St. Nicholas Church, Standish

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1 St. Nicholas Church, Standish One of the Cotswold Edge Parishes (Eastington, Frocester, Haresfield, Moreton Valence, Standish and Whitminster) We aim to strengthen links with our local communities and the wider church Annual Report for the year ended 31 st December 2012 Legal and Administrative Name: Location: Parochial Church Council of Standish, St. Nicholas. St. Nicholas Church is located in the centre of the parish adjacent to Standish Court. Correspondence: The Secretary, Mrs Lynda Hart, Brook Cottage, Standish Court, Standish, Stonehouse, Glos. GL10 3DW; or c/o The Rectory, Millend Lane, Eastington, Stonehouse, Glos. GL10 3SG. Members: Members of the PCC are either ex-officio or elected (up to 6) at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) in accordance with the Church Representation Rules. The PCC may co-opt up to 2 further members. During the year the following served as PCC members: Revd Richard Amys Mrs Yvonne Young Mrs Margaret Hazell Mr Roger Hart Mrs Lynda Hart Mr Graham Stevens Mr John Jenner Mrs Hilda Prescott Chair Churchwarden Churchwarden Treasurer Secretary Deanery Synod Rep. Status: The PCC is a charity, exempted from registration with the Charity Commission under the Charities (Exemption from Registration) Regulations Independent Mr John Bowman, 27 Beckford Road, Abbeymead, Gloucester. GL4 5UD Examiner: Bank: Nat West Bank plc, 21 Eastgate St, Gloucester. 1

2 Aims and Organisation The main purpose of the PCC is defined in the Parochial Church Councils (Powers) Measure 1956 as to co-operate with the Minister in promoting in the parish the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. Standish PCC has maintenance responsibilities for the Church of St. Nicholas, Standish, and the churchyard surrounding it. Standish is one of six parishes in the benefice of Eastington, Frocester, Haresfield, Moreton Valence, Standish and Whitminster, referred to unofficially as the Cotswold Edge parishes. Joint ministry expenses are shared on an agreed percentage basis with the other parishes. In 2012 this was 8% and will remain the same for Review of the Year Usual Sunday attendance 6 (2011 8); Easter Communicants 12 (12); Easter Attendance 20 (16); Christmas Communicants 20 (no service 2011); Christmas Attendance 21 (no service 2011); Carol Service held jointly with Haresfield at Haresfield so no Carol Service at Standish; Harvest festival 10 (25 at Moreton Hill). This year there were 7 baptisms (3 last year/32 in the benefice); 3 weddings (3/20); 5 funerals in church (4/14); 2 funerals at local crematoria (6/11). Secretary's Report for 2012 The PCC met four times during the year as arranged at the Annual Meeting plus an extraordinary meeting in August to discuss a report from the Ecclesiastical Insurance Company following a visit from their surveyor, Mr Martin Barnard. The outcome of this was that the door to the organ loft must be kept locked at all times to prevent a fall from the balcony during unauthorized access. Portable electrical equipment and all the fire extinguishers had to be checked and conform to the latest regulations. A Health and Safety policy was required and Risk Assessments had to be made; Graham Stevens kindly undertook this task. Finally the Church had to be locked overnight to prevent a substantial rise in the premium. Stanley Dicker and Roger Hart agreed to undertake this and a team of additional people were organised to do so if Stanley and Roger were not available. Fundraising was discussed at all PCC meetings and during the year the following events were held: a Pancake Evening in February, a Cake and Produce Stall in July, a film show in November and a coffee morning with Christmas stalls in December. Linda Massey and Lynda Hart prepared the window boxes for a wedding in August and made 55. Mel Gibson and her daughter invited people who buy their free-range eggs to put their small change in a jar and this raised 30 for Church funds. A team of people acted as stewards to welcome cyclists and walkers taking part in the Sponsored Walk/Ride for Gloucestershire Historic Churches Trust and the sponsorship money collected is shared between the Historic Churches Trust and the individual Church. Lynda Hart (March 2013) 2

