All Saints Bawdeswell

Parochial Church Council AGM

At the AGM on April 24^th Mr David Gurney retired as Churchwarden after 12 years of dedicated service.  The Rector expressed his thanks on behalf of all the members of the PCC for all Mr Gurney’s work and leadership. Mr Gurney will remain as a PCC member and Synod Representative.

The elected Churchwardens for the coming year are Mr Robin Taylor and Mr William Mason.

Thanks were given to the Friends of the Church for their continuing and very helpful contributions to the upkeep of the building.  Sandi Taylor, PCC Secretary.

St.Thomas’ Church Foxley

A rather disappointing number attended our Easter Day Holy Communion this year, however the flower arrangements brightened everything up, as they always do, and we appreciated the efforts of a small group who had scrubbed the tower floor, cleaned its window - a precarious task - and renovated the woodwork of the vestry and tower screens; in addition the wooden furniture gleamed with beeswax!

The Annual Vestry and Parochial Church Meetings were held in the church on the 19^th. April, with the Rev. David Head in the Chair. The Annual Reports were submitted by the Secretary and Treasurer, the latter’s having been passed by our Independent Examiner, Mr. Michael Child.

The Treasurer’s Report presented by John Harvey showed a stable situation, but one which indicated greater efforts in the future to pay our way. However we could take pride in our achievements in 2005 – new electrical wiring, safe pews and our beautiful hassocks. Mr. Harvey felt that more regular giving was the answer, a small sum on a regular basis from parishioners who, maybe, valued the heritage aspect of this  historic building, rather than attending church services, would be a great help. Moreover it would encourage the “ faithful few, whose giving had kept us going”. Mr. Harvey paid tribute to the late Joyce Waters, as did the Rector; her generosity and many years as P.C.C. Treasurer were an example to us all.

As Churchwarden,  John Harvey thanked all who had helped throughout the year – John and Mary Fletcher, the flower ladies, Dena Framingham, Richard Johnson and Nicky Mears for cleaning the gutters, and, indeed, all the members of the congregation.

 The Rector, in his report, mentioned that the new Benefice Ministry Team would be important in assisting co-operation between the parishes; our representative is Mrs. Monica Hatch. The Rev. Head also praised the “dedicated people of Foxley” in all their various roles, that “God’s church in this place may be effective and may be loved and loving”. There had also been three baptisms during the year, something else to encourage us!  The usual elections took place and the main office-holders remain the same. Diana Harvey P.C.C. Secretary.