Parochial Church Council

The PCC is the 'management committee' of our Parish and meets approximately 6 times a year. 

Current members are:

Ex-Officio: Rev. Teresa Michaux, Enid Powell (Licensed Lay Minister),Steve Keighley (Churchwarden),  Jonathan Billings (Churchwarden), Caroline Williamson (Churchwarden), Lucy Hemmings (Churchwarden)

Deanery Synod Representatives: Stan Anniss, Mary Pilcher-Clayton,

PCC Members: Richard Aldhous, Mala Tu, Jack Robinson, Graham Spencer,  Kevin Wells, David Munday,  Jane Ridgwell, Jon Gibson, Kathryn Miller, Deirdre Aldhous, Eddie Sims

Click HERE to see the annual report and account for 2022

 

Meeting of Parish of Calne & Blackland PCC

Wednesday 8th November 2023 at 7.30pm, Church House (Upstairs)

 

Present: Stan Anniss, Deirdre Aldhous, Richard Aldhous, Revd Caspar Bush, Jonathan Billings (virtually), Jenny Colby, Steven Colby, Rose Cooper, Alex Grenfell, Lucy Hemmings, Steve Keighley, Revd Teresa Michaux, Kathryn Miller, Mary Pilcher-Clayton, Jane Ridgwell, Jack Robinson, Graham Spencer, Eddie Sims, Mala Tu and Caroline Williamson.

Apologies: None – all present

 

  1. Welcome, Prayer, Apologies

Teresa opened the meeting in prayer.
 

  1. Minutes of meeting 21st September 2023

PROPOSAL: Kevin Wells proposed that the minutes be accepted as an accurate record of the meeting.
SECONDED: Kathryn Miller                            ALL in favour.

The advert for team vicar was published on the 20th August with the closing date of the 28th November. Prayers needed for the right person for this post to come forward.

 

  1. Finance: Treasurer’s report 

Receipts and Payments report for end of October was sent out as an attachment.

 

The GENERAL FUND shows a balance of £23,753. A £5,000 payment towards our Parish Share has been made but not yet deducted. The General Fund balance will be £18,753. We will have paid £33,000 of our £81,319 commitment. The Diocesan Share for 2024 is £83,759.

 

New gas and electric prices as negotiated by "Parish Buying" give a reduction on last year, but not enough to get excited about. The first month’s invoice will show the difference.

 

David Bevan has retired. He requested that we cancelled his regular payment from the end of October.

 

Graham understands, from a conversation with Mary Pilcher-Clayton and Peter Dixon, that usual organist fee for a Service is around £40. Mary has indicated that there are around 60 services per year. 

The PCC were asked to consider paying organists on a self-employed basis of £40 per service as an interim measure until the next PCC meeting.

Graham understands that the fee usually paid to organists for funerals is £80. Previously Funeral directors have paid organists directly. It is suggested that in future payments should be made by the PCC treasurer. Organist’s fee is included in the charges made for a funeral.

 

Proposal: Graham Spencer proposes to pay organists £40 per service (approx. 60 Sunday services) in place of David Bevan’s monthly fee of £239.75, and to pay £80 directly  to organists for funerals.
SECONDED: Eddie Sims                                              ALL in favour.

 

Graham is currently putting together a budget for 2024. The harsh reality is that, because we spend very little other than on essentials, there are very few opportunities to reduce expenditure. It is income that needs to increase substantially.   

Graham is currently making an analysis of stewardship, so that we can have a prayerfully informed discussion.  


Proposal: Graham Spencer proposed the addition of Rector Revd Caspar Bush as a signatory to our CBF Deposit Accounts (Account Numbers: 63423001, 63423002 and 634323003).
SECONDED: Deirdre Aldhous                                    ALL in favour.

