A year in the life...

Annual Reports - 2007

These are some of the reports prepared for our Annual Meeting on 27 April 2008. By their nature they look backwards to what we've done in the past. But we hope they're an indication of hopes to come as well.


Churchwardens’ report

2007 was a relatively easy year in the maintenance sector, with no major works being carried out and as a result fundraising was much more low key than in the previous year.

Minor repairs were made to the ciborium lid in June

Annual inspection of all fire Extinguishers was carried out in July and they have been serviced as required by BS5306.

In August successful mandatory PAT tests were carried out on all small electrical equipment.

The discovery of a leak in the Lady Chapel roof required minor repairs to the valley roof and the clearing out of some of the gutterings, this work was carried out in September and we have since had no recurrence of the problem, however on inspection it was found that the lead flashing in the valley roof is cracking and will require repair in the very near future if we are to prevent further leaks. Estimates are being sought for this work to incorporate the clearing out of all gutterings, replacement of a couple of slipped slates, some minor re-pointing along the ridge and similar work on the Church Hall.

Following an inspection of the control box to the ceiling fans it was regrettably found that repairs are not possible. The fans which have been in place some thirty years have been invaluable in the distribution of heat within the Church but unfortunately, replacements, whilst desirable, may well prove to be costly.

In November the silver wine flagon was found to be leaking and repairs were carried out by Birmingham Silversmiths.

Repairs to the stained glass in the East Aisle are due to be carried out in April 2008, the leading on these windows has been inspected, regular annual checks will be carried out but no further action on re-leading is likely to be required for a number of years. As a result of good maintenance practice in the past, the fitting of Lexan overglazing is giving protection to all windows helping to prevent water ingress and also reducing wind force.

As a result of an appeal earlier in 2007 we are pleased that the grass in the Churchyard is being well maintained and our thanks go to John Worters and Brian Murphy, for taking on this task. Thanks are also extended to all who help to keep the Churchyard and hall areas clean and tidy. The Church itself continues to be cleaned by a very small group and help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks are also due to Dave Short for his agility in shinning up ladders to change light bulbs. Next time you are in Church just have a look at the position of the chandeliers and spotlights, then consider just how difficult it is to change a light bulb!!

Looking ahead, there are a number of repairs which require our attention within this coming year, in particular the re-pointing and consolidation of all boundary walls. Unfortunately as these walls are all included in the Grade 2 listing of the Church and Hall, this means that we cannot just use basic cement - the mortar used must comply with the recommended ‘mix,’ even though it may add to the cost of the repairs. We also need to replace the broken heating duct grilles and further damp those that rock underfoot, and the floor tiling in the Chancel is in need of repair and we need to fit a handrail down the steps to the Church field (this is the access to the gas meter) and…... so it goes on.

Being custodians of a listed public Victorian building brings a number of responsibilities. Unfortunately a great proportion of these are costs for repairs and maintenance which require a degree of fund-raising, and it is inevitable that these costs fall first upon ourselves and the local community, although we do make every effort to source available grants.

We thank you all once again for your generosity and willingness to support, thanks in particular to the Servers, bell ringers, flower ladies, those who clean, garden, launder and polish, change light bulbs, wind the clock and to our sides-people who welcome us each Sunday. The contribution you all make to our life here at St Cuthbert’s is very much appreciated.

Liz Parker
Linda Short



Secretary’s Report

We're lacking a PCC Secretary at present - but instead here is the official preface to our Annual Report


St. Cuthbert’s Parochial Church Council has the responsibility for supporting the incumbent, the Revd. Martin Jackson. This support is in the various aspects of mission within the Parish. The PCC also has responsibility for maintenance of the Church Hall and for the activities that occur therein. The Church Hall has charity status but the remit is widened to encompass the whole community in which St. Cuthbert’s exists. The PCC as a whole acts as the managing Trustees, the PCC Chairman being also Chairman of the managing Trustees.

Membership

Members of the PCC are either ex officio or are elected at the Annual Parochial Meeting in accordance with the Church Representation Rules.

