St Ladoca Parish Annual Report 2018

THE PARISH CHURCH OF ST LADOCA IN THE PARISH OF LADOCK

The Annual Report and Financial Statement of the Parochial Church Council for 2018 for presentation at the Annual Parish Church Council Meeting on March 24^th 2019 following the 11am service.

The report has been prepared to comply with the requirements of The Charities Act 2011.

Incumbent:    Reverend Joachim Foot

                      The Sanctuary

                       Probus

Team Vicar:   Reverend Ellen Goldsmith

Banks:           Lloyds Bank St Austell, CAF Bank    

Independent Examiner:  Mr Geoffrey Warring

The Parochial Church Council is a corporate body established by the Church of England. The PCC operates under the Parochial Church Council Measure. The Parochial Church Council is expected by order from registering with the charity commissioners.

Members of the Parochial Church Council of Ladock Parish Church are either ex-officio or elected by the Annual Church Council meeting in accordance with the Church Representation Rules.

The Parochial Church Council met 4 times during 2018.

Jane Sloan, Team Safeguarding Officer, regularly attended PCC meetings and updated the PCC as necessary.

The Standing Committee, which consists of the incumbent, two church wardens, treasurer and secretary, is the only committee required by law and has the power to transact the business of the PCC between its meetings, subject to any directions given by the council.

Members of the Parochial Church Council for 2018:

Incumbent:  The Reverend Joachim Foot became Rector of the Probus Benefice on August 29^th 2018

Team Vicar:  Reverend Ellen Goldsmith

Non Stipendary: Reverend Linda Whetter

Ex officio

Church wardens: Suzanne Smith

                            Shirley Soper

Bell Tower Captain: Renfree Stephens

Ex officio

Head Teacher of Grampound Road School.

Head Teacher Ladock School: Chris Stoyles

Elected members

Chair: Reverend E Goldsmith taken over by Rev J Foot upon his arrival in the Team.

Lay Vice Chair: Shirley Soper

Secretary: Jenny Thomas

Treasurer: Jeremy Sharp

Vanessa Morcom

Simon Holborow

Barbara Holt

Lindy Van Welie. Retired from post after moving away.

Jacqui Ball. Unable to continue due to health issues

Deanery Synod Representatives: Vanessa Morcom and Suzanne Smith

Safeguarding Officer: Jane Sloan, Team Appointment by Rev A Wade - Non PCC

At the beginning of 2018 the Electoral Roll number stood at 45. Since the start of the church year 2 members on the roll have died.

Objectives and Activities.

The objective of the Parochial Church Council of Ladock Parish Church is to exercise the responsibility of co-operating with the incumbent in promoting the Ecclesiastical Parish, the whole mission of the Church, Pastoral, Evangelistic, Social and Ecumenical. 

We feel that we have fulfilled our objectives with the Achievements and Performances of the following headings.

Pastoral

• The Harvest celebration was a happy affair with many participating in decorating and attending the service which was followed by a Harvest lunch in the church. All financial proceeds from the lunch and harvest goods were donated to Truro Food bank.
•  Remembrance Sunday this year saw a large congregation at the church and several wreaths were laid at the war memorial.
• The Annual Church Carol Service brought in many individuals on the fringe of the church and although numbers were down on 2017 a good number attended the informal Carols around the Christmas Trees the previous week.
• Weekly Morning Prayer continues and, although only few attend, it is very positive.
• Home visits by the Team Rector, Team Vicar and Lay church member continue.
• Home Prayer Group meetings since November.
•  Mid July a Service of Peace which was very well attended in the morning, followed by an outdoor Menin Gate style service at 5 pm which was equally well attended, meaningful, appreciated and simple, to close the Flower Festival.
• Monthly coffee mornings continue to grow by taking the church into the community; they are well attended and enjoyed by all.
•  Numerous visitors visit the church during the course of the year - some on foot, bicycles, car or coaches.  All enjoy the wonderful atmosphere and peace of our lovely church. Many come specifically to view our William Morris /Burne Jones windows and the newer Holborow Window.
• August saw many of Ladock’s congregation at Probus church to welcome our new Team Rector, The Reverend Joachim Foot, his wife Roxanna and children, Anastasia and Theodore, and how delighted we were to bring them into our fold.
• Despite having had our offertory box broken into earlier in the year we continue to have an open policy to allow anyone to visit our church in daylight hours and this is so much appreciated.  When we know a ‘group’  is  coming, we ensure that someone is there to welcome them and offer refreshments.   This is always greatly applauded by our visitors.
• 1 baptism, 5 weddings, 5 funerals, one burial by undertaker with no Christian service, 2 cremations and 0 confirmations took place throughout the year.
• Communion is taken to those in their homes as and when necessary.

