St Peter's Episcopal Church, Peebles SC002464 Annual Report and Accounts Year ended 30 September 2025
Annual Report and Accounts
for the year ended 30 September 2025
CONTENTS
| Reference and Administrative Information | 2 |
|---|---|
| Structure, Governance and Management | 3 |
| Objective and Activities | 3 |
| Ministry Report | 3 |
| Vestry Report | 4 |
| Vacancy Report | 4 |
Treasurer’s Report |
5 |
| Reserves | 5 |
Independent Examiner’s Report |
6 |
| Receipts and Payments Account | 7 |
| Statement of Balances | 8 |
| Notes to the Accounts | 9 |
St Peter’s Episcopal Church, Peebles
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Annual Report and Accounts
for the year ended 30 September 2025
As the Charity Trustees of St Peter’s Episcopal Church, Peebles (SC002464), the Vestry is pleased to present the Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 September 2025. These have been prepared in accordance with OSCR guidance.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
| Charity Name: | St Peter’s Episcopal Church, | Peebles |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Charity No: | SC002464 | |
| Principal Address: | St Peter’s Episcopal Church, | Peebles |
| Cabbage Hall, Tweed Green, Peebles, EH45 8AP | ||
| Charity Trustees: | Those serving at the date of approval of the Annual Report: | |
| (Vestry Members) | Graeme Herd | People’s Warden and Vestry Chair |
| Nathaniel Buckingham | Treasurer | |
| Rosamund Stuart-Menteth | ||
| Margaret Clifford | ||
| Caroline Skea | ||
| Jeremy Harrison | ||
| Those serving during the financial period: | ||
| Karin Oster | Resigned 29 July 2025 | |
| Other Vestry Members: | (none) | |
| (not Charity Trustees) | ||
| Trustees for the Charity: | (as Trustees holding the Rectory in trust) | |
| Right Reverend Mark Strange, Acting Bishop of Edinburgh | ||
| Very Reverend Frances Burberry, Dean of the Diocese of Edinburgh | ||
| Pippa Snell, Registrar of the Diocese of Edinburgh | ||
| Bankers: | Bank of Scotland | |
| 70 High Street | ||
| Peebles EH45 8AQ | ||
| Independent Examiner: | Gillian Moran | |
| Braidwood Graham | ||
| 4 Copperbeach Court | ||
| Cavalry Park | ||
| Peebles EH45 9BU |
St Peter’s Episcopal Church, Peebles
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Annual Report and Accounts
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STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
St Peter’s Episcopal Church, Peebles is an unincorporated association governed by a constitution. The current version of the constitution dates to 2020. As a member congregation of the Diocese of Edinburgh in the Scottish Episcopal Church it is also governed by Canon Law of the Scottish Episcopal Church. St Peter’s Episcopal Church, Peebles was linked with St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Innerleithen until 15 September 2024, sharing a Rector supported by non-stipendiary priests and worship leaders. The Rector was responsible for the spiritual affairs of the Church and delegated aspects of the Church’s operations to the ministry team. The Bishop has appointed Rev Nick Bowry as interim pastor to support the congregation and Vestry of Church through the vacancy and recruitment period. The vacancy and recruitment period continues.
The management team of the Church (the Vestry) are also the Charity Trustees of the Church. Apart from the Rector, the Rector’s Warden, Secretary, and Treasurer, ordinary members are elected by the congregation at the annual general meeting. The Rector (when in post) is appointed by the Vestry and the Bishop of the Diocese. The Rector’s Warden is appointed annually by the Rector. The Secretary and Treasurer are appointed by the Vestry. An elected Vestry member normally serves for three years. Details of the Vestry members are given on page 2.
OBJECTIVE AND ACTIVITIES
The objective of St Peter’s Episcopal Church, Peebles is to advance the mission of the Christian Church. This objective is carried out through worship, service, and fellowship, and through mission and pastoral activities. The principal activities of the Church are public worship, the spiritual development of its members, and community mission activities. Collections are held regularly for charitable causes that provide benefits to disadvantaged individuals and communities in this country and overseas.
In carrying out its objectives the Church depends upon the contribution, both human and material, of many volunteers from the congregation. Activities carried out include contributions preparatory to and during worship; participating in pastoral care; service on sub-committees and through group activities; the maintenance of premises and fabric; and a variety of fund raising and social activities. These contributions are all highly valued and all members of the congregation are encouraged to, and many do, participate in them.
