2025-12-31-annual-report

Parish of Drumgooland

Diocese of Dromore

Trustees’ Annual Report and Statement of Receipts and Payments & Assets and Liabilities

For the year ended 31 December 2025

----- Start of picture text -----
al
----- End of picture text -----

Charities Number: 103474

Parish of Drumgooland

Diocese of Dromore

1

Annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2025

	Pages
Contents	2
References and administrative details of the Charity	3
Trustees’ report	4 - 8
Independent Examiners Report to the Trustees	9
Receipts and payments account	10
Statement of assets and liabilities	11
Notes to the financial statements	12, 13, 14, 15

2

Parish of Drumgooland Diocese of Dromore

References and administrative details

Charity Name: Drumgooland Parish Church

Charity Registration Number: NIC103474 HMRC XT7312 Contact Address: The Rectory 29 Cross Road Hilltown County Down, BT34 5TF

Trustees

Mrs Lorraine Bicker Stephen Harte Bobby Fee Derek Singer Mrs Ghillian Smyth Andrew Singer Michael Cochrane James Irwin Mrs Carolyn Black Mrs Davina Martin Mrs Roberta Fee

Principal Office-bearers

Rector: Rev. B. Ian Linton BSc BTh Honorary Treasurer: Andrew Singer Honorary Secretary: Mrs Lorraine Bicker Church Warden (Rector’s): James Porter Church Warden (People’s): Nigel Smyth

Independent Examiner

Stephen McKee C/o. Heanen Stanfield & McKee Ltd

30 Batchelors Walk, Lisburn, Co. Antrim, BT28 1XN

Bankers

Ulster Bank

86 Hill Street, Newry, County Down BT32 1BT

3

Trustees’ Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2025

The Trustees present the annual report and statements of Receipts and Payments and Assets and Liabilities for the Parish of Drumgooland, (Ballyward) for the year ended 31 December 2025.

Charitable Purpose

The charitable purpose of the Church of Ireland is the advancement of religion.

The principle function of Drumgooland Parish Church is to support the advancement of the Christian religion within the local community. This is carried out through the work of the parish by providing pastoral, social and ecumenical care. The Bible is central to its teaching and provides the template for guidance in spiritual life as set out in the 39 articles of religion. The activities of the church are intended to reach out to the wider community to instill Christian principles and to encourage mutual understanding and respect for others. The church has within its custody a number or records of significance which are invaluable and as such they act as a secondary charitable purpose.

Activities

At the heart of Drumgooland parish church is a desire to glorify God and to demonstrate the power and importance of his love. Morning Prayer is held at 10.30am each Sunday morning and Holy Communion is celebrated on the first Sunday of every month. A family service is held on the third Sunday of every month, using modern music which has a wider appeal especially to the younger generation. Our Worship is led each month by the Organist and Choir. Special services are held throughout the year that focus on the wider community and encourages their attendance.

Drumgooland Parish recognise that there are many issues around sickness, bereavement, the elderly, house bound, and those receiving medical treatment, care in hospital and local Nursing homes. We are committed to helping these people in need with empathy, love and compassion.

4

Achievements, Performance & Public Benefit

Drumgooland Parish Church has in the past year shown quite clearly that is has fulfilled its purpose as a Charitable Organisation. It has encouraged it’s congregation in the teaching of the Bible and the application of God’s love to its Church family and to the wider community. It has clearly demonstrated that it can be of great benefit in-particular to those in the surrounding area by reaching out spiritually and through its witness it acts as a means of advancing the word of God.

The church’s regular services offer its own members a means of maintaining and deepening their faith. Those whose children participate in the many youth organisations, find themselves drawn into and encouraged to be a part of not only the church, but to become involved in community projects and fundraising events for other charities such as Newry Hospice and Cancer Research. Drumgooland organise an annual Vintage Threshing Day. Additional fundraising events enable the Church to commit some of its own funds to the work of the Bishops Appeal, Disasters Emergency Committee and Missionary work throughout Africa.

The Guides are exceptionally well attended and introduces young people from many other churches including those young people who would not normally belong to any religious organisations. Not only does this in itself further our primary purpose of advancing the cause of religion but it provides many young people with the fundamental principles of encouraging mutual respect and tolerance for each other.

Drumgooland’s other organisations include Bowling Club, Badminton Club, Choir, Bible Study and Sunday School. A Senior Citizen group, the Tuesday Club meet on a Tuesday morning as well and this in particular reaches out across our community providing much needed support to those who would normally be housebound.

The Church is a hub of activity. The Church Hall is in use many nights of the week and provides an immense public benefit. It brings people together to praise God and to pray for those in need. It offers friendship and understanding within the community and encourages respect, tolerance and an acceptance of the need to support those less fortunate.

