Parish of Idsworth, St Hubert
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PARISH OF IDSWORTH, ST HUBERT ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2019 Priest in Charge: The Reverend Victoria Morgan The Vicarage Church Road Hambledon Waterlooville PO7 4RT Benefice Office: The Church Centre Blendworth Lane Horndean Waterlooville Hants PO8 0AA Independent Examiner: Bank: Mr. Michael F. Sidwell, B.Sc(Hons) Lloyds 67a, Castle Road 4, West Street Rowlands Castle Havant Hants Hants PO9 6AR PO9 1PE ]lk PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF IDSWORTH, ST. HUBERT ANNUAL REPORT Administrative Information St. Hubert’s Church is a constituent part of the Benefice of Blendworth with Chalton with Idsworth, which is part of the Diocese of Portsmouth within the Church of England. Any correspondence should be addressed to the Benefice Office. Structure and Management The Parochial Church Council (PCC) is a corporate body established by the Church of England and operates under the Parochial Church Council Powers Measure. It has the responsibility of co-operating with the Priest-in-Charge in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish the entire mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. The Standing Committee has power to transact the business of the PCC between its meetings, subject to any directions given by the Council. The PCC also has responsibility for the maintenance of the church and grounds. Members of the PCC are either ex-officio, elected by the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) or co-opted in accordance with the Church Representation Rules. The Deanery Synod representatives provide an important link between the parish and the wider structures of the church. All church attendees are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and stand for election to the PCC. The PCC is a charity excepted from registration with the Charity Commission. Membership During the year the following served as members of the PCC: Priest-in Charge: *The Revd. Victoria Morgan Chairman The Revd. Victoria Morgan was licensed to the benefice of Blendworth, Chalton and Idsworth and the parish of Rowlands Castle on 8th September. Wardens: *Mr. John Butt (from APCM 2005) Vice Chairman *Cdr. Roger Walker (from APCM 2019) Elected Members: *Mr. John Bates (from APCM 2017) Treasurer *Mr. Gareth Denby (from APCM 2017) *Mrs.Tracy Eggleston (from APCM 2019) Capt. Graham Johnston (from APCM 2019). *Mr. Ken Newley (from APCM 2017) Secretary Mr. Ben Prebble (from APCM 2019) Mrs Lisa Scheuler (from APCM 2019) Secretarial Assistant Mr Denby resigned in June due to moving from the district. Mr. Prebble resigned in October due to business commitments. At the September meeting of the PCC Mr. David Eggleston was appointed as Electoral Roll Officer. *Standing Committee members 1 Church Attendance and Special Services The six-yearly revision of the Electoral Roll was completed this year and now stands at fifty-one names. During the vacancy months of the year we have welcomed various visiting ministers including Canon Wendy Kennedy, Canon Terry Louden, Revd. Ruth Loveman, Canon John Shepherd, Canon Anthony Rustell, Mrs. Jackie Brookfield, Ven Dr. Trevor Reader, Revd Stuart Cleaver, Revd David Lindsay, Revd Sam Cullen, Mr Bob Raley and Bishop Ian Brackley to maintain our schedule of services. Although the appointment of the Revd. Victoria Morgan was made we still have a vacancy for an Associate Priest (House for Duty) and therefore will still require PTO clergy to cover services. The pattern of one joint benefice service held in each church was maintained again this year, the service at St. Hubert’s being held on the Patronal Sunday in October at which the renewed east window was blessed.. An attendance of forty- seven was recorded. Average attendance at regular Sunday services was twenty adults and one child with increased numbers at festivals and special services. The latter included the joint benefice service and the Good Friday Hour of Devotion attended by thirty-one worshippers. Short services of Morning Prayer were routinely held on nearly all Friday mornings throughout the year. An innovative celebration was held at St Hubert’s in the evening of Ascension Day, involving a ‘bring your own’ picnic and sung Eucharist for the six parishes of Rowlands Castle, Blendworth, Chalton, Idsworth, Catherington and Clanfield. The event with participation of clergy, readers, musicians and choristers from the dix parishes was generally acclaimed and attracted an attendance of seventy-five. Our programme of mindful events, involving quiet meditation and prayer and intended to attract new people to the church was continued and developed during the year with periodic short services of ‘Quiet Evening Prayer’ by candlelight. Two daytime sessions of ‘Mindful Drawing’ were also introduced, one preceding the Good Friday service, and the other following normal Sunday worship. They proved popular with