MINISTRY REPORT
St Peter’s Church has been in vacancy since 15 September 2024. Rev Nick Bowry is the current Interim Pastor. Nick is Rector of St James’ the Less, Penicuik and St Mungo’s West Linton. During the vacancy we are maintaining our regular weekly service pattern with the essential support of Rev Canon Cedric Blakey, Rt Rev Alan Abernethy, Mary Wight and Emma Herd. We have also welcomed several visiting ministers from other churches, with regular visits from Rev Canon Mike Parker, Rev Duncan McCosh and Rev Philip Blackledge.
The vestry and congregation extend their grateful thanks to Cedric, Alan, Mary and Emma for their faithful ministry to us over the past year. The choir, organists and musicians lead our praise and sung worship each week and we are also very grateful to them all.
There have been several highlights during the past year. Our Advent and Christmas services in December 2024 were much appreciated, with over 150 people joining our Christingle Service on Christmas Eve. We held a 5- week Lent discussion group and Cedric led a Lent Quiet Day to Whitchester Christian Centre near Hawick in March 2025. We celebrated Easter with special services on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Day when our congregation numbered over 70. A group enjoyed an Easter Monday circular walk from Eddleston followed by afternoon tea at the home of Ian and Anne Rogers.
Week-by-week our services on Thursdays at 10am, Sunday at 8.30am and 11am all remain well-supported by a regular faithful congregation. We have had several new people join us at St Peter’s during the past year, and
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Annual Report and Accounts
for the year ended 30 September 2025
we are glad they have found a welcome in our midst and a church to call their own. Overall, we have over 100 households in our church directory and over 110 subscribers to our weekly news emails.
This past year has, of course, been marked with deep sadness amongst our fellowship with the deaths of Karin Oster and Andrew Henthorn, both following cancer diagnosis during 2025. Karin was with us for just 2 years and served as our Vestry Secretary and Andrew had been our musical director for 3 years. We are grateful to God for all that they meant to us and all they did for St Peter’s. They are dearly missed.
Graeme Herd
VESTRY REPORT
From November 2024 we had seven vestry members, and this reduced to six in July 2025 upon the resignation of Karin Oster following her cancer diagnosis. The post of Clerk of Works has been vacant all year, and the role of Secretary has been vacant since July 2025.
St Peter’s Vestry met four times since the last AGM in November 2024 and has also met three times with the St Andrew’s Vestry to discuss shared matters in relation to the vacancy.
The substantial focus for the past year has been maintaining the life and worship of each of our three congregations, the vacancy process, the Rectory and some necessary maintenance and renewals for the organ, church sanctuary and vestry.
The St Peter’s Vestry are grateful to all church members for their support and encouragement over the past year and for all who give of their time, talent and money for the work of our church.
Graeme Herd
VACANCY REPORT
Information about the vacancy process has been shared in the monthly news email over the past year. The process began with a joint Vestry meeting on 13 October 2024 which was attended by Bishop John Armes and Dean Frances Burberry. This meeting established the early actions for both vestries, including: to consider the future of the shared Rectory; the future relationship of St Peter’s and St Andrew’s, and; development of the church and person profile. Subsequent joint vestry meetings were held on 1 February 2025 and 5 August 2025.
The Rectory was visited by Dean Frances and the Convenor of the Diocesan Buildings Committee on 16 October 2024. Following their feedback, both Vestries agreed to sell the Rectory, and this decision was reached by 2 March 2025. Formal permission to sell the Rectory was sought from the Diocesan Property Trustees on 14 March 2025.
During the same period from October 2024 to March 2025 the St Peter’s Vestry prepared a draft Church Profile, Person Profile, a summary of our financial records and a five-year financial forecast. This was informed by a congregational event that took place on 1 March 2025. A formal request to start the application process for a new Priest was sought from the Diocese on 30 March 2025.
On 10 July 2025, Dean Frances, on behalf of the Diocese of Edinburgh granted permission for us to sell the Rectory and instructed how to progress towards advertising the vacancy. The Rectory was advertised for sale through Blackwood and Smith LLP from 15 August 2025. It is currently ‘under offer’ and it is hoped the sale can be concluded soon so that we can move forward to purchase a new Rectory.
