PARISH OF ST. PETER, WESTON FAVELL

Annual Report

of the Parochial Church Council

for the year ended 31st December 2018

presented to the Annual Parochial Church Meeting on 24th March 2019

Charity Number 1130591.

PARISH CHURCH OF ST. PETER, WESTON FAVELL

APCM 24th March 2019 at 11.15am

Annual Parish Meeting

1. Election of Churchwardens 2. Election of Deputy Churchwardens

Annual Parochial Church Meeting

1. Prayers 2. Apologies & number attending 3. Minutes of the previous APCM 4. PCC reports

including Churchwarden’s Report and Reports on Parish Activities 5. Report on Electoral Roll 6. Presentation of PCC accounts for the year ended 31st December 2016 and reports on the

financial affairs of the parish 7. Elections to Deanery Synod 8. Elections to PCC 9. Appointment of Sidesmen and Women 10. Appointment of Chalice Assistants 11. Appointment of Independent Examiner 12. Any other matters

ST PETER’S CHURCH WESTON FAVELL

Minutes of the Annual Parish and Annual Parochial Church Meetings

Held on Sunday 22 April 2018 at 11.25 a.m.

Present:

Both meetings were chaired by the Reverend David Kirby. Clare Shaw, PCC Secretary took the

minutes.

Annual Parish Meeting (closed meeting)

1. Election of Churchwardens

Nomination:

Judith Watson

Proposed by:

Eileen Fox

Seconded by:

Honor Pacey

Nomination:

Keith Thomas

Proposed by:

Jeffrey Greenwell

Seconded by:

Rosie Rushton

David welcomed them and duly announced them to be elected.

2. Election of Deputy Churchwardens

Nomination:

Joy Matsell

Proposed by:

Anne Jones

Seconded by:

Jeffrey Greenwell

Nomination:

Phil Norris

Proposed by:

Gill Allen

Seconded by:

Ros Watt

David welcomed them and duly announced them to be elected.

David closed the meeting at 11.30 a.m.

Annual Parochial Church Meeting

1. Prayers: David opened the meeting at 11.30 a.m. with a prayer. Apologies: These were heard from; Peter & Hilary Halstead, John & Ginny Fazackerley, Sue

Needham, Sue Pinington, Eileen Fox, Carol Fordyce, Anne Goodman, Julia Flanders, Bill & Cindy

Rothwell, June Nightingale, Barry & Maureen Goulding and John & Katie Baxter.

In total there were 57 attendees.

2. Minutes of the previous APCM meeting. The minutes of the meeting held on 30 April 2017, having

been circulated, were proposed for approval by Judith Watson, seconded by Jeffrey Greenwell and

David Kirby signed them as a true record.

3. PCC Reports:

David commented upon how extraordinary rich, full and varied the life at St Peter’s is and thanked

everyone for their continued contribution to our community.

Regarding Families and Children, David advised that there was to be a Prayer Space, held at WFPS,

Weston Favell, for Year 6’s across 9 schools within Northampton, before they transition to Year 7.

He then offered the report to the floor for comments. There were no questions or comments.

4. Report on Electoral Roll and attendance figures: Number on Electoral Roll: 220

It was noted that from 25 May 2018 all parishioners must have completed a GDPR (General Data

Protection Regulation) form in line with new regulations and from April 2019 they will be required to

complete and submit a new Electoral Roll form.

Average weekly attendance: Sunday (8am & 10am): 162 (of which 22 children)

Wednesday: 24-28

Family Service: 80-100

Evensong: 12-14 (plus 20 choir)

St John’s Sunday 10, Thursday 10

It was noted that from Christmas Eve through to Christmas Day there was a throughput of 1000

people.

Deaths/moving away: A list was read out of friends who we have lost and are missed.

Jean Stoppani, Peter Couling, John Mundin, Betty Odell, Dorothy Page,

Michael Jones, Irene Butcher, Thomas Brooks, Charles Pallett, Sandra Linney,

Audrey Gardener, Joyce Fielding, Reginald Dick, Dorothy Green, Rosemary

Vaughan, Ian Topp, Jean Drown and Mary Millen.

2017 to date: 36 funerals, 11 (planned) weddings and 20 baptisms.

