At the start of 2009 there were 61 parishioners on the Electoral Roll. As a result of the revision of the Roll in the Spring of 2009 the number of people on the Roll fell to 60, of whom 35 were resident in the Parish. During the rest of the year one person, who was resident in the Parish, was added to the Roll. There were therefore 61 people on the Roll, of whom 35 were resident in the Parish, at the end of 2009. As a result of the 2010 revision of the Roll 3 new people were added to the Roll. The revised Roll therefore stood at 64, of whom 36 were resident in the Parish.
The average weekly attendance, counted during October 2009, was 32 adults and 4 children but this number increased for the major festivals.
The full PCC met six times during the year with an average level of attendance of 9. Last year’s report noted that the physical state of the church buildings was causing increasing concern and expressed the hope that real progress could be made during 2009. This was realised with the sale of the hall to the County Council, completion happening on the last day of that body’s existence. Despite the generally depressed state of the market the sale price was higher than the price indicated when the market was more buoyant. Continued subsidence in the North-East corner of the church meant that some parts of the building have had to be taken out of use. This part, not the main body of the church, will need to be demolished as part of the plans for developing new facilities. Following extensive discussions during the year the PCC agreed the plan for the layout of these new facilities and for the ramped access and steps at the front of the church. These developments will provide the facilities for further improvements in our ministry.
A number of social events were held at different times during the year, some of these being attended by members of other local churches in addition to our own members. A regular feature of the calendar now is the monthly walk of the Strollers which provides the opportunity for informal chats during the walk and over refreshments afterwards. The parish continues in good spiritual heart with sustained attendance and unity of purpose. The number of people on the day pilgrimage to Walsingham in May rose again. A small group also went there on a mid-week pilgrimage in February. The average weekly attendance reported above shows a slight decline from the previous years, reversing the trend that had been set, but the congregation continues to be optimistic and looks forward to the future.
Links with other churches, particularly Holy Cross, Marsh Farm, have been regularly maintained and we welcomed members of Forward in Faith for the diocesan requiem for deceased members in November. Livingstone and Rushmoor Schools have also held services in St Martin’s. Our relationship with Livingstone Lower School has strengthened and, through use of their hall for our Fairs, helped maintain and develop our contact with the wider community.
Total receipts on general unrestricted funds were £27,407 and are detailed in the financial statements. £24,484 was used to provide the Christian ministry from St Martin’s Church. This included the full £15,337 Parish Share requested by the diocese. The Share largely provides the stipends and housing for the clergy, the amount requested from each parish is calculated by the diocese according to a formula which has been agreed by the Diocesan Synod. This reflects the cost of the stipends of the clergy attached to the parish with an additional sum for other costs. These costs are shared between parishes in the proportion of their respective memberships adjusted by a factor to reflect the relative wealth of the parishes. The comparative figures for 2008 were a total expenditure of £24,787 to provide the Christian ministry of which £14,735 was for the Parish Share. £1,150 from the Gift Day was used to pay part of the arrears in Share payments from a few years previously. A further £500 was spent to help another parish in the deanery pay its Share.
The net result for the year was an excess of receipts over payments of £2,923. After adding the bank and deposit balances brought forward at the beginning of the year, the balances carried forward at 31st December for general unrestricted funds totalled £7,458.
The balance of £7,436 in the Fabric restricted fund is retained towards meeting the cost of work that needs to be done on the church building. It is our policy to invest our funds in deposit accounts to ensure the safety of church funds.
Approved by the PCC of St Martin’s Church, Bedford on 10th March 2010 and signed on their behalf by
Alan Hopkinson
Vice-chairman
As I did last year I have decided to take a broader view than consideration of the calendar year being reported on. There are various reasons for this, including being able to refer to developments that have occurred since the beginning of the current year. An indicative costing for the proposed new development has now been received. It is higher than some expected, meaning that more than assumed will have to be raised if it is to be built as intended. The obvious alternative in such a situation is to scale back our plans and the Treasurer has sketched out something that meets absolute minimum requirements.
Doing nothing is not an option as the structure continues to move. Even the absolute minimum would probably cost more than we have currently available and, since it is effectively simply replacing what we have had, would not be likely to attract much, if anything, by way of grants from other bodies. Although the final decision lies with the PCC I hope at the Annual Meeting to gather views on whether to go for the minimalist approach or to launch an appeal to grant-making bodies to see if we can develop a facility of real use to the local community.
This cannot be looked at in isolation as we have to maintain the rest of the building. Last month the architect conducted his Quinquennial survey of the church. As yet we have not received his report but I did ask him for an indication of any major issues. The only one he mentioned was one that was reported on in the 2000 survey – the North Nave roof which needs urgent attention. Once we have the written report we will have to get estimates for that work.
Something else that needs urgent attention is the main access to the church where the concrete is breaking up. Plans for replacing that with an access that meets current requirements have been drawn up. The Diocesan Advisory Committee are recommending approval of a faculty for this but we also need approval from Bedford Borough. This should be considered at the Planning Committee the day after our Annual Meeting.
This could sound very depressing but, as noted above, the congregation is in good heart and we are seeing new members joining us. We can also see new development in the parish in the form of new housing, not much so far but more is to be expected, and the development of Livingstone School next door to the church. We are the parish church for an area which is looking up, and we also serve our own niche market within the Church of England. That makes me hopeful that St Martin’s can and should have a strong part to play in Church life in Bedford. Things have not always been easy in the past but our eyes should be set on the future.
None of us can know precisely what that future will hold for us. Adaptability will be important, and that is where I think one aspect of St Martin’s is a big advantage. We welcome people from all backgrounds, but we also respect their own individuality and do not seek to overwhelm them with effusiveness. People determine how far they want to be included.
I believe that we have another advantage in that we know where on the theological spectrum we are. We value the Anglo-catholic understanding and the ritual that accompanies it, but we are not precious about it. Jesus famously said that the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. He said that in response to those who were meticulous in wanting every bit of the Jewish law observed. I think that at St Martin’s we echo Jesus’ view in our approach to tradition. It is there to support us in our Christian life, and does so effectively if we work with it, rather than to impose excessive demands. That is why we can enjoy being members of St Martin’s and find that membership helpful in our own Christian pilgrimage.
Roger Stokes
4th April 2010