The vacancy for a Priest-in-Charge was advertised in the Church Times from 5 September 2025. The closing date for applications was 20 October 2025; however, no applications were received within that period. Representatives of the Joint Vestries will be meeting with Dean Frances Burberry and Rev Nick Bowry on 27 November 2025 to consider the next steps. The vacancy remains advertised on the St Peter’s Church, Diocesan
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and Provincial websites and it is expected that we will re-advertise the post in the Church Times in 2026 and set another closing date for applications.
Graeme Herd
TREASURER’S REPORT
As the vacancy continues this has been another positive financial year for the Church. Our outgoings are significantly lower than normal, as there are not Rector costs, and congregation and congregational giving has increased, which has helped us undertake much needed refurbishment work and continue to build our reserves.
Our regular congregational donations by standing order have increased from £25,824 in 2023-24 to £27,808 in 2024-25. It continues to be comforting as Treasurer to have regular standing orders donations, and I would encourage anyone happy to make the switch from plate / envelope donations to standing orders to speak to me for the appropriate forms. Our plate and envelope donations have also increased, meaning that our overall regular giving has increased from £37,843 in 2023-24 to £42,918 in 2024-25.
The vacancy period has meant that our focus has primarily been on considering our future rather than fundraising. However, during the year an advent coffee morning was held raising £1,116.42, the choir Christmas concert raised £629.62 for the Peeblesshire Foodbank, our Christingle raised £447.16 for Aberlour, and we contributed £255 to the Bishop’s Lent Appeal.
We continue through the vacancy period with an increasingly strong cash position, with over £58,000 in the bank, and the opportunity to increase our reserves whilst our expenditure is significantly reduced by not having the costs of a Rector. However, our congregation and congregational giving remains below a sustainable level to support a full time Rector.
My thanks as always go to Ros Stuart-Menteth for counting and banking all cash donations, and to Helen Disley for undertaking the gift aid return. These accounts do not include any gift aid sums, as, although the gift aid return has been completed, I am seeing if other donors can be included to increase the sums claimed, which will likely be circa. £7,000.
Nathaniel Buckingham, Treasurer
RESERVES
The reserves policy is to maintain reserves sufficient to meet three months of normal operating costs and any other committed expenditure. This would equate to approximately £15,000 in a normal year. At 30 September 2025, the church held £58,598 in unrestricted reserves. During the vacancy period, with significantly reduced costs, we expect to build the unrestricted reserves up even further. The vacancy period, with significantly reduced costs, also enables some of the necessary and desirable capital works identified in the quinquennial report to be undertaken. The reserves policy will be reviewed in the coming year.
Approved by the Vestry on 21 November 2025 and signed on their behalf
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Nathaniel Buckingham
Treasurer
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Graeme Herd
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St Peter’s Episcopal Church, Peebles
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Annual Report and Accounts
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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT
to the Trustees (Vestry Members) of St Peter’s Episcopal Church, Peebles
I report on the statement of account of the charity for the year ended 30 September 2025, the financial statements for which are set out on pages 7 to 11.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the terms of the Charities and Trustees Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended).
The charity trustees consider that the audit exemption requirement of regulation 10(1)(d) of the Accounts Regulations does not apply. It is my responsibility to examine the accounts as required under section 44(1) (c) of the Act and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of Independent Examiner’s Statement
My examination is carried out in accordance with Regulation 11 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations (as amended). An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeks explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.
Independent Examiner’s Statement
In the course of my examination, no matter has come to my attention,
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Which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
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To keep accounting records in accordance with Section 44(1)(a) of the 2005 Act and Regulation 4 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations, and
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To prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with Regulation 9 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations have not been met, or
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To which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
_____ Name: Gillian Moran ACCA Date 30/03/2026
Address: Braidwood Graham
4 Copperbeech Court Cavalry Park Peebles EH45 9BU
St Peter’s Episcopal Church, Peebles
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Annual Report and Accounts
for the year ended 30 September 2025
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT for the year ended 30 September 2025
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Unrestricted Restricted Total Total
Note 2024-25 2024-25 2024-25 2023-24
RECEIPTS
Donations 2 £43,188 £0 £43,188 £50,028
Legacies 3 £3,485 £0 £3,485 £25,000
Grants 4 £0 £0 £0 £1,480
Receipts from Fundraising 5 £1,116 £0 £1,116 £2,692
Investment Income £0 £0 £0 £0
Other Income £0 £0 £0 £0
Total Receipts £47,789 £0 £47,789 £79,200
PAYMENTS 7
Cost of Generating Funds £0 £0 £0 £0
Cost of Charitable Activities £35,490 £0 £35,490 £74,162
Governance Costs £400 £0 £400 £200
Total Payments £35,890 £0 £35,890 £74,362
Surplus / Deficit before transfers £11,899 £0 £11,899 £4,787
Transfers £0 £0 £0 £0
Total Surplus / Deficit £11,899 £0 £11,899 £4,787
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The above accounts exclude funds raised through special collections or fundraising for other charities; see note 6 below.