5. PCC Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2016 A full set of accounts, with explanatory notes, was distributed in the parish pack prior to the APCM

meeting. John Hunt, Treasurer, offered a brief overview of the said accounts and covered salient

points.

Income for the year was £165,160 and the total expenditure was £164,035. Income was boosted by

two significant legacies totalling £15,000. There was a slight increase in income year on year.

Parish Share accounts for almost 50% of income generated.

Following a Planned Giving campaign in 2017, income has risen but not as much as is required to

current levels of expenditure. A further campaign is proposed in 2018 and John advised the meeting

that Gift Aid generates a further £20,000 and should therefore be encouraged.

Significant amounts were spent on the fabric of the church including repairs to the bell tower and

required electrical works.

Cornerstone magazine made a small profit of £321 due, in the main, to advertising.

Church Hall income fell slightly from 2016 owing to a major user leaving. Hall hire has now picked up

again.

Charity fundraising amounted to £14,724 wand was donated to 15 different charities.

David offered his sincere thanks to both John Hunt and John Fazackerley in all that they do regarding

finance at St Peter’s.

Acceptance of the Accounts was Proposed by Granville Schofield and Seconded by June Nurser.

6. Elections to Deanery Synod Current members on the Deanery Synod, elected last year and serving a further two years are; Sue

Cross, Peter Halstead, Sarah Howard and Clare Pearce.

There is still one vacancy and approaches should be made to David Kirby.

7. Elections to PCC There are currently four vacancies on the PCC. Anyone wishing to stand for PCC was asked to

contact David Kirby or a Church Warden. Kathy Hale and Tessa Cave expressed an interest.

Licensed Lay Readers are ex officio members of the PCC and will continue to be represented by Rosie

Rushton. The meeting approved a move to have an additional Reader on the committee.

9. Appointment of Sidesmen and women A list of Sidesmen and women for the forthcoming year was read out. Please see attached list. It was

the meeting’s wish that they be appointed. This was proposed by Sarah Howard and seconded by

Eric Watson.

10. Appointment of MC’s, Chalice Assistants and Servers A list of MC’s, Chalice Assistants and Servers was read out for the forthcoming year. Please see

attached list. It was the meeting’s wish that they be appointed. This was proposed by Jane Harris

and seconded by Edna Dick.

11. Appointment of Independent Examiner Howard Leatherland will be approached to continue in the role for the forthcoming year.

12. Any Other Business Phil Norris rose and thanked David and Sue for their continued work and ministry at St Peter’s. We

are indeed blessed to have their presence and commitment at this difficult time for them.

There was a request from the floor for details of PCC meetings to be made available. A precis in

Cornerstone is proposed after each PCC meeting.

There were no further items of business.

13. Closing Prayer: David closed the meeting at 11.50 a.m. with the Grace. Attachment 1 Sidespeople 2017 (TO BE UPDATED!) Sidespeople 8.00am Gill Allen Christine Dodson Bob Ellard Ron O’Toole Ros Watt 10.00am Mandy Devonport Eileen Fox Shirley Hollowell Maria Lincoln Christina Lincoln Louise Musson John & Jill Newman June Nightingale David & Sandy Randall Angela Scarsbrook Mollie Sketchley Jenny & Claire Webster Sue Wedgbrow Keara Neeson Catherine de Maid Helen Goatley

Church Wardens Report 2018 Before writing this report I reread the reports of previous Church Wardens. All of us are amazed at

how quickly our four years in post have passed. Is time really going faster - or is it because I'm

getting older? We have many folk to thank for the smooth running of our much loved St Peter's here

in Weston Favell.

Firstly I would like to thank you, the congregation, ever ready to respond with help and donations at

our charity fund raising events. We raise incredible amounts of money to support those less

fortunate than ourselves.

Many thanks also to our team of stewards who are always ready at the door to welcome everyone

to St Peter's with a cheery smile and offers of help.

We can all count on Cathy de Maid our administrator and 'go to' for any information and assistance

if we have a problem. I would like to thank Cathy for the advice and invaluable help she has given me

over the last year. Our new caretaker Arif Choudry has become a vital part of our team reliably

preparing the Church hall with chairs and table etc for our many functions (and tidying up after) and,

of course keeping the hall clean, tidy and warm. Thank you Arif.

