## **Annual Report 2024** 

Since our last AGM so much has happened – the church has continued to grow both in terms of numbers attending and depth of faith and relationship, with a wonderful sense of God’s presence. We have 30 -40 people attending each Sunday and we’re so pleased to have welcomed new members who are lending their support and help in incredible ways. There is a wonderful atmosphere in church services and at all the other events and activities — one of joy and hope, friendliness and warmth. 

Of course, there have been some great challenges and sadness as well — especially as we mourn the loss of Gill, Brian, Steve, Ruth Roberts and Geoff Hubbard — who all passed away in the last year. They were dearly loved members and friends of this church who contributed in so many ways to enrich the lives of all of us and this church. They will not be forgotten and although we feel their loss deeply we know that each of them was a Christian and so have been promoted to glory and we will see them again one day. 

**Growth Track and Connect Groups** – launched this year with 2 connect groups starting in September. 

## **Children’s Church** 

On a Sunday, the children have had great fun acting out bible stories, doing bible related arts and crafts, looking at themes with up to 12 attending – thanks to all those who help out. 

## **Youth Club** 

Run every Tuesday during term time — up to 25 unchurched children age 7- 11years with a talk, basketball arts and crafts and food activity from pizza to donut making and cake decorating. 

## **Wreath making** 

This was a three-day event seeing over 100 people enjoying making advent wreathes at the end of November. 

**Coffee Morning** – was relaunched this year and is well attended. 

**Little Seedlings (Baby and Toddler Group)** – started in 2014 and it's very popular and has grown — each Friday a lot of parents that come from Northway, Ashchurch and other local places as well attend with up to 24 

1 



children. It’s mostly toddlers and some of those parents are now attending other things like art club and the youth club and are enjoying the events that we put on throughout the year. 

**Family Fun event at Christmas** was once again very popular with local families as were the Christmas services. 

We’ve had a great Alpha course with people coming closer to faith and growing in their faith – wonderful catering and service. 

Prayer meetings on Monday evenings have been very powerful times of worship, prayer, and fellowship. 

The stewarding team has done a great job, and the welcome has been amazing. There’s also been some great socials and the sense of family is growing. A huge thanks to the leading preaching team we have here who give so much time and energy to ensuring we are well fed. Also to those who help lead the sung worship — has been such a blessing. 

Also we have a new heating system — we’re gonna be nice and toasty this coming winter – it was bought and installed for £10,000 – thank you to all those who contributed! 

So much to be grateful for. 

2 



To the Trustees of Trust Property Held in Connection with Sycamore Chapel
{Indep8ndent Evangelical Church) (Charity)
I report on the attached accounts oflhe Charity for the year ended 31 December 2024.
Respective responslbllltles of trustees and examlner
The Charity's Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The Charity's
Trustees consider thal an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the
Charities Act 2011 {the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to..
examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act.,
follow the prO￿dureS laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity
Commission under section 145{5)Ibl of the 2011 Act., and lo
slate whether particular matters have come to my altenlion.
Basis of independent examinerfs report
My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by Ihe
Charity Commission. An examinalion includes a review of the accounting records kept by the
Charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. 1131so includes
consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in Ihe accounts and seeking explanations
from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not
provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is
given as to whether Ihe accounts present a 'true and fair view, and the report is limited to
Ihose matters set out in the statement below.
Independent examiner's statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my allenlion..
(11 which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the
requirements..
lo keep accounting records in accordance with seclion 130 of the 2011 Act- and
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the
accaunting requirements of the 2011 Act
have not been met., or
121 to which, in my opinion, attenlion should be drawn in order to enable a proper
understanding of the accounts to be reached.
2l
202g
Signatur8
ROGER FRANK DOWNES FCA
for & on behall of BK Plus Limited, Chartered Certified Accounlanls
Date
Professional designalionlsl
Address.. 6 Manor Park Business Cenlre, Mackenzie Way, Cheltenham, Glouceslershire,
GL519TX

CHARITY COMMISSION
FOR ENGLAND ANO WALES
Chape1 Ilndependent Evangical Church)
Recei
ts and
ments accounts
CC16a
For the period
from
0110112024
3111212024
Section A Receipts and payments
Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
Endowment funds
Total funds
Last year
to lh& nèarast
to Ihe Dgarg¥t£
to the nearost £
to the nearest £
to the Dearest£
A1 Recei
Oon3liDns
Legacy
Oihe.r Income- Gift A
Standard E8rned Incomo
ts
58,31D
S8,31
48,076
6,fj63
6.fj63
5,272
9,682
9,fj82
3,562
Sub total(Gros8 incorne for AR)
74.655
74,e55
56,910
sset an
see table
Investment income
Investment sa
es,
2S2
252
13
252
252
13
Total receipts
74.907
A3Pa
ments
Support Costs- Heal. Llghl and Power
Support Cosis- Printing 2nd Slallonery
Support Cosis- Telephone and Cornpuler
2,661
258
2,661
2S8
3,854
47
1,516
14,491
11,220
69
4£,455
1,516
14,491
11,220
69
46,455
1,423
3,974
8,350
69
38,322
1,920
Support Cosls- Maintenance
Support C0515- General Expèn$e$
Manaqemenl & Admin- Bank Charges
Managemenl & Admin- Gross Wages
Sub total
76,670
76.670
57,959
A4 Asset and investment
Sub total
rotal payments
76.670
71,670
57,959
Net of recelpts/(payments)
AS Transfers between funds
A6 Cash funds last year end
Cash funds this yearend
1,763
1,763
t,035
4,980
4,980
6,743
CCXX R1 accounts ISSI
2110812025

Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
Llnrestricted funds
Restrtcled
funds
10 nÈarèAt£
Endowment
funds
to neArest £
Categorle5
DÈtalls
lo nearest £
B1 Cash funds
Bank Current account
785
Barclays (￿￿ent acctsunl
4.195
Total Gash funds
4,980
lagreebalanceswilh recelpls eDd payme￿$
acGOL¥ltlsll
Unre5trlcted funds
Restricted
funds
to nèarèst £
Endowment
funds
Detalls
to n8arest £
to nearest £
B2 Other monetary assets
Fund to whlch asset
belon
Current valu•
Details
B3 Investment assets
. Z440
Fund lo whlch
belo
Det8115
Cost lopllonall
Cufrenl value
B4 Assets retained for the
charity's own use
Fund lo whlch Ilabl11ty
Amoullt duo
When due
DÈtails
B5 Liabilitie5
2694
Signed by one ar two Iruslees on
behalf of 811 the IW51ee5
Date of
ioval
Signature
Print Name
CCXX R2 accounts ISSI
2110812025

To the Trustees of Trust Property Held in Connection with Sycamore Chapel
{Indep8ndent Evangelical Church) (Charity)
I report on the attached accounts oflhe Charity for the year ended 31 December 2024.
Respective responslbllltles of trustees and examlner
The Charity's Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The Charity's
Trustees consider thal an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the
Charities Act 2011 {the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to..
examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act.,
follow the prO￿dureS laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity
Commission under section 145{5)Ibl of the 2011 Act., and lo
slate whether particular matters have come to my altenlion.
Basis of independent examinerfs report
My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by Ihe
Charity Commission. An examinalion includes a review of the accounting records kept by the
Charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. 1131so includes
consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in Ihe accounts and seeking explanations
from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not
provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is
given as to whether Ihe accounts present a 'true and fair view, and the report is limited to
Ihose matters set out in the statement below.
Independent examiner's statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my allenlion..
(11 which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the
requirements..
lo keep accounting records in accordance with seclion 130 of the 2011 Act- and
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the
accaunting requirements of the 2011 Act
have not been met., or
121 to which, in my opinion, attenlion should be drawn in order to enable a proper
understanding of the accounts to be reached.
2l
202g
Signatur8
ROGER FRANK DOWNES FCA
for & on behall of BK Plus Limited, Chartered Certified Accounlanls
Date
Professional designalionlsl
Address.. 6 Manor Park Business Cenlre, Mackenzie Way, Cheltenham, Glouceslershire,
GL519TX

CHARITY COMMISSION
FOR ENGLAND ANO WALES
Chape1 Ilndependent Evangical Church)
Recei
ts and
ments accounts
CC16a
For the period
from
0110112024
3111212024
Section A Receipts and payments
Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
Endowment funds
Total funds
Last year
to lh& nèarast
to Ihe Dgarg¥t£
to the nearost £
to the nearest £
to the Dearest£
A1 Recei
Oon3liDns
Legacy
Oihe.r Income- Gift A
Standard E8rned Incomo
ts
58,31D
S8,31
48,076
6,fj63
6.fj63
5,272
9,682
9,fj82
3,562
Sub total(Gros8 incorne for AR)
74.655
74,e55
56,910
sset an
see table
Investment income
Investment sa
es,
2S2
252
13
252
252
13
Total receipts
74.907
A3Pa
ments
Support Costs- Heal. Llghl and Power
Support Cosis- Printing 2nd Slallonery
Support Cosis- Telephone and Cornpuler
2,661
258
2,661
2S8
3,854
47
1,516
14,491
11,220
69
4£,455
1,516
14,491
11,220
69
46,455
1,423
3,974
8,350
69
38,322
1,920
Support Cosls- Maintenance
Support C0515- General Expèn$e$
Manaqemenl & Admin- Bank Charges
Managemenl & Admin- Gross Wages
Sub total
76,670
76.670
57,959
A4 Asset and investment
Sub total
rotal payments
76.670
71,670
57,959
Net of recelpts/(payments)
AS Transfers between funds
A6 Cash funds last year end
Cash funds this yearend
1,763
1,763
t,035
4,980
4,980
6,743
CCXX R1 accounts ISSI
2110812025

Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
Llnrestricted funds
Restrtcled
funds
10 nÈarèAt£
Endowment
funds
to neArest £
Categorle5
DÈtalls
lo nearest £
B1 Cash funds
Bank Current account
785
Barclays (￿￿ent acctsunl
4.195
Total Gash funds
4,980
lagreebalanceswilh recelpls eDd payme￿$
acGOL¥ltlsll
Unre5trlcted funds
Restricted
funds
to nèarèst £
Endowment
funds
Detalls
to n8arest £
to nearest £
B2 Other monetary assets
Fund to whlch asset
belon
Current valu•
Details
B3 Investment assets
. Z440
Fund lo whlch
belo
Det8115
Cost lopllonall
Cufrenl value
B4 Assets retained for the
charity's own use
Fund lo whlch Ilabl11ty
Amoullt duo
When due
DÈtails
B5 Liabilitie5
2694
Signed by one ar two Iruslees on
behalf of 811 the IW51ee5
Date of
ioval
Signature
Print Name
CCXX R2 accounts ISSI
2110812025