The notes on pages 9 to 11 form an integral part of these accounts.
St Peter’s Episcopal Church, Peebles
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STATEMENT OF BALANCES as at 30 September 2025
| Note Cash, Bank and Deposit Balances Brought Forward Movement in the year Surplus / Deficit of Receipts and Payments for the year Net payments from St Andrew's Cash, Bank and Deposit Balances Brought Forward Other Assets (estimated) Rectory Gift Aid Recoverable Owed by St Andrew's Total other assets (estimated) Liabilities (estimated) Creditors Total Liabilities (estimated) |
Unrestricted Restricted 2024-25 2024-25 £46,699 £0 £11,899 £0 £0 £0 £58,598 £0 £250,000 £0 £10,000 £0 £0 £0 £260,000 £0 £250 £0 £250 £0 |
Total 2024-25 £46,699 £11,899 £0 £58,598 £250,000 £10,000 £0 £260,000 £250 £250 |
Total 2023-24 £38,456 £4,787 £3,455 |
|---|---|---|---|
| £46,699 | |||
| £101,500 £3,750 £0.00 |
|||
| £105,250 | |||
| £250 | |||
| £250 |
The above statement excludes funds raised through special collections or fundraising for other charities; see note 6 below.
The notes on pages 9 to 11 form an integral part of these accounts.
Approved by the Vestry on 21 November 2025 and signed on their behalf
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Nathaniel Buckingham
Treasurer
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Graeme Herd
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St Peter’s Episcopal Church, Peebles
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NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
1. Basis of Preparation and Accounting Policies
1.1. Basis of Accounting
- a) The accounts are prepared under the Receipts and Payments Basis.
1.2. Form of Financial Statements
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a) The Trustees have decided to prepare the financial statements on the Receipts and Payments basis.
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b) Unrestricted Funds: Funds that may be used at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the objects of the charity.
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c) Restricted Funds: Funds that may only be used for specific purposes, where restrictions arise as specified by a donor or when the funds are raised for a particular purpose.
1.3. Receipts and Payments
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a) All income is recorded as a receipt when received by the charity.
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b) All payments are recorded as a payment when the payment is made by the charity.
1.4. Joint Costs
- a) St Peter’s Church shared a Rector with St Andrew’s Church, Innerleithen, and both churches jointly own the Rectory at Edderston Road, Peebles, in which the Rector resided (St Andrew’s Church 42%, St Peter’s Church 58%). There was an agreement between both churches that St Andrew’s contributed 20% to the cost of clergy and to 42% of the Rectory running costs. That agreement has kept under review by both Vestries. For administrative purposes, St Peter’s Church makes the payments and recovers the amount due from St Andrew’s Church. These accounts show only the cost of clergy and Rectory running costs which relate solely to St Peter’s Church.
1.5. Assets
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a) The Rectory - The cost of the Rectory is recognised as the proportion owned by St Peter’s - i.e. 58%. The Rectory was purchased in 2001 and 58% of the current offer value less expected sale costs of this asset is shown in the accounts.
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b) Church building - The Church is not shown in the statement of balances. The Vestry believes that it is not possible to place a market value on the Church. The valuation for insurance purposes is in excess of £1 million.
1.6. Special Collections
- a) Collections made on behalf of other charities, are not shown in the accounts. Further details are provided in note 6.
1.7. Taxation
- a) The charity is not liable to income or capital gains tax on its charitable activities. Irrecoverable VAT is included in the asset cost to which it relates.