attendees, and ideas will be developed in 2020. Our long established Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols was held on the Sunday before Christmas. At Christmas, a midnight Eucharist service was held on Christmas Eve followed by a service of Christmas Praise with carols on Christmas morning. Attendance at these services was sixty-three (a record!) and twenty-eight respectively. In June, the church was used by the German Lutheran Church for their annual service In the review period there were four marriages one baptism, and six interments of ashes. Review of the year The annual meetings were held as is now customary immediately after a Sunday morning service in April. An attendance of twenty was recorded. At the Annual Meeting there were four nominations allowing for replacement of retiring members. Elections took place for the offices of vice-chairman, treasurer and secretary and the standing committee at the following PCC meeting.. We currently have no representative on the Deanery Synod but receive reports from the representatives at Holy Trinity. The most significant event of the year was the appointment of the Revd.Victoria Morgan. She was also licensed as priest- in-charge of St John’s Rowlands Castle. The Diocese had also intended to simultaneously appoint a Associate Priest (House for Duty) and a priest-in-charge for the benefice of Catherington and Clanfield, as it is planned that the six parishes will work together in the future. The full PCC met five times in the homes of various members during the review year, four times under the chairmanship of the of the Churchwarden and once being led by our new priest, No specific meetings of the Standing Committee were required but members were consulted on several topics throughout the year. In accordance with diocesan policy the text of the revised policy documents on the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults was read out in full. These were agreed and signed. The Friends Trust has not used the church for their fundraising activities this year due to the extensive repair work. One concert was held in Rowlands Castle Parish Hall, which was well attended. In March, the church again hosted an educational visit from St John’s Primary School Rowlands Castle as part of the Religious Education curriculum, and in May a visit by pupils from Westbourne Primary School in support of both History and Religious Education. Several members of the congregation again took part in the Hampshire and The Island Historic Churches Trust sponsored Ride and Stride in September. 2 Report on the fabric, goods and ornaments of the church A second phase of the refurbishment work initiated in 2013 when the west and south walls were repaired and rendered was planned for 2018 but became delayed until 2019. This work which was funded by a grant from East Hampshire District Council involved the repair and render of the east wall and replacement of the east window (both glass and frame) and was started in early July under the supervision of architect Miss Louise Bainbridge of Seymour and Bainbridge of Winchester and completed as planned at the end of September. As a precaution the care and protection of the wall- paintings on the east window reveal was undertaken by Mr. Peter Martindale. His work involved the re-attachment of the internal render wall-painting base on to the flintwork thus avoiding the damage which had been created during the last window replacement in 1913. Stripping off the external lime render revealed a well-laid rough stone external wall with only limited damage due to movement at the top of the south corner where removal of cement render and repair had to be undertaken with the greatest possible care. Concurrently the south and west walls were given a routine coating of limewash. The church continues dry inside and free from all protective exterior window screens. Financial Review This has been an interesting year for the Church finances with our income rising by £22,000. to £135,000. However, this must be seen in context as a large proportion of this has come from the increased value of our investments (£19,312) together with a large increase in grants and donations towards our building work which have amounted to £63,992. The majority of these have come from EHDC, The Headley Trust, HIHCT, Girdlers Company Charitable Trust and The Friends of St. Hubert’s Church Trust. These together with some generous donations from individuals, both members of the congregation and visitors, have made it possible to complete the building work to the south and east wall and we offer sincere thanks to all donors in making this possible. As stated, our Investments continue to produce a steady return and the strong economy has helped to keep up their values. The General Investment fund now stands at £43,886 and will help to provide a buffer for future increases in running costs. The main cause for concern is our weekly voluntary donations at services.