| Five Alive
Information Pages APCM |
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| Five Alive
Information Pages APCM |
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Minutes of APCM 2020
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Minutes of the Vestry and Annual Parochial Church Council Meeting held at St John the Baptist Church, Fladbury on Tuesday April 20th, 2010 Present: Doreen Barrett, Frank Bentley, Kathleen Bentley, Diana Boardman, Sylvia Broadbent, Rosemary Bruce-Gardner, Jane Bugg, D. Burlingham, Rev’d Lynn Busfield, Brian Carter, Derek Floyd, Mary Fisher, Rachel Fisher, Robin Flack, Velia Flack, Derek Floyd, Helen Fowler, Hilary Fowler, Martin Fowler, Liz Gardner, Peter Gardner, Pearl Gibson, Jean Gray, Megan Griffiths, Hilary Hall, Hilary Harris, Peter Harris, David Hawkins, Margaret Hawkins, Janet Jefferies, Michael Jefferies, Diana Lacy, Peter Lacy, Peter Lewis, Rosemary Lewis, Phyllis McCombie, Wendy Malkinson,. Carol Martin, M. Martin, David Miller, Sue Miller, Muriel Mitchell, Richard Mumford, Nancy Murray-Peters, Richard Murray- Peters, Carol Oldfield, Robin Oldfield, Jean Ounsted, Martin Ounsted, Peter Perry, Sue Perry, Chris Roberts, Carol Rosier, John Rosier, Alison Sandham, Nina Terry, Gwyneth Thomas, Mona Tyler, Celia Willlis, Wally Whitfield 1. The Vestry Meeting opened with a bible reading and prayer by the Reverend Lynn Busfield who chaired the meeting. 2. Apologies: Diane Barlow, Edward Fisher, Linda Heath, Philip Hildesley, Gerald and Jane Hughes, Bill and Chris North, Barbara and Graham Pharo and Roy and Betty Welsh. 3. Minutes of the Vestry Meeting held on 22nd April, 2009 were approved and adopted without amendment. 4. Election of Churchwardens. Lynn Busfield explained the change in organisation required by the Church Representation Rules. As there are three former parish churches in the group, six churchwardens can be elected, to serve the whole parish. Six nominations had been received; Liz Gardner, Philip Hildesley, David Miller, Richard Mumford, Martin Ounsted and Celia Willis. Each gave a short resume of their experience and qualifications as regarding the role of Churchwarden. The six nominees were duly elected as Churchwardens. The Vestry Meeting was closed. Annual Parochial Church Council Meeting: Chair: Rev Lynn Busfield Minutes: Liz Gardner 1. Apologies as set out above. 2. Minutes of the Annual Parochial Church Council Meeting held on 22nd April 2009 were approved and adopted without amendment. 3. Annual Accounts: Chris Roberts presented the accounts for the year ending 31st December 2009, copies of which had been circulated. Chris reported that the general financial activities in 2009 resulted in a surplus of £3,617. Income from collections had increased by ~3%, plate collections by 9%. However, for the second year running the Parish had been unable to pay the full Parish Share. He highlighted the increased cost of energy bills. The supplier had been changed as the three year contract with British Gas had come to an end. Valuation of the investments had increased by 9% and should increase further as Britain comes out of recession. Chris offered explanations about Restricted and Designated funds. In reply to a question from Frank Bentley, Chris informed the meeting that the Shortfall in the payment of the Parish Share was £10,000 in 2008 and £20,000 in 2009. Frank suggested that this should be addressed as the lack of payment from this and other Parishes has a direct effect on the number of clergy the Diocese can employ. Peter Lacy asked how much the Parish Share had increased. Chris answered that it had increased by about £4000(~6%) in 2009 and £6000(~9%) in 2008. Peter Gardner proposed a vote of thanks to Chris who had done such a good job as Treasurer for seven years. He appreciated the hard work that had gone into managing the accounts as he was taking over as Treasurer from Chris and thanked him for his help with the change-over. John Rosier proposed that the accounts be accepted, which was seconded by Margaret Hawkins and carried unanimously. 4. Appointment of Auditors: Although it had been suggested at the last APCM that quotations for other auditors be sought, it was recommended that, for this year at least, Clement Rabjohns should remain the auditors for the church accounts, to provide continuity for the new Treasurer. This was agreed. 5. Electoral Roll. A report from Graham Pharo was read. There are currently 214 names on the roll, with two further names to be added at the next PCC meeting. He was thanked for his work as Electoral Roll Officer, from which he is now stepping down. John Rosier offered to take over as Electoral Roll Officer. This was unanimously approved. 6. Fabric Committee Report: This had been circulated in the Annual Review. The major item was the granting of a faculty for the proposed ramp, toilet and kitchenette at Fladbury Church. Peter Perry was thanked for his work as Chairman of the Fabric Committee. David Hawkins reported that Fladbury Church has been raised to Grade 1 listed status. This gives greater possibilities of obtaining grants for repairs etc. 7. Deanery Synod Report: Peter and Sue Perry’s report was distributed at the meeting. The Synod had heard talks on progress at Drakes Broughton and Norton, Adventures in Inter Faith and the Bowland Youth Fellowship. The major item of concern was the general shortfall in payment of the Parish Share around much of the Deanery. 