We have all missed Allison Twigg since she left us last April to be based in Spratton to become

Assistant Priest to the Uplands Group. All the Twigg family became a big part of life here at St

Peter's. We now look forward to Matthew Smith, our new curate, and his wife Alice joining us in

July. I know we will all give them a warm St Peter's welcome and pray for God's blessing on his

ministry.

A lasting memory of my Church Warden's life is the Crib Service every Christmas. Our church was

always bursting at the seams with happy children, Mums, Dads with Grandma and Grandad in tow. I

think health and safety would have a fit. It was heartwarming to see the excited faces of the children

singing and acting the carols to welcome the coming of Baby Jesus (and, I suspect, Santa). I think the

adults enjoyed the services as much as the little ones. As I write I look forward to the Easter service

when the children will interact with the same enthusiasm - both Easter and Christmas services will

stay in their memories as part of their Christian lives.

I know we all remember David and Sue in our prayers and will continue to do so. They have

experienced a very difficult period in their lives dealing with Sue's illness but with God's strength and

His blessings they remain positive. As Sue finishes this current course of Chemotherapy we all pray

she will be restored to full health and that she can resume her very valuable work among us.

I would like to finish with grateful thanks to my fellow Church Wardens for all their help and support

these last four years; for their friendship and lots of laughs along the way. Good luck to my Welsh

friend Keith as he takes on the role of senior Church Warden, ably assisted by Joy with Phil as

deputy. A big thank you to everyone at St Peter's for you friendship over the last four years. I was

very nervous to take on the role of Church Warden but with your support and kind words it has been

a rewarding experience getting to know you. I have found confidence in belonging to such a warm

and vivacious community and I really feel I belong to a huge family. So thank you for allowing me to

serve at St Peter's Church, Weston Favell.

Judith Watson

APCM Reports 2018

Tea Club

Tea Club is an afternoon once a month, normally the second Tuesday, of tea, cakes, quiz, chat, a joke

and a raffle enjoyed by 20/24 people. Transport is available for anyone who would like it. Grateful

thanks to the members of the congregation who bake the cakes and to the band of helpers who

make the tea and provide the transport. Please just turn up if you think you would like to join us, you

will find a warm welcome. Carol Fordyce

Church Hall

We are grateful to both Cathy de Maid and Arif Choudry for running and maintaining the hall so

efficiently. Cathy deals with all the enquiries re lettings, routine checks and cleaning arrangements,

Arif does general repairs and the setting up of the rooms for hirers. The work of the committee is

made so much easier knowing all is being dealt with on a day to day basis.

A new dishwasher has been purchased, thank you to Clare Shaw for arranging this. It is much

appreciated by so many people who run lunches for various causes, as well as the Sunday morning

coffee making volunteers. We are hoping to have the Hervey Room decorated in the next few

months.

Thank you to the committee members for their continued support and input when required,

especially for the extra cleaning which is necessary on occasions. Carol Fordyce

Prayer Partners

Prayer Partners continue their diligent, regular prayer for the sick, lonely, bereaved, those troubled

in any way. We pray for those being married and for those coming to Baptism and Confirmation. We

pray continually for our Church, Diocese, locality and far beyond; for our world, and for peace. We

rejoice for prayers answered.

I continue to receive prayer requests by phone, email, or personal contact. Intercessions for each

month are sent out, and I update them as necessary. Pray-ers use them as they wish. Confidentiality

is key.

We have 29 triplets, 5 duos and 21 members praying individually.

During this last year many have mentioned how very special it was to be prayed for. Having been,

and still being prayed for, they described it as being cradled by prayer and a true comfort.

If you would like us to pray for you, any known to you, or would like to join us in prayer, please

contact me either by phone (01604) 470342 or email:ginnyfaz@ntlworld.com

Ginny Fazackerley

Tiny Tots

Tiny Tots meet from 1;30 till 3pm in term time in the Church Hall .The group continues to flourish.

Our youngest Tot last term was 6 weeks old and we see many regularly until they go to school. We

start by singing Christian based songs with actions and then follow with a Bible story and an activity

related to the teaching. Last week we heard about a Roman Centurion and made a Roman helmet.

