ALL SAINTS’ CHURCH,
BRANDESTON
Annual
Reports
and
Financial
Statement
of
the
Parochial
Church Council
for
the year ended 31st December 2007
---------------------
Priest-in-charge:
The
Reverend Harry Edwards
Assistant priest:
The
Reverend Robin Alderson
The
Cloisters
Priory
Road
Snape
Bank:
Barclays
Bank p.l.c.
Suffolk
Coastal Group
4
Church Street
Woodbridge
Suffolk
IP12
1DJ
Independent Examiner:
Mr
Graham Rice
Westerling
Low
Street
Brandeston
Woodbridge
Suffolk
IP13
7AQ
All Saints’ Church – Annual Report
All Saints’ PCC has the
responsibility of co-operating with the Priest-in-Charge, the Reverend Graham
Vellacott, in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish the whole mission of the
Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. [PCC (powers) Measure
1956 Section 2]. It also has the maintenance responsibilities for the Cemetery
Chapel and graveyard.
Members of the PCC are
either ex-officio or are elected by the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM)
in accordance with the Church Representation Rules.
During the year the following served as members of the PCC. Their term
of office, excluding the priest-in-charge, ends at the APCM in 2007.
Priest-in-Charge: The Reverend Harry Edwards
Assistant Priest The Reverend Robin
Alderson
Churchwardens: Miss Eileen Leach MBE (Elder)
Mrs Alison Molyneux
Deanery Synod Reps: Mr David Drummond (up to 2008)
Mrs Wilda Woodland
(up to 2008)
Elected Members: Mrs Mary Baker (Secretary and
Elder)
Mr Paul Baker
(Treasurer)
Mrs Nancy Demetriadi
Dr Anthony Fletcher
(Elder)
Mr John Garratt
(Trees Officer)
Mrs Kelly Jeffery
Mr Chris McArthur
(Vice-Chair/Tower Captain)
Mrs Christine
Matthews
Mrs Mary Moore
The PCC operates three official committees which
meet between full
meetings of the PCC. They are the Standing
Committee, the Friends of
the Mortuary Chapel and the Fund-raising Committee
This is the only committee required by law. It has the power to transact
business of
the PCC between meetings, subject only to directions given
by the Council.
Four baptisms, two weddings, but no funeral services
have been held in the Church during the year.
At the Family Service in October there were 39 adults
and 20 children, including Brandeston Hall, on the third Sunday in October
there were 10 adults and two children- the presence of young people at the
communion service is a new and welcome feature. The numbers at the eight
o’clock service remain constant.
The Christmas services were well attended with 98
people at the Christmas Eve Communion service.
2 names have been added to the electoral roll during
the year. The membership is now 43.
The full PCC met seven times during the year with
an average attendance of
85%. Much of the year was focussed on the future of
the benefice and the interregnum after the retirement of Revd Graham Vellacott.
Continuing topics for discussion were the restoration and finance.
The January meeting was dominated with balancing
priorities for payment between the quota and the final bills for restoration
following the last quinquennial review. Some of the Quota payment was postponed
until later in the year.These concerns were partly eased by receipt of two
grants for restoration, totalling
£1 250. Members of the PCC were thanked for their work in making the
Christmas Fair a record breaking event.
In March the Revd Graham Vellacott announced that
he would be retiring at the end of April and that we would come under the
guidance of the rural dean, the Revd Graham Owen, until the Deanery Plan comes
into force and we merge our benefice with the Marlesford Benefice. Members of
the PCC paid tribute to Graham Vellacott for his work for the Benefice. The
churchwardens were already working on plans for services.
The treasurer and secretary presented the annual
report and financial report to the PCC with comments of guidance from the
auditor. Mr Risk continued as electoral roll officer and compiled the new roll.
The new gates, given in memory of Col. Demetriadi, were completed and the PCC
members were thanked for their contributions towards the tea party on 4th
February which raised £200 and the confirmation service and celebrations held
on 6th March. Mrs Woodland reported on her efforts to find homes for
the old maps of the area which have been in storage. More grant assistance was
received towards the restoration work.
The meeting in April, following the APCM, elected
officials as shown on the cover of this report. The APCM meeting itself, the
refreshments and the talk on India by Linda Lancaster were all well-received.
