Holy Trinity Parish Chllreh Aghalee
Report of the Trustees
for the Year Ended 31 December 2023
The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended
31 December 2023. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities:
Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparlng their accounts in accordance with the
Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective l January
2019).
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Objectives and Activities
The charitable purpose of the Church of Ireland is the advancement of religion.
The principal function of Holy Trinity Parish Church Aghalee is to support the advancement of the Christian
religion. Being open to and engaging with society as a whole and offering pastoral care and support to those
needing help are fundamental to the practical delivery of the benefits of Christianity.
As a result of activity in the pursuit of the advancement of the Christian religion, Holy Trinity Parish Church
Aghalee has custody of certain property, records, materials and artefacts which are of significance to the
cultural and religious heritage of the whole community. The maintenance of these is undertaken by the select
vestry of Holy Trinity, Aghalee.
Compliance with Public benefit
The Trustees have given careful consideration to the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland's guidance on
public benefit to ensure that the activities entered into during the year have helped to achieve the parish's
objectives and activities, as well as providing public benefit.
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Holy Trinity Parish Church Aghalee
Report of the Trustees
for the Year Ended 31 Deeember 2023
ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE
Charitable activities
The church cherishes its motto Creating and sustaining Christians" and has spent the last year working
towards its continuing commitment to deliver on this motto.
Under th¢ leadership and pastoral care of the Rector, and with the active participation of a good number of
volunteers, the parish continues to carry forward the Christian outreach and pastoral ministry required to
sustain a rural parish.
During the early part of the year, services were held in the church hall due to ongoing restoration work to the
church building. However, on completion of the restoration work, services in the church resumed from late
March.
Occasional special services were held to mark the major Christian festivals etc. Easter Sunday (95). Harvest
Thanksgiving (202); Remembrance Sunday (110)" Chrlstmas Carol Service (102) and Christmas EvelDay
(70).
Throughout the year. the parish maintained an online presence - developing better use of the parish Facebook
page (@Aghal¢eParish) and Youtube channel. Sunday services were streamed on the parish Youtube channel
(average -70 weekly viewers).
The parish maintains artefacts, materials and historic buildings for the benefit of the public and in particular
for those appreciative of longstanding Christian heritage. Access to Church buildings is restricted for public
safety reasons - however, visitors can access the church by arrangement, when they will be accompanied by
a member of the parish.
Access to historical church records can be provided to any member of the public requiring inforniation for
research and genealogical purposes.
Heritage Project= Throughout the year. the parish continued the work of our Heritage Development Project
involving major restoration work to Holy Trinity Church and promotion of the heritage of the parish, along
with its links to the Lagan Navigation and nearby hamlet of Soldierstown.
Aghalee Parish Heritage Project is supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund
who have made a
grant of £185,400 available to part-fund this project. The Trustees would like to acknowledge the funding
received during the year ended 31 December 2023 of £51,050 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund,
which will make possible the completion of the delivery stage of this project.
The restoration work to the church building was largely completed by March 2023, pending a settlement
period. The contractor was J.S. Dunlop Construction Ltd. and the architect/proj¢ct supervisor is Leighton
Johnston Associates.
A service of rededication was held on Passion Sunday, 26th March 2023. at which gifts of choir books,
communion linens, pulpit & lectern falls were presented.
On I st July. a special music event was held to mark the centenary of the church organ. 13 organists played
during the cours¢ of the day and around 250 visitors called in to listen. The organ was originally dedicated to
those members who 5¢rved or lost their lives in the Great War. so information about the 'Soldiers of
Soldierstown, was also put on display.
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Holy Trinity Parish Church Aghalee
Report of the Trustees
for the Year Ended 31 December 2023
In September, a series of leaflets was produced, detailing the heritage of Holy Trinity Church, the Lagan
Navigation and the hamlet of Soldierstown.
Also, in September the parish took part in the European Heritage Open Days.
On October 13th - 15th, a 3-day H¢ritag¢ Festival was held - being officially opened by Dame Mary Peters.
Floral displays in the church depicted various aspects of parish heritage. a costume pageant told the story of
our history from pre-christian times. and the minor hall was transformed into a heritage cafe. Approximately
1,250 people attended during the course of the Festival.