Proposal: Revd Caspar Bush proposed an increase in fees from the 1st January 2024.                                             ALL in favour

 

  1. Trial of Nave altar arrangements.
    The Nave altar trial will be in place until after Christmas. A final review will be on the agenda for PCC on 24th January 2024.
    Some people feel that the front of church is now a little cramped at the 8 am service. It was also noted that, when the choir return to their stalls after communion hymns, the area behind the altar is congested.
    Chalice assistants may robe or not according to individual preference.

     
  2. Buildings and churchyards
    See enclosed report.
    The Buildings Committee have not found volunteers to  help with the Roof Alarm Investigation or the possibility of installing Solar Panels.  Kevin suggested approaching Phil Wren for the latter.                                                     ACTIONs – Kevin to approach Phil Wren.

Churchwardens to take request for aid in Roof                    Alarm Installation to next Benefice Wardens meeting.
 

    1. St Peter’s – no report
    2. Holy Trinity
      George Chedburn has been given information for the Bell Cote repair – this needs to be done urgently as water is pouring through into the cupboard containing the altar frontals.

The tiles in the shed will be sold and help finance these works.
Volunteers are needed to remove the tiles from the shed into the West End of Holy Trinity on Saturday 18th November 2023.

                               ACTION – Stan to add request to notices
 

    1. St Mary’s
      Tower, Clock and Bells Project
      This is now almost completed, just some windows need work. The funding gap has been closed.

      Tower Roof

Now available funding is only £6,000 short for minimum repairs. It would give better value if more than the minimum option could be arranged. Unfortunately, we missed the deadline for the National Churches Trust because we did not receive DAC approval in time. The LEBRF has offered a further grant (£12k?) and application can be made to Wiltshire Historic Churches Trust by 17th November.

Re-ordering
The plan drawn up for potential re-ordering of St Mary’s church is very much a vision document. The plans include the addition of toilets and more scope for activities within the church building throughout the week, not just services.
At a previous meeting, George Chedburn (Diocesan Architect) was appointed to draw up potential plans for discussion.
This plan is considered as the ‘most effective use of space’ by the Buildings Committee and George Chedburn. Further discussion with the PCC and the wider church congregation is needed. Care is needed to ensure false rumours are not spread.

This is a long-term vision; we are not looking at doing all the work simultaneously.

            ACTION – All feedback to go Buildings Committee.

 

    1. Church House – no report

 

    1. Holy Trinity churchyard
      Next churchyard maintenance group will meet on Saturday 11th November 2023, between 10am-1pm. Volunteers welcome.


Caspar noted that the town will run out of burial space in about 2 years. One suggestion, made by the Mayor, was the purchase of the ‘Dog Walking’ area on the Recreation ground. This would be used for allotments to free previous allotment space for a burial area.

If access was improved, the current allotment space in Holy Trinity Churchyard could become available for burials. Such a scheme might be appreciated by those who would need local family burial space and possibly lead to negotiations with the Council regarding administration and upkeep of the area.

PROPOSAL: Revd Caspar Bush be given permission to investigate opening the allotment area to allow use for burials.
SECONDED: Richard Aldhous                  ALL in favour.

 

  1. Safeguarding

This year’s policy is now displayed in all churches and the parish office.
Everyone who needs a DBS check has one.

Four people were missing training, but this has now been rectified.
 

  1. Prayer & Discipleship
    Prayer and Discipleship group members have funded previous initiatives by personal contributions.

The group ask if there could be a budget for this Mission Outreach work, such as the creation of the ‘Lent in a Bag’ resources.

(see above re Finance & budget)

A group will meet on 9th November, from 10.45am in Church House to help with Advent Bags. Any volunteer helpers welcomed.

Notice Sheets If people would like prayers, names can be added to the notice sheets by emailing the parish office. To keep the list relevant, names will be removed after 4 weeks. Names can be renewed if prayers are still required.

 

Each Friday there is an opportunity to join in Morning Prayer at 8.30 am by Zoom. Link is given in weekly notices.