Evangelistic

• Ladock celebrated an open air Evensong led by Reverend Brian McQuillem at the home of Mr and Mrs Robert Thomas in wonderful rural surroundings of Ladock.
• Financial and practical assistance given at ‘Messy Church’ held at Grampound Road School, which falls within Ladock /Probus Parishes.
• The Ladock Church website (ladockchurch.org.uk) continues to be updated regularly and advertises all services, news, notices and information about the church with links to the community, diocese and beyond. Thanks to Suzanne Smith.
• GDPR, General Data Protection Regulations.  May 2018 implemented.
• Annually the church buys Bibles for year 6 pupils of both Ladock and Grampound Road schools.
• A splendid projector and screen has been installed within the church which will be of use for services and social events.
• Ladock weekly school assemblies have taken place within the church during term time. A Eucharist Service is held each term and is well received by the children, parents and teachers. As of late 2018 some of the children with parental permission act as servers, acolytes and crucifer.
• A small regular team act as sacristans, with another group regularly leading intercessions on a Sunday. We have a wider group who act as weekly readers.
• Clergy go into school on a regular basis to lead assemblies.
• Our worship leaders continue to deliver the Service of the Word monthly.
• Shirley Soper has been afforded permission by Bishop Goldsmith to administer Holy Communion as directed by Reverend Joachim Foot within the Ladock community.
• Individuals regularly clean the church, offer refreshments following services and decorate with flowers regularly and we are incredibly grateful to them all. Others use their skills such as making a splendid new Hymn board for the church.
• The Annual spring clean was a great success this year.
• We give thanks to our regular organists and feel very privileged to have such an array of talent in our midst. On occasions younger individuals deliver music.
• Ladock church choir are committed and practice regularly, leading our singing bi weekly and on special occasions, and is led by Hilary Keam.
• We continue to build upon the strong links we have with Ladock School.
• Kenwyn church choir enhanced our evening worship wonderfully when they came in the autumn for Choral Evensong.
• Early in the year a service of Divine drumming was well received by the congregation as was the Taize worship later in the year.
• Our January Feast Day was celebrated followed by a wonderful Bring and Share Lunch and visiting preacher.
• Our bell ringers practice regularly and ring for a service once a month and at most weddings.
• The monthly coffee mornings, held by the church in the community are a vehicle to befriend, stave loneliness and promote the Gospel. The aim is not to make money other than to have sufficient to pay for the use of the community hall. The exception to this is in December when the coffee morning raised money to financially support the work of The Children’s Society.
• A Community Christmas Tree Festival took place, over a period of 8 days with Carols around the Christmas Trees one evening which was well supported. Numerous visitors came to view and greatly enjoyed the experience daily.
• Peace service and Menin Gate type service at the war memorial in July.

Social

This past year has been a very busy year socially and very enjoyable for church and community.

• As you will see from our report on many special occasions, such as Harvest, a social side takes place following the service, always involving refreshments.
• Mr and Mrs Cole’s Garden Openings to view the snowdrops.
• Church Summer Lunch at the home of Mr and Mrs Ian Holt.
• The Summer Church Fête in the grounds of Ladock House by kind invitation of Mr and Mrs S Holborow.
• In the early part of the year 3 evenings were held when individuals presented:-A tour of the Holy Land, A solar eclipse and the USA and a trip to Madagascar.  All very well received and informative.
• A visit from ACE Cultural Tours.
• A Flower Festival in flowers, words and music in mid July to commemorate the centenary of the ending of World War One was a great success and involved the whole community over a period of 4 days. Ladock’s own Thespians gave a wonderful concert looking at our local history and that of the wider world during the war years. A wonderful tribute. Due to local sponsorship the Festival was able to produce a booklet telling the stories of all the displays that were exhibited within the church. From the youngest to the eldest, the school children made plaster poppies which were exhibited at Ladock’s War Memorial.
• Refreshments following 11am service.  All money goes to charity.
• The Johnny Cowling concert which was wonderfully received and financially very successful.
• Christmas Raffle and refreshments following the Carol service. All proceeds to St Petroc’s Appeal
• Monthly coffee mornings.