8. Election of Deanery Synod Member: There is a vacancy due to the resignation of Fran Summerfield. No one had come forward for this post. The Deanery Synod members for this parish were confirmed as Richard Mumford, Richard Murray-Peters and Sue Perry. These are all ex-officio members of the PCC. A full election for a new three year term will take place in 2011. 9. Election of PCC Members: Under the Church Representation Rules there are vacancies for up to fifteen elected lay members of the PCC. The following people had been nominated and seconded prior to the meeting: Mary Fisher, Derek Floyd, Helen Fowler, Hilary Fowler, Peter Gardner, Margaret Hawkins, Janet Jefferies and Alison Sandham. Four more nominations were received at the meeting. Hilary Hall, nominated by David Miller and seconded by David Hawkins Peter Harris, nominated by John Rosier and seconded by Carol Oldfield Neville Duke, nominated by Richard Mumford and seconded by Carol Rosier Rachel Fisher, nominated by Wendy Malkinson and seconded by Wally Whitfield There being no other nominations these twelve were elected as lay members of the PCC. 10. Election of Church Stewards: The following people had agreed to be Church Stewards for the five places of worship in the parish. Wyre: Vacancy Lower Moor: Carol Martin Fladbury: Philip Hildesley Cropthorne: Hilary Hall and Peter Harris Charlton: Diana Boardman and Helen Fowler It was agreed that these people should be appointed as sidespeople to give them legal standing. This was proposed by David Miller, seconded by Carol Oldfield and carried unanimously. Lynn Busfield thanked all the outgoing churchwardens for their hard work and commitment. 11. Parish Review: Lynn thanked Carole Oliver for her work in preparing the review. She thanked all who had submitted reports. Two reports had inadvertently been omitted so were read out. Parish Plodders. This group meets on the third Wednesday of the month for a walk of about two hours in the countryside. Membership is up to around thirty and the walks are led by different members. Reading Group This group meets every two months in local homes and members share information about books they have read. Popular books tend to travel round the group. Both these groups were recommended as providing fellowship, outreach and fun. Lynn thanked all those who serve God in the Parish in many different ways. She particularly thanked Philip Hildesley and Richard Mumford, the Parish Wardens, for their hard work and commitment. She thanked the clergy helpers who make it possible to have a range of services and contribute so much by their experience. She congratulated Nancy Murray-Peters who has been accepted and is training for ordination. In conclusion Lynn reflected on the five different places of worship in the Parish and the five Saints to whom they are dedicated. She asked the meeting to consider how the lives and personalities of the five patron Saints can inspire afresh those trying to carry out God’s work in the Parish and bring the message of God’s love to everyone. Nancy Murray-Peters read from St Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, Chapter 4. There was a short time for questions and comments. David Hawkins conveyed his concern that not all fifteen PCC places had been filled The Deanery needed men and women of ability at a time when the Church was undergoing huge changes. He reminded the meeting that the Diocese was always ready to offer help where needed and had a fund of expertise available. Muriel Mitchell responded that although she was very willing to work hard for the Parish and had already served for some time on the PCC, she felt that she and others should be allowed to do that work without feeling pressured to be PCC members. In response to questions about progress on the facilities at Fladbury Church, John Rosier reported that work on the ramp would begin soon. Fundraising had been put on hold while the Stewardship campaign was on-going but would start when that campaign was complete. It is hoped that grants will be available for much of the work. Funding for the ramp, which will cost £13,000, is already in place. It is hoped that fund raising for the rest of the scheme will be launched in September. Richard Mumford, on behalf of himself, Philip and Lynn gave thanks for the support that had been received during the year. Last year the APCM had welcomed Lynn to the Parish and there had been a steep learning curve during the year. There was now a new structure in place and, with everyone’s encouragement and support, it was up to those who had been appointed to make it work. He asked that all should work with joy, sharing love with one another. The meeting concluded with The Grace. |
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The Five Alive Parish
Annual Parish Review 2009
