Melbourne Parish Church Annual Parochial Church Meeting Reports for the year 2015
Contents Foreword... 2 Churchwardens Report... 3 PCC Report... 4 Electoral Roll Officer s Report... 4 Deanery Synod Report... 5 Financial Report... 5 Junior Church Report... 6 Child Protection Officer s Report... 6 Bright Lights Report... 6 Children s Musicals... 7 Children s Events Report... 7 Athenaeum Youth Centre... 7 Baptism Group... 7 Messy Church... 7 Churches Together Report... 8 Mothers Union Report... 8 Caring Hands Group... 8 Social and Promotional Group Report... 9 Archivist s Report... 9 Environmental Report... 9 Music Director s Report... 10 Bellringers Report... 11 Steeple Keeper s Report... 12 Handbell Ringers Report... 13 St. Michael s Players Report... 13 Website Report... 13 Singing for the Brain... 14 Friends of Melbourne Parish Church... 14 Tourism & Visitors... 15 Editorial Notes... 15 Appendix A Financial Statement Year Ending 31 st December 2015... 16 Receipts and Payments Account... 16 Balance sheet... 17 Statement of assets and liabilities... 17 Analysis of income and expenditure... 18 Finance Charts *... 22 Appendix B 2015 APCM Minutes... 24 Appendix C PCC Members and Officers April 2015-April 2016... 25
Foreword By the time this set of reports is published, I will have left the Melbourne group of parishes to take up my new post as a Canon of St George s Chapel, Windsor. My four years in Melbourne have been immensely happy, and I had always thought I would be here until I retired! Helen and I are grateful for the warmth of the welcome we received when we arrived here, for the many gifts of plants for the garden and for the glorious sense of community that thrives in the village. We are pleased to have played a small part in enhancing community life by offering the garden for afternoon teas and other events. It has been a delight to see so many people enjoying the view of the Pool that has greeted us each morning. the community. I am grateful to Sheena Wilkins who was Melbourne s representative on the panel that offered me this wonderful parish post, and to all who have served as churchwardens during my time here, to Kate, our administrator, to the ministry team and to all who do so much to enrich the life of the church and It has been good to work together on the St Michael s House project, and on other schemes that have beautified the church, with new furniture, art and vestments. We will leave Melbourne with heavy hearts, despite the thrill and challenge of the opportunity that has been offered to me in Windsor. Thank you for sharing life with us in this place. Mark 2
Churchwardens Report Firstly, our thanks to everyone who has contributed to the life of our church in so many different ways. We have worshipped together week by week and celebrated events in the church calendar. "Caring Hands" and "Singing for the Brain" are examples of activities which have included people from the wider community. Mark and Helen enthusiastically opened their home and garden to support community occasions such as the Melbourne Art Festival. We are very grateful for their generosity. Throughout the year Mark has been ably supported by Angela, our curate, who has brought many gifts to us through her ministry. In turn Mark and Angela have been supported by a dedicated team of clergy and readers with their own special strengths as well as challenges to put before us. Sadly, for us Mark announced that he and Helen would be leaving at the beginning of January in order for Mark to take up his new post as Canon at St. George's Chapel, Windsor. We wish them well in their new life although we miss them greatly. Angela has worked hard with us to ensure church life runs as smoothly as possible during the vacancy. Members of the PCC also have been very supportive so sincere thanks to all. Friends of the church have continued to play an important role in the life of the church and the wider community. A programme of interesting events was planned during the year. We are very grateful to artist Michael Cook for presenting us with a new "Red Cup" painting which will better withstand the damp conditions of the church building. Routine maintenance and works for the year are identified in the church log book: Tuning and repairs of the church organ Boxing encapsulated around organ blower Improvements to lightning conductor system Annual testing of lightning conductor Clearing of drains at west end of church Restoration of alabaster war memorial in north aisle Annual servicing of bells Installation of Ronald Pope sculpture in the Lady Chapel Service of clock on church tower Maintenance of fire extinguishers Repair to south door exterior light Annual testing of sound system Cleaning of carpets in church and Church House Testing of Rectory alarm Examination of asbestos in church bell tower Joanna Hocknell and Linda Latchford 3
PCC Report Melbourne PCC has held monthly meetings, with no meeting during August. Members have discussed a wide range of matters including Church and Church building maintenance, Mission Action Plans, social and youth events in the community. The Treasurer has provided financial information. Church House and the Rectory garden again provided us with an excellent venue for several events, including the garden fete in May and a barbeque on the 1st of August. The teas that were served on Sunday afternoons through the summer brought many new and returning visitors, raising funds for Mercy Ships and Melbourne Community Care. The teas also proved popular during the Melbourne Festival, as visitors came to see festival artists exhibiting their work in the garden and in Church. As a part of the Churches Together in Melbourne, a cake bake in the Spring for the anti-people trafficking lobby raised funds for the Tear Fund. A Progressive Supper around Melbourne s churches raised money for the Nepal Earthquake fund. The Mission Action Plan board in Church shows the aid organisations and charities we have supported this year. As in previous years, students from Chellaston Academy came to a service to talk about their Uganda Appeal. Nearer to home the Padley centre in Derby have thanked us for the large number of everyday essentials that are now regularly left in the Padley box in church. A mini guide to the Church was completed in September, this guide and