The Trustees have put in place policies to prevent any potential harm to anyone partaking in Church Activities and have a child protection policy in place under the control of our Safeguarding Trust Committee.

Our Trustees ensure that the buildings are well maintained and meet the required safety standards.

5

Financial Review

The financial accounts are currently stable and there are no major projects expected in the immediate future.

Going Concern

The trustees have reviewed the budgets for the year ahead and are satisfied that there are adequate funds in place to ensure that the Drumgooland Parish can continue its activities and the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2025 can be signed off as a going concern.

Structure, Governance and Management

Governing Document and Constitution of the Charity

Chapter III of the Constitution of the Church of Ireland governs Parishes and Parochial Organisations. The Select Vestry members are the Charity Trustees.

Recruitment and Appointment of Select Vestry (Trustees)

All members of the Church of Ireland which are over the age of 18 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 stand for election to the Select Vestry. Meetings of the General Vestry are held once a year. The Select Vestry is elected as part of this 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 incumbent of the Parish is paid a stipend, locomotory allowance and office expenses in accordance with figures approved by the General Synod of the Church of Ireland.

6

Organisational Structure

The Select Vestry is responsible for the day to day management of the Parish. It consists of the member of the clergy serving in the parish, the churchwardens, and not more than twelve other members of the general vestry elected at the General Easter 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 Select Vestry meets at times fixed by the members or by the Diocesan Synod. Meetings are held on a monthly basis and special meetings may be convened at any time by the chairperson or the churchwardens.

Compliance with Public Benefit

The Parish has given careful consideration to the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland’s guidance on public benefit to ensure that the actives entered into 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 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.

7

Trustees’ Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2025

Signed on Behalf of the Trustees

Rector: Rev. B. Ian Linton BSc BTh Honorary Treasurer: Andrew Singer Honorary Secretary: Mrs Lorraine Bicker Date: March 2026

8

9

Receipts and Payments Account for the year ended 31 December 2025

10

----- Start of picture text -----
Details Fund to which Current value
Andrew J L Singer es 2 es 2 26.03.26
eS es
SS =asset =Gost (optional) optional —Last year
Total Rev. B. Ian Linton esEE 9Ge 26.03.26 ey
----- End of picture text -----

11

Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2025

1. Accounting policies

Set out below are the principal accounting policies that have been adopted in the compilation of the Receipts and Payments Account and the Statement of Assets and Liabilities

(a) Receipts and Payments Account

All items of income and expenditure included within the Receipts and Payments Account have been accounted for on a cash receipts basis.

(b) Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Assets retained for the Parish’s own use

The assets of the Parish, retained for its own use comprise:

• Church Hall

• Sextons House

The Church Building and Graveyard are deemed to be Heritage assets as defined by the Charities SORP (FRS102). These Heritage assets are not included in the statement of assets and liabilities as information on the cost or valuation is not available and such information cannot be obtained at a cost commensurate with the benefit to the users of the accounts and to the Parish

The Church Hall and Sexton’s House are ascribed a value based on the insurance valuation. These assets are depreciated on a straight – line basis over twenty five years.

The minimum threshold for capitalising assets is £1,000.

12

2. Reconciliation of Cash Funds

Total Cash Funds at Beginning £ 49,336 Of the year Receipts for the year £ 98,542 Payments for the year £ 80,474 __ Total Cash Funds at the end of £ 67,404 The year ========

Purposes of Endowment Funds

• Income from the investment in these funds are for the general use within Drumgooland Parish.

Purposes of Restricted Funds

• Bank Account: This is funds to be used for the maintenance of the church property.

Purposes of Unrestricted Funds

• Sustentation and General Fund: This Fund is for general use within Drumgooland Parish.

3. Collections for Third Parties

Newry Hospice £ 635 Earl Haig £ 153 Special Collection £ 339 TearFund £ 80 SEFF £2,631 ______ £3,838 ======

13

4. Transactions with the Trustees

No trustee or a person related to a trustee had any personal interest in any contract or transaction entered into by the charity during the year except for:

Trustee Payments

The following is a list of the Trustees who received payment throughout the year.

Carolyn Black	Church Cleaner	£ 1,092.00
Lorraine Bicker	Entertainment Licence	£ 50.00	(Reimbursement)
Rev Ian Linton	Misc. Expenses	£ 401.00	(Reimbursement)
Andrew Singer	Sunday School Trip	£ 161.00	(Reimbursement)
	Youth Goodwill Gesture	£ 100.00	(Reimbursement)
	Christmas Hampers	£ 552.00	(Reimbursement)
Stephen Harte	Church Repairs	£ 1,680.00
Nigel Smyth	Heating Controls	£ 126.00

14