Vicar:
The Revd Martin Jackson - Chairman

Wardens:
Mr. Neil Bellerby (to March 2007)
Mrs. Elizabeth Parker .
Mrs. Linda Short (from March 2007)

Representatives on the Deanery Synod:
Mrs. Samela Hewlett
Mr. Stephen Mitchell
Mrs. Pamela Donnelly

Elected members:
Mrs. Claire Bean
Miss Fiona Bell (to March 2007)
Mrs. Glynis Bell
Mrs. Kelsey Buchanan (from March 2007)
Mr. Arthur Eld
Mr. William Hudson
Mrs. Jennifer Lambert (from March 2007)
Mrs. Jennifer Macnair
Dr. Irvine Macnair (Treasurer)
Mrs. Mary Mitchell (from March 2007)
Mr. Ian Severs (Vice Chairman)
Mrs. Sonia Thompson
Ex Officio Reader
Mrs. Rosemary Junemann

Committees

The PCC operates through two permanent committees, which assemble as necessary between full meetings of the PCC, and occasional ad hoc committees. The Standing Committee consists of the Vicar, Churchwardens, Lay Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer. It sets agendas for the business of the PCC and reviews implementation. The Finance Committee monitors the financial activities of St. Cuthbert’s, re income, expenditure, budgeting and planned giving. It consists of Standing Committee and two elected PCC members.

Church Attendance

There are 120 parishioners on the Electoral Roll following a full renewal in 2007. Average adult weekly church attendance has been 61, as measured from January to October. The general pattern of services has not changed during the year and includes a monthly outreach service held at a sheltered accommodation centre. Home communion is taken to a number of elderly, immobile or sick parishioners both by clergy and by Mr. Arthur Eld and Mrs. Rosemary Junemann who are licensed for the purpose. Mrs. Rosemary Junemann and Mr. Paul Heatherington are licensed for Reader Ministry and both are active in that role. Mr.Heatherington proceeded this year to the degree of Master of Arts in Theology and Ministry.

Review of the Year

The PCC has met 6 times during the year with an average attendance of 72%. The number of parishioners who Gift-aid covenant their donations (either by bank or by envelope) has increased to 76 and a further 22 parishioners give regularly through the envelope scheme. 9 Single Gift-aid donations have also been received. The income from giving of all descriptions was £34,718, a fall of £617 since 2006. Other sources of income amounted to £15,295, Charitable giving amounted to £2,031, apportioned to overseas and home religious causes and to home secular causes. The Parish share in 2007 was £29,457 and was paid in full. Church running costs totalled £7,050, ministry and mission £3,121, other costs & repairs £6,463 and governance (salaries & administration) £1,287.

The first phase of landscaping of the Church Hall – the creation of a set of paths to provide disabled access to all parts of the hall – is complete but final surfacing of the car-park awaits further funding.

Five groups, including the Parish itself, are affiliated to the Church Hall and benefit from a reduction in rental fees. The total income to the Hall during 2007 has been £5,758 from all rental sources. Hall insurance is entirely paid from Hall funds. Running costs have been £5,815. Regular income to the Revenue account has been slightly exceeded by expenditure from that account. A monthly luncheon club, run by Parish members, continued to be very popular and surplus income from it has been used to offset related Hall maintenance costs. The quality of the club’s catering earned frequent praise.



Church Flowers Report 2007

The church flowers have been arranged weekly, usually on Fridays and generally by a team of three people. Several others have help out on an occasional basis, particularly at Christmas time. There is still a need for help with the flowers on a weekly basis as no one has yet answered last years request.
The flowers have been specially arranged for three weddings as well as for Easter, Harvest Festival and Christmas, which was a major undertaking as usual.

The flower fund has been reasonably healthy throughout the year. There was a starting balance in the fund of £53.26, with an income of £945.95, spends of £889.68, leaving a closing balance of £109.53

Thank you to all who have helped with the church flowers last year, either financially or by giving their time. It was greatly appreciated.

Sonia Thompson



Treasurer’s Report

- come & hear him! For technical reasons we can't reproduce his account sheet on this web-page.