There are drinks and snacks for children and tea, coffee and companionship for the carers. There are

opportunities for the children to play freely and co-operatively and the adults have time for

conversation. New families are quickly welcomed and drawn in by our regular members and the

group continues to thrive.

We have an average attendance of 20 children and 20 adults who may be parents, grandparents or

carers. It is lovely to see some of these families becoming involved with the wider St Peter’s

community, attending Family Services and also the Christmas and Easter Family and Open House

events and now also joining in with Church at four.

We are always looking for volunteer helpers from the church community .They can be assured of a

welcome and will rapidly find they look forward to joining us as much as the children do.

Hilary Halstead

CORNERSTONE – The Parish Magazine Editor’s Report

I should begin with some thanks;

to Rachel Boyles who reliably each month, on time, sends reports from WFPS, the WI, the MU, and

the Scouts and their allied organisations

to Granville Schofield, whose jokes have long been a much-read feature of Cornerstone

to Clare Pearce, who proof-reads the magazine, often at short notice and always rigorously

to my wife, Ruth, who sets out the articles and illustrations – most definitely not an easy task

to everyone who has contributed editorial material throughout the year.

Colour printing has transformed the appearance of the magazine as has the use of paper with a

slight gloss. It has also led to a bright and appealing front cover.

The change of tone of Cornerstone, has, I think, been accepted by the majority of readers. A great

relief.

Cornerstone is a pleasure to edit. It is a pity that the Diocesan resources usually arrive too late for

that month’s publication. On the other hand, having the Parish Pump resource is invaluable as a

backstop and is well worth its subscription price.

Of course, more material from congregation members would be welcome. Is there a church

magazine editor in the land who wouldn’t echo that sentiment?

Kneale Grainger

Distributors Report

The subscriptions for 2018 are up on last year, and came in more promptly due to the inclusion of

the subscription form as part of the November edition of Cornerstone.

Most of the local subscribers who had opted to have their Cornerstone posted, are now having the

magazine delivered by someone who lives close by.

I should like to sincerely thank the people who very kindly deliver Cornerstone around the parish,

and would urge anyone who feels that they could assist in this task to contact Joy Matsell. I may not

need you this year, but it would be great to have a “waiting list” of willing helpers.

I will probably need someone to cover Church Way next year, any offers???

Joy Matsell

Advertisers Report

Barrie Goulding

CHARITABLE ENTERPRISE COMMITTEE (CEC)

In 2018 the church community of St Peter’s and their friends have continued to generously support

the CEC of the PCC to help raise money for a wide range of charities through the collections and

events the CEC have organised. The Lent lunches continued to grow in popularity, providing a

wonderful opportunity for fellowship and fun, as well as raising a total of £5,887 for 6 different

charities - MS Therapy, Flying Seagull, Crusader Boating, Together for Short Lives and Cruse

Bereavement. Our Lent Appeal for the Samaritans raised the pleasing total of £1,131, for which they

were most grateful.

On 13 May the Ploughman’s Lunch for Christian Aid raised £740 to add to the street collection and

the £252 donated by the Residents’ Association from their “Songs of Craze” event in church in

Christian Aid week. Our fund-raising lunch and speakers on 30 June for Sailability raised £821. Our

Harvest Festival goods in October were again gratefully received by the Hope Centre and NAASH

at Oasis House.

On 3 November at our lunch-time event we had an excellent presentation about the Swaziland

Schools Projects charity and £1,047 was raised. In December our parish carol singing was well

supported by over 25 singers, plus 8 children who rang the doorbells and filled their buckets with

£400 cash from the generous local community. This money was boosted by some further donations

from parishioners, enabling us to send a cheque for £646 to the East Park Hostel for the Homeless

Trust, to support their valuable work.

So all in all a wonderful total of £10,272 was raised in 2018 from events organised by the committee,

for both local and international charities. We are enormously grateful for the support of many

others who supplement our efforts, for example by providing desserts for lunches, running the

raffles or helping with the washing up. And of course nothing would be raised without all of those

folk who come along and support us. Thank you all for your support.

Rosemary Pestell (chair) and all the Charitable Enterprise Committee.