In December, a 112-page book entitled 'Soldi¢rs, Sailors, Saints and Spinners, was published, telling the
story of our parish and heritage. The book was designed by Jo-Ann Smyth (Evolution Graphics) and printed
by Print-It (Moira).
Also in December, a new parish website was launched enabling us to share details of our heritage and parish
activities. The web-developer was Jonathan Higgins (ConceptNI)- The website can be viewed at..
www.aghalee.dromore.anglican.org
Throughout the year, a series of Heritage Talks was held on the following subjects..
Professor Brian Walker. 'Our Holy Heritage, (the church history of Aghalee parish)
Mr Simon Walker, 'A Caroline Church, (church architecture of the Caroline period)
Dr Ciaran Toal, 'Lagan & Linen, (the linen industry of the Lagan Valley).
Our parish organisations are open to all-comers. In particular, the Mums & Tots, GFS. CLB and Bowling
Club usually have many members who are not parishioners. and we are delighted to welcome everyone.
Parish organisations are:
'Jigsaw' Sunday School - usually meets during service-time each Sunday; although has not yet fully
resumed following the pandemic.
The Parish Choir contributes to the worship of the church and offers members a chance to build
friendsliip and enjoy singing together. Practice evenings are held frequently on Thursday evenings.
and as needed for special occasions such as Easter, Harvest, Remembrance Sunday and Christma5
services.
Soldierstoivn Tots Group= usually meets on a Monday morning in the parish youth-hall. It
welcomes children of pre-school age along with their mums (dads, grannies, grandads, carers - are all
w¢lcomel) Some members, who had no previous connection to the church, have found this a very
welcorning and engaging group. By nature of the group, attendance fluctuates - but it welcomes from
6-12 children each week.
Girls, Friendly Society - usually meets on Monday evenings between September and April. The
current enrolrnent is -25 drawn from both parishioners and non-members. There are 7 volunteer
leaders who are enthusiastic and encouraging for the girls. The GFS girls also participate in various
activities and competitions at Diocesan level.
Church Lads, Brigade - also meets on Monday evenings between Septemb¢r and April. CLB has a
membership of -15 - both parishioners and non-members. The boys enjoy a great variety of
activities and outings.
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Holy Trinity Parish Church Aghalee
Report of the Trustees
for the Year Ended 31 December 2023
A relaxed, small-scale Parents Evening was held in April - the first time GFS I CLB had been able to
do so since the start of the pandemic.
Mothers, Union - is a long-standing organisation within the parish and has -12 regular members.
M.U. meets occasionally on the 2nd Tuesday of the month - members enjoy regular outings, Diocesan
events, and the chance to meet with other M.U. branches. M.U. actively supports the Women's Refuge
Centre by organising a collection of toiletries etc.
Ladies Fellowship usually meets on the 3rd Tuesday evening of each month. The
program of activities is progressive and imaginative and engages regularly with around 15-20
attendees. Ladies Fellowship is open to all. including those from beyond the church family.
Men's Group was establlshed as a new venture, beginning in September 2023, to build friendship and
fellowship amongst the men of the parish - meeting on the last Wednesday morning of each Month.
with a program of visiting speakers.
Soldierstown Bowling Club: competes in the Lisburn & District Indoor Bowling League. Home
matches and friendly / practice evenings are held on Wednesday evenings in the church hall. The
club welcomes all bowlers.
Midweek Fellowship l Bible Study Group.. Usually meets on Wednesday evenings in the Parochial
Hall. Aghalee. It is for those who wish to explore and share the Christian faith with others, in a
friendly, welcoming, relaxed atmosphere.
Also - Sunday Morning "Cup of Tea" usually allows servlce-goers to meet up before the services to
chat in an informal setting.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Financial review
The income for the parish from various sources was £192,542 with payments of £192.823 giving a deficit of
£281. The bank and cash balances as at 31 December 2023 were £132,733 (of this balance £44,271 were
unrestrict¢d funds, £88,462 restricted funds and £Nil endowment funds).
