interested in the record of historical artefacts. The COMPASS beneficelcommunity magazine goes from strength to strength. Its attractsve layout and interesting content is very much applauded by congregations and the community, which in turn has encouraged more advertisers thereby supporting the projuction costs. Fundrnl8lng 2025 was a busy yèar for the Fundraising Group who afranged and hosted a Imnterwalk, Bluebell Walk, and a tslk about the history of chimney sweeps in stafft)rdsh1 and another on l¢xal railways. They also held two musical events. Songs at Suppertime when a meal was accompanied by a local choral group and a concert at Sandon Hall which showcased the musical expertise of members of the Bimiingham Conservatoire. All events were extrenEty popular and contributed £4.888 net of costs to funds. Book sales contributed a further £460. This group makes a snIficant contribution each year to th8 PCC funds. Bell rlnglng The Church has an enthusiast band of 16 ringers who pra¢lise every Monday evening. They regularly ring for services and host ringers from other Towers. They have rung for all our weddings this year and in September they rang to celebrate the 400th anniversary of number 5 bell. Visitors to the church and first-time attenders at services much appreciate the opportunity lo ascend lo the bell tower and chime bell. None of this coijld happen without the time and commitment of both our Bell Captain and Tower Captain Actlv? Involvoment of volunts•rn As a Pansh we continue to benefit from the many volunteers who so Willing give oftheir lime to support our churches. Over 40 Feople help by supporting services, serving on the PCC and committees, maintaining and cleaning both church buildings and grounds, planning and helping at events, catering, ringing bells, communi¢ations, and more recentty supporting the Hentsge Fund projec[ including undertaking history research and taking tours. Most undertake several duties. Without this level of support. we simpty could not funth"on. The PCC and the Churchwardens are most grateful to all those who have supported the work of the Churches.
Safeguarding The PCC has complied wrth the duty to have regard to the House of Bishops, Guidance on Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable adults. Our Safeguarding Policy was reviewed by the PCC. Every meeting of the PCC and the Benefice Team Council includes Safeguarding on the agenda. We are up to date with DBS checks of all PCC members. MLYe training has tsken place this year, including both Wardens undertaking the Leadership training required because of being in interynum. Our Safeguarding work has further improved this year. Led by our Parish Safeguarding Coordinator, we have progressed to level 3 on the Church of England Safeguarding Dashboard. This enables u$ lo keep abreast of compliance on this wide-ranging agenda. Th8 Dashboard produces an Acbon Plan which now forms part of the regular reForting to the PCC. structure, Govornan¢o and Management The PCC is a Body Corporate established ty the Church of England. In the past we have been exempt from registration with the Charity Commission but the tumover in funds associated with the Heritage grant reached the threshold fof full registration. We are indebted to our Treasurer for processing our application and overseeing the requirements of our new status. The PCC is govemed by the Parochial Church cn¢11 Powers Measure (19561 as amended that came into effect on 2nd January 1957. and the Church Representats'on Rules (contained In Schedule 3 to the Syntrjical Government Measure 1969 as amendèdl. The Mid Trent Benefte has a Team Council made up of representalNes of each Parish, in the case of Sandon with Burston the Churchwardens fvlfil this role. Under a Rule 20 Scheme the Team Council has some delegated powers. The melh¢xI of appointment of the PCC members is set out in the Church RePresentatn Rules. The PCC has adopted a policy ofa 3-year rotating tem ofoffice of members. The Councll chaired by the Rector, when one is In post, comprises the Churchwardens, and 9 members who are elected at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting, by those on the Electoral Roll. The Secretary and Treasurer aro elected members of the PCC and therefore have fijll vots'ng rights. In addition. there are fv40 co-opted pla¢e$, one of which is reserved for a preSentatIve of the Burston Church. In 2021 the Annual Panshioners Meeb'ng voted to increase the PCC membership by This took effect from the 2022 Annual Meeting. Members of the congregatK*n a alway$ urged to join the Electoral Roll, and lo stsnd for election lo the PCC. Nomination forms for membership of the PCC are available in Church at least Yo Sundays prior to the APM. The PCC members are responsible for making decisions on all matters of general concem and importan¢e in the parish, and for all financial matters. A full meets'ng of the PCC is normally held four limes a year and there is an Annual Parishioners Meeting IAPMI. Sub-committees operale to tsrylitate the work ol the PCC. These are: The Wardens Commltt•e (Standlng Commlttee The Church Bulldlng and Churchyard Commltlo0- chaired by Ken Pemberton Tho Fundraising and Social Cornmlttee- chaired by Rose Pemberton The Heritage Committe•- chaired by Ken Pemberton These ¢ommittees report to the PCC at every full nets'n9 of the PCC. A representative of the Burston Church ahvays attends PCC meetrngs and is fvlty invofved in all decision-making. The Church Wardens have continued to SUPPty a Imnlhly ACtn Log by way of report io PCC rrt1ftgS.