Music at St Peter’s

Throughout 2018, musical activity St Peter’s has continued to thrive and covers all ages from action

songs at Tiny Tots to hymns at St John’s. The choir has continued to sing on a regular basis for the

10am Sunday morning service and the seven Choral Evensongs that we have each year. They also

sing for a variety of ‘special’ services including the more reflective ones such as Music and Readings

for Holy Week and Blue Christmas and those that are more celebratory in style such as Carol

Services. Christmas was a particularly busy time this year with five services in four days all with a

high musical content.

During 2018 we were also asked to sing for three funerals, four weddings and a Diamond Wedding

anniversary. Through donations to choir funds from these occasions we have been able to pay for

choir members to attend events organised by the local RSCM (Royal School of Church Music) and the

Peterborough Diocesan Choral Festival. The RSCM events included a ‘Come and Sing Compline’ and

‘Sing and Celebrate’, an all-day event directed by Rosemary Field who is Deputy Director of the

RSCM. In September there was an all-age ‘Come and Sing the Daniel Jazz’ held at St Peter’s which

was very much enjoyed by all who attended. We have also been able to support our younger singers

by arranging vocal coaching sessions for them which they all enjoyed and found very beneficial.

All of these activities add up to a huge commitment throughout the year and, as always, I am

extremely grateful for the loyal support and dedication of all members of our choir. Many attend

regularly week by week, others are not in a position to give that high level of commitment but give

their valuable support by singing for additional services and special occasions.

Choir members also enjoyed two social events during the year – our summer BBQ hosted by the

Paceys and a Christmas drinks evening after the Carol Service. Some of the money kindly donated to

us was specifically for social activities so we are planning to be even more sociable in 2019!

It is important to recognise the breadth of musical activities which take place at St Peter’s involving a

wide range of people. We were delighted to host a very successful community event in May, Songs

of Craze, which was organised by the Weston Favell Village Residents’ Association and raised £505

for charity. A great time was had by all those who performed as well those who came to support. In

December there was another concert in church, this time organised by students of Alison Roddy

which raised £451 for the charity Betel UK. Members of the congregation took part in the annual

carol singing in Ridgeway and Weston Way to raise money for the East Park Hostel for the Homeless.

These three events are superb examples of how singing can give pleasure to so many whilst also

raising money to help others.

As mentioned above there are a huge number of people involved in so many ways in the musical life

of St Peter’s and I am very conscious that without their support we would not be able to provide the

variety of musical experiences that we do. I am, as ever, indebted to Chris for his reliability and

superb playing. I am also very grateful to Vince for his help, in particular for continuing to cover for

Chris and I when we are away – on occasions, very impressively, covering for both of us at the same

time! Others who deserve a special mention are those who are on the rota to play for the weekly

evensongs at St John’s and David Halstead who, yet again, helped out by playing for the Crib Services

on Christmas Eve. Those who attend our monthly Family Services or other family and school events

will also be familiar with David Kirby’s guitar playing which adds another dimension to our worship.

As a parish representative on Deanery Synod, who was then elected to the Synod Standing

Committee, I am very aware of the needs of parishes in the area. Because we are so richly blessed

with musicians we have yet again been able to support other churches throughout the year. Vince

has continued to play regularly at St James Northampton supported by Chris and other organists.

This has been very much appreciated by the clergy and congregation at St James who would

otherwise be dependent on CDs for accompaniment. They have also valued the support and

encouragement Vince has been able to give to their choir. Another church which is grateful for

support from St Peter’s is St Mary the Virgin Gayton where I direct an occasional choir for special

services. Our vast music library has proved to be an invaluable resource enabling them to sing a wide

repertoire of choral music.

As ever, my thanks go to David and the churchwardens for their support throughout the year.

Without this nothing mentioned above would have been possible.

Clare Pearce, Director of Music

If you or a girl you know would like to be part of Girlguiding visit

www.girguiding.org.uk/interested Girlguiding at St Peter’s, Weston

Favell continues to attract members from Rainbow age through to

Rangers. New volunteers join experienced leaders adding different

dimensions to the adventures offered in and out of the meeting place.

Since the summer leaders and girls have been getting to grips with the new Girlguiding programme.

Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Rangers are following the same programme, at appropriate levels,

experiencing six themes: Know Myself, Express Myself, Be Well, Have Adventures, Take Action and

Skills for My Future. At meetings we are working on Skill Builders and Unit Meeting Activities whilst

the girls challenge themselves at home to complete interest badges. The new programme still

leaves time for other exciting activities: playing games, singing camp songs, celebrating Thinking Day,

hikes, residentials and much more. Through all o the adventures, friendships and fun we aim to

empower our Weston Favell girls to be their best and to face the challenges of growing up in the 21st

Century. Mandy Tinker

Scouting

We are proud to report the continuing success of the 11th Northampton Scout Group as we enter our

101st year. The Centenary celebrations included a wonderful tea party for members past and

present, an awesome family camp, a wet but none the less successful Monopoly Run and the hosting

of a very yummy lent lunch raising over £700 for a children’s hospice charity. Over the past 12

months we have seen dedicated members achieve the highest award in each section – Bronze Chief

Scout award in Beavers, Silver in Cubs and Gold in Scouts. It is testament to our strong Leadership

group and exciting development programmes that we have Scouts reaching the age limit for the

section and immediately starting to give back to the group by becoming Young Leaders with Cubs or

Beavers. Activities have included trips to Laser Zone, Gallones, St Peters, Broadmead Church, Nene

White Water Centre and Danes Camp. We have also carried out several litter picks around the

village, donated to the food bank, studied first aid and water & fire safety and taken some members

scuba diving. This is all in addition to many happy evenings spent on Peter’s Patch and at

Overstone. Camps have been numerous and many of our Scouts are looking forward to an 8 day

activity camp in August. Thanks go to all our leaders, helpers and supporters and we look forward to

remaining active within the Parish over the next 12 months.

Rachel Boyles

Emmanuel, St Peter’s and Storehouse Foodbank

The local need for emergency food parcels has continued to increase, especially since the

introduction of Universal Credit in Northampton has created long waiting times for first benefit

payments.

St Peter’s regular donations of food, volunteer work and monetary gifts have been vital for the

continuation of this ministry to families in need. St Peter’s congregations gave 893kilos of food

donations during 2018 making us the highest individual contributor to the Foodbank. We also

provide the greatest number of volunteer hours to the organisation.

Last September, Elim Church suddenly ended its franchise with Trussell Trust and closed its doors.

We then decided to become the official Trussell Trust Foodbank for Northampton and successfully

applied in December for funding for three salaried posts. A management team has been set up

under the trusteeship of Emmanuel Group of Churches. Representatives from the three founding

churches, St Peters, Emmanuel and Storehouse make up that committee, which meet regularly and

advise and support the Manager. The representatives for St Peters on that body are Lorraine

Bewley-Tippler and Rosie Rushton. Our new name is Weston Favell Centre Foodbank and more

detailed information about us can be found on www.westonfavellcentre.foodbank.org.uk

A new Foodbank Manager (Jo Alderman) was appointed in March and we will be advertising and

appointing a Stock Controller and and Administrator in May. The shop unit which used to be New

Look in Weston Favell Centre is currently being leased by Emmanuel Trustees to warehouse and sort

donations.

It is a sad sign of the times that our response to local need which began as a few boxes of food in a

cupboard in 2012 now works with over ninety referral agencies, giving up to forty parcels each week

to people in need and is also an advice centre on distribution days, hosting representatives of

Community Law, Christians Against Poverty, and Citizens Advice Bureau in Cafe Emm. It is also, more

happily, a sign of local churches working together successfully to reach out and serve their

community.

Lorraine Bewley-Tippler

Traidcraft

Traidcraft Annual Report January to December 2018

This year from January to December we have maintained our presence in the church and ordered

£1492.98 of goods from Traidcraft .

We hold our stall after the 10 am service on the third Sunday of every month and every Sunday in

November and December.

We also bought and distributed 40 Advent Calendars telling the Christmas Story and 18 real Easter

Eggs retelling the Easter story.

Balance in Nationwide Account £609.58

Stock Value £436.05

Cash in hand £73.71

We are delighted to report that we have helped Traidcraft support their workers in the Third World

with £1492.98 of fairly traded goods. We have helped in the fight against poverty through trade,

practising and promoting approaches to trade that help poor people in developing countries

transform their lives.