St Peter’s Episcopal Church, Peebles
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Annual Report and Accounts
2. Donations
| Plate Envelopes Standing Orders Weddings and Funerals Other Donations Gift Aid Total Donations |
Unrestricted Restricted 2024-25 2024-25 £9,564 £0 £5,546 £0 £27,808 £0 £270 £0 £0 £0 £0 £0 £43,188 £0 |
Total 2024-25 £9,564 £5,546 £27,808 £270 £0 £0 £43,188 |
Total 2023-24 £6,697 £5,322 £25,824 £100 £4,580 £7,505 |
|---|---|---|---|
| £50,028 |
3. Legacies
We received a further and final payment of £3,484.70 from the generous legacy from the estate of the late Michael Gjessing.
4. Grants
No grants were received.
5. Fundraising
Our fundraising totalled £1,116.42 from the advent coffee morning in 2025. That was unrestricted funds.
6. Special Collections for Third Parties and Donations
During the year St Peter’s Church undertakes collections on behalf of other charities which is passed directly on to them and so the amounts are not shown in these accounts. For information purposes, the amounts collected were as follows:
| Peeblesshire Foodbank (from Choir Concert) | £629.62 |
|---|---|
| Aberlour Children’s Charity (from Christingle) | £447.16 |
| Bishop’s Lent Appeal | £255 |
There are no amounts outstanding from collections made in previous years.
During the year St Peter’s Church also made the following donations from general funds:
The Church Army (for the work of Tim Hatton in Hawick) £1,200
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7. Payments
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Unrestricted Restricted Total Total
2024-25 2024-25 2024-25 2023-24
Cost of Generating Funds
Cost of Generating Funds £0 £0 £0 £0
Total £0 £0 £0 £0
Cost of Charitable Activities
Quota £4,631 £0 £4,631 £4,245
Total Cost of Clergy £1,699 £0 £1,699 £48,533
(less contribution from St Andrew’s) -£0 £0 -£0 -£9,611
Cost of Church Building £19,416 £0 £19,416 £26,860
Cost of Rectory £4,071 £0 £4,071 £1,322
(less contribution from St Andrew’s) -£0 £0 -£0 -£282
Worship £2,620 £0 £2,620 £1,555
Outreach £100 £0 £100 £210
Teaching £0 £0 £0 £162
Pastoral £75 £0 £75 £135
Administration £1,679 £0 £1,679 £683
Donations £1,200 £0 £1,200 £350
Total £35,490 £0 £35,490 £74,162
Governance Costs
Independent Examiner’s Fee £400 £0 £400 £200
Total £400 £0 £400 £200
Total Payments £35,890 £0 £35,890 £74,362
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The Cost of Church Building includes: £5,650.32 for new carpets in the vestry and back of church; £5,624.81 for renewing the kitchen and toilet in the vestry; £3,921.80 for insurance; and £2,876.39 for utilities.
The Worship costs includes £1,206.20 for the new chasuble, birse, and veil, together with organist costs.
8. Cost of Clergy
In this year, the cost of clergy include only the fees and expenses of visiting ministers for services held at St Peter’s Church and Rectory Council tax.
9. Remuneration and Expenses Paid to Vestry Members
St Peter’s Church has no employees, and no employee received emoluments in excess of £60,000.
Only receipted out-of-pocket expenses related wholly and directly to the work of St Peter’s Church are paid to Vestry members and clergy. These expenses relate purely to purchases on behalf of the Church and are not deemed to be payment of Trustees’ expenses. Trustee Indemnity Insurance is in place for the benefit of all members of the Vestry.
St Peter’s Episcopal Church, Peebles
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Annual General Meeting Reports
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Annual General Meeting Reports
Pastoral Care
Having been without a Rector for 14 months, pastoral care now falls to many if not all members of the Congregation. Cedric has been wonderful especially in the final weeks in the lives of Karin and Andrew with them and their families. We thank him for the care he gives us all. I have been taking Home Communion to 3 Church members who are unable to get to Church and I can add others to that if anyone contacts me.
Margaret Jamie makes a prayer list of those in need of our prayers. Do contact her if you know of someone or if you would like to include these people in your prayers.
Please continue to check on members of our St Peter’s family who haven’t been well recently, or we haven’t seen. Often a short visit or a phone call is very much appreciated. I try to do this as I know many of you do so thank you.
Anne Buckingham
Children and Young People
During the past year one aspect of church life that we have not been able to resource as we would have liked is our work with children and young people.
Some of those of secondary school age continue to join in with the Leckie Church youth group on a Sunday night. They also helped at a summer holiday club at the Barn Church in Inverness where Rev Pamela Kennedy (formerly of Peebles) is the minister. We are grateful to Sarah Brown, the Leckie Youth worker, for her encouragement for our young people.