A l i v e @ 5 ! Psalm 150: ...Let everything that breathes sing praises to the Lord. 2009 has seen the introduction, growth and development of the new monthly family-friendly, all-age service ‘Alive @ 5!’ and oh how exciting it has been! It happens on the first Sunday of each month in Fladbury Church at 5pm. Primarily run by some of the young adults and youth of the parish, Alive @ 5! is a service with a difference. Its aim is to make church more accessible and approachable for everyone; regular ‘church-goers’, those questioning Christianity, and anyone who fancies finding out more! Moving away from the traditional organ and hymn book we have introduced guitars, drums, tambourines, singers and projectors to the service. Friendly faces, hot chocolate and cake all contribute to the warmth and welcoming atmosphere of the service. Each service has a theme which brings together the songs, prayers, readings and dramas/sketches/talks. October 2009 – ‘Worship – Soul Food’ November 2009 – ‘Jesus – Water of Life’ December 2009 – ‘Jesus – Light of the World’ We currently have a monthly congregation of 30-40 but we hope that this will grow with time. Healing Group The Healing Group has continued its work throughout the year. A Prayer Meeting is held usually on the first Tuesday of each month at 9.30am, the meetings being held in various members’ homes. In addition to these meetings, we hold Healing Services at three monthly intervals to which everyone is welcome either for prayer or quiet reflection. This year the group gave a presentation in Charlton Church describing what happens at our services in an attempt to make them “user friendly.” This service seemed to evoke a good congregational reaction and has encouraged the group greatly. We would like to suggest that the Prayer Request Books in each church be kept in a prominent place, this makes it easier for people both to see and to use them and also makes it simpler for the group member who collates the prayer requests to find them! We are most grateful to both Lay and Ordained members of the parish who have very kindly given their time to minister at our services through the year. Atlas Report 2009 was a significant year for Atlas as we celebrated our tenth anniversary. A booklet was produced giving details of all the charities, projects, organisations and individuals we had supported during the past ten years with updates of how their work had developed during that time. In July we had a great birthday celebration meal at Holland House with balloons and a special cake made by Carol Martin. Bron Soan and Dr Ruth Owen, who live in our parish, gave a moving illustrated presentation about the work of ACES (Aid for the Children of El Salvador) a charity started by Bron over twenty years ago in response to the plight of the children living on the streets of El Salvador. £450 was raised for ACES from that evening. Mission Sunday was held again in October for the third year running, to give people an opportunity to give to world mission. Archdeacon Roger preached a challenging sermon on the subject of mission at our United Service in Charlton Church and £653 was raised for the work of CMS, SAMS and USPG. Atlas Sunday was held at the beginning of December with Rev. Dick Johnson, Diocesan Industrial Chaplain, preaching at the service in Wyre Church. This was followed by our usual Atlas Sunday Lunch at Upper Haselor Farm, always an enjoyable occasion. Atlas wished to place some focus on the plight of the unemployed and homeless during this time of recession especially in our own diocese, and £390 was raised to support Redditch Night Stop which helps provide emergency overnight accommodation for homeless young people and also runs an education programme in the local schools. Thank you to all who have continued to support Atlas with their time, talents, donations and prayers over many years. We could not have continued the work without this support. Charlton Fayre The Charlton Fayre was held on Saturday 20th June. The weather leading up to the Fayre had not been too good and everyone involved was hoping and praying for a pleasant day. Activity on The Green started at about 9.00am, with various groups of volunteers moving tables and chairs from their (many) normal storage places to the planned positions. A separate team collected the stored gazebos, quickly remembered how to assemble them, and then eagerly began putting them up at each stall. Another team put up the third marquee, the others having been done the day before to ease the load. Stallholders began arriving from midday onwards; the centre piece was once again the ‘fun’ dog show, which draws many dog lovers to Charlton and gives them the opportunity to get their dogs to show off! The cakes stall was bulging with home made cakes, from scones to splendid sponges. Several Tombola drums were being given a final spin, the bouncy castle was awaiting its first child to bounce, the whiff of burgers and hot dogs was in the air, the ice cream was beginning to melt, and many children’s stalls were surrounded by eager customers, coins in hand. Almost ready! Then at 2.00pm precisely, Graham Pharo declared the Fayre open, the brass band struck up and customers started parting with their hard-earned cash. By five o’clock it was all over, and the weary teams who had set everything up started the thankless task of taking it all down. Oh No! Was it worth it? Well, it got the community together, it gave a lot of pleasure to a several hundred people, lots of children enjoyed it, several dogs learnt how to leap fences, and it