The Friends of St James the Great, Thorley
Report by the Secretary to the Annual Parochial Church Meeting May 2024
The Friends’ 2023 fundraising started with a Quiz Evening, but with a new twist. We joined forces with St James Church to host a Family Quiz Night, with questions of a similar format to those in previous years set by Pam Robertson interspersed with more family-friendly ones. Our Rector, Gaz, ably took on the role of Quiz Master and Chris Collins prepared a fantastic selection of meals for the interval.
The Friends other activities during 2023 were a Sale of Nursery Plants in May, the provision of Sunday Afternoon Teas from the Church Room during the summer months, and an Autumn Craft Fair in November. The Committee decided to seek donations for the refreshments served during the 2023 season, rather than have a definitive price list as had been the case in previous years. As well as simplifying the serving of the Teas, this approach has the advantage of enabling the Friends to benefit from the 25% uplift obtainable on cash donations of individually no more than £30 through the Gift Aid Small Donations Scheme (GASDS) administered by HMRC.
The Friends Churchyard Team continued their important work throughout last year’s March to December growing season. We were very grateful to our small band of regular volunteers who undertook this task, and to those others who helped whenever they were able to do so. Conscious that one of the strimmers was reaching the end of its life, the Friends purchased a new one in preparation for this year’s season.
Following a suggestion made at our 2023 Annual General Meeting, the Friends made a grant towards the cost of the work being undertaken on the St James the Great Bells. Looking forward, the Friends will also be covering the full cost of the purchase and installation of new audio-visual equipment to enable the more straightforward and flexible streaming of services in the Church.
The Committee would like to be able to offer Sunday Afternoon Teas from the Church Room during the months of May, June, July, August and September this year. Please contact me if you are able to help in this important outreach.
New members of the Friends are always welcome. The minimum family subscription is only £5.00. By joining you will be supporting the work of the PCC by helping to preserve our ancient and beautiful Church building and to maintain our Churchyard.
Philip Hargrave
Chairman & Secretary