The meeting in May noted the dedication of the
gates by the Bishop of Dunwich when he visited Brandeston for the Palm Sunday
service.
There was much discussion about how the Parish
could continue its work following the retirement of Revd Graham Vellacott. Mr
McArthur took the chair at PCC meetings and Mr Baker was elected as
vice-chairman. The Churchwardens reported that they were managing to organise
future services using visiting clergy and elders. The service and party to mark
Graham’s retirement were a great success and received support from villagers
and church members from all three parishes as well as Graham’s family.
In July we heard that our interregnum would not be
as protracted as we had feared. The Revd Robin Alderson was to become assistant
priest for the three parishes with Revd Harry Edwards as priest-in-charge. The
date of their installation was announced as 21st November. The fete
was spoiled by atrocious weather but still raised £2000 to be split equally
between the church and the village hall. The many people who helped with this
event were thanked for all their hard work.
In September we were making plans for the arrival
of the Revd Robin Alderson. Suggestions were made for the future of services in
the parishes and arrangements were made for the service on 21st
November with refreshments in the village hall afterwards. There was also a
significant amount of thought about fund-raising events including the bike
ride, organised again by Mr and Mrs Garratt, the sale of some of the maps,
evening talks, the Christmas Fair and a possible music festival.
Members of the PCC were anxious to clarify and
develop the role of the church in the community. This is expected to become a
significant area for discussion and action when the new vicar is established.
By the end of the year all the maps were either
sold or on display in the village hall although two were paid for but not yet
collected. Mrs Woodland was thanked for her considerable efforts with the maps.
The PCC were pleased to hear that next year’s quota increase would be smaller
than last year’s. This year’s charitable giving was agreed and it was announced
that Mrs Weston would play for one service a month and Mr Matthews would continue
to play for two services per month. Final arrangements were made for the
induction service. Mrs McArthur has given up the organisation of the church
cleaning rota after many years. Her work was greatly appreciated. Many visitors
to the church comment on how well maintained and clean it is. All those who
helped with the major cleaning of the vestry were thanked for their efforts.
Mrs Matthews and Mrs Jeffery will take over the role.
Fabric, Goods, and Ornaments
The work on the fabric required by the quinquennial
report in May 2005 has now been all completed and all invoices paid and
grants received. A commitment for a grant by the Suffolk Churches Capital
Fund was surprisingly withdrawn when we called the grant down. They believe
that a small positive balance in our fabric fund was justification for this
action, the PCC disagree with this unfortunate action.
The church fabric remains in good order and no
damage or ongoing repairs were needed during the year. The interior of the
church will need redecorating when funds allow, as it is becoming slightly
scruffy, particularly in the chancel.
The major change to Goods, and Ornaments this year
has been the replacement of the old gates with new ones, paid for by donations
in memory of Col. Michael Demetriadi. Members of his family were at the Palm
Sunday service to see them being dedicated by the Bishop. A new kneeler in
memory of Miss Colinette Gallienne has
also been dedicated and is in use. The gates were made more secure following
helpful suggestions made from parishioners at the APCM.
Fund
Raising
There
have been several fund-raising events this year. This is very necessary if we
are to keep up with restoration and quota payments. In February a tea party
raised £200
On December 2nd 2007, a fund raising event took place in the
Village Hall. This was an excellent talk by Chris Parfitt entitled
“Mongolia-Home of Genghis Khan”. As always, the ladies of the PCC produced a
delicious tea which was much appreciated by the audience. We raised £203 to go
into the Church Fabric Fund.
This year’s bike ride raised £635
for our parish. Mr and Mrs Garratt were thanked for all their work with the
organisation of the event.
The summer fete (£1000) and the
Christmas fair (£1077) raised a significant amount towards the ongoing upkeep
of the church.
Many
thanks to the Fund-raising Committee for their hard work, as always.
Flower
arranging report
In 2007 we did the flowers for one wedding, which
raised £160 for the Church plus the Gift Aid allowance of 28%. Throughout the
year there were, of course fresh flowers arranged every weekend, even when
there were no services, which sometimes happened during the interregnum. I
thank all the people who generously give their time to Church flower arranging,
especially those who help at special times like Christmas, Easter and the
Harvest Festival, when everyone is so busy at home. If there are any new people
in the village who would like to join the rota, they would be most welcome.