raised £2700 for the church in just a few hours. From this the 10% that can be donated to the benefit of Charlton village was given to the Charlton Flood Defence fund. Can this success be repeated in 2010? In many ways it gets tougher each year, both physically and economically, so our expectations will be moderated accordingly. All we can do is push on with the planning and wait and see. Home Groups Several small, cross-parish groups have met to explore different aspects of the Christian Faith. These groups, meeting in people’s homes, offered a welcoming space in which to learn about faith and meaning. One group looked at: “Sustainable Living in God’s World”, exploring the relationship between Christian faith and concern for the natural world. Using Biblical references, the group explored how we can live sustainably in a world that is becoming depleted of natural resources. Thoughts and ideas were shared on environmental issues and positive suggestions made for changes in lifestyles. A document entitled ‘Walk where the skylarks still sing’ was produced. It details a ‘green’ policy for the Parish. Another group looked at: “Messy Spirituality”. Who can be spiritual? Candidates for sainthood? Desert-dwellers? Retired, financially stable contemplatives? Well, perhaps even the ordinary rest of us! Our messiness and Jesus can meet. Spirituality can provide a home for those who don’t have life figured out, who don’t know the Bible as well as they could and who don’t have their spiritual lives together - in other words, people just like us! Other groups looked at: The basics of the Christian faith; The difference being a Christian can make within our village communities; Who Jesus is and what does it means to be a Disciple today? Many thanks to all our home group facilitators for the hospitality and teaching they offered through these diverse discussion areas. Fabric Committee The Fabric Committee must be the most organized committee in the Parish because we have not met in the last year. There is a representative from each church on the committee. We have evolved a system by which any problems are reported to the chairman, a solution is then proposed and costed and put to the PCC for approval. The purpose of having a parish Fabric Committee is so that an overview of all our churches is undertaken to ensure that the best possible use is made of our limited resources. 2009 was the year of our quinquennial reports, when we are required by the Diocese to have an inspection of all our churches undertaken by the Church Architect, copies of the report are submitted to the Diocese and the Parish. Following this report it was necessary to have electrical inspections on all the churches and consequently work was carried out in them all to bring our installations to a safe and up to date standard at a cost of approximately £9000. Roof repairs also had to be carried out on all the churches. We can now be assured that our churches are safe and weather tight but we are not tackling the problem, in four of our churches, of slowly eroding and disintegrating stonework as we do not have the resources available. This is a problem which will not go away! Many of the smaller items in the report have been dealt with by volunteers and thanks go to everybody who helps in any way to maintain our buildings. Each year we have the gutters and downpipes cleaned out; the contractor provides all the equipment to do the job safely and we receive a report and photographs of the work carried out. This system works well, but because we have five churches, costs £1000 each year. During the year a sound system and loop has been installed in Cropthorne in memory of Commander Tim Hall. All our churches now have a system to enhance services and assist those with impaired hearing - now we have to learn to use the equipment properly; even people with loud voices need a microphone if hearing aid users are to be able to hear. Problems have recently been experienced with the electrical systems at Fladbury; following extensive investigations it was discovered that cables in the roof had been nibbled by mice and the insulation destroyed. This has now been rectified but a volunteer mouse steward is required. After a gestation period of at least twenty five years, plans for an access ramp, toilet and kitchenette at Fladbury have been agreed and there is now a Faculty enabling the work to proceed when funds are available. St John the Baptist, Fladbury Attendance at services seems to be much as normal: at 8.00am Holy Communion there is usually approximately 12 and at 10.00am, whether it be Communion or a Morning Service, it is rare for numbers to be below 30 – sometimes rising to 40 plus! In the year 2009 there have been 7 baptisms, 5 weddings, 6 funerals and 2 interments of ashes. Midweek Communion has a small gathering of faithful worshippers and we thank Frank Bentley for continuing to officiate and look after this important weekly service. The School Service has continued during term time and is usually in the form of a Eucharist but occasionally will be a simple non-Eucharistic service for which a liturgy has been provided. The school attaches a deal of importance to this weekly act of worship in the church and, together with their Christingle Service at