3 Treasurer's Report for was yet another very busy and I believe successful year. Regular income declined somewhat but the funerals of several greatly respected parishioners increased collections and gift aid. Fees generated by our hard working Rector were only slightly down compared with Gift aid re-claim produced a very useful 748. The generous grant from the Parish Council once again permitted the churchyard to be sensitively maintained despite the appallingly wet weather. General running cost expenditure was kept under control. The Parish share was increased by 100. In August there was a review of our insurance cover, which from October increased by per month so it now costs in a full year. There was one major creditor, caused by a misplaced invoice, for 700 due to Mr R Luke for grass cutting. Thieves stole a small area of large Cotswold stone tiles from the Lych gate roof, this cost Five charities were supported with donations ranging from for the Gloucestershire Historic Churches Trust to 225 for the Stroud Food Bank.. Although the major repairs to both the chancel and nave in were completed in late 2011 there was still considerable financial activity attached to the project. Two Charities approached in 2011 for financial assistance gave, generous donations which were very gratefully received. Gloucester Cathedral Dean and Chapter who have a liability for 93% of chancel repairs refunded 8254 and following many variations in the scheme HRMC repaid some 4,200, the VAT incurred on the repair work. This influx of funds enabled us to treat the woodworm in all the nave timbers, lop dead branches from some of the Lime trees and carry out additional pointing. New fire extinguishers were installed throughout the building, and some respectable chairs purchased for the repaired vestry. The above expenditure plus retention fees due to the builders and architect amounted to The balance in our Current account remains high because it is gaining a better rate of interest than the derisory levels in our CCLA deposit account. Roger Hart (March 2013) Rector's Report for 2012 I would like to thank everyone for their support and hard work in I think we are fortunate at Standish to have a small but committed group of people who love the church, and contribute to it to the best of their ability. The work that goes into caring for and maintaining the building is immense, and the occasional visitors that come here probably don t realise what goes on behind the scenes but I do, and am very grateful. Although we only have 2 Sunday services a month, the regular weekly Friday Communion services always have attenders, even during the worst weather, and these simple services find a group of friends worshipping together and praying for the parish and the wider community each week. With my sabbatical looming in the summer, I find it a bit difficult to look much further ahead at the present, but the Diocesan Journeying Together initiative, launched in the Cathedral last 3

4 November, will no doubt be important in shaping our aims as a Christian witness in the parish. With all the financial problems around us, which inevitably have an impact on our income, both at parish level, and in the diocese generally, it would be very easy to get despondent, especially when something like the failure of the legislation to allow women to become bishops happens in the wider church, which makes people wonder if the church knows what it is doing! Ultimately as Christians, we follow Christ, learn from him, and serve him to the best of our abilities. That s what Christians do, and we are called to love others as we love ourselves, and love God with all our being. If we can do that, we won t be going too far wrong! Richard Amys (March 2013) Churchwardens' Report for 2012 The churchyard was kept in good order during the summer months by Rob Luke cutting the grass and strimming where necessary. He did an excellent job and thanks must go to his diligence and the Parish Council who give a grant to the PCC each year for churchyard maintenance, without which we would not be able to afford the payment for grass cutting. Help was also given by volunteers who looked after chosen areas and members of the PCC who tackled many of the other necessary jobs. The wall of one of the Standish Court properties that was repaired in 2010 and collapsed again in 2011 has now been completely repaired. The church was very dirty after completion of the repairs to the vestry and parts of the chancel and nave and it was a great struggle to get it clean again but Stanley Dicker has persevered and spent much time polishing the pews and wooden floor. It is now sparkling and cleaner than it has been for a very long time. Several members of the window box team have been lost so new recruits are sought because when they are filled with greenery and flowers for the special festivals they are much appreciated. (March 2013) Rector s Discretionary Fund Report 2012 The starting balance was 2, The sources of income in 2012 were from fees charged for verging for weddings ( 572), funerals ( 265) and sexton duties relating to funerals ( 30), donations from individuals and others ( ) and donations and collection for All Souls ( ), and money from parishes for a replacement photocopier ( 195). Total income was The areas of expenditure were on: Purchase of a replacement photocopier ( 2,750, 750 of which came from the parishes in 2011 and 2012) support for music and choirs ( 198); Parish Pump and Young Church Mag subscriptions ( 56); Palm Crosses ( 66); Donations to Charities, Churches and individuals ( , 400 of which came from a charity in Haresfield); Services, outreach and training ( ); Stationary, photocopying and postage ( ). Total expenditure was 4, This meant a deficit of 2, over the year, and at the year end the balance stood at The major part of expenditure was on a photocopier, bought in January at a cost of 2,750. The old copier, bought in 2006, was donated to a charity, having no resale value. Parishes and individuals are charged at cost for its use, and the RDF last year also paid for paper ( ) and staples ( 86.40) the latter being extortionately expensive and are being used sparingly! 4