also leaflets about legacies are now in Church. In the Lady Chapel we are now able to appreciate a sculpture by Ronald Pope; also an oil copy of The Red Cup painting is now hanging outside the vestry. This was commissioned and donated as the original watercolour was being affected by damp; after having restoration work done the original is now hanging in St Michael s House. The Rector has visited both Melbourne schools, developing his involvement with children at the Infant school and developing curriculum projects. Jo Glaze, PCC Secretary Electoral Roll Officer s Report At the last Annual General Meeting it was reported that we had a total of 165 names on the Electoral Roll. The number of names on the Electoral Roll at 31 December 2015 was 187. In March 2014 we were required to update a completely revised Electoral Roll, and in the manner prescribed by statute everyone was invited and given the opportunity to be included on the new Roll. In the interim, and in normal way, names have been added and deleted as appropriate I am pleased to report that there has been new names added, together with some deletions, since January 2016, which brings the total to 187 and that there may be further additions shortly, after the APCM. It should be noted that the initial figure reported here refers to December 2015.The new Electoral Roll figures will be given orally at the APCM on April 2016 and amended in the year-end report for 2016. May I take this opportunity to thank everyone for their assistance, during the year, in the updating of the Electoral Roll. Cliff Warner, Electoral Roll Officer 4
Deanery Synod Report The meetings of Deanery Synod during the year were concerned with the proposed re-organisation of the Rural Deaneries of Derbyshire into Area Deaneries. The number of Deaneries will be reduced, an Area Dean will be appointed for each new Deanery and will be able to devote 2/3 days a week to work associated with the Deanery. A successful Area Deanery has already been established in the north of Derbyshire. Melbourne and Repton will merge, the 'city' parishes that have been part of Melbourne Deanery will join the Area Deanery to the south of Derby city. A central meeting point for the new Melbourne/Repton Deanery will probably be located in Repton. The legal formalities must be completed and an Area Dean appointed. Sheena Wilkins, Deanery Synod Representative Financial Report The annual accounts of Melbourne Parish Church for the year 1st January to 31st December 2015 have been monitored by the Parochial Church Council and Finance Committee, independently examined and then displayed in church for the requisite period of time. This year, our third annual payment of 2,000 has been made towards the running of the local Athenaeum project, comprising 1,000 from the Honner Fund with a matching grant from the Diocese as previously. The PCC has also made payments this year of 750 each to Melbourne Community Care and to Mercy Ships from monies raised through the successful Sunday Teas fundraising, 53 to United Society and contributed 178 to the Padley Centre, Derby from the Christmas Carol Service. Various additional special donations and payments that have been collected by the PCC on behalf of, and passed on to other organizations through the year but do not form part of the formal accounts below, have included: Calcutta Cathedral Relief Services (from Lent Lunches) 424 Chellaston Academy Uganda Appeal 481 Christian Aid (Nepal Earthquake Appeal) 543 Bishop of Derby s Harvest Appeal 229 Mission to Seafarers (Sea Sunday) 136 The Children s Society (Christingle Collection, excludes personal collecting boxes) 456 Funeral Collections (passed via the Funeral Directors to various charities on request) 4,050 The restoration of the alabaster War Memorial in church at a total cost of 3,172 was fully funded through grants received from the War Memorials Trust, Melbourne Rotary, Melbourne Civic Society and Melbourne Parish Council, together with the recovery of the VAT paid on the architect s fees from the Listed Places of Worship scheme. While the overall funds of the church appear to be in a healthy state at the end of year, a number of grants have already been received towards the maintenance work to be carried out in 2016 following our recent quinquennial inspection, for which our thanks must go to Mark for his great efforts in the making of grant applications. The general fund has suffered a deficit of 3,107 which is attributable the combined reductions in receipts through planned giving and funeral collections, almost all of the latter having been passed via the Funeral Directors to other charities at the request of the bereaved families. It should be noted that the loss during the year of a few regular contributors will also have a knock-on effect of reducing the amount of Gift Aid tax relief we receive in future. Brian Bolton, Hon Treasurer. [Please see Appendix for detailed financial information] 5
Junior Church Report Junior Church has met in St Michael's House at 10.30am on Sundays in term time. Leaders, helpers and children have come into church for the start of the Communion Service. They have left to pursue activities in Lyra's Room before again joining the church congregation and receiving communion or a blessing. They have enjoyed sharing what they have been doing, including sometimes cakes or biscuits they have made, with the clergy and congregation. There were 13 children on the register from preschool age to 11 years. Numbers each week have fluctuated greatly between 0-7 children with more on special occasions. A leader and a helper have led each session working on a rota basis. We are grateful to Mary Bolton, Kit and Vicky Emery, Paul Fletcher-Read, Lisa Gilchrist, Rachel Hill, Maggie Kershaw, Katy Latchford, Ruth Parkinson and Bronwen Truscott for their enthusiasm and commitment to these young people. We also thank Ros Bell for her work in the area of safeguarding. Leaders have planned sessions using the Biblical texts for the day, the Roots publications and/or something inspirational, standalone but appropriate. During the year customary events included the making of the Easter Gardens and the Nativity as part of the Christingle Service on Christmas Eve. This latter was extremely well attended. Thanks to Lisa and family for again