TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT
ARDMORE PARISH CHURCH (NIC101584) ℅ The Hon. Treasurer
Mrs Ethel Parks 24 Derrytrasna Road, Lurgan BT66 6NW
1st January 2023 to 31st December 2023
Trustees:
Rev. A Baldock, Mr D Abraham, Mr J Calder, Mrs T Kennedy, Miss J McCann, Mr G McCavish, Mrs E Parks, Mrs M Stevenson, Mr Malcolm Stevenson, Mr Matthew Stevenson, Mrs R Turkington. Independent Auditor - Mrs B Abraham
Finances
The finances are managed by the treasurer who reports back to the trustees at vestry meetings on a monthly basis or in-between if necessary. Trustees are elected annually by democratic vote at the Easter General Vestry. Income and expenditure in 2023 was much the same this year as weekly attendance remains steady. There was little change to our fixed assets this year, however there are plans in the incoming year to demolish the existing church hall which is no longer in use. We have a rota of volunteers who clean the church weekly and organise flowers. The Parish ended this year with all accounts in credit and no outstanding debt.
Purpose & Public Benefit
All the functions of the Parish relate to the advancement of the Christian religion through holding regular worship and communicating with and caring for parishioners of all ages. We focus especially on the young, sick, elderly and others in our wider community. This work is carried out by running organisations such as, Senior Citizens - “Tuesday at 2”, bowling club & fitness classes.
Being open to and engaging with society as a whole and offering support for those needing help is fundamental to the practical delivery of the tenets of Christianity. As a result of activity in pursuit of the advancement of the Christian religion, the Parish has custody of a large body of records, materials and artefacts of significance to the cultural heritage, the maintenance of which is undertaken by the Parish as a secondary charitable purpose.
In addition the Parish supports Fields of Life by sponsoring a child in Uganda. Money is also raised for the disadvantaged worldwide through the Bishop’s Appeal, CMS & Leprosy Mission.
Health & Safety
We comply with the Church of Ireland Safeguarding Trust Child Protection Policy. In accordance with the law, we also have Fire Safety Procedures in place. We have trained First Aiders and review First Aid and Food Handling courses throughout the year.
Statement of Trustee’s Responsibilities
The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ report and the statement of receipts and payments and statement of assets and liabilities for each financial year, in accordance with applicable law and regulations.
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.