Brownie Report

This year has seen our pack grow with lots of new Brownies joining. We currently have 31 girls and an ever increasing waiting list.

In April 5 of our Brownies joined 2nd Chester le Street Brownies on Pack Holiday in Edinburgh. Visits to Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh Zoo and Dynamic Earth were enjoyed by all.

In July we held a Pack Holiday at Whittonstall. The theme chosen by the girls was Disney. The girls enjoyed completing crafts and activities linked to the Disney them. A visit to the Highland Cattle Centre was also included in the weekend

In September some of the Brownies visited the Camelot Theme Park in Chorley Lancashire.

The Brownies have attended the pantomime Aladdin at Newcastle Theatre Royal.

Fiona Bell



Tower Bells Report 2007

Ringing has continued throughout most of last year on a Sunday morning and Thursday evening practices, but once again the bells were silent during the Summer Holidays due to a lack of ringers. Despite welcoming one young ringer to the band in August, the numbers of regular Sunday ringers has remained low last year. This still continues to be a concern. A need for learners / laps ringers to join the band is still ongoing. The continual good relationship with the ringers at Consett has enabled the weekly practices to continue and has helped provide cover for weddings and extra service ringing.

No repair work was needed on the bells during the year. Two lots of visiting ringing bands were welcomed over the period and a combined Benfieldside / Consett band took part in the Association Quarter Peal week in July.

The Tower started the year with a meagre balance of £13.50 but gained additional funds of £114.00, primarily from the 4 weddings that were rung for during the year. There were no outgoings, other than the £10.00 for Junior subs to the D&N Bell Ringing Association, leaving a closing balance of £117.50. Which should be enough to fund a Ringing Tour during 2008, if we have sufficient ringers to take part.

Sonia Thompson



Parish Magazine Report

300 copies of each edition are printed.
There are currently 19distributors and 241subscribers.

On average 10 further copies are sold monthly in Church. Extra copies are left in both the Church and the Hall, and some are given to visitors and newcomers

Jenny Macnair


‘Second Tuesday’ Lunch Club

Already in 2008 there have been three Lunch Clubs - where does the time go?

It is a busy day for our “Team” of helpers, be it in the Kitchen, serving tables or doing the voluntary driving, but we all have a great time. We enjoy seeing friends meeting up and having a good “chin-wag” and putting the world to right. It is nice to see our friends from Shotley Park, and also to welcome back some of our members who have not been of late.

We will not be having our meeting in lunch due to holidays, but we look forward to seeing everyone at our next “Lunch Club,” which will be on Tuesday 13th May.

I should like to say a big “Thank You” to everyone involved, in whatever way, for making it such a happy and successful day.

Pam Hudson



Sing Together


Sing Together! Sessions took place on seven occasions during 2007. We continue to meet on a regular basis and are currently meeting on Tuesday evenings. The sessions offer an opportunity to practise some known hymns - especially those used only on a seasonal basis - and to try some new ones. You may have noticed that we introduced a number of new hymns into our worship during the year. We have a small core group of regular attenders but would welcome new singers. You don’t have to have a wonderful voice or be able to read music. All you need is enthusiasm!

Rosie Junemann



CCLI Church Copyright and Music Reproduction Licence


Towards the end of 2007 the PCC decided to renew the Licence for a further 12 months. The Licence enables us to reproduce the words and music for hymns and songs which are not included in any of our three hymn books. Details of all the hymns and songs we reproduce in this way are reported annually to the CCLI (Christian Copyright Licensing International). This arrangement protects the interests of the writers, composers and holders of copyright.

During 2007 we reproduced the words (and occasionally the music) of 34 hymns and songs from a variety of sources. All of these were included in ‘Sing Together’ sessions and about 12 of them found there way into Sunday worship. You may remember singing ‘In Christ alone’, ‘Joy has dawned’, ‘Beneath the cross of Jesus’ and a number of others, including some by Timothy Dudley-Smith.

If you have ideas and suggestions for hymns and songs please tell Rosie Junemann, Bill Hudson or Martin Jackson. We’d also like to hear your views on the new hymns and songs which are selected for our services.