Some of our young people have also been away to Scripture Unions camps, which helps them learn about Jesus and connect with other Christian young people. We are planning a Service of Affirmation for them in early 2026, so look out for more information.
As we come to Advent and Christmas, we will have families involved in church decorating, Christingle making and in all the Christmas Services. Please pray for our young people and their families and also pray that we can find a way to do more to share the love of Jesus with our children and teenagers.
Graeme Herd
Music
On looking back at last year’s report by Andrew, we can remember all that he did for the music in St. Peters. His enthusiasm and ambitions for the choir and the whole community of St Peters. The success of his Christmas concert last year is a wonderful testament to that. So he will always be with us as we hold on to such a positive example and the music he gave to us.
The music during this past year has evolved from being led by Andrew, to being very much a team effort, and what a team it has become.
We are so lucky to have Cedric willing to plan the hymns for us for each Sunday. He said to me recently that he has set himself a personal challenge to not repeat a hymn throughout the year, which means he has to find around 200 hymns for us to sing ! This does mean that we will all have the challenge of occasional unfamiliar hymns but with the support of all we can embrace the new tunes and contemplate the words within.
St Peter’s Episcopal Church, Peebles
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We are also blessed to have the team of organists and pianists that Caroline has built up and co-ordinates for every Sunday. We are so grateful to each for their willingness to support St. Peters and bring their skills and music whenever they can as they all have other commitments as well. Alastair Disley, Kirsty Peebles, Phillip Gill-Simmons, and Sarah Brown have been wonderful over the year when required, and on the piano we have Eileen Fletcher and Mollie Davis willing and very able.
Andrew’s illness threw a challenge at me which has grown into a very positive purpose for my keyboard skills. Not having ever led a choir before, I would like to just say how lucky we are to have such a wonderful group of supportive ladies in the choir. They are all, each and every one of them, part of the team that generates the music of St. Peters and I would like to thank them for supporting me in many ways as I try to support them. How lucky St, Peters is to have them. It is a good team, and to echo Andrew’s thoughts last year, it is always a hope that new singers would like to join and bring new voices to our singing.
I have also learnt from hearing thoughts from the congregation, as the congregation is also very much part of the music we experience and enjoy every Sunday so thank you for your singing and support as well.
Always open to suggestions from anyone re how to continue to bring and create music in and for the community that is St Peters.
God Bless all
Rachel Hill
Pitter Patter
Our baby group is still going strong and is much appreciated by the Mums, Dads and Granny’s who come into Church on a Thursday at 1.30 for teas, cake and chat. The lovely atmosphere in the Church is often commented on, especially by those who have only known it from the outside- and the new carpet and heating is much appreciated.
Sandra, Susan and I belong to St Peter’s and see it as important outreach. We are helped by Tricia, Kirsty and Christine- who makes lovely cakes and biscuits - who I feel are now a part of our community because of their part in this group. We are rarely all there together but always enough of us to run the group throughout the year without taking breaks for school holidays as other groups do.
Anne Buckingham
Protection of Vulnerable Groups
The Diocese requested an audit of all PVG registers; this was completed and submitted in June. With the tightening of the rules on Disclosure more volunteers need to have checks and the processing of applications is now ongoing. Eileen Fletcher is stepping down as PVG coordinator at the end of the year.
Eileen Fletcher
Lay Representative Report
The Borders Area Council has met in person at Kelso on 18 February 2025 and Eyemouth on 4 September 2025. I was unable to attend the latter meeting.
Zoom prayer meetings have been held monthly since May to pray for the Bishop search and Bishop John’s retirement. His farewell service took place in St Mary’s Cathedral, Edinburgh on 24 August 2025.
St Peter’s Episcopal Church, Peebles
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Annual General Meeting Reports
for the year ended 30 September 2025
The preliminary meeting of the electoral synod took place on 27 September 2025 and two further meetings are scheduled for 7 and 14 February 2026 to interview and hopefully, prayerfully choose the next Bishop of Edinburgh. Either the lay representative or the alternate lay representative can be involved with the electoral synod meetings. Permission was obtained for our alternate lay representative to attend due to the difficulty of attending the fixed meeting dates by our lay representative. Once started the same person has to be at each meeting, until the process of choosing a new Bishop has concluded. If church elections come up during the process – as with St Peter’s AGM – the attending person is to be re-elected / stay in post. Therefore Rosalind Stuart-Menteth will be alternative lay representative for the coming year.