the end of the Christmas Term, their Easter Service at the end of the second term and their Leavers’ Service in July, a pattern of worship experiences for these young people has been fostered over the years. Special services this year have included the Licensing of Revd. Lynn Busfield as the new Parish Priest in March; a very wet Rogation Service at Fladbury Mill in May; an excellent Harvest Festival and Back to Church Sunday in September (Harvest Supper followed later in October); a moving and well-attended Remembrance Service in November, a Deanery Eucharistic Servers’ service also in November; a very well attended Advent Service of Light and an excellent Carol Service. We are grateful to Edward Fisher who has supported the music in the church with his Sutton Brass Ensemble and to the Flaeda Singers who have sung so well at the Advent and Carol Services. Of particular interest, in the Autumn, a new Sunday evening service was started called Alive @ Five. Organised and planned by young people (Helen and Rachel Fisher in particular) and supported by other young folk in the parish and also Revd Ian Spencer, this service has proved to be very popular with people of all ages. From a welcoming mug of hot chocolate, informality prevails, but a serious approach to a different type of worship is the name of the game. Long may it continue and thanks to all who have supported!! The church hosted an excellent concert by Richard Poyser and his wife Lianne who played and sang songs from across the ages; an informative and entertaining lecture/recital on the history of the newly refurbished Nicholson organ, marking its “official opening” and a hugely enjoyable Walkabout Concert in July, as part of the annual Walkabout and Flower Festival. A highly successful Charity Christmas Fayre was held, once again, in December, with thanks to the organising skills of Jane Bugg and an enthusiastic band of singers sang carols around the village in mid-December and collected a large sum of money for charity. Thanks go to Celia Willis and her team of flower arrangers for maintaining their very high standard of proficiency. Thanks also go to Roger Hunt and his team of Bell Ringers for all that they do in the Bell Tower, unseen by most but heard by all! Thanks also to the ladies who provide coffee after Sunday services, the teams of church cleaners and Ted Amphlett who retired after 30 years of service from looking after the churchyard. He was presented with a photo frame, suitably inscribed, and a cheque for all his dedicated hard work. There has been further progress with the kitchenette/lavatory plans, in as much as a facility has been granted and we are now able to proceed with the fund raising. A sub-committee has been convened, called The Flushing Group, and it will shortly move into action. The Church Committee is full of enthusiasm and is determined to do the best for its church and those who worship therein. Thanks go to this committee and to all who give of their time and energies to the greater good of both St John the Baptist and the whole community. We look forward to another encouraging year. The Flaeda Singers Who are The Flaeda Singers and where does that word Flaeda come from? Two good questions and both, fortunately, with easy answers! Alhflaeda, as the Queen of Mercia, gave her name to Flaedenburgh which became Fladbury and the Singers started as a group of predominantly Fladbury people who wished to enhance the music in the church for major festivals in the year by singing as a four-part choir. We now have members from across the parish, which is good. In the year 2008 I was approached by some people and asked if I would try to get a small choir together, principally to prepare for the Christmas season. By September I had the names of about twenty people who were happy to commit themselves to regular rehearsals with Advent and Christmas as the targets for which to aim. We had a good balance of sopranos and altos, but only about two tenors and two basses – but that would work! Numbers have increased slightly since then, but we could still do with a few more men! The aims of the choir are simply to sing music which provides a bit of a challenge and to try to sing it to the best possible standard, recognising that the choir consists of enthusiastic amateurs, that no auditions are required for entry and that we are singing for enjoyment only. The expectation is that some homework is done between rehearsals so that dreary “note-bashing” is kept to the minimum at rehearsals! To our great surprise and delight, both the Advent Service of Light and the Service of Nine Lessons and Carols in 2008 were received with universal acclaim and this spurred the choir on to another successful outing at Easter with the anthem “I waited for the Lord” by Mendelssohn and then, as a contrast, some Madrigals (non-church music) at the Walkabout Concert in July. After a summer break, we re-formed in September and started rehearsing for Advent and Christmas and, for the second time, performed very well at these two high profile and popular occasions. The Flaeda Singers is not a church choir or a parish choir, but is very happy to sing for special occasions, if that is what people would like. It just so happens that some of the finest choral music to have been composed, has been written for the Church and so, unashamedly, we have been gently exploring the delights of Tudor anthems and those from the 18th and 19th centuries and even some Christmas music by Benjamin Britten! Elizabethan madrigals sound easy, but are not so at all and it has been great fun to learn some quite complicated “pop songs” from the Elizabethan era as a contrast! My hope is that The Flaeda Singers continues to sing as they have done so far, with three or four high spots in the year as targets. We wish to build up a repertoire of music and diversify a bit as well. If any readers of this article would like to consider joining the choir, then I would be most pleased for you to contact me – particularly if you sing bass or tenor!! My thanks to all choir members for their continued enthusiasm, hard work and loyalty. Five Alive During this year we have attempted to get more articles into the magazine. A teenager from Charlton wrote about her martial arts; there have been two items from Heavenly Bodies Gym; several parishioners have also written interesting accounts. An editorial rota system was set up by Philip and this has produced some interesting and thought provoking pieces of writing. Advertising is keeping the magazine in profit and there is a waiting list of advertisers. Requests come in from many different areas of expertise and not all within our five villages. It is a testament to the benefits of the spaces used that some advertisers have used this service for many years. As a temporary measure the magazine went to 36 pages, this has turned out to be permanent with the number of items that come in by e-mail each month rapidly increasing and needing some “sifting” to decide on inclusion. Notices are generally restricted to events within the parish but others entered if they are thought to be of general interest. Although requests have been made to schools and local groups, not many articles are received. It would be good to include work from children (there have been some from Cropthorne with Charlton School) and reports on the happenings of the groups around the area. Women’s Institute reports have become more articles than lists of raffle prize winners and included interesting information. Tennis Club similarly has been a regular supporter. What we would like to aim for is articles of a more general nature from “reporters” from each village. Distribution to the medical centres of Evesham and Pershore had to cease during the swine flu problems. It has been reinstated to Abbotswood. Evesham and Pershore libraries each receive a copy and one is taken to Kaye Littlehales at Heavenly Bodies. An e-mail version is sent to Mike Flanders who represents the Evesham Town Website. The production team meets to discuss and edit each month. Many thanks go to Philip and Hilary for their support. Printing is carried out alternate months by Peter Perry and Michael Jefferies. Collating is done by Peter whose technical skills are invaluable when the machinery decides not to co-operate. Thanks also to Jane Bugg for her diary planning page and to Derek Floyd for the web site entries. Of course also thanks to the distributors who ensure delivery to households. Future plans are to update the front cover; arrange a ”stand in” for times when I shall be away and continue to encourage all villagers to participate in contributing to the magazine. Cropthorne Walkabout Cropthorne Walkabout had an apparent major hic-cup and a special meeting was held in the Village Hall, which was very well attended in July 2008. Thankfully everybody pulled together and the 2009 Cropthorne Walkabout took place as normal, the first weekend in May. The weather was pretty awful, cold and was not conducive to people sitting around and wandering around the gardens, but nevertheless the Walkabout made just over £10,000 with donations being given to the Sheppey Junior Sports and Junior Swifts and Holland House. The balance of over £9,000 was paid towards the parish expenses. A huge number of volunteers, for which we are grateful, enabled the Walkabout to go forward, many giving up much of their time during the year in preparation. We could always do with more helpers and depend greatly on good weather. A number of new items appeared with the New Inn running a bar, which on the Monday also became a tea shop, a pork roast barbecue. We are grateful to the joint Village Hall Committee for the use of the Hall and The Sheppey. St Anne’s, Wyre Piddle Our regular pattern of services included Holy Communion, United Services, Family Services and forms of meditation during Lent. The decision was taken to experiment with a form of Family Service in the village hall to attract the families with young children as the hall has more facilities than the church. The services are called Cushion Church and are the idea of Revd lan Spencer, the warden of Holland House, who runs them. The age range at these services is between 8 months and 80 years! Four services have taken place every other month interspersed with Family Services in St Anne's. We thank lan for giving Eve Meusz for their part in the Cushion Church team. We would like to thank our Priest in charge Lynn Busfield, Sue Oliver, Frank Bentley, Gerald Hughes, Robin Flack, Stephen