5 Donations from the All Souls service roughly cover affiliation to the RSCM for the choir and the CCLI copyright licence for music and words reproduced for 2013, as well as postage etc for the invitations. As the number of weddings booked for 2013 is less than half of those carried out in 2012, the income from verging at these services will also be much reduced in the coming year. Richard Amys (February 2013) Deanery Synod Representative s Report 2012 Our Deanery Synod Representatives are: Eastington Celia Harris, vacancy. Frocester Marjorie Hawkins Haresfield Vacancy Moreton Valence Sally Van Eeghen Standish Graham Stevens Whitminster John Green The Rector is a clergy member of Deanery Synod. The meeting held on Monday 30 th January was held at St. Mary s Church, Painswick The evening started with the licensing of Revd Dr Christopher Collingwood as the new Area Dean by the Bishop of Tewkesbury. Parish Share pledged for 2012 was 720,000 for the Deanery, slightly down on The Deanery office was operating at a los, so hours were being reduced, and each benefice was asked to increase their annual contribution by 33 to 408. The guest speaker was the Diocesan Vocations, Local Ministry and Parish Development Officer, Revd Pauline Godfrey. She looked at the issues that surround vocations and how they can grow out of discipleship. The meeting held on Thursday 26 th April was held at Lakefield School, Frampton An update on Pastoral Re-organisation revealed that Revd Peggy Ludlow was to be licensed as Priest-in-charge of the Stanleys. In the longer term Rodborough should join with Woodchester and Brimscombe, with the Stanleys joined with Selsley and Stonehouse. Stroud and Cainscross are to join in a Team Ministry, with Whiteshill and Randwick, and Holy Trinity Stroud hopefully joining in at some point in the future. A discussion on Parish Share led by the Deanery Treasurer highlighted the difficult financial situation facing the diocese. The meeting on Wednesday 18 th July was held at Sheepscombe Village Hall The guest speaker was Revd Canon Dr Martyn Percy, Principal of Ripon College, Cuddeston, who spoke on Anglicanism and Communion. It was reported that 10 out of 10 places were filled in recent election from the Synod to Diocesan Synod s house of laity, but only 4 out of 8 for the house of clergy. The meeting on Tuesday 16 th October was held at Cainscross Church Hall The Ven. Jackie Searle, the new Archdeacon of Gloucester, and Miss Natalie Hill, the Diocesan Churches Officer were the guest speakers, introducing themselves and talking also about their areas of work. Prof. Jenny Tann, a member of the synod, also spoke about Stroud Women s Refuge. Revd Richard Amys, (February 2013) Electoral Roll Officer's Report for 2013 There are 24 names on the new Electoral Roll, drawn up in are residents, and 6 are non-residents. There were 22 people on the old Electoral Roll presented at the APCM in Revd Richard Amys (March 2013) 5

6 Bell Ringers' Report for 2012 The bells were rung to celebrate the Queen s Diamond Jubilee, the Harvest Festival service, and the Christmas Midnight service. The tower and bells etc are checked on a regular basis and the Tower Captain, John Gibson has had to replace some nuts and bolts on the tenor bell. He has also arranged for some new leathers to be cut. John has arranged separate practise sessions at Standish for new recruits to bell ringing. Regular bell ringing practise takes place on Friday evenings between 7.30 and 9 pm. Everyone is welcome to come along to learn or watch. John Gibson (March 2013) 6

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