Zoom meetings will continue monthly to pray for those who are involved with the selection committee and those who have put themselves forward for the post of Bishop, for the office staff who are moving premises, and all those with the extra responsibilities during the Bishop search.
The next Borders Area Council meeting (in person) will be at St Peter’s, Galashiels, 1pm on Tuesday 17 March. Any clergy, lay representatives, and alternate lay representatives attending are asked to bring their own lunch.
Rosalind Stuart-Menteth
Clerk of Works
During the past year the role of clerk of works has been vacant and various tasks related to our property have been undertaken by Nathaniel Buckingham, Caroline Skea and Graeme Herd. We are grateful that Jamie Hill has recently volunteered to fill the clerk or works role (though not as a Vestry member).
The main project this year was the refurbishment of the vestry space with a new kitchen sink and a new toilet and sink in the WC. We repainted the walls and renewed the carpet and other flooring. At the same time, we also replaced the carpet at the rear of the church, at the altar and lectern. We are very grateful to Nathaniel for coordinating all of that work.
Last year we reported that quotations had been received for refurbishment of the church organ. This had been led by Andrew Henthorn and following his illness he stepped down from his role as organist. Caroline Skea has continued the work and had been arranging for several visits from the organ builder to carry out essential work to the organ.
Graeme Herd
Intercessors
This year our number of regular intercessors stands at 5. I am most grateful to all those who have agreed to help, they provide a rich variety of prayers-each bringing their own strengths and thoughts to the intercessions. Sadly this year, we lost Karin Oster, who had brought her own special spirituality to our prayers. Her untimely death was felt most keenly within the whole church community. We give thanks for her short but most meaningful time with us.
While not a regular intercessor, we welcome Shani Sedgewick to our group and we are grateful for her occasional input and for Cedric’s help too. As always , it would be good to welcome more new faces to our group and if you feel able to join us, even for an odd occasion, please let me know. The more of us there are, the less onerous the task for us all.
There are no meetings to attend throughout the year and each person is free to follow whichever style of prayer feels most natural to them. Help would be given to anyone not sure where to start!There are also ready made prayers at the back of the blue book, which could be of use to those willing to be called upon in an emergency,who might feel unable to write their own prayers. Please do let me know if that might be something you feel able to do.
St Peter’s Episcopal Church, Peebles
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Annual General Meeting Reports
for the year ended 30 September 2025
Thank you again to those who have formed part of the group this past year- your varied and thoughtful prayers each week are much appreciated.
Margaret Jamie
Welcome Team and Church Opening
We have a faithful team of volunteers who act as the Welcome Team and Sidespersons for our 8.30am and 11am services as well as a group who make sure that the church is opened and closed each day. Many thanks to all who serve faithfully in these roles and provide a warm welcome to our congregation and visitors and also support the smooth running of various practical aspects of our services.
Our church door stands open every day, and many enter to seek peace and quiet, or shelter from the elements while waiting for the bus, or are just curious to look inside our building. Our visitors book serves as testimony from those who appreciate how we keep our building open to all.
In recent months we have had a group of regular visitors who have been causing minor nuisance by tampering with a few things and leaving litter. We remain committed to keeping the church open, to engage with them whenever possible and to “tamper-proof” what we can.
Graeme Herd
Refreshments
We continue to serve refreshments at the back of the Church after our 3 weekly services. Mary on a Thursday and after the 8.30 Sunday service and we have a rota for after the 11am service. If you are relatively new to the Church, joining this rota is a good way to feel involved and get to know others as we always work in pairs. Do chat to me if you can offer your services in this way.
Anne Buckingham
Flowers
How quickly a year passes. I have enjoyed my flower role and have managed well, with the support of helpers who have filled in during my absences with watering. I do appreciate the comments on the floral arrangements and the occasional monies or flower passed to me to support the costs. It is a joint effort which has ensure we have given the beauty of our church the show it deserves.
Margaret Alderson
Cleaning
A group of us now get together on the first Wednesday morning of the month to sweep, wash, polish and vacuum the Church. It a very small group so we would be grateful to anyone else able to come along. The back of the Church also gets an extra clean after the babies have been on a Thursday.
Anne Buckingham
St Peter’s Episcopal Church, Peebles
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