Malkinson, Mona Tyler and Graham Pharo for their support and help over the year. This year St Anne's joined in with the village fete, with stalls and an arts and crafts exhibition in the church. Because the chairs were removed for the exhibition, it demonstrated once again the versatility of the church. The monies raised for the church from this event was £312. The churchyard upkeep has been carried out by Cara Scott with the assistance of a team of young people from Motov8, a charity that helps young people to gain a start in life. We also welcome Jonathan Parkes who has taken over the overseeing of the churchyard from Adrian Fletcher. As a result of major work carried out by Cara and Jonathan, the boundary hedges have been cut and trimmed. We extend our grateful thanks to Adrian (and Sylvia), Jonathan and Cara for all their hard work. Works regarded as urgent have been carried out to the fabric of the church and churchyard. David Hill has carried out all the essential day to day maintenance and renewal that has occurred over the year for which we thank him. The sea service returned to the Mill Club following its renovation after flooding. The service was very well received and attracted more than 80 people. This year we were able to have Holy Communion followed by an Act of Remembrance at the village War Memorial. The service at the War Memorial was the first for many years and was well attended and much appreciated and we thank Reverend Stephen Malkinson for taking the service. The Christmas Eve Crib Service was a great success with 80 adults and 22 children present who then went on to sing carols on the village green. Once again, the numbers exceeded those at last year's event. We would like to thank Viv Ford and her flower arranging team who help to keep the church looking beautiful with wonderful flower arrangements, Sylvia Fletcher and her cleaning team who keep the church clean and tidy and all those who help at the services. As church warden I thank you all for your help and support. Fladbury Flower Festival and Walkabout The 2009 Fladbury Flower Festival and Walkabout held on Saturday and Sunday 11th and 12th July was once again a successful event and raised £10,411 net profit of which £1,900 came from tax back from Gift Aid donations. In accordance with custom and practice 10% of the total net profit was retained for the Fladbury Walkabout Committee to distribute (to meet requests for capital projects), and £9,349 was paid into the Parish Fabric Fund. The theme for the Flower Festival in the church was “Musicals” and there was an abundance of stunning displays which were greatly appreciated by our visitors, as were the numerous gardens opened for viewing within the village. The Concert on Saturday evening of local talent provided great entertainment and was again a sell out. The BBQ that was held at the Rectory for all the many helpers from the community was greatly appreciated. The essence of the Walkabout week-end is fellowship, fun and enjoyment shared by so many. The Fladbury Flower Festival and Walkabout has contributed, over the last eight years, £68, 452 to the Fabric Fund for the improvements and maintenance of our five churches. This annual event only succeeds because of the enthusiasm and hard work of so many members of our total community, without whom our parish churches would not benefit. Parish Choir As in previous years the Parish Choir is maintaining its membership, with one or two additions during the past year. We recently greatly mourned the death of our dear friend, Alice, who was a committed, loyal and ever-cheerful member since our beginnings. We all enjoy being included in offering musical and social fellowship to singers from all five villages in our Parish. In addition, we are usually able to support congregational singing at United Church Services throughout the year. When invited we have often been able to offer sufficient members to sing at weddings. We sang at seven weddings during 2009, even learning Welsh so that we could sing Calon Lan for one bride! We sang at the Licensing Service of our new Priest in Charge and at the recent Confirmation Service, both held in Fladbury Church. We supported three Charities this year: Help for Heroes, Noah’s Ark and Worcester Samaritans. We were happy to sponsor the refreshments for the Baby Loss Service that was held by the Chaplaincy of Worcestershire Royal Hospital. In November a number of the Choir went in a minibus to Birmingham Symphony Hall where we thoroughly enjoyed the Grand Finale of Roger Jones’ musical “Rock”. Twice a year Choir members are able to invite a guest and bring along a contribution of food for a social gathering. The Millers’ home in Cropthorne once again hosted the summer event at the beginning of August and a lunchtime ‘Christmas Party’ was enjoyed after the first United Service of 2010. We are always grateful and express our thanks to our accompanist, Sylvia. She is one of many members who are fully committed to our “singing fellowship”. If you are interested in joining us - even if you cannot read music - please contact Barbara on 01386 860445. We meet weekly for one hour on Thursday evenings at Lower Moor Church. Youth Group – yes @ HH We have been meeting on a Sunday evening, once a month, at Holland House