Deanery Synod Report
There have been three meetings of the Synod during
the year and a Garden get-together in June.
At the first, held at Campsea Ashe, the speaker was
Mrs Sue Young, the Diocesan World Development Officer, who spoke
comprehensively on “Fairtrade Justice and Christian Love”. With over 800
products available and, as our Diocese is now committed to Fairtrade, our
Deanery should strive to be 100% signed up, as against the 50% at present, so
doing our part in this project.
Mr Peter Markland reported that half the parishes
at the 1st March had paid nothing towards their Parish Share. The
other half had paid 10% when 17% should have been paid.
At the June meeting the Bishop’s Chaplain (Revd.
Cannon Graham Hedger) gave us an in depth talk on affordable rural housing,
stressing how the “right to buy” 1970s Act exacerbated the shortage of rural
housing. Developers are now required to provide 1/3 social housing when they
build 5 or more properties. Housing Association and Home-buy schemes are
helping low income families, as is the Church’s national “Marks for Mission”
programme.
The Diocesan Board of Finance report showed a
shortfall of over £300 000 for 2006 and a stormy response was encountered by
proposals for an increase of the Paris Share by 4.47% for 2008. Four of our
parishes have paid nothing to date. (April 30th).
It was proposed that in future March Deanery
Synods, instead of a speaker, we will confine our discussions solely to Deanery
matters.
The Chaplain of St Elizabeth’s Hospice, the Revd
David Flower spoke at the October meeting, giving a heart-warming and
reassuring talk and DVD presentation on the wonderful work at the hospice. It
was evident that he and the staff have a positive, loving attitude in their
vocation. The DBF have proposed an increase of 2.8% over the Diocese as a whole
for 2008. This is to be graduated over the 19 Deaneries with some paying 0% up
to 8.08% for the highest. Our Deanery would increase by a modest 0.06% (£182).
The Revd Richard Clement, reported that the Youth
Service/event held on 15th July at St Michael’s Framlingham was a
great success with the Wickham Market band and leaders in attendance.
Notice was given that the licensing of Revd Robin
Alderson (NSM) in the parishes of Brandeston, Easton and Kettleburgh, working
under Revd Harry Edwards, would take place at Brandeston on 21st
November.
Gift Aid and Charitable Giving
There
are now 16 regular Gift Aid Donors and 6 who give free-will offerings.
In
the area of charitable giving we gave £50 to the Archdeacon’s retirement fund,
£25 for the Suffolk Historic Churches’ Trust, and £50 for the Historic Churches
Preservation Trust. It was agreed that we should make this up to a total of £200
by making a donation of £75 to the Red Cross in addition to collections given
to the Poppy appeal, Hospice and Children’s Fund.
Tree
Report
In the Churchyard the trees are all healthy and in
good condition. Following last year’s report, the two chestnut trees, numbers 1
and 4, were inspected by a
S.C. D. C. Tree Officer. It was agreed that the
crown would be removed from
number 4, by the War Memorial, and that number 1,
overhanging the road, should be trimmed back to give a clearance of 5 metres.
This work was carried out by a tree surgeon and completed in July. At the same
time, two branch stumps were trimmed off the beech tree, number 6. The six lime
trees along the road had their lower branches trimmed to give clearance for the
grass cutting carried out by the Hall Ground Staff.
Friends
of the Mortuary Chapel
It has been a quiet year at the Chapel but, as
usual, the cheese and wine evening was a great success and the chapel was
visited by people from a wide area as part of the Historic Churches bike ride.
Most of the action has been focused on the cemetery itself.
In the Chapel’s Cemetery, the scots pine trees
are all healthy, but the black poplar, planted in 2004, has not survived. This
has been replaced by another black poplar and planted in the north-east corner.