organising stalls on behalf of the children at the Summer Fete and Autumn Bazaar. Good attendance has been promoted and celebrated in the church service. The new notice board with contact details has been positioned outside St Michael's House, when sessions have been running, to acknowledge this important work and to inform and hopefully encourage newcomers! On Sundays in school holidays, when Junior Church has not been held, a crèche facility has been available either in St Michael's House or at the back of church. We are grateful to all the helpers who provided this service. Linda Latchford Child Protection Officer s Report I have continued to update the Disclosure and Barring Forms for all those who are involved in working with children and young people. There have been a number of changes in the procedure and the check is now valid for 5 years not 3 years, which has been a great help. We held a training course which was very well attended. Ros Bell (Safeguarding Officer) Bright Lights Report The after school club met in Melbourne Junior School library throughout the spring and autumn terms. An enthusiastic and bubbly group enjoyed a variety of activities. During the spring a tent was set up for the showing of Streetwise video clips based on stories from Luke s gospel. In the summer we followed the Scripture Union Light material which included hearing about St Paul s adventures in Acts. We were creative, played games, prayed and thought deeply about spiritual things. My grateful thanks go to Ros for her faithful co-leadership. Most of the group moved up to Chellaston school last summer. The remaining three wanted to learn bell-ringing, so I have been taking them to Ticknall where the bells are lighter and easier to learn on. There is no reason why the school club shouldn t be re-advertised and relaunched, but I only have time to do one or the other. Rachel Coupe 6
Children s Musicals Bright Lights children were joined by friends to perform two musicals in church: Good News at Easter and Treasure Island in the summer. All the children worked really hard and achieved a very high standard of performance. Thank you to Laurence and Gordon for providing the musical and acting training to the youngsters. The children performed Treasure Island at Pool Cottage to entertain the residents there. Rachel Coupe Children s Events Report Once again, we sponsored Magical Mayhem to perform a Melbourne Festival Magic Show which was amazing! This was attended by a pack of Beavers, as well as the usual children from the Melbourne schools. The two Day events were both excellent and loved by the children. Pulse ran both of them. The theme for the April INSET day was Rise and Shine and there was a Saturday Light Party in the autumn. Thank you to all those who came to help. It s a lot of fun, so please consider coming to join us! Rachel Coupe Athenaeum Youth Centre There has been continued support of the Athenaeum s work with local youth, both financially and through involvement on the Management Committee. This will be in abeyance during the Vacancy but we hope to continue close links in the future. Joanna Hocknell Baptism Group The Baptism group has been initiated with the intention of supporting those who come for Baptism and their families as well as supporting the minister who may be conducting the service. This will include helping prepare the candidates or the families who are bringing their child to be baptised, so that they are aware of their responsibilities and also what will happen during the service, as well as being at the service to welcome and support them. The team will also play a role in supporting the families after the Baptism, and one of the ways this will be done is to visit the family shortly after the service with a gift from the church of a Bible for the baby/child/adult, which the PCC has agreed to donate. The group is in its early stages and it is hoped that a full and active role will be undertaken by the generous volunteers who are involved, as together we seek to help to build God s kingdom in this place. Angela Plummer Messy Church Messy Church is a church service that offers a different approach to worship. Families come along and play and pray alongside our dedicated team of volunteers from church. We start with a focus and then explore this through activities and a service in church. We then finish with a meal together. Recent themes have included Harvest and the Holy Spirit. Attendance has been up and down but families who attend have always enjoyed the services and been positive with their feedback. We are always evaluating what we do and recently welcomed Chris Rees, who is the Messy Church Coordinator for Derby Diocese, to our planning meeting. She led a discussion on the way forward for Messy Church, a topic we will look at together in the coming weeks. Katy Latchford 7
Churches Together Report The Committee met three times during the year. Lol Robinson, a representative from the Methodist Church, became Chairman in October. A well-attended service to mark the week of prayer for Christian Unity was held at the URC in January. The service for Christian Aid Week took place at the Catholic Church and again was well attended. An inspirational speaker from Christian Aid gave the address. The churches of Melbourne all joined in the house to house collection for Christian Aid - 3600 was raised. The strolling supper in April in support of Fair Trade was enthusiastically supported. An advert was placed in the Village Voice in time for Easter to show the service times in Melbourne for Holy Week and Easter. The Christmas cards, printed in colour this year, were distributed to households in Melbourne and Kings Newton. Sheena Wilkins Mothers Union Report Our theme this year was 'United in Prayer' and our programme was designed to reflect this. We have supported events at deanery, diocesan and national level including this year's AGM which was held at Nottingham. We continue to support the various MU charities and also regularly support the 'Safe and Sound' project in Derby. Within the parish we continue to clean the Church after our monthly corporate communion and help at the Garden Fete and Autumn Fair. We also distribute Baptism Anniversary cards. We have enjoyed meeting socially for occasional lunches and a trip out in August. Though