Financial Rgview 2025 saw the most complex set ofaccounts the PCC has had prepared and the largest tumover in recent years at £224.239. This is made up nTr)stty of the tumover related to the National Lottery Heritsge Fund project which accounts for £119,746 in grant ftjnding and £69,503 which is part of a bridging loan from the Diocese of Lichfield. Funding for the DelNery Stage ofthe project is provided based on Invo presented for reimbursement and the funding p8rcenlage is 86% of expenditure but pays 91010 lo take account of contributions rna¢Je to the project in the form of volunteer hours_ Part of the project fijnding was due to be covered by the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme {LPOWGSI which has now closed. We were able to recover the maximurn possible from the LPOWGS in the 2025r26 tax year and the shortfall has been made up by the National Lottery Heritage Fund in the form of an additional grant. The PCC is mst gratefttl to the fund for their generous supwrt of the project. It has also had support in 2025 in the form of cash grants from the Garfield Weston Foundation. the LasleWs Charities. the Edward Cadbury Trusl and the Lichfield Diocese. We also ceiVed a grant payment in 2024 from the Benefact Trust. Grants from the Leche Trust and Stsffordshire Histofic Churches will be paid when the conservation work is completed. Wè are also K)St grateful to these trusts for their supp)rt. The day to day running of the churches including the Cornrn Fund contribution, repairs, insurance, power, delivery of services and miscelL3neous expenditure has continued to be met from general fund$ generated by donations, collections and fund raising. Summary of tho Flnancl•l Ststsm•nt• Income The figures shown under Unrestricted Funds include fijnds designatèd for Specific purpose8 such as fund raisin9 for a new Tea Point and frJnds held as provisional matched funding raised by the PCC but that may not be required for the completion of the current project. Thèy also include Ihe funds for Burston Church which are hekj separately and designated for the use of that church and building. This means not all the Unresthcted Funds are available for immediatè expenditure other than as designated. The general income for the year was £34.202. The rgeSt contribylor to this was voluntary donations and Gtft Aid tax rKovery of £20,932, fund raising of £7,088 before costs and fees for weddings and funerals of £5,532.00. This total is in line with previous year, with the large numbers of weddings being oftset by fewer services. The restricted income all relates to the Bell fund and the heritage project. The restricted income includes the draw down of £69,503 from a Diwesan bridging h)an. Expenditure The general expenditure for the period was £26,231. The single largest expenditure item is the operation of the hvo churches over and above the consetvation work at £11,546. This include$ maintenancè. £4,222, the running costs such as power, £1,695.31 and insurance al £3.886.43. The cosl of events to support fund raising We £2,200 and includes the hire of venues, fe&s and donations to perforniers. Restricled expenditure relates to the Bell Fund and the NLHF project where we spent £93,830 on repairs and conservation and £17.418 on supporbng *ivities to enhanc• the proie¢ts outcomes. The Comrrnn Fund was paid in full for the year. Assels The balanc8 of the general fund excluding designated funcls was £17.159.38 at the end of the year plus £7 held in Ihe CCLA accounL Liabilits'es The balance of Ihe Diocesan Loan at the year end was £69,503 as noted above. This will be repaid as funds are drawn down towards the end of the project. In the meanlime, interest is charged at 0.5% above the CCLA {SBFI deposit rate and is capitalised into the loan balance. Approval The Financial statements for the year We approved by the PCC at its meeting on 25 February 2026. and the Examinerfs Cert]"fi¢ate is appended. We are gratefvl as ever to John Boulton ACMA for his support in examining and concluding the a¢¢ounts.
Indepndont examln0rf8 rgport to th• Paro¢hlal Church Councll of Sandon wlth Burston All Salnts Church Sandon and St Rufins Church Burnton This report on the financol statements of the PCC for the year ended 31 Dernber 2025, set on the followng 2 pages, is in respect of an examination Caled out in acc4JrdarKX WFth Church Acfx)unting Regulattons 2006 Ilhe Reguktions.) and $.145 of the Chantes h£t 2011 fthe ACY). Ro•poctlve mponslblllllos of th• PCC and th• examlmr As members of the PCC you are reswnsible for the preparation of the financial statements,. you consKler that the audit requirement of the RegUkts'0r and s.14412) of the Act does not appty. It is my reSpOns)i1ty to Issue this roF4yi cm those financial statements in accordance wth the temi$ of the Regulations. Bui$ of thls report My oxaminatson was carried out in ac£ordance Mfjth the General Directions glven by Charty Commlssion under $.14515)(bl of the ACL That examination indudes a rewew of the accounting records kept by the PCC and a compari80n ot the finan¢kg1 ststements vAth those records. It also indudes consKlering any unusual items or disclosures in the financial Statements and seeking explanations from you as trustees concemin9 any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provtde all Ihe e¥ence that would bè required in an audit. and consequently no opinion is given as to whether thè financial Staterrthts present a'true and fair and the report is limited to thos6 matters set out in the statemgnt below. Indopondont •MIn0• •tstsment In connection with my examination. no matter h08 (xjme to my attention: {11 which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any Materi respect the requirements to keep accounting records in wth section 130 of the Act., and to prepare financial ststements, vthich acc(Kd ilh the a(ountsryJ records and compty wlth the requlrements of the Act and the Regulations have not been met; or 12} to whlch, In my oplnlon. attenkn shouhj be drawn in order to enable 8 proper understsnding ol the accounts to be reached. Mr. . C. Boulton ACMA Chartered Management Ac¢ountsnt 8Lrtterhill Cottage, Bur5ton, Stafford.