 We are most grateful to Reverend Ellen Goldsmith for leading the team forward and holding it together in the absence of a Rector prior to the appointment of the Reverend Joachim Foot and we take this opportunity to publicly thank you.

It has been a joy to welcome the Reverend Joachim Foot and his family into our midst and we move together in the life of Christ in a very positive way.

2018 has been a somewhat turbulent year in the life of our church, with periods of lows in the midst of illness and some of our dear friends in the church and community and further afield departing this life or moving away. There have also been some very positive highs.

Yet we move together in a positive manner in the life of our church here at Ladock and give thanks for the many parishioners who help in so many ways in keeping our church alive and well.

Ecumenical

The Covenant between Grampound Road and Ladock Parish Church, which was re-established during 2013, continues to thrive. We are committed to two joint services a year with committee meetings during the year. During the course of these past 12 months, we have shared our worship in both Grampound Road and Ladock churches on several occasions.

The Covenant between Ladock and Grampound Road Methodists has been renewed and we aim to hold a Covenant service in January 2020.

The joint Christmas Card cover was designed by Darcey, a pupil of Ladock Church of England Primary School, this year with dates of services for both churches over the festive season printed within, alongside a message from our clergy.  This venture has been a great success and warmly received.

During the early part of the year members of our church together with Probus Team members short listed and interviewed for the post of Team Rector. Ladock Church hosted an informal lunch and supper for candidates and their families.

During the course of the process of meeting candidates for the post of Rector for the Benefice of Probus Team, Ladock school was very pleased to be asked if candidates could meet the children which was very warmly received by the children and staff and we are incredibly grateful to the school for allowing this to happen in the busy schedule of the school day.

Outreach

The attractive Welcome Pack intended for distribution to newcomers was produced during 2017 containing details about the Church and many of Ladock’s facilities, clubs and organisations and is very warmly received by all who move to our community.

Several of the congregation have been regularly offering transport to those with relatives in hospital and this has been warmly received.

Cards are also sent to those that may be celebrating a special occasion or who are unwell.

Training

Data Protection

IT for secure church Data and business

Online Safeguarding

Food and Hygiene

PCC Secretary training

Shirley Soper & Suzanne Smith, Churchwardens

Churchyard Report

Once again, the Churchyard has been maintained to a high standard throughout the year, thanks to the efforts of Colin Haines and several anonymous volunteers.  As always, their hard work is much appreciated by the PCC.

During the year the attention of the PCC was drawn to the spread of unauthorised grave decorations and structures in the Churchyard. It was noted that they were hampering maintenance and causing safety issues as generating complaints. During the summer, families were contacted and asked to remove non-compliant items. The process required some patience and sensitivity but it was completed and the Churchyard now looks less cluttered and more in harmony with its surroundings. New notices have been erected, emphasising the importance of adhering to the rules and warning that unauthorised items will be removed. We are grateful for the understanding shown by those concerned and also to the Diocese and Archdeacon for their guidance.

Some clearance work has been undertaken in connection with the churchyard extension. It is hoped that accumulated spoil will be removed early in 2019, prior to taking full possession of the site and to applying for planning permission and change of use.

Jeremy Sharp

Fabric Report

In general the fabric remains in good condition, with little work being required other than routine maintenance involving checking pointing and clearing gutters. Some electrical alterations have been undertaken to the inside of the Church and traditional bulbs have been replaced with LED alternatives.

A quinquennial inspection is due in 2019.

Jeremy Sharp

Health and Safety

Health and safety matters within our church are continually being reviewed and updated to meet with requirements and keep all safe.

Shirley Soper, Health and Safety Officer

Financial Report

2018 was a year of modest progress for the church finances. For the first time in a while, income and expenditure were in balance, the result being that we were able to replenish the meagre reserve on the general account by £367, having paid our MMF offer of £21,218 in full. Collections and the contribution from the Parish Giving scheme dropped slightly, but we benefited from a jump in fees and a significant increase in fund raising activity. The Johnny Cowling concert raised £1,550, the fete £3,100 in spite of a change of day and poor weather, and the highly acclaimed flower festival generated £1,570. Finally the Christmas Tree festival produced a further £320. In addition, the payment of Gift Aid claims through Parish Giving assisted cash flow, particularly in the first quarter of the year.

Inevitably costs rose during the period, the most obvious instance being electricity. This was due in part to tariff increases but we also decided to use the system on a more regular basis, both to assist the fabric and in an effort to retain congregation numbers during the winter months. Nevertheless, the tariff increases have been significant and we are seeking alternative suppliers.

