THE PARISH OF WINCHELSEA

ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31^st DECEMBER 2009

OUR MISSION STATEMENT

"We as members of the family of the churches in Winchelsea

believe that God loves us.

He has shown this love in the gift of Jesus to the world.

He wants us to share that love with the people of our communities.

Our commitment is to enable everyone to discover

The love of God in Jesus for themselves".

The Parish of Winchelsea and Winchelsea Beach is served by two Churches, St Thomas of Canterbury  the Annunciation of the B.V.M. in the Town of Winchelsea and St Richard of Chichester at Winchelsea Beach. There is a single Parochial Church Council whose Chairman is the serving incumbent and Rector, The Reverend Canon HAS Cocks. Together with the neighbouring Parish of Icklesham (the Church of St Nicolas with All Saints) these three churches comprise a joint benefice. Icklesham has its own Parochial Church Council

P.C.C. WINCHELSEA - MEMBERSHIP

Members of the PCC are elected by the Annual Parochial Church Meeting in accordance with the Church Representation Rules or are co-opted when a vacancy arises. Some parish officers are ex-officio churchwardens and Deanery Synod representatives.

Churchwardens are elected at the annual Vestry meeting, which precedes the Annual Parochial Church Meeting. Deanery Synod representatives are elected for a three-year term (we are entitled to three representatives by virtue of the number on the parish electoral roll). They were elected either at the 2008 APCM or co-opted at the first PCC after the APCM for the term 2008-201 1 .

The following served on the PCC during 2009:

 

 

 

This has been a year when there have been no major structural projects due to the enormous amount of work that has been completed in recent years and the down-turn in the income of The Friends' due lo the economic situation; however a number of important smaller tasks have been completed.

The gates to the churchyard have all been repaired and in one case replaced; a stone pillar near the Court Hall has been rebuilt. A comprehensive survey of all the trees has taken place and planning permission gained for some trees to be removed, replaced or pruned. The large compost heap at the east end of the churchyard has been painstakingly removed as has a large pile of grass cuttings and detritus from the west end. We have now arranged for the Church walls to be repointed where necessary and the mortar replaced between the paving on the paths and war memorial. There has been considerable debate within the church community and the town at large, regarding grass cutting and the War Memorial. It has been decided the churchyard will be rough cut every 2 weeks during the growing season as long as funds permit, the War Memorial is now being overseen by Major John LeB Freeman MBE and the War Memorials Trust (Registered Charity No. 1062255)

One of the most important tasks that has been completed this year is a thorough assessment of the Health and Safety risks at St. Thomas's by James Gumming of J and C Consulting, Health and Safety Management Services. He produced a highly professional and detailed report and many of his recommendations have already been implemented. This report will result in the church and its environs being safer for all of us. The church paths in wet or icy weather have obviously been a major concern and it is proposed that a 20cm gravel path be laid at the side of each of the stone paths for use when the stone is slippery. We hope to begin work on this soon.

We have removed broken chairs from the two side chapels and replaced them with a set of folding upholstered chairs which are comfortable and easily moved. The organ has been examined and is in need of considerable refurbishment. We applied for a grant for some of this work but were unsuccessful- We will need to bring work on the organ to the fore within a few years. After much discussion and debate the entire sound system in the church has been carefully tested and some new equipment provided, which has resulted in a much more reliable amplification. Many thanks to Peter Skiffen and Geoffrey Yates (of Christian Fabrications Ltd ) for all their hard work. The boiler is working very well but there has been some remedial work on existing pipes. Thank you to Alan for his work overseeing the sound and for keeping us warm.

We have been extremely fortunate in having the guidance of Celia King in preparation for the application for St Thomas's to have a liquor and performing license which will mean that shortly we will be able to sell alcohol at concerts and performances to raise money for church funds and other charities.

The Church's spiritual and liturgical life has continued to flourish under the gentle direction of The Reverend Canon Howard Cocks SSC and we must also record our personal thanks to all who contribute so much to our worship particularly our reader Dr Michael McFadyean, Marion Lovell and the Junior Choir, our indefatigable organist Jean Taverner and all who read and lead prayers during worship. We would particularly like to thank Reverends David Page and Howard Norton for the dynamism, intellectual energy and joy they have added to so many of our services this year.

