West Lane Baptist Church
Annual Reports 2025
West Lane Baptist Church Haworth BD22 8EN
http://www.westlanebaptistcentre.org.uk
Minister’s Report
As I look back on the last year with you, I continue to feel grateful and humbled to be part of this church family and wider community. Julie and I have settled in well, and we are committed to being here long term. We are deeply thankful for the warmth of your welcome.
This past year has been full of opportunities to deepen relationships – within the fellowship and beyond. I have been blessed to spend time with some of you in your homes, in cafés, and in hospital settings, sharing stories, prayers, and friendship. These visits remind me again of the strength of our shared faith and the importance of simply being present with one another.
It has also been a joy to take part in community events, such as the Pride celebrations, Praise in the park and the climate change library initiative. These have offered meaningful opportunities to stand alongside our neighbours, listen, learn, and bear witness to God’s love in the public square.
As a church, we continue to hold one another through times of joy and sorrow, and I am encouraged by the ways we are seeking to grow together in faith, hospitality, and service.
Looking ahead, I am excited for what God will continue to do among us. My prayer is that we keep finding new ways to embody Christ’s love in our village and beyond – both in the everyday encounters and in the bigger moments we share together.
Thank you for your prayers, encouragement, and friendship. I look forward to the year ahead as we continue this journey of faith side by side.
Blessings,
Rev. David Skeet
Bookings Report for 2025 AGM
The income to the Church from letting the Church premises decreased by 11% over the financial year. This has been largely due to the three groups shown below ending their activities with us. The saddest and most significant, from the personal and historic links and the financial aspect, was the ending of the West Lane Baptist Operatic Society’s many decades long connection with the Church.
On the positive side, four groups started activities with us during the year although none of them has yet had a full year with us.
Whilst the number of events held by non-Church Groups increased slightly the overall income decreased. This can be explained by the fact that fewer groups are using a full four hour session.
The Front Room continues to be far and away the most sought after room by groups wishing to use the premises.
Events held by Church Groups Events held by non-Church Groups
| Year ended |
30.06.22 | 30.06.23 | 30.06.24. | 30.06.25 | 30.06.22 | 30.06.23 | 30.06.24 | 30.06.25 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No events |
197 | 253 | 187 | 217 | 938 | 808 | 634 | 642 |
Income from non-Church Groups
£21648 £23210 £19706 £17540*
- 2025 does not include income from two groups who gave donations.
Relative values of rooms let out for the year ended 30.06.25
Room Upstairs Front Room Lounge Back Room Total
| Letting Value 2024 |
£4664 | £11603 | £603 | £2766 | £19706 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Letting Value 2025 |
£4498 | £9802 | £1314 | £1926 | £17540 |
Groups no longer using the premises
Yoga with Liz, Tai Chi, Operatic Society (G & S)
New Groups starting in the financial year.
Moov with Oona, Yoga and Chair Yoga, Sound Meditation, Home School Tutoring
The highest contributors to the Church’s income over the year were:
£501 to £1000 Yoga with Liz, Re-thinking Pain, Tai Chi, Haworth Senior Citizens, Operatic Society Weeny Boppers, Moov with Oona, Home School Tutoring, Brontë Society.
£1001 to £1500 Worth Valley Food Bank, Over 50s Fitness, Haworth Film Club.
£1501 to £2000 Fit for Life.
£2001 to £2500
£2501 to £3000 Slimming World
There is still space in our Calendar for more activities to take place.
Crumbs and Questions
Crumbs & Questions grew out of our Advent and Lent reflections and has now become a regular part of church life. We meet on Thursdays at West Lane Baptist, sharing refreshments, a short Bible passage or theme, and open conversation about faith and life.
It has been encouraging to see a small but faithful group gather each week, creating a safe and welcoming space for honest questions and meaningful discussion. There is no pressure, just time to listen, learn, and share together.
This group remains open to anyone who would like to come along, and we look forward to seeing how God will continue to use these conversations to deepen faith and build community.