we are small in number...21 at present...we continue to be an active and supportive group. Ros Bell (Branch Leader) Caring Hands Group The Caring Hands Group carries on going from strength to strength with a regular weekly attendance of around 30 ladies. As at January 2016, the total number of items knitted was an amazing 6547! This includes over 1000 items sent over to refugee camps in Syria via a charity organisation called Hand in Hand for Syria, as well as 2104 items knitted and sent to Special Care Baby Units via a charity called Bonny Babies - this total includes 1019 baby hats that were knitted as part of a six month national challenge to knit 20,000 baby hats from knitting groups all over the country. Our next challenge to knit 100 baby blankets and 100 baby cardigans is already underway! We also took part in Age UK s Big Knit 2015 Challenge, and produced 1043 mini hats which will adorn bottles of Innocent Smoothies - with a donation being made to Age UK for every bottle sold with a hat on - making our contribution over 260 As well as supporting charities and causes throughout the country and worldwide, we also have supported Pool Cottage again this year, and by knitting and selling Easter chicks and Christmas puddings, we were able to make donations of 260 We have enjoyed meals out together at the Melbourne Tea Rooms in June and December and there is an ever growing sense of shared purpose and friendship, which offers support and care to one another. Angela Plummer 8
Social and Promotional Group Report 2015 was another busy year for the Social Committee. The year began with Lent Lunches, which are always popular. The Garden Fete was a big success in May, held in the Rectory Garden by kind permission of Mark and Helen; the BBQ in August was also well attended. The Harvest Supper was at the Melbourne Tea Rooms, good food but attendance was down as some thought it was a little too expensive we plan to do something different for this year. The Autumn Fair was held in November at the Assembly Rooms another good fundraiser for the Church. Sunday Teas were also a great success in 2015, with half the profits going to Community Care and Mercy Ships ( 750 each) and half for church funds. Once again this proved very popular, especially on Festival Weekend with the Rectory Garden also being opened up to visitors. Revd Alan Flintham retired at the end of April; his Farewell Party was held at the end of April a bring and share and a very lovely occasion. We have gained two new members over the past year Carolyn Tasker and Jen Smallwood welcome to them; and thank you to everyone who does their bit on a regular or occasional basis. If you have any bright ideas for new events or would like to help in any way, please let one of the Committee know. Sheena Wilkins Archivist s Report The Archive has begun the move to Church House where it will be stored in the cupboards in plastic boxes. Because of the weight of the items in each box the box is located sideways. So items can be removed separately without lifting down the whole box. The positions are maintained by packings which fit into the box ribs and are fastened to the shelf. The packings also lift the front edge so the lid can be removed easily. Each box will be numbered with a list on the lid of the contents. These lists will form part of a comprehensive index available separately. Where the items are too numerous to list on the lid similar items will be bundled together with a contents list. Meanwhile items for archiving are still appearing these need recording and sorting delaying the boxing lists. Church Magazines Jane Whittaker of the Derby Local Studies Library has found out that the first to be published was for St Michael s in Derby dated January 1859. Melbourne followed on publishing one for July 1862. So Melbourne Parish was among the first in England to have a magazine. Sadly, there is not a complete run only 1889 to 1897, 1908 to 1919 and 1950 to 1989 and a final one in 1994 bound copies are archived in the Vicarage with odd ones Archived in the Box. The Archivist is constantly on the lookout for material about the history and life of the Church for adding to the Archive. Roy Dunnicliffe, Archivist Environmental Report With limited scope in our main building or property, much of the church s work on environmental issues continues to be through its membership of and participation in the local Whistlewood Common project, as well as educational. Church members have made significant contributions to this project during the year to the point that a forest church event, inspired by the Celtic Christian tradition, can now be planned at Whistlewood in 2016. Intercessions during regular services have also drawn in themes around Creation and care for the environment. Melbourne also participates in the Diocesan Environmental Group. This group was particularly active in drawing attention to the COP21 climate negotiations in Paris last year, most notably with a well-attended time-travelling prayer walk along the Markeaton Brook to Derby Cathedral, where a prayer vigil was held the day before the Paris talks began. Graham Truscott, Environmental Officer 9
Music Director s Report It has been another extremely busy, but rewarding, year for our Church Choir with the usual round of services plus the many extras for the Festivals and seasons of the Church s Year. Over the year the Choir has learnt many new items alongside its already large repertoire of music for all seasons of the Church s year. On Ash Wednesday and Ascension Day it was our pleasure to return to St. George s, Ticknall and join with their Choir to lead the services in the church s lovely acoustics and for me to play their fine organ. On Maundy Thursday we again went to St. Michael's, Stanton by Bridge to lead the worship there and for the second year we went to Ticknall to sing Good Friday Compline. At the invitation of William and Griselda Kerr, we were very pleased to return to The Dower House to sing Carols in aid of Charity it was lovely to see all the building work which had been done since our last visit in 2013. I would like to record my thanks to all members of the Choir and their families, for the support, encouragement and hospitality offered over the past year. In April the Choir embarked on its ninth weekend