Sadly Traidcraft has struggled financially this year. They were at risk of closing down but are now

undergoing a significant restructuring .They are reducing the support they give those workers in the

Third World . This support is being transferred to their development arm Traidcraft Exchange who

hopes to support people setting up businesses and help them develop trade. We have decided to

support Traidcraft Exchange in this work and will send them £300 .

I would like to thank all our team members Harry Bowden, Kay and Richard Ingram, Lorraine Bewley,

Louise Musson and Peter Halstead for their ongoing support in making these activities possible .

Hilary Halstead

From the Bell Tower

Nothing new to report this year.

Graham, Tower Captain

Lay Pastors Report

Lay Pastor groups were created over two decades ago, following a rise in the number of people

attending church. With a growing congregation it was difficult for an Incumbent, solely, to keep an

eye on a growing number of church members. Those acting as Lay Pastors were charged with being

the ‘eyes and ears’ of the clergy. It is their role to call their attention any parishioners who were

missing from their pews for a few weeks, so that he or she could make contact and enquiries about

their welfare.

At present we have 16 Lay Pastors, each with a group of between 9 to 14 church members. They will

alert the clergy/ministry team if a congregant is absent for an unusual length of time.

This last year has been a busy one and we have been very blessed to have our diligent Lay Pastors to

keep their ears and eyes open to need.

Ginny Fazackerley , Lay Pastor Coordinator

Sunday Coffee Report

We would like to thank everyone who has helped in any way during the year, either by volunteering

their services regularly on the coffee rota or by helping on an ad hoc basis.

We are a little short of regulars for the rota so if anyone else would like to join, please do not

hesitate to speak to us. Commitment would be about 7 or 8 Sundays a year, though we would be

happy to talk about more or less to suit you!

Thank you also for everyone who has contributed for their cuppa on a Sunday morning after church.

We raised £1,010 in the year. This is 10% up on 2017 and I would like to thank for their generosity.

The PCC has agreed that all monies raised will go towards our Church’s support of Derek and Jane

Waller with CMS. Please continue to give.

It is our hope that the cuppas and fellowship will continue to flourish. We often have over 50 people

after the Sunday service but can always cater for more. It’s a great time to catch up with friends or

to meet new ones and you are sure of a warm welcome.

John & Ginny Fazackerley

Sunday Lunches

Another year has passed and sadly two cooks have decided to hang up their aprons after many years

of service. Our special thanks goes to Pat Burgess and Joyce Bedford. Fortunately and vitally three

new cooks offered their services this year and we welcomed Cathy de Maid and Keara Neeson, Sarah

Allen, Lynne and Geoff Reeve.

The first Sunday of the month sees between 25 and 35 people enjoying good home cooked food

with the company of others. Once morning coffee is over, a regular army of helpers man the decks

to lay tables, set up the dessert and coffee tables. Likewise when serving begins, a willing band is on

hand to serve and to clear away at the end.

We are grateful to the stalwarts that have continued to provide the main course, Marguerite Eddols,

Rosemary and Richard Pestell and Gill and Mick Allen. Mathematically we are a number of cooks

short; the ideal is to cook once a year. At present some cooks are working twice and even three

times in a year. True it is hard work but very rewarding – is there anyone out there who might

volunteer to ‘tickle our taste buds’ and to keep Parish Lunch functioning for it brings much pleasure

to a number of people.

Gill Allen

Breakfast Club

Over the past year our Breakfast Club for young people from Year 5 upwards has continued to meet

on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month. We still have a potential pool of about 13 people, and

usually have around 8 attendees each time (family commitments and sporting activities also have to

be fitted in). We use Scripture Union material for our sessions but also try to give space for questions

and discussions as our young people definitely have enquiring minds. The questions are often

challenging and go to the core of our Christian belief, which is what growing in Christ is all about.

We’re grateful to Rosie, Hilary and Richard for their continuing support, and we’re particularly

appreciative of John Fazackerley’s culinary skill, which is sufficient to tempt even the heaviest of

sleepers out of bed on a Sunday morning.

Peter Halstead

Mothers’ Union

Members at St.Peters continued to meet regularly throughout 2018.We had a Quiet Afternoon for

Lent ,a enjoyable outing to Whilton Locks Garden Village,several interesting speakers and our coffee

morning in August. The year ended with our Christmas Lunch at the Bold Dragoon.

