Parish of Ballyphilip and Ardquin
Charity number-. NIC 102622
TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT AND STATEMENTS OF
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS AND OF ASSETS AND
LIABILITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31.12.2023

Parish of 8allyphilip and Ardouin
Trusiees. annual report, 2023
TABLE OF CONTENTS
References and administrative details.............
Trustees. annual report........................................
Independent examinerfs report..........................................................................................................
Receipts and payments account for the year ended 31.12.2023...............................................................,...,....
Statement of assets and liabilities for the year ended 31.12.2023 ..............................................................-........10
Notes to the financial Statements forthe year ended 31.12.2023........................................................................11

Parish of Ballyphilip and Ardouin
Trv5tee5' annual reporL 2023
REFERENCES AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
Charity name
Parish of Ballyphilip and Ardquin
Charity registration number
NIC 102622
Contatt address
Church Street, Portaferry, BT22 ILS
TRUSTEES (SELECT VESTRY)
Rev. Canon Gillian Withers B.Ed. {chair)
Peter Armstrong-woodroffe
Rosemarie Armstron8-Woodroffe
Michael Beckett
Elizabeth Browne
Eveleigh Brownlow MBE
Rhoda Dorndorf
Francis FitzGibbon
John Johnston
Elaine McFeeters
Diane Mcwhinnev
Lorna Peacock
James Quinn luntil 16.02.20231
Mark Rebbeck
Nancy Sheridan
Kathleen Smyth
Cecilia Stephens
Vlvienne Young
Rev. Jennifer Montgomery (ex officio)
PRINCIPAL OFFICE BEARERS
Rector
Rev. Canon Gillian Withers B.Ed.
Assisting minister
Rev. Jennifer Montgomery
Lay readers
Rosemarie Armstron8-Woodroffe
Karen McAlpine
Honorary secretary
Elaine McFeeters
Honorary treasurer
John Johnston
St James's. Ballyphilip
Rectorfs churchwarden
People's churchwarden
Elizabeth Browne
Elaine McFeeters
The Abbacy, Ardquin
Rectorfs churchwarden
People's churchwarden
Cecilia Stephens
Mark Rebbeck
Glebe wardens
Rectorf5 glebe warden
People's glebe warden
Rhoda Dorndorf
Vivienne Young

Parish of Ballyphilip and Ardouin
Trustees, annual report, 2023
OTHER OFFICE BEARERS
Parochial nominator
Elizabeth Browne
Supplemental parochial nominator
Vacant
Diocesan synods person
Michael Beckett
Supplemental diocesan synods person
Vacant
Freewill offerings recorder
John Johnston
Organists
Jennifer Bryce
Elizabeth Lyttle BEM
Zara Quinn
Choir coordinator
Vacant
Health and safety officer
Rhoda Dorndorf
Ballyphilip Parish Centre Ilcensee
John Johnston (until 30.11.20231
Peter Armstrong-woodroffe (from 01.12.2023}
Caretaker
Thomas Leebody
BANKERS
Danske Bank
Oonegall Square West
Belfast
BTI 6JS
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER
Guardlan Chartered Accountants
2 William Street
Newtownards
BT23 4AH

Parish of 8allyphilip and Ardquin
Trusiees, annual repory 2023
TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT
The trustees present the annual report and the statements of financial activities and assets and liabilities for the
Parish of Ballyphilip and Ardquin for the year ending 31.12.2023.
The trustees first Wish to express their condolences to the families of the following parishioners, who have died
during or since the pandemic:
May Beatty
Mark Browne
Lyla Connar
David Fit2Gibbon
William Ellison
Louise Livingstone
Harry M¢Bratney
Maureen Mcwhinney
John Parkinson
James Quinn
Agnes White
William White
Secondly, the trustees wish to thank the following publicly for the support which they have given to the parish
in the past year:
Ballyblack Community Men's Group for a donation to the St James's Appeal Fund.
The Listed Places of Worship Scheme for financial assistance with the inspection of St James's Church.
The Ulster Historical Foundation for digitising the parish records.
Joseph Lon& Elaine McBratney, Joan Peacock, and Wivienne Young for their industry in ralsin8 funds
towards the restoration of St James's Church.
Mark Alcorn, Martin Elli50n, and David Mccallister for the work which they carried out at the Abbacy,
the Mar8aret Hurst Dwellin& and the rectory as freewill offerings.
Rhoda Dorndorf for her zeal and dedication in managing the maintenance and refurbishment of the
Mar8aret Hurst Dwelling and rettory.
Tommy Leebody and Johnny Reid for the exemplary standard5 to which they have managed and
maintained the Ballyphilip Parish Centre and the Ballyphilip graveyard.
Mr and Mrs Roderick Savage and Mr and Mrs Oliver Savage for allowing parishioners to use their lane
for access and parking during services at the Abbacy.
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
The charitable purpose of the Church of Ireland is the advancement of religion. The principal function of the
Parish of Ballyphilip and Ardquin is to support the advancement of the Christian religion by promoting through
the work of its churches- St James's, Ballyphilip and the Abbacy, Ardquin the whole mission of the Church:
pastoral. evangelistic, social, and ecumenical. Being open to and en8a8in8 With society as a whole and offering
support for those needing help are fundamental to the practical delivery of the benefits of Christianity-
As a result of attivity in the pursuit of the advancement of the Christian reli8ion, the Parish of Ballyphilip and
Ardquin has custody of property and of records. materia15 and artefacts which are of significance to the cultural
and religious heritage of the Upper Ards. The maintenance of the property, record5, materia15, and artefacts is
undertaken by the selett vestry of the Parish of Ballyphilip and Ardquin.