Caspar would like to reintroduce house/small groups meeting for limited periods (four to six weeks) at various times during the year, possibly starting with Lent groups.

 

  1. Deanery

No meeting since our last PCC meeting.
Sunday 26th November 2023, there will be a  Deanery Evensong at Royal Wootton Bassett. 2.15 pm scratch choir rehearsal. All welcome.

 


 

  1. Children / Young people groups

See attached Wednesday Club report.
All childrens groups are encouraged to put in their receipts. If people do not want to reclaim the money, they can donate this money back into the mission of the church, but an accurate record of what is being spent is useful.

We need to look at providing something for children to move on to after the age of 11.

 

  1. Schools

Thanks were extended to the Lions, Rotary, parents and staff who worked on the decoration of Holy Trinity Academy. Further thanks are extended to Eddie for aiding with the organisation.
Foundation Governors are still needed at Holy Trinity Academy.
There will be a Schools Remembrance Service at 10.15 am on Friday 10th November 2023 in St Mary’s Church.
New governors have been appointed for Marden Vale Academy.

 

  1. Partnership of churches

Information for all Calne churches is being updated ready for the Lantern Parade. Insurance cover for this event has been agreed.
The Partnership Stall for the Lantern Parade will be a ‘Nativity Dress Up Selfie Stop’.

 

The Partnership has agreed to continue to front ‘Open the Book’. Changes are due in the new year. Storage Space will be needed when the Baptist church is no longer available.
 

The Partnership service for the Week of Prayer for  Christian Unity will be at St Edmund’s RC church at 6 pm on 21st January 2024.

Demolition and rebuilding of Calne Baptist Church will begin in January 2024.

 

  1. Friends’ groups

FOHTCC Harvest Supper was brilliant, thank you to those who organised this. FOHTCC SuperNova concert has been postponed.
FOSM Coffee Morning  - 18th November 2023
FOSM Quiz Night - February 2024

Caspar suggested that Friends’ Groups discussion could be moved to an informal part of the committee. Questions can then be asked as to whether they are supporting the mission of the church or just the buildings itself. They are charities in their own right and these could be merged with the PCC.
This is something for thought, not action now.

 

  1. Service to Thank David Bevan upon his Retirement.

David Bevan has now retired after more than 40 years as the Choir Master and Organist.
A mini choir concert in January and a collection were suggested.                                   ACTION – Clergy team and MP-C to arrange a date.

 

  1. Social Media & Website

Merger of Marden Vale Benefice website and the Parish of Calne and Blackland website has been “work in progress” for many years. This needs to be addressed as soon as possible. It is often the first place newcomers will look for information about our churches.
                                          ACTION – KP and Caspar to discuss.

 

  1. Rector’s Remarks

So far there has not been any interest in the Team Vicar post. When our budget is revised, the possibility of requesting the diocese to a allow a full stipend post could be considered.

Stewardship campaign will take place in the spring.

Caspar asked for PCC approval for a small amount of incense to be used at Christmas Midnight Mass in St Mary’s. Trial this year agreed.

 

  1. Other Business.
    1. Addition to Lay Pastoral Team

There are currently only five Lay Pastoral Assistants in the Benefice. A plan is in place to train or refresh those who would like to serve in this way, while waiting for the Diocese to run a training course in the northern part.

PROPOSAL: Kathryn Miller proposed that the PCC accept Alison Keighley as a trainee Lay Pastoral Assistant..
SECONDED: Mary Pilcher-Clayton                            ALL in favour

 

    1. Electoral Roll
      There are 204 on roll, two have been removed and one added.

       
    2. Remembrance Sunday
      A rehearsal for Sunday’s Remembrance service took place prior to this meeting. Parade will march from the old post office, through town at 9.35 am, ready for the start of the service at 10 am. The congregation will exit the church building by 10.45 am, ready for the silence at 11 am, followed by wreath laying.

 

  1. Date of next meeting – Wednesday 24th January 2024

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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