Report from the Committee of The Friends of St Michael the Archangel in Mere
Since the last AGM, about five months ago, the new committee have been familiarising themselves with the affairs of the Friends. After a winter of disruption due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and further lockdowns, life continued to be somewhat overshadowed by the limits on gathering until mid-July.
Ofcers The newly appointed Committee duly elected the following officers:
Chair: Felicity Wilson Secretary, Elisabeth Barrett Membership Secretary: Mary Wilson Merchandising Manager: Bill Price (from June) Treasurer: Fiona Jukes
Elisabeth, owing to her previous experience as a committee member, was also Acting Treasurer from the AGM until the draft accounts for the year ending 2021 had been drawn up. Fiona Jukes then accepted the Committee’s invitation to join the Committee as a co-opted member and Treasurer on the 9[th] June 2021.
The Committee familiarised themselves with the running of the Friends; considering membership matters, the Constitution, the finances, and the past fundraising events run by the Friends. In this we are indebted to the support of Ann and Peter Dethick and other previous members of the Committee.
The Trustees’ details have been (or are in the process of being, for some) uploaded to the Charity Commission website. This is the publicly available information on the Charity.
Membership Matters
Mary Wilson has been updating the database of current members.
We have been looking into GDPR compliance, and how to fulfil our obligations to keep our members’ data safe. That work is ongoing. (the guidance is 320-odd pages long!)
A newsletter was sent to members in July 2021, introducing the Committee and offering a brief overview of what we were doing.
Review and update of the Literature produced by the Friends; a new logo, an updated application form (to join the Friends).
We are currently reviewing the Friends’ cupboards at the back of the Church and considering how best this space might be used, and how merchandise can be presented.
Supporting St Michael’s Church and fulflling the objects
The servery has been kitted out. Many thanks to Ann Dethick and her team for organising this. It is the last visible stage of the re-ordering project, and is a big enhancement of the Church for all those who use it.
A digital counter has been purchased and installed. It measures how many people come into the church. It is gathering useful data which can be used in future grant applications and similar to further the work of the Friends. Currently possibly up to 200-300 people are visiting every week.
The Church is currently in an Interregnum. Hopefully there will be a new vicar soon. There is a Quinquennial review immanent – auditing the state of the fabric of the Church. What the Church needs in terms of support from the Friends will no doubt become clear. The Friends continue to support the Pinnacles Appeal by looking after the funds already raised.
Fundraising
It has been a quiet year in Mere, given the repeated lockdowns and limitations on mixing and gathering since 2020. Fundraising along ‘the usual lines’ was therefore somewhat curtailed.
In July, a Classical music concert was held in the Church after picnics at The Chantry. 125 people attended. Proceeds from ticket sales were donated to the Friends, which raised a good amount and attracted in a further donation to the Friends.
Some new life members joined this year (totalling £350), but the Committee decided not to enforce the annual subscription fee which would otherwise have fallen due the previous October (2020).
The Year Ahead
Fundraising ideas currently in discussions or the pipeline include;
Participating in local charitable and social events; holding a stall to sell merchandise and membership/or selling refreshments
Future concerts in the Church – to attract a wide range of audience musical tastes
Lectures in the Church on subjects relating to members’ interests or the appreciation of the building–
We are asking for volunteers – if there is a particular event you would like to see brought back – please tell us! Can you help us to organise it, or with ideas or give of your time? We are very keen to involve as many of the community as possible.
There have been a great many events held over the years – let us know what your favourites were. Have you got a great idea you think would raise some money, and be a fun event for members and or the people of Mere. It could be purely social, or it may be related to the beautiful building we are in.
Administrative work –to update the Constitution. A review is under way – as we go through the cycle of the year in the Friends certain things need to be clarified, or brought into line with best practice:
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Possible set term Committee members and resignation of
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Management of voting, elections and the role of Zoom etc
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Powers of remaining committee members
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The order in which accounts are presented to the AGM; before or after Examination by the Independent Examiner. (Understand the PCC does the former, as do other charities).
Amendment requires a Special General Meeting, with a resolution to amend being passed by a ¾ majority of those present, and this will be called in due course.
Felicity Wilson, Chairman 29[th] September 2021
FRIENDS OF ST MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL CHURCH MERE
Receipts and Payments Account for the year ended 30th June 2021
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Receipts Payments
2020 2020
465 Subscriptions 6 x Life 350.00 28.87 Admin 43.98
2050 Misc Donation 1800.00 Servery goods 569.22 613.20
22.76 HMRC tax claim 92.92 Appeal payments
K&B Builders 125844.67
147.31 Bank interest 47.25 Architect Fees 9726.19
2290.17 Planning consent 408.00
Appeal receipts Fundraising brochure 218.15
Donations 13335.50 Concert 1500.00
Concert tickets 1500.00 Fitting out 353.71 138050.72
Gift Aid 6607.17
Life in Mere Sales 782.40
Pew sales 1555.00
Garfield Weston grant 20000.00
fundraising (Carols) 10.00
WHCT grant 2500.00
Bank interest 12.31 46302.38
Bank balances 30/6/2020 b/f Bank balances 30/6/2020 c/f
Current a/c 855.71 Current a/c 2485.43
Deposit a/c 25028.00 Deposit a/c 10075.25
Appeal a/c 90535.04 116418.75 Appeal a/c 13786.70 26347.38
165011.30 165011.30
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Independent examiner's report to the trustees of the Friends of St Michael the Archangel Church, Mere I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Friends of St Mlchael the Archangel clrCh, Mere (registered charity number 2816041 for the year ended June 30th 2021. As the Charitys Trustees you are responsible for the Preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 20111.the Acrf). I report in re5pert of my examination of the Trusys accounts carried oirt under section 145 of the 2011 Art and in carryln8 Out myexamlnation I have followed all the apICable Directions 8iven by the Charity Commission under section 145(5llb) of the ACL I have cornpleted my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examinatlon 8iving me cause to belleve that in any materSal respect: l. accountin8 records were not kept in re5pert of the Trust as required by sectlon 130 of the Act. or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records. I have no ¢(rnS and have come across no other matters In connettlon with the examination to which attentlon should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understsnding of the accounts to be reached. Trevor Luca5 Summerleigh, Mill Lane, Mere WARMINSTER BA12 6DA November 3, 2021