residency at an English Cathedral when it went to Exeter where they had the privilege of singing all the weekend services. In 2016 we can look forward to day trips to Bristol and Lincoln on the bank holidays in May and to Chester in October as well as another weekend residency in August, this time at St. George s Chapel, Windsor Castle, arranged before a certain Rector was appointed Residentiary Canon there all of these trips are becoming increasingly popular and the Choir much appreciates the support and company it receives away from home and thanks those who do so, at their own expense. During 2015 regular membership of the Choir held steady at 17 but we must keep working to secure its future for the years ahead. I re-iterate that our Choir is worth belonging to and has an excellent reputation both locally and, due to our Cathedral visits, nationally. Every time we sing at a Cathedral we are asked to return on a future occasion and, following our visit to Lincoln in 2013, we were very pleased to receive an extremely complimentary letter from their Canon Precentor, proclaiming the choir as one of the best visiting choirs to sing there! We had a similar letter from the Dean of Durham Cathedral in 2010 following our weekend there. The very reason that people comment on the quality of our singing particularly when we are away from home is easily explained the standard is high all the time but the Melbourne acoustic does not make that apparent! Even when we go to sing at Ticknall, people say we sound like a different Choir! I am convinced that we must keep attracting new members from our Congregation and Community if the Choir is to continue to enrich our worship something which people say they value here. 17 is still a small number and a larger Choir would make working in a very difficult acoustic easier all round. I want to dispel the myth that may make some think that the Choir sounds beyond their capability: basically if you can hold a tune there is no reason at all why you wouldn t enjoy being a member. There are people in the Choir to learn from and be supported by so, please, be on the lookout for potential new members for OUR Church Choir or consider it yourself as no-one else but us can help to maintain and strengthen it - it is up to us all to keep this important and valued ministry alive in Melbourne Parish Church. The policy of Instrumental music before the services in Lent and Passiontide continued and this has proved popular. We had some new people offer to provide this and would encourage others to come forward in the future there s room for everyone! The Pipe Organ was tuned and maintained quarterly and the pianos in Church and in Church House six-monthly. I would like to conclude with words of thanks: to my predecessor of 27 years Laurence Rogers who is a tremendous support to me in so many ways not least through singing and playing on a regular basis; to Henry Wilkins who also covers my absence particularly at non-choral services. Also to the many members of the Congregation who encourage and support the music in this Parish - it is greatly appreciated. Finally, thanks are due to the Church Wardens and the Ministry Team for their continuing encouragement of the musical tradition of this parish church. Simon Collins Music Director 10
Bellringers Report As I look back over the last year, we had quite an active year and several successes. In 2015 we rang for 10 weddings, two more than 2014. We also increased the wedding fee from 150 to 160 in line with the association average (and Ticknall). No peals were rung on the bells in 2015 but we had 8 quarter peals, up from 4 the previous year. Jenny Halliday rang her first quarter peal in September. The first event of the year was the Melbourne village quiz, and once again we entered two teams, the Four Tenors (Maurice, Pam, Robert and David) and Broken Stays (Duncan, Lucy, Mary and Beth Anderson). The Four Tenors reached the quarter finals and Broken Stays reached the final, just being pipped to the post by St. Michael s Players. A tremendous achievement by both teams. Twenty-two ringers and friends enjoyed spring-like sunny weather on the annual trip to Lundy in February. The bells were in use every day. Extreme knitting was this year s craze which involved night excursions to knit by torchlight in beach caves and at the top of the Old Light. (It probably won t be very popular in 2016 if enough people watched Agatha Christie s And then there were none in the Christmas period!). We had our first curry night at Zeerah s in Melbourne, kindly organised by Lucy and Duncan. This was a great success and we all had a very enjoyable evening. This year we entered the DDA striking contest. It was the first time Melbourne had entered teams in over 15 years. Our two call changes teams both made the finals at Denby, and we were placed 1st and 3rd. Christian s team came back with the cup that sits proudly in the Church vestry. We even made the Village voice as well! In May we rang to commemorate the 70th anniversary of VE Day and again we had our photo in the Village Voice. The Festival Weekend provided the opportunity for us to open our doors once more to the community and demonstrate the joys of bell ringing. The Wombel made a welcome return and thanks to Jenny Halliday for creating the splendid display boards. Two children who came are now learning at Ticknall. I have already booked the Wombel for the 2016 Festival Weekend (17th-18th September). Maurice organised another successful ringing outing in September, this time to the Kettering and Market Harborough area. We had a warm and sunny day, which helped make a very enjoyable trip for all concerned. Several of us had a lovely lunch in the atmospheric Blitz Café. We ended the day with a pleasant walk around Foxton Locks and evening meal together. This year the bellringers were asked to run a stall at the church Autumn Fair in November. We had a quiz which was put together by Christian, Rachael and Jenny. We received compliments for coming up with something different, and we even had our photo in the Village Voice again. Ruth did a splendid job organising our Christmas meal, this time at the Melbourne Tea Rooms. It was good that some of the ringers from Ticknall were able to join us, and a good time was had by all. The evening rounded with a selection of stories and poems. The Tuesday practice nights have continued to be well attended this year, by both our own team and also with regular visitors. We have rung a mixture of methods and our plain hunting has improved significantly. By the end of 2015, Melbourne had 20 members of the Derby Diocesan Association of Church Bellringers, although sadly Avril and Charlotte have decided to hang up their ropes and are no longer ringing with us. We have rung the bells for all the main Sunday morning and evening services and on most occasions we had 10 or 12 ringers. Jenny and Katie also started to ring at the beginning of the Sunday ringing as well. We rang in the New Year again and this year and again we had our photo in the Village Voice. 11
