2007 Church Annual Report
Purse Caundle PCC has the responsibility of working with the Priest, the
Reverend William Ridding to show the care and love of God through visiting
people in their homes and providing services and worship that all can take part
in. The PCC also supports community
events to build village life.
During the year the following served as members of the PCC:
Rector :The Revd William Ridding
Wardens: Mr. Edward Waltham (FC and Deanery Synod member)
Mrs Carolyn Mumford (FC)
Elected Members:
Mrs. E.M.Waltham (Secretary)
Mr. D.S. Mumford (Treasurer)
Mr. R. Knight
FC = Fabric Committee
The PCC meets four times a year to discuss matters concerning Church
events and funds. The PCC is
responsible for the maintenance of the Church and there is a Fabric Committee
which meets to discuss such issues.
The flowers in the Church are done on a rota basis – thanks to all those
who have contributed. If anybody would
like to volunteer for their name to be added to the rota please contact Carolyn
Mumford.
There are 16 parishioners on the Church Electoral Roll, 5 of whom are
not resident within the Parish. The
usual Sunday attendance, counted during April/May was 16 but this number increases at festivals. 2007 was a record year for
attendance at Church services. One
funeral, John Waltham, who had served the Church for 50 years as Churchwarden,
and two baptisms, Annie Sprake and Rupert Balmain, were conducted in the
Church.
William Ridding, Rector of Stalbridge and Stock has been acting as our
Parish Priest, also covering Stourton Caundle.
The PCC met three times this year and the Churchwardens met with the
Revd Ridding and the Churchwardens of Stourton Caundle, Stalbridge and Stock to
discuss pastoral issues covering all four parishes. On 1st July 2007 the four parishes were legally
adopted into the renamed Benefice of Spire Hill.
During the year the normal festivals were celebrated with services at
Easter, Harvest, Remembrance and Christmas.
St. Peter’s Festival was celebrated with the Summer Party being well
supported on 29th June, raising £629.60. Many thanks to all who attended and also those who gave raffle
prizes. A Harvest lunch was held in the
Church Farm by kind permission of Edward and Ethne following the Harvest
Festival Service, again a well supported and successful event.
In 2007 the income was £4,673.68. We spent £2,466.74 of which £1,105.83
was the amount paid to the diocese to pay for priests and a contribution to
central church costs (with an outstanding amount owing of £3,362.). Together with the rising share which St.
Peter’s has to be pay and the repair work required as a result of the
Quinquennial inspection the maintenance of the Church in Purse Caundle depends
more and more on income through covenants and gift aid, which is eligible for
Tax Relief meaning that the Government gives 28p for every £ donated. Anybody wishing to know more should speak to
the Treasurer, Don Mumford.
The PCC aims to maintain the services in the Church for everyone. At the moment, on the first Sunday of the
month there is an Order One Traditional Holy Communion Service at 11.00 a.m.
and a Prayer Book Holy Communion on the third Sunday at 9.30. On fifth Sundays shared services are held
for the four parishes, moving around the parishes.
The PCC continues to work with Stalbridge, Stock and Stourton Caundle in
developing a closer partnership in worship and community activities.
St. Peter’s Festival will be celebrated with a Summer Party to be held
on Friday 27th June 2008 at Church Farm, by kind permission
of Mr. & Mrs. E Waltham.
The PCC is sponsoring a Parish newsletter which will be distributed
monthly. Any new contributions would be
most welcome.
The fabric of the church is desperately in need of some attention. It is hoped that the building can be rewired
and improved heating installed.
Quotations for the work have been received and it is estimated that the
work will cost in the region of £6,000.
The running costs of the Church are increasing, this year’s expenditure
of £6,400 against an income of £4,673.68 leaves a shortfall of almost
£2,000. The PCC would like to thank all
our current givers for their generosity in the past years but if anybody feels
they would like to give a little extra, it would be much appreciated and will
help towards the Heating Fund.
William Ridding visits the parish every second Tuesday of the month and
at other times by appointment. He can
be contacted on this link.