It is the Trustees, policy to hold sufficient reserves to cover unexpected emergencies and have adequate
funds for matntenance of church property and to further the objectives and activities of the parish.
Going concern
The Trustees have reviewed the budgets for the year ahead and are satisfied that there are adequate funds in
place to ensure the parish can continue its activities and the financial statements for the year ended 31
December 2023 can be signed off as a going concern.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Governing Document and Constitution of the Charity
Aghalee Parish is governed and managed in accordance with the Constitution of the Church of Ireland and
the Diocesan Regulations of the Diocese of Down & Dromore.
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Holy Trinity Parish Church Aghalee
Report of the Trustees
for the Year Ended 31 December 2023
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Reeruitment and appointment of trustees
The Trustees of Aghalee Parlsh are the members of the Select Vestry.
Chapter III of the Constitution of th¢ Church of Ireland governs Parishes and Parochial Organisations. All
members of the Church of Ireland who are over the age of18 and are either resident within the parish or live
elsewhere but have been accustomed members of the congregation for at least three months, may register as
members of the General Vestry of the parish, allowing them to attend and vote at meetings of the General
Vestry and to stand for election to the Select Vesty. Meetings of the General Vesty are held (at least)
annually within three weeks of Easter.
Members of the Select Vestry are elected at the Annual General Vestry meeting and hold their positions for a
period of one year. Select Vestry members may be re-elected annually and there is no limit on the number of
terms which may be served.
Organisational structure
Tlie Select Vestry has been responsible for the day to day management of the parish. The Select Vestry
consisted of the Rector, the churchwardens, the glebe-wardens and twelve other members of the general
vestry elected at the Annual General Vestry meeting.
The Select Vestry is chaired by the Rector. The Select Vesty has been responsible in the period for making
decisions on matters of general concern and importance to the parish including deciding how the parish
funds have been allocated.
The Select Vestry met 8 times in the period and the average attendance was 12.
STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES, RESPONSIBILITIES
The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees, Report and the statement of receipts and payments
and assets and liabilities in accordance with applicable law and regulations.
The law applicable to charities in Northern Ireland with Income of less than £250.000 requires the trustees to
prepare a statement of receipts and payments and a statement of assets and liabilities for each financial year.
The trustees are responsible for keeping accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the
parish's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the assets and liabilities of the parish.
They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the parish and hence for taking reasonable steps for
the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
Registered Charity number
101581
Principal addre55
Clo Miss Elizabeth Reid
15 Broadwater Park,
Aghalee
Craigavon
Co. Armagh
BT67 OEW
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Holy Trinity Parish Church Aghalee
Report of the Trustees
for the Year Ended 31 December 2023
Trustees
Mrs Irene Culbert
Mr Larry Donaghey
Mrs Sheila Duncan (resigned 18.4.23)
Mrs Helen Laird (resigned 18.4.23)
Mr Donald Frazer
Mr Roy Hanna
Mrs Jennifer Martin
Rev Paul McAdam
Mr Jim McLorn {dece&sed 23.2.23)
Mrs Jacqueline Montgomery
Mr Stephen Montgomery
Mr Gavin Murray
Mr Noel Murray
Mr David Twigg
Mr John Watson
Mr Norman McAlister
Mrs Sylvia Thompson
Mr Tom Bradley (appointed 18.4.23)
Mrs Joy Frazer (appointed 18.4.23)
Ms Elizabeth Reid (appointed 18.4.23)
Independent Examiner
John Mccleary FCA
Mccleary & Company Ltd
Chartered Accountants
Garvey Studios
14 Longstone Street
Lisburn
Co. Antrim
BT28 ITP
Bankers
Danske Bank
Office-Bearers
Rector:
Rev Paul McAdam
Churchwardens..
Mrs. Joy Frazer
Mr. John Watson
Glebe-wardens..
Mr. Noel Murray
Mr. Donald Frazer
S¢cretary:
Mr. Norman McAlister
Treasurer:
Miss Elizabeth Reid
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Holy Trinity Parish Church Aghalee
Report of the Trustees
for the Year Ended 31 December 2023
Approved by order of the board of trustees on 5 March 2024 and signed on its behalf by:
Rev Paul McAdam - Trustee
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