THE FRIENDS OF ST MARY
Registered Charity No: 513022
ANNUAL REPORT
2025
ACCOUNTS FOR YEAR ENDED 31[ST] DECEMBER 2025
| INCOME | ||
|---|---|---|
| Subscriptions | 1,110.00 | |
| Interest | 637.74 | |
| Transfer from Vicar & CW A/C | 50,000.00 | |
| Transfer from Deposit A/C | 100,000.00 | |
| TOTAL | 151,747.74 | |
| PAYMENTS | ||
| Charges | 77.20 | |
| Oil Candles | 752.01 | |
| Batterycandles | 166.53 | |
| Contribution to MU banner | 150.00 | |
| S Walespromotions | 921.00 | |
| Transfer to Business A/C | 100,000.00 | |
| TOTAL | 102,057.74 | |
| Openingbalances | 213,681.30 | |
| ClosingBalances | 263,371.30 |
Independent examiner’s statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
-
accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or
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the accounts do not accord with the accounting records
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Name Claire O’Conner Date 9[th] January 2026
ANNUAL REPORT AND FINACIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
OBJECTIVES, ACTIVITIES AND PUBLIC BENEFIT
To support the Rector and Churchwardens in their heavy responsibilities of preservation, repair, maintenance, restoration, improvement and ornamentation of the fabric of St Mary’s Church, Swansea.
To provide articles for use in worship at the services held in the church.
To work along side the Rector and Churchwardens as they seek to bind together in a common fellowship all those who live or work in the City or who worship in the Church. To actively promote the Christian gospel and to promote and encourage Church growth
MEMBERSHIP
| ERSHIP | |
|---|---|
| Annual members | 15 |
| Life members | 56 |
| Family members | 3 |
ACHIEVEMENTS
The Friends have supported requests for new oil filled candles for the church altars and for the Advent crown. This request came following a fire in the church in January, when someone lit the candles on the advent crown, failed to put them out and caused a fire. They have also supported the purchase of battery operated candles for the window ledges, again to prevent the use of naked flames.
A highlight in the life of St Mary’s was it being granted Minster status on February 16[th] and a good number of Friends were present at the special service of inauguration. To mark becoming a Minster the Mothers Union commissioned a new banner and the Friends were pleased to make a contribution to the work which was designed and made by Karen Jones.
The Friends were pleased to support the purchase of pens, pencils and mugs with the new branding on them for sale in the shop.
In October HM Lord Lieutenant, Mrs Louise Fleet accompanied by the High Sherrif and the Lord Mayor joined representatives of the Naval community at a service to mark Trafalgar Day. The Lord Lieutenant laid a simple laurel wreath on Lewis Rotely’s stone which has now been re-lettered.
To ensure that the Friends can continue to support the life of Swansea Minster a financial review was made and appropriate actions taken to get the best return on the fund.
RESERVES POLICY
The Friends aim to retain a balance of unrestricted “free” reserves to provide working capital.
SAFEGUARDING
The Friends operate under the Church in Wales Safeguarding Policy.
APPROVED BY THE FRIENDS ON DATE 14[th] January 2026 AND SIGNED NAME Justin Davies SIGNATURE JD Davies