Parish of Ballyphilip and Ardquin
Trusiees. annual report, 2023
ACHIEVEMENTS, PERFORMANCE, AND PUBLIC BENEFIT
PROMOTING THE CHURCH'S MISSION
Whilst St James's is closed, Holy Communion and Morning and Evening Prayer are celebrated in the Abbacy on
the first, second, and fourth Sundays of each month. A service of All Age Worship is held in the Ballyphilip Parish
Centre on the third Sunday of each month. Whenever there is a fifth Sunday in a month, the parish joins either
Portaferry Methodist Church or the Parish of Greyabbey and Kircubbin in common worship and Christian
fellowship. The services, which are regulady attended by fifteen to twenty people of all ages and backgrounds,
reinforce the worshippers, sense of Christian values and contribute to their spiritual well-being.
Evangelisation was internal. During the diocesan week of mission (04.06-10.06.20231 parishioners exchanged
experiences with evangelists from Sharing of Ministries Abroad (SOMA), and on 24.09.2023 Open Doors gave the
parish an insight to the plight of Christians in North Korea. The address and the exchan8e of experiences brought
an understandin8 of the challenges which the Church faces in other countries and a realisatlon that whilst our
situation is infinitely more comfortable. the deification of false values in our own culture presents challenges
akin to those which Christians must face more starkly in other places.
The parish has delivered the Church's social mission by distributing small gifts and comforts to elderly and
deservin8 parishioners and townsfolk and by workin8 Wtth Youth for Christ Nl to offer young people alternatives
to anti-social behaviour. Parishioners have helped the Portaferry Food Bank alleviate social deprivation through
gifts of groceries, toiletries, and other items and have donated generously to the work of Christian missions and
secular charities on the Ards Peninsula and further afield.
As in previou5 years, the parish joined the other denominations of the town in public evangelism during the
Portaferry gala {15.07-22.07.20231, ecumenical carol services during advent, and a moment of prayer and
reflection on St Sylvesterfs day131.12.20231. These experiences 8ave everyone - irrespective of denomination-
a wider sense of the Church's mission. eroded legacies of sectarian division, and reinforced recognition of our
common Christian heritage.
HERITAGE MANAGEMENT
Two oak trees were planted In the Ardquin churchyard to commemorate the coronation of HM Kin8 Charles111
and maintenance work was completed on the exterior and interior of the Abbacy Church. The graveyard at
Ballyphilip was reopened after additional safety measures were installed.
A high-level inspection found that Stjames's Church was substantiallysound and could be reopened forworship
once the tower and the roofs of the transept and chancel had been repaired and a new heatin8 System had been
installed. Following discussions with the diocese and Mccollum Conservation Ltd, the trustees are examining
options for the future of the building.
The parish plate and church records were ￿moVed from St James's Church for safekeeping and the Ulster
Historical Foundation has made digital copies of the church records to preserve them for future generations and
to make them more accessible for genealogical and family history research. Thetrustees are most grateful to the
foundation and its dirertor. Mr Fintan Mullan. for carrying out this project at no cost to the parish.
PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
The Ballyphilip Parish Centre has become a preferred location for families from across the community to hold
birthday and First Communion parties as well as for social. cultural, and recreational activitie5. The centre has
frequently been booked for much of each week during the past year. Whilst the increased use of the building is
most welcome, a major refurbishment programme will soon be needed because of greater wear and tear on the
fixtures, fittings, and decoration.
The Margaret Hurst Dwelling was vacated and left in an uninhabitable condition in the autumn of 2022. It was
secured and cleared over the winter at a cost of £1.148. Local estate agents advised that the property could be