Several of the smaller trees have been trimmed, but more trimming is needed on
the yew trees. The north and east hedges were cut on the outside by Mr Sillet
and the inside by Mr David Risk. At the same time, several gaps were noted in
the north hedge and these have now been filled in by 60 pieces of hedging,
assisted by Mr Risk. The hedging and the black poplar were supplied by S.C.D.C.
under the Parish Tree and Hedge Scheme, at a nominal cost.
Following
a visit by the Suffolk Wildlife Trust, regarding the encouragement of more
orchids in the cemetery, it was suggested that we should clear the bottom half
by grazing sheep in the spring. Mr Compton, from Kettleburgh, kindly brought
some sheep and lambs over and they cleared the area. The first orchid of the
count appeared on 22nd May and by 14th June we had over
100. It was a very successful exercise, plus the sheep were a great attraction
and many photographs were taken over the period that they were there. Following
that, one ewe and four of the lambs were shown at the Suffolk Show and received
two prizes.
Children’s work
Children’s work continues to be one of the most
important features of Church life and it was good to see our families continuing
to give their support to Family Services and church events during the
interregnum. One of the highlights of the year was the
Confirmation service, held at Brandeston, in February. The church was full to
see the candidates make their commitments and everyone enjoyed the party
afterwards. As the older children grow into young adults they are making an
important contribution to worship in the Church through music with the band at
Kettleburgh and drama, prayers and readings at Brandeston.
Christmas is obviously an important time in the
church calendar. The special services were well-attended with generous gifts at
the crib service, and a full church for the Christingle service. The Good
Friday family service is becoming a feature of the Easter celebrations. It is a
quiet and thoughtful service where children construct the Easter Garden and
everybody, young and old, has the opportunity to reflect on the importance of
Easter.
Bell
Ringing
Regular Sunday ringing continues with few exceptions, with a band of
ringers from the local villages. In addition the practice night occurs on a
Thursday, once a fortnight. New ringers are always welcomed and interest from
the Brandeston School has started.
The bells remain in excellent order and were visited by seven visiting
bands during the year. This produces a small income for us. Again we must thank
those who put in the commitment to ring our bells on Sundays, particularly
Christopher McArthur (Tower Captain) Peter Arbon, Hillary Stern, Chris Oswald ,
John and Ruth Garrett, Helen Saxton , Anne Hayward, Ruth Darton, Jayne O’Leary,
and Persephone Booth.
One notable occasion was ringing in the New Year at December 2007 with a
local band, when we were delighted to be joined by our new rector Robin
Alderson and his wife, who had recently joined our parish.
The staff and children from Brandeston Hall have
played an important part in Family Services. They prepare readings, prayers and
drama activities and are always keen to make a lively contribution during
services. Their stall at the Christmas Fair was an example of the good links
between the Church and the School.
The Parochial Church Council would like to thank
everyone who works so hard to maintain our Church’s place as one of the central
points of the local community. The church is not just a building; it involves
those who attend church regularly, those who value the church for special
events and those for whom the building and clergy are there in times of need.
There are many people in the village and the surrounding area who support the
church, and the part that they play is valued by us all. They may give us their
time, their money, or their prayers. We need all this goodwill to continue to
function and for our work to grow.
We thank all the people who help with tasks within
and around the church. Inside the church we notice the efforts of those who
prepare the church for services including the flower arrangers and the cleaning
team, particularly Mrs McArthur who has handed over the job of organising the
cleaning of the church after many years. The bell ringers and organists spend
time, not only at services, but also in many hours of practice. Outside the
Church we see the beautiful condition of the churchyard and the care and maintenance
of a very old building and we see the flag that has to be raised to remind us
of special events. We thank all those who do the paper work, preparing for
church services, auditing accounts or working on the magazine. In addition to
this, there are those who support us practically and financially at services
and social and fundraising events which are such a valued part of church and
village life.
We would also like to thank Master and the staff of
Brandeston Hall. The ground staff have taken care of the churchyard while the
Master and the teaching and boarding staff have given us consistent support
with school services and special events, especially fund-raising events. Mr
Garratt, and Mr Risk have worked hard to make the grounds of the Cemetery in
Mill Lane an area of significant importance for plants and wildlife and the
Friends of the Mortuary Chapel have taken similar care of the building.
Everybody, for everything that you do, the
Parochial Church Council offers its thanks and appreciation of your efforts.