In April we commemorated St. George's Day in the presence of the Mayor and Corporation; the Patronal festival was a great success with the sermon being preached by The Right Reverend Roger Alan Jupp, S.S.C., MA, Bishop of Popondota 2003-05 and the church flowers looking glorious under the direction of Charlotte Beecroft. Services for Harvest and Remembrance were well attended and attendance at services for Christmas, especially the enchanting crib service, was impressive. The Rector and Churchwardens hosted a reception at the Court Hall for the Church community, following the Service of Lessons and Carols, it is hoped this will become an annual event.

The amount of skill, dedication and sheer hard work involved in keeping St Thomas's worshipping, bearing witness, unlocked, cleaned, decorated, safe, prepared for services, legal and solvent is awesome and we would like to thank very sincerely everyone (including Tessa Potts and all the sidesmen) who is involved in this in anyway.

 

Nigel Ashton and Sue Chetwood                                Church Wardens

 

RECTOR'S REPORT

I have been your Parish Priest for five years - and still have no regrets and greatly enjoy living among you both as a resident and as your Parish Priest. As St. Augustine wrote "with you I am a Christian for you I am a Priest" as together we seek to practice our faith and exercise our individual ministry as baptised members of the Royal Priesthood of the People of God here is Winchetsea.

We are well served by the Church Wardens of the parish, Mrs Sue Chetwood, who has completed her first year in office has, along with her co-church warden Mr Nigel Ashton worked generously and indefatigably to ensure that all is good order and everything operates smoothly. We all owe them a great debt of gratitude. Similarly the Chapel Wardens, Mrs Celia King and Mr. David Fawcett keep our Chapel-of-Ease St. Richard's in good order and everything functioning efficiently. It is wonderful and a great witness to the spirit of the whole that all work together harmoniously which is obviously to the benefit of the parish and to me personally.

I am very pleased to be able to report that chairing the Parochial Church Council and the St. Richard's Committee is a pleasure, always trouble free and genuinely seeks to advance the life of the parish socially, spiritually and financially. There are invariably difficult decisions to make from time to time but these are always 'worked through¹ in a spirit of genuine Christian fellowship.

A surprising number of members of the congregation work to keep the parish functioning eg the legally required church officers of Secretary and Treasurer where great attention is required to the minutiae of parish minutes, financial records necessary for both legal and diocesan requirements. When you examine the accounts just consider the complexity and the work involved in drawing up the financial report.

Many others are involved in the life of the church and add to the smoothness of church life eg Tessa as a conscientious sacristan ensuring that all is ready for both weekday and Sunday worship, laundering linen etc. The servers, always there, ensuring dignity and smoothness in the conduct of the liturgy - a happy band that adds to the spiritual life of the parish. The happy band of singers who give a positive lead in both the hymns and the Liturgical setting chosen. The flower arrangers, Magazine editors and magazine compilers (here we thank Denis and June Hyson and Hazel and Geoffrey Milais), sidesman, PCC members and Marion Lovell with the Junior Choir (who will ever forget that magnificent crib service with a real live baby and donkey) are all part of a surprisingly large team that ensure we keep "the show on the road". It is not easy and it takes time and commitment.

Fellowship, formal and informal is an integral part of our worship - we do not worship in isolation (me and my God) but in union with our brothers and sisters in Christ - hence we share the peace of Christ. Tea/coffee is an important part of our collective worshipping life - so we acknowledge with thanks those who organise and undertake the not so very exciting task of washing up afterwards!

I have said enough - no doubt I have omitted something: apologies   But let me leave you with the following:

Last year I drew to your attention the well-known chorus that starts "Count your blessings, name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done" and I challenged us all to make it our motto for 2009. How did we succeed? Looking back on 2009 we must realise we have so much to be thankful for, not only as a congregation but in our own lives as well - we must not take our good fortune for granted!

As a church it is too easy to take for granted the efforts that others put in to "keep the show on the road". No one should ever be taken for granted and yet it can so easily be done. Let us discipline ourselves to make a point of appreciating that everything that happens in or about our churches has been undertaken by someone - voluntarily.

It is a besetting habit for all of us that we prefer to complain - especially if things happen we don't like Well, life is like that and living with that situation is what being a mature person is all about. Being thankful and acknowledging others and saying "thank you" is just so much more positive and makes us all feel so much better. Difficulties/sadness are part of life: being positive and thankful puts us in a better position both mentally, spiritually and physically to deal with all the 'down'¹ things that can happen to us.