hSalClw h CouncH of S .MSaintsC rth Sando SL Rufms Ch rth BuT51t>n Total Funds 2024 Aet•lpts nds Wan Glvlr Colknt¥)ffj at 1viceS Gffts & tlonath)n5 Gfft Recovered &n6 4,Cf 3%71 4.633 2L280 9367 6ffl5 4,764 3262 24.618 3523 4ffi33 20932 FuTrJ Raili Books, Magaz1rn5& Otrwyw 599 6263 Fee5foiWeddlrqs & Funernts 5532 6.162 5365 8ar & CBF Dewlt irtve5t NLHF & Otr•r Gfarrts 10 C88h Lc•n 119556 69503 119.746 69503 45251 Totsl Payments Parbh Share Cler8y & Staffi¥Costs Church RunnlNq Experse5 MaJorReIrS & Restorntlon mb$bnGM& Dor¢ib 10285 10285 12.084 11546 221 93*30 11.767 94.910 720 10107 C2 no 241131 571 24242 94.051 FuTrJraisir 12C(I 17A18 922 17N18 E2 8t101lOrLHFG[3rts 51574 52A96 17A18 19.618 L1 irterest on Lo•n L135 L135 24231 i6 7&T38 79n 77.433 85Nb¢ 4760 Co5h at BankaTrJ HorNlat lJarnKry Cashat Bankarnl HaTrJat31 DEceftthr 14527 10.788 25,315 IlQ719 20555 Cashat 31 December£x¢kth8Cash Loan
Unrt5bicW fte5bic Total Fund5 Totsl Fund5 Funds nds 21124 Bank Currentkcourts CBF Dewsit kcotmt 22A91 111.ty9 25.713 22.498 111206 -115 -372 25.720 456 -1 -372 35 25315 84221 IW719 Fee5 Refurthd on behaff of the Dhxese Cosh Lo•n Corrtrart Retsntbns Parh Share Commn FuTh4 ncy CoAectlor 69.503 1,631 372 l The flnarKLIl 5taterrrts of t PCC hab Lwn Wepad In aCcOrdaewhh fv Clvch k¢ountIR1•t>r& 2( us1r¥t Re¢elOS ar¥J Payrnnts bas 1$ h8bJ Icf St I4r¢ Ch(h ro1knfAb in tl cl gr¥# furKrvJ. I$ i• thwg•J •t 0.5% th• CCLA IC8B Dw't R81• 4 The mwèmerts Int Restrkted fUsal De5tyted Furwtsthjrirq thear were.. B•larKe at l J•rwry Recelpts Paymerts BalarKe at 31 t)ecethr -16 4,021 -3.633 372 9350 11124 -1 101,432 -112383 -11,063 io.n8 190.037 -112.f414 88,221 978 -221 2307 S903 27A74 69.$03 8alance at I larwry Recelpts Trdrtsferfrom 11Th1esW•ted Fthls Paywrts BalarKe at 31 December 3,1 io 874 L3CIJ 2369 1.942 1.020 5,331 ApprO1d tythe Parochkl Church cou1 on and SIed onthew behalf J5.2.2
R•feron¢o and Admlnistr•tlv& dotsi The Parish Church of All Saints, Sandon is tocaled jusl OLrtSMle the village on Church Lane, Sandon ST18 ODB. St Rufin's is in the centre of the vilLgge of Burston ST18 ODS. The Parish, within Ihe Dio¢v6e of Lthfield. is partofthe MKd TrentTeam ofchurches Mpn$Ing eight parishes and ten churches. We have one full-time Priest-in£harge Icurrenty vacantl and a non-sbpendiary part-time Assoryate Ministsr PCC members who have served from the APM 2025 until the date this report was approved were.. Ex Officio Members The Incumbent Associate Minister Churchwardens Vacant The Reverend Vivienne Stsrk Mrs Elvzabeth Jarrett Mr Stephen Butt The Churchwardens Vice Chair Vu Chair Deanery Synod Representatives Team Council Representatives The Churchwardens Mr Kenneth Pemberton Honorary Deputy Churchwarden Secretary Treasurer Elecled 2023 Mrs Jeannette Butt Mrs Janel Dawson Mrs Rosemarie Pemberton Mrs Anne Stringer Mr Michael Capper Mrs Josie CapFer Mrs Susan Unwin Mrs Lesley Brandon Dr Pamela Hirrell Mrs Carol Pilling Elected 2024 Elected 2025 Elected 2023 Elected 2023 Elected 2025 Ele¢ted 2025 Elected 2023 Elected 2025 Elected 2025 Annual Appointment Burston Representatwe Advisors • Bankars The Co-operative Bank Limited 4243 Greengate Street stafford ST16 2JA CCLA Senator House 85 Queen Victoria Street London EC4V 4ET Mr John Boulton ACMA Investment Managers Independent Examiner