Rosie Junemann



Mothers’ Union 2007 - St Cuthbert’s Benfieldside

Our meetings in 2007 included very interesting and enjoyable talks about local history, St Francis of Assisi, and Arthritis Care. We held a meeting about Marriage with a specially themed service followed by a quiz and some discussion about the role of Marriage today. Members brought their own wedding photos and we also had a wedding dress on display.

We held our customary Soup and Sweet Lunch when we were joined by members from Ebchester and Consett branches, raising money for the Overseas Fund and the Away From It All fund which provides holidays or days out for needy families.

Members attended the Lady Day Service, the Quiet Afternoon and the Lanchester Branch Centenary Celebration Eucharist. We also attended the Festival Service at Durham Cathedral. In the summer, we enjoyed the Service at Ebchester and in December, the Carols by Candlelight at Consett.

We were very happy to enrol another new member, Margaret Vernon, and to present long service certificates to 4 members, Gwen Brierley, Vera Nixon, Jean King and Jean Burt.
We supported the Make a Mother’s Day appeal by making a joint donation. In particular we welcomed the opportunity of giving a Mothering Sunday gift in memory of our Mothers.

We have donated 35 emergency toiletry bags to wards at Shotley Bridge Hospital. Members have knitted bonnets and booties for the Maternity ward at Durham and a collection of Teddies for Tragedies.

Members have continued to attend the monthly Eucharist Service at Derwentdale Court and to provide refreshments after the service.

Summer outings this year were a visit to Alnwick Gardens and an evening meal at Whitworth Park. In November we enjoyed an evening meal at Beamish and a pre-Christmas Lunch at Derwentside College.

Our meetings are always open to anyone who would like to come along, either just for an individual meeting or with the idea of maybe joining us.

Sheila Barnes



St. Cuthbert's Hall Report

During the past year the number of private bookings has decreased. The management committee has discussed at length the need to publicise the Church Hall more widely. Despite this the Hall has been able to once again pay all of the insurance payments for the year.

The Hall Management Committee met four times during the past year.

The Committee consisted of:

Six PCC nominated members:
Martin Jackson
Ian Severs
Steven Mitchell
Linda Short
Arthur Eld
Glynis Bell

User group representatives:
Fiona Bell (Brownies and Sunday School)
Sammie Hewlett (Handbell Ringers)
Sheila Barnes(Mothers Union)
Janine Jackson/ Lindsay Weaver (Toddlers)
Pam Hudson (Second Tuesday Lunch Club)

Irvine Macnair, the PCC Treasurer, who also looks after the Hall finances, is an ex-officio member of the Committee.

Linda Short has taken over the role of Hall Booking Secretary.

Maintenance work to the hall has been carried out. A new door lock has been fitted and a new vacuum cleaner and kettle have been purchased. A successful electrical test was carried on all of the halls appliances. Improvements have been made to kitchen equipment with mixing bowls and crockery having been purchased.

The Second Tuesday Lunch Club continues to be very popular and successful.

The Management team organised and decorated the Hall for Christmas festivities.

Durham County Council has adopted the path outside of the Church Hall and has improved the path.

The aims for the forthcoming year:
To complete landscaping.
To gain funding to complete work to the downstairs rooms of the Hall.

Fiona Bell


CHRISTIAN AID REPORT

During 2007 Consett and District Christian Aid Committee held our usual events:

 A coffee morning in Consett Methodist church in February
 The sponsored walk in September
 An entertaining concert given by the Jane Robson Theatre Group during One World Week in September

Together with Christian Aid Week, these events raised over £10,000.

St Cuthbert’s collection for Christian Aid Week was £1,195.

This is the first time that I have produced an annual report and so, to bring us quickly up to date, over the past 17 years St Cuthbert’s has collected a total of £14,954. Thanks for this are due to all our dedicated collectors and to all the members of our community who have collected and given over the years.

We were unable to cover all our usual roads in 2007 so please consider helping in 2008 if you can. It doesn’t take too long and would help to continue our valuable contribution to Christian Aid.

Sheila Barnes