This year we had more interaction with the Ticknall ringers, and it has been good that they have been able to join us for practices and some Sunday service ringing. Our own ringers have gained from the extra practices at Ticknall, and the easier Ticknall bells has helped Jenny, Katie, Fiona and other ringers progress over the year. I should like to thank Maurice, Christian and Rachael for their continued support as deputies, to Christian and Duncan for their Steeple Keeper work, and Phil for looking after our finances and admin. Finally, last but not least, thank you to all the ringers, whose support and dedication has made the ringing and associated activities successful throughout the year. Nigel Coupe, Ringing Master Steeple Keeper s Report There isn't too much to report for 2015. We have had three ropes that have worn through below the sally, I have hand spliced new tail ends on and they are in the box as spares. We currently have no new spares, but four or five decent recycled spares and a couple more that are usable but a bit rough. I will continue to monitor the situation, but at some point in the next year or two we may need to think about some replacements. Rough costs are: 150 + VAT for new polyester rope 85 + VAT to have new sally and tail end spliced onto existing top end 35 + VAT to have new tail ends machine spliced into existing rope When we do get new ropes I would suggest trying one with a Dyneema top ends on the tenor and possible the eleventh. These are a new product but strong and very low stretch, good for bigger bells with long ropes. Taylor's undertook an inspection on 12th June 2015 ( 145 + VAT). They checked the installation and reported all was generally in good order. Two recommendations resulting were: 1. Clappers of bells 7 and 10 could do with being re-bushed in the near future, approximately 135 + VAT each if we take the clappers out, transport them to Loughborough and re-fit them. 2. There was some evidence of grease creeping through the bearings of the 10th. I don't think this is a real problem at the moment, I will continue to monitor (as recommended). In the spring I would like to spend an afternoon giving the tower a good clean out. It would be good to get a small team of volunteers willing to help, as it is a much quicker job with a few hands. A Sunday afternoon, before evening service might be a good time. Muffles are fine, although the tenor could do with a new strap at some point. The simulator is available for silent practice, and there are now some rubber inner tubes which can be used to silence the bells more quickly if required. The dumbbell has been used a bit, but is still a little tricky to ring. It has had a repair made to the slider assembly and a new stay. There is a spare stay for the dumbbell. There is one other spare stay which fits the little bells. Not directly related to the bells, but part of the steeple keeper s tasks is to look after the flag. The old flag disintegrated in November. A new one has been purchased, with the cost kindly met by Duncan. Christian Peckham, Steeple keeper 12
Handbell Ringers Report Firstly, I would like to say how pleased I am to have welcomed Gill Cooper to the band, having many years of experience ringing and performing with the Breedon handbell band. Gill has proved to be a valuable asset. We were invited to ring at a wedding on 29th Aug. at Holy Trinity, Ashby [friends of John Springthorpe], a first for the band and a successful event. I have recently received a wedding photo & thankyou note. In October we started practising carols & performed at St Lawrence's Church, Long Eaton on 30th Nov & in Dec at Packington Ladies Church Circle, Hugglescote / Coalville W.I. Group, Melbourne Wine Circle & the Bellringers Carol Service at Ticknall Church. We have discussed the option of performing in 2016 & will talk about this in more detail at our first practice night on 5th Jan. 2016. A need for new ringers is a perennial factor & as performances are likely to be in December I think the band need to consider if they wish to commit to performing. We welcome Ann Hammond back to handbells in 2016, a suggestion of taking charge has not been accepted & I wish to stand down if possible, but I'm happy to be deputy. In conclusion I would like to thank Ann Nicholls, Gill, Carolyn, Mary, Doris and Ros for their support & hard work & for turning especially out in the winter. Pam Starkey, Handbell Leader St. Michael s Players Report We thought it might be difficult to follow Oh What a Lovely War from 2014 but in the end we think we came up with another entertaining formula in the form of three separate pieces; a Fawlty Towers sketch, which reproduced, as closely as the limitations of the stage would allow, the famous TV original; an updated and Melbourne-ised Victoria Wood sketch; and our own take on recent housing developments in the town against the unlikely backdrop of Les Miserables. The audience responses on the night and the feedback we received subsequently suggested that we provided three good nights out whilst at the same time giving some food for thought. We set a record for SMP attendances, pulling in a capacity 120 on each night with quite a few people ending up disappointed at not being able to get a ticket. Apart from the success of the show itself, as an ageing group, we were pleased that the two young people who joined us for Oh What a Lovely War stuck with us for the latest show and that two more keen, and talented youngsters decided to join the group. Plans for this year include a performance in church over Easter and possibly a sketch around the Queen's birthday celebrations. At time of writing, our plans for our 'big' show in the first week of November are a bit hazy. No change there. Finally, we won the Melbourne Quiz again! Gordon Hughes, SMP Secretary Website Report The web site continues to be our window on the world and from the evidence of e mails received from various professionals expressing interest in making your business better it is accessed from the USA to India. Nearer to home inquiries for weddings and baptisms are prompted by the website. The site is kept fresh week by week thanks to the very able help given by Nigel Coupe. Any suggestions, corrections and contributions are always welcome. The average number of visitors to the site varies from 40 to 110 per day from many countries, not just the UK. This is a significant increase over 2014 (which was an average of 30-70 per day). Terry Harrison 13