MMF has been a contentious issue over the year. 2018 was the last year of the Offer system, with the new formula being introduced from January 2019. As indicated in our last report, this is cost-based for each Deanery, with the Deanery apportioning contributions between each of its benefices. The Probus Team has been allocated a contribution of £77,740 but we have challenged the method of calculation as it has been based on a higher clergy headcount than is the case. The Team is seeking to make a combined MMF contribution of £62,000, in line with the actual clergy cost for the benefice. Ladock is seeking to maintain its payment at the 2018 level.

In spite of the pressures on our resources during the year, we managed to maintain our record of making donations to other causes and charities.  These were:

Truro Food Bank: £350.00 (plus food)

Children’s Society: £29.00

Royal British Legion: £205.00

St Petroc’s Society: £372.00

Cornwall Historic Churches Trust: £100.00

In addition, money raised from donations for coffee after services was used to donate £164.00 to the Bible Society.

In 2017, one of the highlights of the year was the installation of the window in memory of Geoffrey Holborow. The PCC was approached during 2018 by friends of Lady Mary Holborow, who sadly died in 2017, with the suggestion that a second window be commissioned in her name. The PCC and Holborow family reacted enthusiastically, with the family suggesting that the necessary funds from friends and former colleagues. Assisted by the promise of a generous contribution from our Patrons, the Worshipful Company of Grocers, the money was raised by the end of the year. Oriel Hicks has agreed to design the new window and a faculty has been sought. It is hoped that the new window will be installed during the late spring or early summer of 2019.

The funds raised for the new window, £9,625, are held in the Capital Account, the balance of which had risen to £19,925 at the year end from £18,420.  During the year, the PCC decided to use part of the finds already in the capital account for a new safe, a screen and a projector.

The PCC collectively acts as trustees for the Canon Wise Trust.  This was established under a Charity Commission Scheme dated 8 March 2007 (4019554).  The endowment of £220,573 was the proceeds of the sale of the old Grampound Road School, which was owned by the PCC.  The purpose of the Scheme is ‘to further the religious and other charitable work of the Church of England in the parish (of Ladock)’.  Grants are given to help our two Church Schools as well as to encourage alternative types of worship (Messy Church for example).  In addition we have maintained our programme of buying bibles for the leavers at our schools. In 2018 a small sum was used to cover recruitment costs for our new Team Rector. In the longer term our intention is to use the income from the Trust for mission work in both Ladock and Grampound Road.  

The assets of the Canon Wise Trust are held by the Truro Diocesan Board of Finance as custodian trustee under the designation ‘Wise’.  The PCC retains responsibility for the oversight of the Trust assets, with the guidance of the Treasurer who has just completed a career in investment management; he is also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment.  The PCC does not have an ethical investment policy, but investments are only made in CBF Funds, specialist charity funds, UK Government Stock and the larger, well established investment funds.  

The market value of the investments in the Canon Wise Trust and the change over the last year are shown in the accounts.

 Miss E A Hotten Bequest

The Churchyard report explains how we are using part of this generous legacy to cover the cost of the churchyard extension.  During the year the purchase of the land was finally completed.  We anticipate that there will be approximately £90,000 available for investment after allowance for the cost of the extension; discussions on the use of the income continue.

Finally, once again we hasten to record our gratitude to all those who help with the work of our Church, both financially and in kind.  We really could not survive without your generosity and goodwill.

Jeremy Sharp

Bellringers' Report

Service ringing continues on the first and third Sundays; likewise our practice night on the first and third Wednesdays.

Our practices are very well attended with good striking achieved within a mixture of rounds, call changes and method.

The band took part in the church WW1 celebrations and subsequently rang at 3.00 pm on Sunday 11 November as part of the  "Battles Over" element of the National Guild of Bellringers participation and recorded in their records.

The very sad loss of Michael Cock was marked by a touch of Call Chnges, poignant for me as I taught him to ring!

As usual the Christmas Tree event was entered with enthusiasm.

Ringing for weddings took place throughout the year.

Again we were visited by a number of visiting bands who were often greeted with a  "cuppa " and they enjoyed our modern facilities.

I am very pleased to be Captain of such a happy band of ringers who come to our tower from Probus, Grampound, St Clement, St Stephen in Brannell, St Enoder and Indian Queens in addition to those in Ladock; something must be working!

I thank them one and all for contributing to a very socially pleasing bell ringing environment.

Renfree L C Stephens, Tower Captain