2009 was a good year: many happy and interesting things happened to us as individuals and as a congregation......many blessings indeed.

Howard A.S Cocks

 

 

 

ANNUAL REPORT FOR YEAR ENDED 31^st DECEMBER 2008

Major restoration work on the fabric of the church was completed during the year, thanks to the continued generosity of the Friends of Winchelsea Church and a handsome donation towards the purchase of a new boiler from Mr and Mrs Stephen Rumsey. As a result the church ended the year in a fine state of repair The financial crisis which occurred towards the end of 2008 has inevitably put a strain on the resources of the Friends, but fortunately we foresee no further major calls on them in the immediate future, while we are seeking ways of reducing the cost of routine maintenance, now amounting to some £70,000 each year. We are grateful to our Parish Council for the offer of a grant of £2,000 a year towards the maintenance of the churchyard, a central feature of the town of Winchelsea. The Memorial Garden has taken on a more dignified appearance during the year thanks to redesign and replanting by Ant. Parker and Alice Kenyon

We were delighted to welcome two retired clergymen to the parish, the Revd. Howard Norton and the Revd. David Page, who already play a very active part in the life of the town and church.

In April we celebrated St. George's Day in the presence of the Mayor and Corporation We were privileged to have the junior choir from St Bede's School sing the Office. The Officiant and Preacher was The Revd Dr. G. Martin Yould - the Rector was unable to be present because of illness. It is hoped this will be an annual event. Dr Yould was the Rector's lecturer in the church history, liturgy and theology. A major concert attracted a large audience in August entitled 'Happy and Glorious' featuring the Icklesham Festival Chorus. David Holloway conducting, and including the World Premier of 'An Anthem for Winchelsea’ composed by Ian Kerr. In December a large congregation attended the Festival of Christmas Carols sung by the Winchelsea Singers under their new conductor, Duncan Reid. Other major services attracting notably large congregations included the annual Patronal Festival held in July in the presence of the Mayor and Corporation and the Remembrance Sunday service on 9^th November conducted by the rector.

A board listing all the rectors of St Thomas the Martyr since 1254 was unveiled during the year as a gift from our churchwarden, Mr Robert Hargreaves.

The church's spiritual and liturgical life progressed steadily under the guidance of our rector. The Reverend Canon Howard Cocks SSC. His own report for the year follows. Finally, we would like to take the usual opportunity to mark our appreciation of the many people who ensure that the spiritual life of St Thomas's remains so vibrant, in particular our Lay Reader, Dr Michael McFadyean. The Junior Choir has continued to flourish under the guidance of Mrs Marion Lovell, who trains the girls for RSCM awards, and arranged for their participation in an annual harvest supper in September. Sir Geoffroy Millais and Mrs Tessa Potts were indefatigable as ever in ensuring the church events ran smoothly, in particular their contribution to the monthly Church Market, which has become a valued event in the life of the entire town

Robert Hargreaves Nigel Ashton Churchwardens

 

 

 

THE PARISH OF WINCHELSEA

ANNUAL REPORT FOR YEAR ENDED 31^st DECEMBER 2008

ST RICHARD'S CHURCH, WINCHELSEA BEACH

The opportunity was taken to carry out the continued internal decoration, which continues to considerably improve the appearance of the Church.

FINANCE

The Statement of Financial Affairs attached to this report shows the existing investments and reserves. During the coming year the PCC and its advisers will review these funds in accordance with the recommended practices of the Charity Commissioners.

The final contribution by the parish towards the costs incurred by the Diocese amounted to £43.560 covering both St Thomas' and St Richard's.

Recognition has already been made to the continuing generosity of The Friends of Wmchelsea Church who continue to provide invaluable support for the maintenance of the wonderful Church building and its surrounding churchyard and walls. There still remains the increasing demand of parish expenses which cannot be met by The Friends whose expenditure is restricted to the maintenance of the building and the churchyard.