Singing for the Brain The Singing for the Brain Group has gone from strength to strength over the past year, meeting on the 1st Wednesday of the month with attendances running between 24 and 30. The decision was made in October to move the Group s Melbourne venue to the Senior Citizens Centre in order to more easily accommodate the clients and their carers who continue to be greatly appreciative of this service. We are grateful to the Committee of the Senior Citizens Centre for the use of this facility and also to the Greys, Greens and Adcocks charity which has donated money for the purchase of percussion instruments. Lorraine Rhodes of the Alzheimer s Society is the new co-ordinator and is supported by volunteers from the Alzheimer s Society and Melbourne Community Care. Joanna Hocknell Friends of Melbourne Parish Church The Friends of Melbourne Parish Church have had a good year. At the Annual General Meeting held at The Dower House on 10th September 2015, Gordon Hughes was elected as Chairman following the retirement of Phil Dobby after many years of expert leadership and the interim Chairmanship of Mark Powell. The Executive Committee otherwise remains unchanged except for the departure of the Mark Powell following his move to be Canon Steward at Windsor Castle. His ex-officio role as Rector on the Committee will be filled by the next Incumbent. The Executive Committee is comprised of the following members: Malcolm Busfield, Romey Cunnington (Treasurer), Brian Dollamore, Joanna Hocknell, Gordon Hughes (Chairman) Griselda Kerr (Secretary), Roger Kington Matthew Needham, Janet Spencer and Beryl Symonds (Membership). Romey will retire as Treasurer at the next Annual General Meeting to be held at 7.30pm on 6th October 2016 6th October to which all Friends are warmly invited to attend. Meetings have been and continue to be held quarterly. There is room on the Committee for anyone that would like to be more closely involved with the work of the Friends. In particular, if anyone would be able to offer their services as Treasurer (we are assured the work is not onerous) please contact Gordon Hughes or Griselda Kerr. Events held by the Friends always relate in some way to the aims and ambitions of the Friends which are: - To help preserve the architecture and fabric of Melbourne Church - To enhance and develop its facilities - To encourage a broad connection between the church and the wider community - To raise the profile of the church nationally and internationally. Over the last year the Friends have had a lecture on the Melbourne Festival by Sharon Brown, a seminar at the Dower House on the relationship between art and architecture. The Friends are also helping the PCC to produce a map of Melbourne which will promote the church to the wider Melbourne community. Looking forward, on April 13th David Thomas will give a talk entitled British or Muslim: Community or Parallel Lives?, Robert Barstow will talk about the artist Ronald Pope with particular reference to Pope s works in the church, Philip King will return to the church with his choir on June 18th, a jazz concert will take place on the evening of October 14th and a follow up seminar will be held on art and architecture at The Dower House on a date yet to be determined. The majority of these events are free to the Friends and non-friends are usually asked for a small contribution to cover costs. Membership has remained constant at just over 200 people paying 10 a year (or 250 for Life Membership), with a special rate for families of 25 and for the over 80 s of 3 a year. The finances of the Friends are in good order but, of course, an increase in membership is always keenly sought. Griselda Kerr 14
Tourism & Visitors Tourists, occasional visitors and local people have continued to visit the church, both to appreciate the architecture and beauty and to seek a quiet space. The written information about the Church and the prayer booklets are well used as is the votive candle-stand. Many visitors have expressed their appreciation for the Church being open on a daily basis. Joanna Hocknell Editorial Notes Individual Reports have been re-formatted to provide a consistent layout but the content has remained unaltered. I would like to thank those who have kindly given permission for their photographs to be used, including Tom Mills and Andrew Jackson from The Melbourne Village Voice. The photographs (from top left) clockwise are: Autumn Fair Bellringers quiz competition Christingle Service a view from the front balcony Bright Lights Easter Musical Good News Bellringers VE Day Ringing Mark and Helen saying farewell before their move to St. George s Chapel in Windsor Castle Melbourne Church Choir at Exeter Cathedral, one of their many trips in 2015 St. Michael Players cast at their 2015 production, including the Fawlty Towers sketch Mark and Lisa handing out candles at the Christingle Service Bread and Ale after one of the evening services The annual Remembrance Day commemorations at the War Memorial outside the Parish Church Nigel Coupe - Editor 15