With monies raised at our meetings and at the coffee morning we were able to send £200 to the

Diocese to support Mothers Union charities.

We would like to thank David and everyone at St.Peters for their support.

Sue Wedgbrow

Men Allowed

The brunch sessions at the Bold Dragoon continue to provide amusement, debate and refreshment

of the body and soul for the participants. We meet once a month to enjoy a hearty Full English,

which provides an opportunity for the boys to converse in likeminded company, to put right the

wrongs of the world and to avoid the Brexit topic wherever possible! We regularly have 20 or more

lucky enough to be granted parole but on occasions we have had nearer thirty allowed out!

Bill Rothwell

Garden Society

The Garden society continues to prosper with over 100 members now. We regularly get 60 plus

members to our monthly meetings. Last year we had some interesting speakers with a good

selection of gardening topics. We had 5 visits to a selection of gardens, including RHS Wisley and the

Malvern Autumn show. Our Christmas lights visit was to the Birmingham Botanic Gardens This year

we have a full programme of visits arranged, including a visit to Highgrove, and an interesting

selection of speakers to our monthly meetings.

Bill Rothwell

Seekers

Seekers meet in the Church Hall at 10am on a Sunday morning, during the first part of the 10am church service. During the year, we have had a steady flow of youngsters come and join us. We use Scripture Union books to help work through bible based sessions. These stories are put across using resources and activities.

Children are encouraged to take part in discussions, although sometimes opinions, imagination and creativity comes through in art and play without feeling under pressure to speak! Alongside the Seekers, is Creche. Children from Creche can see what Seekers are doing and if they feel they want to come and join us, they are welcome to do so. We encourage children to create a display board and we try to put up our work often, so it is seen and shared. This is also allowing people to hopefully feel encouraged to come along and join us on a Sunday. We have cards welcoming children and inviting them to bring a friend along. We hope to continue to make Seekers a fun place to be and to learn.

Sue Needham

Fabric Committee

The work of the committee carries on as usual. We inspected the fabric a number of times during

the year and are pleased to report that none of the Telltales monitoring our cracks show any change.

The tombstones are all firmly located.

We have completed all but 1 of the Priority 1 items on the Quin. The only item outstanding is to

“Investigate leak to North Aisle Roof). We haven’t located the leak. Most of the items under Priority

2 have also been completed.

The automatic regulator has been installed to regulate the clock. It is now keeping perfect time!

Thanks to Clare Shaw for organising the recovering of 5 of the pew cushions.

The clock and boiler were serviced by Smiths and Blounts respectively. PAT testing was completed in

October.

The ongoing project to improve the lighting in the Chancel and St Crispin’s Chapel is progressing.

Michael Hill has responded to a request for more information from the DAC, so we are now awaiting

their response. The plan is to reinstall two lighting tracks on top of the wooden capping on the

walls. Then to experiment with suitable spot/flood lights to see if the light at choir level can be

improved.

The Memorial Cross was cleaned, just in time for Remembrance Sunday. The Council, through the

good Offices of Mary Markham, have paid for the cost. They are responsible for “repairs to the War

Memorial” but we are no further along with having it assessed by them to determine why it is

leaning to the north/west. The lack of funds may be a factor.

We are in the process of having the 4 windows in the vestry replaced by double glazed aluminium

framed units. The break-in necessitates we resolve the problem of the pane of glass which was

replaced some years ago with polycarbonate rather than glass. The polycarbonate is very thin, 3

mm, and is flexible so it can be easily pushed in. The window is secure for the time being.

We have had a meeting with our Architect, Adrian Ringrose, to get advice and recommendations

regarding the vestry door, steps and path to the north exit path. This is to ensure that members of

the choir and/or others can do so safely. Both doors out from the vestry open inward which means

they must be re-hung so they open outward to comply with H & S requirements. The steps require a

handrail to make them safe to use and there needs to be adequate lighting in this area. The security

of the north doors is also under consideration.

A new mower has been acquired so the church yard is regularly mowed by the grass cutting

volunteers.

The building is in very good order.

Bill Rothwell