since last April to be led in praise worship and discussion by Rev. Ian Spencer and Sue Perry. We have a band called SPIRIT which includes singers, guitarists and drum players. (A very big thank you to Tim Willis for the loan of the drum kit.) SPIRIT has a varying membership of talented musicians, but Emma, Natasha and Ian have been regulars. This is what we have enjoyed: telling each other about our week pizza and ice cream or cakes looking at bible stories praying for each other playing in the garden learning different ways of praying singing at Alive@5 learning to work together and co-operate improving our musical skills St John the Evangelist, Charlton Church members have taken an active part in, and have contributed to, activities throughout the wider Parish. Our six committee members meet regularly. Willing helpers continue to offer important ministries in maintaining the fabric of the Church, sharing its cleaning and providing floral displays. We value also the ministries of members of our congregation who contribute to the smooth running of services as Intercessors and Readers, and those who are committed providers of refreshments after services, which significantly promote church fellowship. The clock winders continue their efforts which is much appreciated by the whole community. Many members of the Parish happily supported Graham Pharo who was licensed as a Reader in Worcester Cathedral in June 2009. We gratefully acknowledge the ministry of Mary Roebuck, Ruth Minton and Sam Gisborne, who occasionally ‘stand-in’ (sit-in) as organists on a casual basis, maintaining the high standard of music provided by Sylvia Broadbent and Graham Pharo. The sound system with loop continues to enhance the enjoyment and success of worship. During the year a hot air curtain was installed at the entrance of the Church which has made a significant difference to the warmth of the Church. Our thanks to Howard Heath for overseeing that project. Charlton Church now offers an even warmer welcome! Work on the low wall in the Community Garden was carried out to enhance and contain the plants and soil. Unfortunately, the Junior Church no longer meets, as no leaders could be found to continue this work. As with the Walkabouts, many Charlton residents help with the running of the annual Charlton Fayre - see separate report. Once again there was an Autumn Fayre organised by two former church wardens which raised nearly £500 which, considering the financial situation in the country, was exceedingly good. We continue to be grateful for the support we receive from the retired clergy in the Parish - Gerald Hughes, Frank Bentley, Peter Bugg and latterly Stephen Malkinson - and of course our licensed Readers - Richard Mumford, Robin Flack, Graham Pharo and Mona Tyler. Local Ministry Team The members of the latest LMT - our four Readers: Richard, Graham, Robin and Mona together with Sue Perry, Celia Willis and Gill Bartlett met together from January 2009 and throughout the rest of the year at Richard's house for discussion, fellowship and planning. As a group they were responsible for the evening Services in Holy Week in 2009. As individuals, they fulfil many lay roles across the Parish including service leading, baptism preparation, children's and youth work, pastoral care and running home groups. Celia Willis and Sue Perry are undertaking the new Diocesan ALM (Authorised Lay Ministry) training in Pastoral Care and Richard Murray-Peters is undertaking ALM training in Parish Administration. St Thomas, Lower Moor We have enjoyed a good year with our congregation’s continuing support. Services of note through the year included: Our United Patronal Service which was well attended with the choir in good voice. Harvest Festival Service at which the scent of fresh vegetables filled the church. Many thanks to the local growers for their generosity and to the members for the donations of dried and tinned goods the proceeds of which went to Maggs who in turn thanked the Church for its contributions. Remembrance Sunday service, a service remembering those from our villages who fell in two great wars and those in service now in conflicts abroad. Christingle service, greatly enjoyed by all but unfortunately attended by to few children. The regular Thursday evening choir practices and; Lastly, the regular healing services St Michael’s, Cropthorne Our year began with the well-attended Plough Sunday Service organised by Richard Mumford, where the speaker was the new Archdeacon of Worcester, Roger Morris. Cropthorne Walkabout in May was again beset by bad weather, and was only able to net about £10,000 for the Parish. Opening the event to other community groups has brought new contributors and new ideas which we hope will add to the attractions, both for visitors and for participants, year by year. Over the year, the Church gained a new carpet which has enhanced and refreshed the Nave, but lost a valuable member in Paula Stride, who with husband Godfrey, embarked on a new life in Australia. We are grateful to the many unsung heroes who contribute to St Michael’s, cleaning, arranging flowers, and helping with the ongoing work of our Church in so many ways. Thanks to you all.
Charity Number 1127405
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