RISK

During the year the PCC have continued to monitor the various risks applicable to the Church. Consideration has been given to child protection issues, and health and safety and security in the church buildings and the churchyard. An analysis of existing controls in place to deal with these risks has continued to be developed by identifying further actions required to mitigate these risks

INVESTMENT

The Church's policy is to invest all its surplus funds balances with CBF Church of England managed funds

ELECTORAL ROLL OFFICERS REPORT

There are 114 on the electoral roll for the Parish of Winchelsea, 96 residents and 18 non residents.

Tony and Angela Wesson

RECTOR'S REPORT

I have been your Parish Priest for just over four years. I have no regrets and greatly enjoy my priestly ministry among you - "with you I am a Christian for you I am a Priest" as together we seek to practice our faith and exercise our individual ministry as baptised members of the Royal Priesthood of the People of God

To enable us to be effective as Christians we are all well served by the Wardens of the Parish and the Chapel Wardens who look after St Richard's on behalf of the Church Wardens Nigel Ashton, Robert Hargreaves (Church wardens) and Sue Chetwood and Celia King (Chapel Wardens! work together harmoniously, which is greatly to the benefit of the parish and to me personally

I am very pleased to be able to report that chairing the Parochial Church Council and the St Richard s
Committee is a pleasure, always trouble free and genuinely seeks to advance the life of the parish socially,
spiritually and financially. There are always difficult decisions to make from time to time but these are always
'worked through' in a spirit of genuine Christian fellowship. There are always those who work to keep the
parish functioning in one way or another. For example the church officers of Secretary and Treasurer where
great attention is required to the minutiae of parish records/minutes to meet diocesan legal requirements and
the complexity of the financial records that have to be maintained  just think about the work involved in drawing up the financial report. Tessa is in indefatigable as sacristan ensuring that all is ready for both weekday and Sunday worship, laundering linen, church market responsibilities etc etc

Or again the servers, always there, ensuring dignity and smoothness in the conduct of the liturgy - a happy band that adds to the spiritual life of the parish. The happy band of singers who give a positive lead in both the hymns and the Liturgical setting chosen. The flower arrangers, sidesman, PCC members and Marion Lovell with the Junior Choir are all part of a surprising large team that ensure we keep "the show on the road". It's not easy and it takes time and commitment.

Our thanks also to those who meet monthly to compile the parish magazine - Hazel Beavis and Geoffrey Millais organise and together with the team ensure that the parish magazine is always out on time. We underestimate the influence of the magazine but just think of those organisations that use it to publicise their events. Remember also the editors June and Denis Hyson who each month collate copy ready to be printed. It is quite a large team required to ensure the magazine is ready for the deliverers so thank you one and all.

Fellowship, formal and informal is an integral part of our worship - we do not worship in isolation ('me and my God') but with our brothers and sisters in Christ - hence we share the peace of Christ Tea/coffee following is an important part of our collective worshiping life - so we acknowledge with thanks those who organise and undertake the not so very exciting task of washing up afterwards

I cannot speak too highly of the dedication and initiative that Marion lavishes on the Junior Choir Both Marion and the children work hard in all that they do for the parish We all remember the splendid entertainment provided at the Harvest Supper and the Crib service - helped I should add by Mr Ian Kerr from Icklesham. Marion and the Junior Choir must be supported not only with kind words and where necessary appropriate funding but also with the active encouragement of all. They are the visible expression to our ministry to all in the parish. Sadly, not many parishes in the deanery have such a team so ably lead or in fact a team at all.

I have- said enough - no doubt I have omitted something; apologise. But let me leave you with the following-There is a well-known chorus that starts "Count your blessings, name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done". Might it not be a good idea to make it our motto for 2009? Looking back on 2008 we should all realise we have to be thankful for: not only as a congregation but in our own lives as well. Too easily we take for granted the labour that others put in to "keep the show on the road" - no one should ever be taken for granted and yet it can so easily be done. We should discipline ourselves to make a point of realising that everything that happens in or about our two churches has been undertaken by someone -voluntarily.

It is a besetting habit for all of us to that we prefer to complain - especially if things happen we don't like Well, life it like that and living with that situation is what being a mature person is all about Being thankful grateful for others and saying 'thank you' is just so much more positive and makes us feel so much better And when difficulties/sadness' come cur way (as they will) then we are in a better position mentally/spiritually and physically to face up to all that life is bringing us.

2008 was a good year: many happy and interesting things happened to us as individuals and as a congregation... many blessings indeed.

We extend our prayerful sympathy to the families of those who died during the year: