The Parish Church of St Saviour with All Saints
Gladstone Road
Scarborough
Annual Report
2021
Gladstone Road
Scarborough
Annual Report
2021
Parochial Church Council
Incumbent: The Rev’d David Dixon
Lesley Peacey Churchwarden
Martin Dodgson Churchwarden / Secretary / Electoral Roll Officer
Margaret Newlove
Ashlie Pearson Crafty Kids Co-ordinator / Deanery Synod Representative
Sam Pearson
John Pitwood Treasurer / Head Server
Anne Smith Safeguarding Officer
Status: The PCC is a charity exempted from registration with the Charity
Commission under the Charities (Exemption from Registration) Regulation 1996.
Independent Examiner Mr Andrew Green
Bankers: Yorkshire Bank plc / Virgin Money 24 Huntriss Row Scarborough YO11 2EF
Insurers: Trinitas Church Insurance Services Blenheim House 1-2 Bridge Street Guildford Surrey GU1 4RY
Aims of the Organisation:
The main purpose of the PCC is defined in the Parochial Church Council (Powers) Measure of 1956 as :
“to co-operate with the minister in promoting in the parish, the whole mission of the
Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical”.
In response to the love God has shown us in Jesus Christ, the parish has the
following missionary intentions :
· to worship almighty God
· to proclaim the gospel
· to present the challenge of God’s Kingdom
· to care for the people of the Parish
· to work with our brothers and sisters in Christ to promote Christian Unity
Pastoral Visitor : Mrs Clarice Lockwood
Sacristan: John Hilton
Safeguarding Statement
St Saviour’s PCC has complied with the duty under section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016 (duty to have regard to the House of Bishops’ guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults).
Priest’s Report: 2021 the Pandemic and Beyond:
During 2020 we became familiar with the effect of ‘lockdowns’ which involved working from home, restrictions on movement and meeting with family members and friends. There was a relaxation on movement and travel, social contact and visiting for the
celebration of Christmas in 2020, after which social restrictions were once more enforced. It was soon found that the rate of infection had increased greatly.
Such was the level of concern that a third national lockdown came into force in January 2021. Restrictions were gradually reduced throughout the course of the year. The Covid Vaccine inoculation programme offered by ‘Jabs Army’ provided people with up to three doses of vaccine during the year.
Pattern of Church Services:
Fr Peter Ford ensured that the Sunday and Thursday masses continued to be celebrated when I was absent. Frs Richard Smith and Allan Campbell-Wilson preached the word of God to us. Thanks to all of them for their support and help.
Holy Communion continued to be administered in one kind.
The effect of the pandemic on the pastoral work of the church continued to be considerable. Visiting people at home or in nursing homes was sometimes severely limited because of lockdown restrictions.
Visiting members of the congregations in hospital continued to be very difficult, save in exceptional circumstances.
Work with children and schools:
Work with Gladstone Road School was severely restricted.
In December, over four days, classes from the school visited church to take part in nativity services.
The Congregation:
The parish is requested to compile statistics about the ministry it undertakes. During 2021 the congregation at St Saviour’s remained relatively stable in numbers. The ‘Worshiping Community’ was made up as follows:
Children aged 0-10: 5 Young people 11-17:
Adults aged 18-69: 21 Adults aged 70+ : 39 Total 66
As the year progressed, people received their inoculations and restrictions began to ease. The starting time of the Sunday mass was found to have an adverse effect on congregational numbers.
A recording of the Sunday mass from St Saviour’s or St Martin’s continued to be posted on the parish Facebook page and website for those unable to attend church.
The Occasional Offices:
Baptisms 0 Confirmations 0 Marriages 0
Funerals: Church 3 Crematorium 1 Burial of Ashes 0
Families connected with the church suffered bereavement during the year. Brenda Hutchinson, Stephen Jackson and Beryl Reed had funeral services at St Saviour’s.
Music :
Congregational singing was suspended during 2020 and this continued into 2021. Lucy provided organ music during the celebration of Sunday Mass.
In Autumn the congregation returned to singing during church services.
Recognised Parish Assistant :
During the year Ashlie Pearson completed the diocesan training for this ministry. Her interest is particularly concerned with children and supporting families. We look forward to seeing how Ashlie can build upon and develop this aspect of the church’s ministry in the parish and beyond.
The Church Building :
We had hoped to develop, by extension to the church building, a new parish hall but the PCC decided it could not reasonably do so because of the substantial increase in the cost of building materials. The cost exceeded the funds available. This meant, literally, a return to the drawing board.
The Charity Commissioners were asked to approve a scheme to re-order the church building so as to provide for a ‘community space’. They agreed. Our architect drew up new plans for our consideration. The proposals were discussed with diocesan representatives who provided advice and encouragement for the proposed scheme.
End notes
As well as the priestly ministry I undertake at St Saviour’s I am the local Diocesan Surrogate for Marriages; a member of the Diocesan Deliverance Ministry Team; sit as a member of the Archbishop’s Panel to hear disciplinary cases brought against members of the clergy; am a School Governor at St Martin’s Church of England Deanery Primary School; offer spiritual direction; and am the Vicar of the Parish of St Martin-on-the-Hill, Scarborough.
Finally, thanks to Churchwardens Lesley Peacey and to Martin Dodgson for all they have done during another difficult and demanding year. Thanks also to John Pitwood who has ensured our solvency and ordered the church finances; to members of the PCC for their commitment and contributions that ensure that St Saviour’s continues to flourish; to John Hilton our sacristan and to you all for the contribution you make to our common life together.
Together let us build on the good things we have completed and things begun during 2021 and go forward in faith together. The future is full of good promise and potential!
Fr David
Electoral Roll :
Further to a revision of the Electoral Roll the number of persons now recorded is 43.
Martin J Dodgson
Electoral Roll Officer
Sacristan’s Report :
2021 was my first full year as Sacristan, having succeeded Peter Williams in September 2020. I held the same office for twelve years at St. Luke’s, Southport, dealing with all the pomp and panoply of Solemn High Mass to the English Missal every Sunday morning, and Solemn Evensong and Benediction every Sunday night, plus even more pageantry on the great festivals; the task is much simpler at St. Saviour’s! I must, therefore, thank Father David and John Pitwood for keeping me on the straight and narrow with the unfamiliar modern westward way of celebrating Mass, Lesley Peacey and Martin Dodgson, the two churchwardens who were so supportive from the start of my tenure, and Mildred Copley, who continued her valuable work of laundering the communion linen and repairing vestments.
John Hilton
Sacristan
Servers’ Report :
During 2021 happily most services were able to take place, and were maintained with ‘social distancing’ and mostly with servers. Our usual five servers kept up the good work and I thank them for their continued loyalty in keeping things going. The adjustments to the way in which we serve continues to apply and seems most appropriate now.
John Pitwood
Head Server
Report from the Cell of Our Lady of Walsingham :
Due to continuing restrictions placed on everyone during 2021 as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, it has again not been possible for any meetings to have taken place. Hopefully things may improve during 2022.
Churchwardens’ Report :
Plans are still in progress to build a new community facility here at St. Saviour’s.
Unfortunately due to the Quantity Surveyor’s report, the costing for the original plan has increased considerably and we do not have the funding to cover this amount! So, as the saying goes, ‘back to the drawing board’! We will be having further meeting with the Diocesan Advisory Board and the Architect in the near future to resolve this and we will, of course, keep you all up-dated on progress made on this matter in the future.
Repeat of “40 Days 40 Tin’s” collection through Lent, which was such a success last year, and again thank you to all who contributed to this scheme. It is such a great help for the Rainbow Centre to pass on to families who are in need.
Covid pandemic continues through this year too, and restrictions still apply in our Church with mask wearing and social distancing. We, as a Church family, kept in touch with each other through telephone conversations and e-mails. At this point also we must all recognise all the hard work that Fr. David has done throughout this last year in streaming Church services, and maintaining contact with all his Parishioners where possible.
At our APCM Martin and Lesley were appointed Churchwardens. We were sworn into office on Sunday May 23rd here in St. Saviour’s Church following the morning Mass. This act was more meaningful to us than being ‘sworn in’ among a crowd of strangers in another Parish.
We continued our Craft stall, through Advent again. This proved to be a really good fund- raising exercise. Thank you to all who contributed to this effort, Anne Smith, Margaret Newlove, Mildred Copley and Christine Brown, and myself.
In July we were informed of the death of Mrs Beryl Reed in Scarborough Hospital. Beryl had been a very long-standing member of our Church and was the leader of our Walsingham Cell for many years. I also have to report the death of Mr. Peter D. Williams, Reader Emeritus, in December. Peter was a dedicated member of our Church for many years and kept us all ‘on our toes’ regarding our how services should be conducted.
The good news for the end of 2021 regarding our plans for a Community base, toilets, and kitchen, here in Church are progressing well and we hope to have the approval of the Diocesan Advisory Board in the New Year for these plans to be accepted and approved.
We cannot end this report without a huge thank you to Fr. David for all his support and care for everyone of us, he has been our strength and rock to turn to throughout this very difficult year. Roll on 2022.
On a personal note, I want to thank you all for all your support over the nearly 25 years of my being Church Warden here. I am standing down due to health reasons; my last service in capacity of Warden will be on 9th January 2022. Thank you again. Lesley.
Lesley Peacey
Martin Dodgson
Churchwardens
Safeguarding Report :
Safeguarding is an item that is on every PCC agenda. All members of the PCC have current DBS clearance although in 2021 the length of a DBS clearance was reduced from 5 to 3 years, so most members will need to have their DBS renewed in 2022.
Also in 2021, safeguarding training was completely overhauled and there are now 6 safeguarding pathways. Three of these, Basic, Foundation and Domestic Abuse, have to be completed by all PCC members. These courses are to be found on the Church of England website and are interactive online courses. In addition to these courses, there are Lay Leadership and Safer Recruitment courses which are held on Zoom with homework before, between and after the Zoom meetings – these have to be completed by various members of the PCC. The final pathway is for Safeguarding Officers and is also on Zoom. All these courses have to be completed every 3 years so PCC members have been very busy!
Safeguarding is important and we must all play our part in ensuring that everyone who attends St. Saviour’s is safe here and that if anyone raises the issue of any form of abuse, we respond well and in an appropriate manner.
Anne Smith
Safeguarding Officer
Youth and Family Ministry :
Unfortunately, due to covid restrictions and lack of restroom facilities on site, we have been unable to run any of our Crafty Kids sessions. We aim to restart Crafty Kids once all pandemic restrictions are lifted and the redevelopment of the Church building has been completed.
This does not, however, mean that we have been inactive regarding Youth and Family Ministry. I have this year completed the training to become a Recognised Parish Assistant and am in the process of developing further activities when facilities and restrictions allow.
We have continued to build and strengthen links with Gladstone Road School and with The Playcentre and have an ongoing dialogue with the senior leadership team at each setting. Over the course of the last 12 months, we have extended invitations to them to participate in several joint collaborations, however their participation has been limited, in part due to the restrictions they have been operating under, and in part due to the amount of “catching up” work the children have needed to complete.
We were delighted to welcome the children in EYFS and Y1 to the church in December, so they could perform their nativity plays to their parents in a covid secure environment. There was positive feedback from both the school and from parents, who broadly enjoyed witnessing a nativity within a “proper church”.
With restrictions in place, we also elected to do a “Family Christmas Service” as opposed to the Christingle service and followed a similar format as last year. We invited Jack and Corey to deliver two of the readings to the congregation, and all present participated in the “colouring in break” to decorate the sanctuary with pictures of Angels, Shepherds, and Wise Men
Ashlie Pearson
Recognised Parish Assistant
PCC Secretary’s Report :
The long arm of the pandemic continued into 2021 and constrained some of the wider activities of St Saviour’s not least with regard to fundraising.
The PCC met on eight occasions with an average attendance of 67%. The Standing Committee met on several occasions and their deliberations were reported to the PCC. An apology was recorded at each meeting from our Reader Emeritus
Peter D Williams. Peter died in December, a life well lived in the service of his Lord.
At the Annual Vestry Meeting Mrs L J Peacey and Mr M J Dodgson were elected Churchwardens.
At the Annual Parochial Church Meeting Mrs A Pearson and Mrs M Newlove retired as members of the PCC; both being eligible for re-election Mrs Pearson and Mrs Newlove were elected for a further period of three years. At the meeting of the PCC following the APCM the following were elected :- Vice Chairman Mrs L J Peacey, Treasurer Mr J
Pitwood, Secretary Mr M J Dodgson, Safeguarding Officer Mrs A Smith, Deanery Synod Representative Mrs A Pearson, Standing Committee Fr David Dixon, Mrs L J Peacey, Mr M Dodgson Mr J Pitwood and Mr P D Williams.
The major factors which engaged the business of the PCC during the year were :-
PARISH HALL In the early part of the year the PCC approved plans for a new Parish Hall to be built adjacent to the South West wall of the Church. It became apparent that the
proceeds of the Parish Hall were not sufficient to meet the cost of the new building. Various options were considered and it was finally agreed to re-order the interior West End of Church to provide a Community Space, toilets and kitchen facilities. The Charity
Commission consented to the proceeds from the sale of the Hall being used in this way. We look forward with enthusiasm to the fulfilment of this exciting project.
LIVING CHRIST’S STORY The PCC took part in the Diocesan Consultation Survey and held a joint meeting with St Martin’s PCC in this regard. This is ongoing ‘work in progress’ and further meetings are scheduled with the Deanery Leadership team to help us ‘re-imagine mission and ministry’.
SAFEGUARDING The PCC received regular Reports concerning Safeguarding from the Safeguarding Officer Mrs A Smith.
SUNDAY SERVICE TIMES The Standing Committee met with the Standing Committee of St Martin’s to discuss a revision of the times for Sunday Services. The decision finally reached will form part of the 2022 Report but is it perhaps appropriate to record that from Easter 2022 the Sunday Mass at St Saviour’s will commence at 11-00 a.m.
RETIREMENTS. At the November meeting Mrs L J Peacey informed the meeting she had decided to retire as Churchwarden. Fr David expressed eloquent thanks to Lesley for the distinguished service and commitment she had given to the Parish over a period of twenty-five years.
BISHOP GLYN WEBSTER advised of his retirement to take place in January 2022. We record our thanks to Bishop Glynn for his support to the Priests and Parish of St Saviour’s over many years.
THE PCC held wide ranging discussions on other matters the majority including finance being covered elsewhere in this Report. Matters of a confidential nature are attached to the Minutes of the PCC meetings.
The Secretary records his thanks to Mr J Pitwood for his assistance during the year, not least in the production of this Annual Report.
Martin J Dodgson
PCC Secretary
Deanery Synod:
There have been several initiatives discussed in Synod over the last 12 months, aimed at encouraging and supporting Faith and worship in identified “low interaction” groups, as well as maintaining support for existing congregations, clergy and laity. The statistics given were that 80% of active Christian’s become so under the age of 18, whilst 40% became so under the age of 5! To this end, 2 projects have been running simultaneously
The Children of Light Festival aims to engage with Children and Young People within the Parish,
thorough discipleship and mission, providing age adapted activities such as Art competitions,
mini pilgrimages and youth groups
The Mustard Seed initiative works to support and develop Faith and provide a engagement with
Lay individuals aged 20-40 via the “Stepping Up” programme – a 12 month long course where
Lay members of the Parish are given an opportunity to develop their understanding of the
Christian faith and theology, under the support of a personal mentor.
We were also introduced to “Living Christ’s Story”, which looks at the current structure of all Churches in the Diocese, and examines how they are supporting their parishioners and community, and how resources might best be used to maximize our support to those in our local area. Surveys were put out to the various PCC’s within the diocese, with the responses to be discussed early in 2022 at an open Synod meeting.
Ashlie Pearson
Recognised Parish Assistant
A review of the Annual Accounts for 2021:
The financial Statement for the year ending 31st December 2021 has been compiled by me and thereafter examined by our independent examiner, Mr Andrew Green, to whom thanks are extended.
Thanks to a refund of £2,990.54 (for over payments of gas and electricity for the Hall) and a Gift Aid reclaim from HMRC of £5,719.34) and your continued level of giving, our Expenditure was only £1,426 more than our Income. We were also able to replay our ‘loan’ of £3,000 to the fabric fund. It does, of course, mean that we all need to look again at our giving to enable our Church to keep open and working for God’s glory. However we look at it the running costs of the Church are the same if 10 people turn up or if 30 people turn up.
We have carried forward a credit balance of £8,752.75.
Our Freewill Offering, that is the sum we allocate to the cost of running the Diocese, was £17,400.00. Our Offer in 2021 for the year 2022 has been increased by 5% to £18,270 as agreed by the PCC and promised to the Diocese. The figure will continue to be monitored.
As at 31st December 2021 the Restricted Fund, which consists of the Fabric Fund (51,237.40), which covers Church maintenance, and a new Building Fund (£259,979.60), which covers any alterations for new facilities, from the sale of the Hall, now stands at £314,217.00. Our investments, our Reserve Fund, have increased by £2,115.00 to £30,969.00.
Congregational giving has maintained the level throughout the year mostly, which has meant that our income has nearly covered our costs, until unfortunately (!) we had to have our 5 yearly (Quinquennial) Diocesan inspection, the fee for which was nearly £1,000. We still need new facilities, and these are definitely going to prove much more costly than anticipated.
John H Pitwood
Treasurer
The Parish Church of St Saviour with All Saints
Gladstone Road
Scarborough
Annual Report
2020
Parochial Church Council
Incumbent: The Rev’d David Dixon
Lesley Peacey Churchwarden
Martin Dodgson Churchwarden / Secretary / Electoral Roll Officer
Margaret Newlove
Ashlie Pearson Crafty Kids Co-ordinator / Deanery Synod Representative
Sam Pearson
John Pitwood Treasurer / Head Server
Anne Smith Safeguarding Officer
Peter D Williams Reader Emeritus
Status: The PCC is a charity exempted from registration with the Charity
Commission under the Charities (Exemption from Registration) Regulation 1996.
Independent Examiner Mr Andrew Green
Bankers: Virgin Money 24 Huntriss Row Scarborough YO11 2EF
Insurers: Trinitas Church Insurance Services Blenheim House 1-2 Bridge Street Guildford Surrey GU1 4RY
Aims of the Organisation:
The main purpose of the PCC is defined in the Parochial Church Council (Powers) Measure of 1956 as :
“to co-operate with the minister in promoting in the parish, the whole mission of the
Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical”.
In response to the love God has shown us in Jesus Christ, the parish has the
following missionary intentions :
· to worship almighty God
· to proclaim the gospel
· to present the challenge of God’s Kingdom
· to care for the people of the Parish
· to work with our brothers and sisters in Christ to promote Christian Unity
Pastoral Visiting Co-ordinator/Minister of Travel : Mrs Clarice Lockwood
Sacristan: John Hilton
Safeguarding Statement
St Saviour’s PCC has complied with the duty under section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016 (duty to have regard to the House of Bishops’ guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults).
Priest’s Report: 2020 the Year of the Pandemic
While Brexit and the movement Black Lives Matter were significant features of the year it was the Covid - 19 virus and its effect on the people of the world that dominated the news for most of the year. As I write, in April 2021, England is in the third national lockdown which might come to an end in June this year.
The first national lockdown began on 23 March and ended on 4 July 2020. Restriction of civil liberties were introduced by the government in an attempt to curtail the spread of the virus and promote the common good and health of the people of the nation and to ‘protect the NHS.’
People could no longer associate with one another as they used to do. Normal social activities involving arts, education, sport and leisure were prohibited. Non-essential travel was forbidden. Most workers were required to work from home if they could. Many were furloughed under a government scheme. Visiting family or friends was severely restricted and, in many cases, not possible. Words usually applied to military endeavours were applied to the ‘battle’ or ‘fight’ against Covid’. Some workers, particularly in the NHS, were referred to as ‘front-line workers.’ People at high risk were advised to stay indoors and ‘shield’. Most people in a social environment, such as a shop, were required to wear a face mask and keep a distance of 2 meters from another person. Isolation was an experience many had to endure.
The first lockdown had an impact on the ministry of the Church at national and local level. The Church of England issued directions and guidance for priests and people. Churches were closed for public worship - the first time in living memory. Funerals were legally permitted but with restrictions on the number of mourners. Singing was forbidden. Similar restrictions were applied to church marriages.
A clear written direction by the leaders of the Church of England stated priests should not enter churches buildings and say Morning and Evening Prayer as required by Canon Law. This direction was later ‘clarified’ by the Archbishop of Canterbury who declared the direction to be an ‘advice’.
The final weeks of Lent and the celebration of Holy Week and Easter found those church members of congregations who had access to the internet joining church services that were ‘live streamed’ or recorded and posted on national, diocesan or parish websites or other social media sites. You may have heard of the description of the Church as militant, expectant and triumphant. The church was now had another category the church virtual.
So far as the parishes in my care were concerned, I typed up the Sunday pew sheet and sent it by email or post or hand delivered to people who had asked to receive it. The pew sheet was also sent to people who agreed to take on the responsibility of placing or ‘posting’ the pew sheets on the parish websites, Facebook and other sites.
My eldest son, who lives in Switzerland, taught me over the internet how to record church services, post them on YouTube and then upload the services to the St Saviour’s Facebook site and email the information to other people who posted the recording on the parish websites.
I recorded the services for Holy Week and Easter 2020 from the vicarage. My wife, Julie, helped with the readings and congregational responses during the celebration of the eucharist. The Easter Vigil was celebrated with the usual ceremonies including the singing of the Exultet.
During the first part of the lockdown Sunday and mid-week Eucharists and the Service of Holy Communion according to the Book of Common Prayer were celebrated at the vicarage and recorded and ‘posted’ for others to join and share in ‘spiritual communion.
During the first few weeks of the pandemic and subsequent lockdown, Mavis Mark and Sue Rowley suffered the grief of losing their husbands. Both Barry and Tony contributed in their own ways to the development of parish life and the fellowship we enjoy at St Saviour’s. Both used their gifts and talents in the service of Jesus, the people of the congregation and beyond. Both suffered from ill health and bore their suffering bravely. Both are missed. We continue to pray that their souls are at peace and the good things they did in this life will find a lasting reward in heaven.
St Saviour’s does not have the facilities or expertise to ‘livestream’ a church service. This meant that in April Barry’s Requiem Mass took place at Octon Crematorium and Tony’s Funeral Service at Woodlands Crematorium Chapel. Similarly, in June Fr Martin Iball’s Requiem Mass was celebrated at Octon. In October Elsie Abrahams, a long-standing member of the congregation, sadly passed away and her family, living in all parts of the world, joined the funeral service through the live streaming facility at Woodlands.
As the months of the lockdown passed the Church of England changed the view that priests should not enter church buildings to say their prayers. I have to say that before this ‘clarification’ was given by the Archbishop of Canterbury I took the decision to say my prayers in church as I was required to do so by Canon Law. This had a knock-on effect: though public worship continued to be suspended the recording of the Sunday and midweek eucharists were made in church rather than the vicarage.
During the first lockdown public meetings could not take place and so there developed a new way of meeting: ZOOM. This was a meeting using the internet where people could see one another, converse, conduct business and make decisions. Zoom meetings continue at the time of writing and will be with us for the foreseeable future. Just one example of human beings using the creative gifts that God gives us to benefit society.
Before the lockdown ended on 4 July church folk were told by the Church of England that a risk assessment must take place before public worship might re-commence in our church buildings. The recording of people present in church, use of face masks and hand sanitising gel, social distancing, and consideration of how many people could be safely accommodated in each church building and church cleaning after the church had been used for public worship had to be considered. How holy communion was to be administered and received also had to be considered. Reception was to be in one kind only. This was a departure from most people’s previous experience. Congregational singing was forbidden.
I met with Lesley Peacey and Martin Dodgson and we discussed how we might best incorporate and apply at St Saviour’s the guidance and advice from the Church of England. We decided on a way of doing things that provided for the safe ordering of people entering and leaving the church; having people seated and socially distant from one another; and movement of people during the administration of holy communion. The arrangements served us well in July 2020 and continue to do so. Given the advice about the time the Covid virus might remain on surfaces and having regard to church cleaning a decision was made not to open the church for the celebration of the eucharist on Mondays but do so on Sundays and Thursdays.
It was announced that St Saviour’s Church would be open for public worship on 5 July and all were welcome to join us. A description of the measures taken to ensure the safety of worshippers was provided. It was explained that no one should feel pressured into returning to public worship and the celebration of the eucharist. We explained that each person was unique because of their personal circumstances and should consider those circumstances and after prayer, use their conscience to make an informed decision. The church has been open for public worship since 5 July 2020.
As we moved from summer to autumn the number of people infected by the virus, which had the capacity to mutate, increased and the number of people who unfortunately died from the effects of the virus increased too.
In England, a second lockdown took place from 5 November to 2 December. Unlike the first lockdown church buildings and places of worship were permitted to remain open for public worship.
Once more congregations were asked, through the work of PCCs, to make a risk assessment concerning the church building, the provision of public worship and the safety of people taking part in public worship. This we did and St Saviour’s church remained open for the celebration of the eucharist on Sundays and Thursdays. Nationally, further restrictions were placed on the numbers attending funerals or weddings.
Restrictions on movement and meeting with family members continued beyond the second lockdown. There was a relaxation on movement and travel, social contact and visiting for the celebration of Christmas. After which social restrictions were once more enforced.
It was soon found that the rate of infection was greatly increasing and such was the concern that a third national lockdown came into force on 3 January 2021.
The effect of the pandemic on the pastoral work the church continues to be considerable.
Visits to people at home have been severely restricted or legally not possible.
Visits to members of the congregation in hospital has not been permitted.
Hospital patients pastoral care was and continues to be entrusted to Revd Chris Hayes
at Scarborough and Bridlington Hospitals or the chaplaincy team at York hospital.
Meeting people to plan for occasional offices and pastoral care, particularly funerals, was difficult and usually resulted in phone or email correspondence rather than face-to-face meetings.
Work with children and schools -
Work at Gladstone Road and St Martin’s Deanery School has been severely restricted. I have been unable to visit the schools and take part in assemblies or lead eucharistic worship at St Martin’s School. The Schools have not visited our church buildings. We had planned for some of the children of Gladstone Road School to come to St Saviour’s and take part in an act of Remembrance around Remembrance Day. Unfortunately, this could not happen as the second national lockdown was in force. However Ashlie Pearson and her two boys representing Gladstone Road School came to church in their school uniforms and together we participated in an Act of Remembrance at the War Memorial. Ashlie took some photographs and shared them with the school. The Head teacher was most appreciative and is keen to develop the relationship with the church when we move to better times in 2021.
At the beginning of the year St Saviour’s took part in a diocesan missionary initiative led by the Archbishop Sentamu - Come and See. St Saviour’s invited children to take part in the established monthly Crafty Kids activities. A week or so later the first lockdown was announced and Crafty Kids has not met since but plans to do so in autumn 2021.
The Church Hall.
You will almost certainly read in other reports about the church hall. After much planning, preparation and discussion with the diocese and charity commissioners it was decided to sell the hall. The reason for sale was simply the church could not afford to keep a building that needed so much money spending on its renovation and improvement to bring it up to an adequate standard. An estate agent was instructed and valued the premises.
In May, and before the building was placed on the open market, Plaxton Family Housing Trust registered an interest and offered £275,000, £25,000 above the valuation, if the hall was not put on market. The PCC agreed to sell to the trust and the sale and transfer took place in December.
The PCC must now determine how best to use the fund available so as to develop space for community use.
Pattern of Services. At St Saviour’s Fr Richard Smith ensured that the Sunday and mid-week masses continued to be celebrated in my holiday absence When he could Fr Allan Campbell-Wilson continued to preach the word of God to us. Thanks to them both. Fr Jon Booth had to shield and, unfortunately, we did not have the benefit of his ministry at St Saviour’s for most of 2020.
The Congregation
The parish is requested to compile statistics about the ministry it undertakes. During 2020 the congregation at St Saviour’s remained stable in numbers. The ‘Worshiping Community’ is made up as follows:
Children aged 0-10: 5 Young people 11-17: 0
Adults aged 18-69: 22 Adults aged 70+ : 41 Total 68
The Occasional Offices
Baptisms 1 Confirmations 0 Marriages 0
Funerals: Church 0 Crematorium 5 Burial of Ashes 0
Music
We have been fortunate to have Lucy play the organ for us on Sundays. This has helped lift the service particularly since the suspension of congregational singing. Lucy’s presence is a continuing blessing.
End notes
As well as the priestly ministry I undertake at St Saviour’s I am the local Diocesan Surrogate for Marriages; a member of the Diocesan Deliverance Ministry Team; sit as a member of the Archbishop’s Panel to hear disciplinary cases brought against members of the clergy; am a School Governor at St Martin’s Church of England Primary School, which is a ‘Deanery School’ not a ‘Parish Church’ linked school; offer spiritual direction; and am the Vicar of the Parish of St Martin-on-the-Hill, Scarborough.
Finally, thanks to Churchwardens Lesley Peacey and Martin Dodgson for all that they have done during this most difficult and demanding year. Their work has been truly sacrificial. Thanks also to John Pitwood who has ensured our solvency and that the church finances are in order, to members of the PCC for their commitment and contributions that ensure that St Saviour’s continues to flourish; to John Hilton who has taken on the role of sacristan and ensures I am properly turned out, and to you all for the contribution you make to our common life together.
May we build on the perseverance, fortitude and good spirit that has helped inform the things we have done during 2020, and go forward in faith together.
Fr David
Electoral Roll :
Further to a revision of the Electoral Roll the number of persons now recorded is 45 the previous declared figure having been 46.
Martin J Dodgson
Electoral Roll Officer
Deanery Synod :
Meetings and activities this year have been greatly hampered by Covid restrictions. However, towards the end of the year we were introduced to the Mustard Seed programme, created to develop and support Faith and Worship in areas with lower regular interaction. This programme is ongoing, and provides opportunities to begin exploring and discovering the Anglican faith and practices, within the support of existing congregations.
As things begin to reopen and return to “normal” we anticipate many more opportunities to get involved and support Faith and Worship in our community.
Ashlie Pearson
Deanery Representative
Churchwardens’ Report :
2020 Started off as a normal year at St. Saviour’s as it did any other year following our Nativity and New Year Celebrations. New Year Lunch at the Downe Arms was held on 22nd January and was well attended, as usual, by St. Saviour’s, St. Martin’s, St. Michael’s and the people of Hutton Buscel. Thank you again to Mrs Clarice Lockwood and Mr Andrew Green for organising such a successful event.
Confirmations were held at St. Martin’s with Bishop Glyn 10.30am 2nd February. An excellent service, well attended by both Parishes and coffee and cakes followed the service. There were no candidates from St. Saviour’s this year.
Crafty Kid’s Club continued meeting once a month on a Saturday morning, this was well attended.
Repeat of “40 Days 40 Tin’s” collection through Lent, which was such a success last year, and again thank you to all who contributed to this scheme. It is such a great help for the Rainbow Centre to pass on to families who are in need.
March saw the increase of the Covid 19 infections throughout the world and the discontinuation of the Monday afternoon service. Sunday March 15th was the last Mass to be celebrated. Then the Government ordered the whole country be put into ‘Lock Down’, which included the closing of all Churches for worship. No visits to Care Homes to deliver Home Communion to the residents, or to private homes for the delivery of the same. None of us knew, at that point, how long this was going to be for, nor of the effect and changes to our normal lives it was going to make.
Throughout all this our Churchwarden and friend Mr Barry Mark was still in Hospital at Pinderfields, he had been moved there prior to Christmas 2019, and making some progress in his recovery. Then he was transferred back to York Hospital for some further Immune Therapy. Unfortunately he caught Covid 19 and died in York hospital on the 7th of April 2020. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Mavis and their family. We also have to report the death of another of our long standing members Mr Tony Rowley, he also died of Covid in Scarborough Hospital on the 31st March 2020. Again, our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Sue and family. Tony was instrumental in repairing and repainting all our Nativity figures, and this is his lasting legacy to St. Saviour’s Church.
We, as a Church family, kept in touch with each other through telephone conversations and e-mails. At this point also we must all recognise all the hard work that Fr. David has done throughout this last year in streaming Church services, and maintaining contact with all his Parishioners where possible.
Churches were allowed to re-open in July for silent prayer only, this we did on Thursday mornings for one hour. All social distancing maintained, i.e. 2 metre distance between people. Face masks worn, and hand sanitisers to be used. No singing of hymns or responses during the services! By the beginning of August we were again allowed to hold ‘normal’ services on Thursdays and Sundays, always, of course, with ‘social distancing’ and wearing of face masks.
On the 6th of January 2020 we were informed by the leader of Emmanuel Playgroup that it had closed. This was a big blow to us all, as the Playgroup had been going for approximately 25 years in our Hall. It also meant a great loss of income for our Church. The decision was made by the PCC to place the Hall on the market for sale. All Hall users were given three months notice to enable them time to find new premises. It was bought by Plaxton Family Housing Trust, and completion was December 2020. With the proceeds we have now drawn up plans with Mr Andrew Wiles, architect to build a new Church Hall and Community Centre, which will be linked to the Church and have toilet facilities and a kitchen.
At our APCM Martin and Lesley were appointed Churchwardens. We were sworn into office on Sunday September 9th here in St. Saviour’s Church following the morning Mass. This act was more meaningful to us than being ‘sworn in’ among a crowd of strangers in another Parish. Also at the APCM Mr John Pitwood was appointed Treasurer.
Because of the ‘lockdown’, which has caused a large drop in funds coming to our Church and being unable to hold Coffee Mornings etc. It was decided that we could fund raise in another way. So several of our members, Lesley included, who are sewers and knitters made hats, scarves, bags, handmade cards, and other saleable items and set up a craft stall. This proved to be a really good fund raising exercise. Thank you to all who contributed to this effort, Anne Smith, Margaret Newlove , Mildred Copley and Christine Brown.
Early in October we learned of the death in Scarborough Hospital of another of our Church
Family, Mrs Elsie Abrahams. Until her disabilities prevented her from attending St. Saviour’s, she was a well respected and loved member of our Church family. One more piece of sad news was to hear of the death of Mrs. Norma Francis, who for many years had been a stalwart of St. Saviour’s, and had held the post of Churchwarden for many years. She died the 22nd of October 2020 in hospital in Eastleigh, near Plymouth, where she had lived for many years to be near her daughter Kay, following the death of her husband Maurice. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family.
We can end this report in a positive way. Through all the difficulties of the past year we have all ‘stuck together’ and we end on a high note with the prospect of a new Parish Hall and community centre.
We cannot end this report without a huge thank you to Fr. David for all his support and care for everyone of us, he has been our strength and rock to turn to throughout this very difficult year. Roll on 2021!!
Lesley Peacey
Martin Dodgson
Churchwardens
Safeguarding Report :
Safeguarding is an item that is on the agenda of every PCC meeting, although these have been fewer this year. All members of the PCC have current DBS clearance and basic safeguarding training. Safeguarding training has has now been developed on Zoom and several members of the PCC will be completing these courses in the near future.
The church was closed during the first lockdown but the Vicar and the Churchwardens worked very hard to make the church building a safe environment when we were able to return, first for private prayer and then for services. We appreciate the efforts they made so that we feel safe.
Safeguarding is important and we must all play our part in ensuring that everyone who attends St Saviour’s is safe here and that if anyone raises the issue of any form of abuse that we respond well and in an appropriate manner.
Anne Smith
Safeguarding Officer
PCC Secretary’s Report :
The year 2020 was completely ‘overshadowed’ by the Pandemic, as a result activities during the year were severely restricted hence the brevity of this report. The death in March of our dearly beloved Churchwarden Mr Barry Mark also had a major impact on the proceedings of 2020.
The PCC met on four occasions during the year with an average attendance of 81%.
At the Annual Vestry Meeting Mrs L J Peacey and Mr M J Dodgson were elected as Churchwardens.
At the Annual Parochial Church Meeting Mr P D Williams and Mrs S Pearson retired as members of the PCC; being eligible for re-election Mr Williams and Mrs Pearson were elected for a further three years. Mrs M Newlove was elected for a period of one year, a vacancy being created by the election of Mr Dodgson as Churchwarden. At the meeting of the PCC which followed the APCM the following were elected :- Vice-Chairman Mrs L J Peacey; Treasurer : Mr J Pitwood; Secretary : Mr M Dodgson; Electoral Roll Officer : Mr M Dodgson; Safeguarding Officer : Mrs A Smith; Deanery Synod Representative : Mrs A Pearson; Standing Committee : Fr D Dixon, Mrs L Peacy, Mr M Dodgson, Mr J Pitwood, Mr P D Williams.
.The major factors which engaged the business of the PCC during the year were :
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PARISH HALL. After protracted negotiations the sale of the Parish Hall to Plaxton Family Housing Trust was concluded in December. The PCC were pleased to note that the Trust intends to build a small complex of 9/12 apartments.
The Church Commissioners agreed that the proceeds from the sale of the Hall could be used to build a new Parish Hall. The PCC instructed Mr Andrew Wiles, Architect, to draw up plans for this development. As a result of the sale we were unable to continue with the services of Mr David Peacock, Caretaker, and thanks were recorded to him for all his work and energy.
FINANCE. Our income has been severely affected by the Pandemic and national ‘lockdowns’. An appeal was made to the congregation to consider increasing their giving. The Appeal was received in a positive way as the Accounts for 2020 indicate.
SAFEGUARDING. The PCC received regular Reports concerning Safeguarding from the Safeguarding Officer, Mrs A Smith.
The PCC held wide ranging discussions on other matters the majority being covered elsewhere in the Annual Report. Matters of a confidential nature are recorded in the Minutes of the PCC meetings.
The Secretary records his thanks to Mr J Pitwood for his assistance not least in the production of this Annual Report.
Martin J Dodgson
PCC Secretary
Report from the Cell of Our Lady of Walsingham :
Due to the restrictions placed on everyone during 2020 as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, it has not been possible for any meetings to have taken place. Hopefully things may improve during 2021.
Servers’ Report :
During 2020 services were severely curtailed, first by the Archbishops, and then by the Government, meaning that services, which continued thanks to Father David, were maintained with ‘social distancing’ and mostly without servers. It is hoped that in the new year, 2021, some form of serving may be able to restart.
John Pitwood
Head Server
Crafty Kids & Youth Ministry :
Covid stopped play! Whilst we haven’t been able to meet anywhere near as often as we anticipated, we have still managed to maintain some small kind of children’s ministry within our parish. Before the first national Lockdown, we hosted a special session of Crafty Kids for the “Come and See” mission, with 2 members of the delegation visiting to witness and participate in our session.
During lockdown, we also created and shared to our Facebook page a video entitled “Crafty Kids - The Virtual Edition” using household items to engage with the younger members of our Parish and distract them from some of the difficulties we were enduring... this has been viewed over 450 times, and was digitally shared with pupils from Gladstone Road School via their social media pages, and across Scarborough Deanery too!
We also developed our relationship with Gladstone Road Primary school, creating two themed art displays - EYFS made red poppy handprints for Remembrance, and KS1 created paper christingles and bright paper chains. These helped to bring a little joy and creativity into the Church, and were well received both by our congregation and the school families alike.
Ashlie Pearson
Co-Ordinator
A review of the Annual Accounts for 2020
After the very sad loss of our Treasurer Barry Mark in April 2020 the PCC elected me to be Treasurer. It falls to me to thank Martin Dodgson who so admirably controlled our finances as Acting Treasurer from the last quarter of 2019 until April 2020. The financial Statement for the year ending 31st December 2020 has been compiled by me and thereafter examined by our independent examiner Mr Andrew Green, to whom thanks are extended.
Contrary to the trend over the past few years our Income has increased over Expenditure by an amount of £5,149. This is partly explained by payments for the Fabric Fund made out of our main account having been reimbursed as it were, although we have ‘borrowed’ £3,000 from the Fabric Fund in case of need, which will need to be repaid to that Fund. Mostly however it has been caused by our request for members to increase their giving which so many of you have done very generously - note covenanted giving increased by £4,000 - a stunning increase. As a result we have carried forward a credit balance of £10,180.
Our Freewill Offering, that is the sum we allocate to the Diocese, was £17,400.00. Our Offer in 2020 for the year 2021 has been maintained at £17,400 although this figure will be under constant review during 2021.
The Fabric Fund remains at £62,319.00. Our investments, our Reserve Fund, have increased by £1,715.00 to £28,854.00.
The increase of congregational giving has certainly given us the opportunity to look forward with more hope ....BUT, we cannot rest on our laurels. We still need new facilities, and these are definitely going to prove much more costly than anticipated.
John H Pitwood
Treasurer
Parochial Church Council of St. Saviour with All Saints Scarborough
Financial Statement for the year ended 31 December 2020
Prepared by J H Pitwood Treasurer 5 Trafalgar Crescent Bridlington YO15 3NR
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