Sunday school report
Lunch Club
Haworth West Lane Baptist Church
Accounts for the year ending 30th June 2025
Personnel
Minister Reverend David Skeet 27 Emmott Farm Fold, Haworth BD22 8BQ Secretary Judith Sargent Treasurer Helen Starford Buttergate Barn, Sykes Lane, Oxenhope BD22 9SH Independent Examiner Christine Husbands 15 Church View, Gisburn, Clitheroe BB7 4HG Bank Virgin Money 30 St Vincent Place, Glasgow, G1 2HL
Haworth West Lane Baptist Church
Receipts and Payments Accounts for the year ending June 2025
| June 2025 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | Receipts | 2023-24 |
| Collections and Gift Aid | ||
| 8,676 |
Weekly Collection | 6,267 |
| 12,462 | Gift aided Collection | 15,847 |
| ———— | ———— | |
| 21,138 | 22,114 | |
| Donations and Room Hire | ||
| 17,505 | Use of Premises | 18,725 |
| 14,774 | Miscellaneous | 7,160 |
| 5,249 | Donations and Special Efforts | 2,460 |
| 350 |
Food Bank | 500 |
| ———— | ———— | |
| 37,878 | 28,845 | |
| Investment Income | ||
| 500 | Thomas Parker Trust [YBA] | 195 |
| ———— | ————— | |
| 500 | 195 | |
| Property Income | ||
| 6,900 | Rent 3, Bronte Street | 6,200 |
| ———— | ———— | |
| 6,900 | 6,200 | |
| Collections for Other Charities | ||
| 524 | Various | 975 |
| ———— | ———— | |
| 524 | 975 | |
| 66,940 | Total Receipts for year carried forward | 58,329 |
Haworth West Lane Baptist Church
Receipts and Payments Accounts for the year Ending 30th June 2025
Payments
| Maintenance of Ministry | ||
|---|---|---|
| 47,662 | Ministers Stipend and allowances etc | 25,790 |
| [includes baptist pension scheme] | ||
| ———— | ———— | |
| 47,662 | 25,790 | |
| Church Premises | ||
| 3,651 | Maintenance and equipment | 5,595 |
| 5,809 | Utilities | 5,109 |
| 3,021 | Insurance | 2,679 |
| ———— | ———— | |
| 12,481 | 13,383 | |
| Administration | ||
| 19 | Stationary | 92 |
| 1,345 | Cleaning | 1,132 |
| 684 |
Catering | 1,535 |
| 196 | Sundries | 199 |
| 0 |
Food Bank | 1,050 |
| 992 |
Other | 1,801 |
| ———— | ———— | |
| 3,236 | 5,809 | |
| Donations to Other Charities | ||
| 1,804 | Various | 2,263 |
| ———— | ———— | |
| 1,804 | 2,263 | |
| 65,183 | **Total Payments for year carried forward ** | 47,245 |
Haworth West Lane Baptist Church Receipts and Payment Accounts for the Year Ending 30th June 2025
———————————————————————————————————————————
| Summary | 2024-25 | 2023-24 |
|---|---|---|
| Total Receipts | 66,940 | 58,329 |
| Total Payments | 65,183 | 47,245 |
| Surplus/defcit for year | 1,757 | 11,084 |
Haworth West Lane Baptist Church
Statement of Current Assets as at 30th June 2025
Cash & Bank Balances
Cash in Hand Cash at Bank
2024-25 2023-24 5 2,429 86,839 85,086 ———— ———— 86,844 87,515
Other Accounts and Investments
Edwin Parker for Graveyard COIF Charities Investment Fund 3,961 4,150 Interest account 2,429 closed Dividends held but not banked 114 ———— ———— 6,504 4,150 Total Assets 93,348 91,665
Notes
-
In Addition to the above, there are the Fixed Assets of the Church building and pipe organ and manse at Bronte street. These are provisionally valued at £2,690,963 , £24,363 and £257,099 respectively, being the sums insured for their reinstatement.
-
£350 to be transferred to food bank funds.
15 Church View Gisburn Clitheroe BB7 4HG
1[st] September 2025
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN
West Lane Baptst Church
I have audited the records of the above organisation for the period ended 30[th] June 2025.
I can confirm that I find the accounting statements to be a true and fair record.
Christine Husbands
INVOICE
Invoice: WL25 1[st] September 2025
To audit of accounting records of West Lane Baptist Church 2025
£100
Remit to: C A Husbands, 05-02-40, 15073023