Parish of Ballyphilip and Ardquin
Trusteeg annual repor[ 2023
sold for£60,000 without being refurbished orfor£75.OOOafterbeing refurbished, but they noted thatthe market
in Portaferry was primarily rental and that a refijrbished property could be let for £450 a month gross. After due
deliberation. the trustees decided to refurbish the property and let it through an accredited agent. Local
tradespeople have been carrying out refurbishment work since the spring. The costs in 2023 were £9,715.
Repair and maintenance issues at the rertory which were identified in the 2020 quinquennial inspection report
are being addressed. Johnny Reid has taken over maintenance of the rectory grounds following the death of
William White. The parish of Greyabbey and Kircubbin pays sixty percent and the Parish of Ballyphilip and
Ardquin pays forty percent of the rectory maintenance costs. The rector meets the electricity and heating costs.
COMPLIANCE
The parish's safeguarding, data protertion, and copyright compliance policies are in accordance with Church of
Ireland guidelines. Health and safety policy and documentation follow guidance from Ards and North Down
Borough Council. Heating maintenance and electrical safety checks are carried out annually by professionally
qualified tradespeople. The safety of those using the Parish Centre 15 scrutinised by Ards and North Down
Borough Council during the annual licensing inspection of the Houston Hall. The parish is registered with the
Department for Communities as landlord of the Margaret Hurst Dwellin8 and the rectory.
PUBLIC BENEFIT
The trustees have carefully considered the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland's guidance on public benefit
to ensure that the attivities which were started during the year have helped to achieve the parish's objectives
and activities, as well as providing public benefit.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
The parish's income in 2023 wa5 £77.57512022: £391,185) and expenditure was £93,71112022: £122,986). The
overspend of £16,136 is largely from legal fees for the sale of the glebe lands1£3,585) and the cost of replacin8
the parish centre boiler1£13,1911. These expenses will not recur and as there is a surplus of £2,975 on the
unrestricted funds before transfers. the parish's financial situation is stable. The trustees must nevertheless
maintain a tight control of spending because the parish continues to operate close to the limits of its overdrafts
(No. l Account: £35,000. No. 2 Account: £S,000).
The parish has three accounts with Danske Bank. The No. l Account is for current and general expenditure, the
No. 2 Account is a reserve for meeting general expenses. and the savings account holds at least £5,000 as a
reserve for capital expenses. The immediate aim is to reduce the overdraft on the No. l Account. The longer-
term aims are to eliminate the overdraft on the No. 2 Account and to build up the savings account to £15,000 or
equivalent to three months expenditure.
The trustees have reviewed the budgets for the year ahead and are satisfied that there are adequate funds in
place to ensure that the Parish can continue tts activities and that the financial statements for the year ended
31.12.2023 can be signed off as a going concern.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE, AND MANAGEMENT
GOVERNING DOCUMENT AND CONSTITUTION OF THE CHARITY
Chapter 111 of the Church of Ireland constitution governs parishes and parochial organisation. The members of
the selett vestry are the charity trustees.
RECRUITMENT AND APPOINTMENT OF SELECT VESTRY (TRUSTEES)
All members of the Church of Ireland who are over the age of 18 and who are either resident within the parish
or live elsewhere but have been accustomed members of the congregation forat leastthree 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 elettion to the select vestry. Meetings of the general vestry are held at least once a year.

Parish of Ballyphilip and Ardquin
Tn&stees' annual ￿pOrt. 2023
The select vestry is elected as part of the general vestry meeting. The select vestry will 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.
PAY AND REMUNERATION
The parish meets forty percent of the stipend and allowances which the rertor receives from the Parish of
Greyabbey and Kircubbin. Contributions to the Clergy Pension Fund are set by the diocese. Visiting clergy, lay
readers, and organists receive a fee for each service they condurt or at which they play. The caretaker is paid
weekly in accordance with the National Living Wage and receives a supplement of £30 a month for unsocial
hours.
ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE
The select vestry is responsible for the day-to-day management of the parish. The select vestry consists of the
member of the clergy serving in the parish. the churchwardens. the glebe wardens, and generally not more than
twelve other members of the general vestry elected at the General Vestry. Retired members of clergy resident
in the parish are ex officio members of the select vestry.
The select vestry is chaired by the incumbent or other member of the clergy officiating in the parish. Select vestry
members are responsible for making decisions on matters of general concern and importance to the parish
including deciding how parish funds are to be applied.
The selert vestry meets at times fixed by the members or by the diocesan synod. Special meetings may be
convened at any time by the chairperson or the churchwardens: approval of uncontentious expenditure and
business Items is conducted online. The select vestry met seven times in 2023 and the average attendance was
sixty percent.
PUBLIC BENEFIT
The trustees have carefully considered the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland's guidance on public benefit
and have ensured that activities which were started during the year have helped to achieve the parish's
objectives and activities, as well as providing public benefit.
STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES, RESPONSIBILITIES
The trustees are responsible for preparing the trustees, report and the statement of receipts and payments and
statement of assets and liabilities in accordance with applicable law and regulations.
The law applicable to charities in Northern Ireland with an 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.
Signed on behalf of the trustees:
{Rector)
.IHon. Secretary)
. IDatel