Appendix A Financial Statement Year Ending 31 st December 2015 Receipts and Payments Account Unrestricted Designated Restricted Endowment Prior year funds funds funds funds funds total funds Receipts Planned giving 51,866 370 52,236 54,481 Collections and other giving 9,567 113 9,680 11,325 Other voluntary receipts 2,048 17,260 12,124 31,432 8,327 Gift Aid recovered 14,204 63 14,267 17,754 Other receipts 2,643 3,677 6,320 5,483 Activities for generating funds 6,278 828 7,106 6,956 Investment Income 3 4,127 4,912 9,042 11,188 Receipts from church activities 6,055 6,055 5,878 receipts 92,664 26,437 17,036 136,138 121,393 Payments Cost of generating funds 2,013 244 2,258 2,740 Missionary and Charitable Giving 3,252 1,000 4,252 3,343 Parish Share 52,980 52,980 51,941 Clergy and Staffing costs 17,445 17,445 16,697 Church Running Expenses 16,132 3,957 3,979 24,067 29,106 Hall Running Costs 3,722 842 4,564 7,356 Church Repairs & Maintenance 926 2,155 3,081 720 Hall Repairs & Maintenance 227 180 407 New Building work 294 Governance Costs payments 95,771 6,149 7,134 109,053 112,196 Excess of receipts over payments before transfer (3,107) 20,289 9,903 27,084 9,197 Transfers Gross transfers between funds - in 140 8,641 2,227 11,008 Gross transfers between funds - out (140) (8,641) (2,227) (11,008) Excess of receipts over payments before other gains / losses (3,107) 20,289 9,903 27,084 9,197 Net movement in funds (3,107) 16,106 9,903 22,902 7,788 Bank accounts at 01 January 2015 22,715 113,498 41,594 177,806 170,018 Bank accounts at 31 December 2015 19,608 129,603 51,496 200,708 177,806 16
Balance sheet funds Prior year funds Fixed assets Investments 74,409 78,591 74,409 78,591 Current assets Cash at bank and in hand 126,299 98,969 126,299 98,969 Liabilities Creditors: Amounts falling due in one year 0 (246) 0 (246) Net current assets less current liabilities 126,299 99,215 assets less current liabilities 200,708 177,806 net assets less liabilities 200,708 177,806 Represented by Unrestricted General fund 19,608 22,715 Designated Heritage Fund 119,431 106,035 PV Installation Recovery (to Cost of 35,728.17) 9,700 7,200 Church Electricity Running Cost 472 263 Restricted Caring Hands 632 900 Stafford Legacy 36,500 33,745 Canon Honner Bequest 5,108 6,651 "Messy Church" Project 155 297 Agency collection Special Project (Grants, Legacies & Donations) 9,102 Funds of the church 200,708 177,806 Statement of assets and liabilities General Designated Restricted Endowment This year Last year Fixed assets - Fixed assets M&G Charibond Investment Fund 74,409 74,409 78,591 s 74,409 74,409 78,591 Current assets - Current assets General Current Account 14,246 622 2,389 17,257 18,425 Heritage Current Account (144) 20,615 7,519 27,989 4,581 General Reserve Account 5,507 5,507 5,504 Heritage Reserve Account 5,089 5,089 5,087 CCLA (CBF) Deposit Account 33,958 36,500 70,457 65,372 Cash in Hand Accounts Receivable s 19,608 55,195 51,496 126,299 98,969 Liabilities - Liabilities Agency collections 0 0 (246) Accounts Payable s 0 0 (246) Grand total 19,608 129,603 51,496 200,708 177,806 17
Analysis of income and expenditure Planned giving Standing Orders - Gift Aid 31,408 250 31,658 32,254 Stewardship Envelopes - GA 12,730 12,730 13,926 Standing Orders - Not GA 2,414 120 2,534 2,534 Stewardship Envelopes 5,314 5,314 5,768 51,866 370 52,236 54,481 Collections and other giving Loose Plate Collections 3,350 113 3,463 3,407 Baptism Collections 303 303 261 Gift Aid Envelopes 4,895 4,895 5,001 Wedding Collections 668 668 566 Funeral Collections 108 108 1,591 One-off Gift Aid gifts 242 242 500 9,567 113 9,680 11,325 Other voluntary receipts Floodlight Sponsorship 110 110 167 Refreshments 349 349 367 Fabric Box / Organ Pipe 2,289 2,289 2,143 Donations Misc 380 1,900 532 2,812 1,576 Legacies 11,500 11,500 Recurring Grants 1,320 1,461 2,781 1,575 Non-recurring one-off Grants 11,592 11,592 2,500 2,048 17,260 12,124 31,432 8,327 Gift Aid recovered Tax recovered on Gift Aid 14,204 63 14,267 17,754 14,204 63 14,267 17,754 Other receipts Other funds generated 936 936 1,098 Reimbursement from Villages 941 941 682 Feed In Tariff 3,677 3,677 3,539 Miscellaneous 765 765 165 2,643 3,677 6,320 5,483 18
Activities for generating funds Sunday Teas 3,097 3,097 2,494 Autumn Fair 1,540 1,540 1,448 Garden Party 1,641 1,641 1,613 Sale of Souvenir Items 15 15 542 Bookstall sales - fund raising 813 813 858 6,278 828 7,106 6,956 Investment Income Charibond Investment Interest 3,951 3,951 3,951 CBF Deposit Fund Interest 176 191 367 306 Bank Interest 3 3 5 4 Stafford Legacy income 4,719 4,719 6,926 3 4,127 4,912 9,042 11,188 Receipts from church activities Fees for Weddings and Funerals 4,634 4,634 4,084 Church House Hire - objectives 55 55 371 St.Michael's House Hire - objectives 205 205 220 Bright Lights receipts 321 321 503 Church Heating Charge 840 840 700 6,055 6,055 5,878 Cost of generating funds Costs of Stewardship (Envelopes etc) 265 265 260 Costs of BBQ & other events 861 861 852 Refreshments 596 596 485 Garden Party 231 231 150 Autumn Fair 60 60 60 Cost of Souvenir Merchandise 933 Bookstall costs 244 244 2,013 244 2,258 2,740 Missionary and Charitable Giving Giving to missionary societies 53 53 48 Giving - relief and development 887 887 157 agencies Giving - Home mission 1,875 1,000 2,875 2,825 Secular charities 437 437 313 3,252 1,000 4,252 3,343 19
Parish Share Ministry Parish Share 52,980 52,980 51,941 52,980 52,980 51,941 Clergy and Staffing costs Director of Music & Relief Organists 8,083 8,083 8,137 Parish Secretarial & Archivist Costs 3,187 3,187 3,196 Incumbent Expenses 2,147 2,147 1,926 Curate Expenses 1,880 1,880 1,185 Rectory Minor Repairs / Expenses 200 200 160 Rectory Gardening 312 312 287 Incumbent Water Rates 466 466 472 Incumbent Telephone 568 568 624 Curate Telephone 602 602 711 17,445 17,445 16,697 Church Running Expenses Education 362 Youth Church 266 200 72 538 666 Bright Lights 1,180 1,180 555 Misc Mission / Evangelism Costs 27 474 501 1,239 Choir 200 200 185 Coach Hire 50 Messy Church 175 175 Caring Hands 268 268 Church Insurance 3,729 3,729 3,898 Printing, Stationary & Postage 1,930 415 2,345 1,913 Office Equipment 836 836 120 Furniture & Equipment 52 52 1,297 Office Tel/Broadband & Website 226 226 321 Organ / piano tuning 732 732 998 Music 185 185 297 Church Maintenance 145 529 675 4,492 Cleaning 36 36 34 Upkeep of services 535 535 172 Upkeep of churchyard 288 Administration 48 360 408 4,931 CCLI (Licences) 316 316 311 Altar Supplies 702 702 713 Miscellaneous 1,315 1,736 2,630 5,681 3,809 Church Electricity 1,077 1,077 1,072 Church Gas 3,576 3,576 1,291 Church Water 95 95 92 16,132 3,957 3,979 24,067 29,106 20