Parish of Cirencester with Watermoor
And Chesterton

Parish of Cirencester with Watermoor
And Chesterton

The Parish Church of St. John Baptist
This is one of the largest parish churches in the country and its imposing
building dominates the centre of the town of Cirencester. Although there
has been a church in Cirencester since Roman times, it is generally believed that today’s building was started in 1117.

Holy Trinity Church, Watermoor
During the 1840s it was felt that more accommodation was needed to cater
for the growing number of worshippers in the town, so it was in 1851 that
Holy Trinity was consecrated.

St Lawrence Church Centre, Countess Lilias Road
This church was similarly built in 1951 to cater for the needs of the many
people in the developing area of Chesterton.

Further information on our churches, halls, activities and events are available in various publications on sale at the Parish Church Bookshop, the Corner Stone in Dollar Street and on the Parish web-site www.cirenparish.co.uk

Total Number on Electoral Roll at APCM 2009:    452
Number added to Roll during year:                         31        
Number deceased or left district:                           30      
Number removed from Roll by request:                   1                     

Total number on Roll at close 31st March 2010:  452
Howard Gray

VICAR'S REPORT           

REPORT OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL

   Since the Annual Parochial Church Meeting in April 2009 the PCC has met 8 times.
At that meeting, Dr Martin Hockey retired as Church Warden and Mrs June Godsell retired as Deputy Warden at St Lawrence Church.  There was no replacement at St Lawrence but Mr Phillip Kerton was appointed as a Church Warden for the parish to serve alongside Mrs Elizabeth Gledhill.
At the PCC meeting in May, Miss Ann Farrow was appointed Honorary Secretary to the Council and Mr Charles Woodd Honorary Treasurer.
    At that meeting, the Vicar presented his Parochial Church Council Working Plan containing a proposal for a range of satellite groups to the PCC which would enable the PCC to concentrate on setting policy for the parish, the details of which would then be implemented by others.  It was decided that further consideration needed to be given to this plan.  Mrs Gledhill’s ongoing report on the refurbishment of the Parish Church concerned the repositioning of the Monox Tomb, the prospect of the return in the Autumn of the organ and the need to press on with obtaining a faculty for the work required on the South Porch.
   Due to a delay in the preparation of the financial statement for 2008, the Council did not meet again until August when Mr Woodd outlined for the Council the financial situation in the parish, making clear the urgent need to cut the annual deficit of £30k which was being sustained by the use of interest on investments.  The accounts were still not ready for approval at this point.
   At this meeting members were asked to register as Trustees, under new Charities Commission regulations. 
   The appointment of the Revd Howard Gilbert as Associate Priest at Holy Trinity, Watermoor was announced, with 29 September as a possible date for his licensing.  There was discussion, but no decision, about the possibility of renewing the Planning Permission for extension work at St Lawrence, but it was agreed that the heating should be renewed straight away.
   In September, Mrs Helen Hammond was invited to the meeting to report on the Organ Opening Proposal and it was agreed that this should go ahead.  The Revd Rosemary Franklin reported on the disbursement of mission giving for the year 2008 (delayed by the late auditing of the accounts).     The Vicar raised the question of the administration of Holy Communion while there was a risk of swine flu, and it was decided that to offer communicants the option of intinction was a sufficient precaution.  There were further updates on the work in the Parish Church, with the membership of a South Porch Project Group being approved.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
Mr Baber reported on work needed at Holy Trinity, and on problems there with vandalism.                                                                                                                    
   Further agreement was granted for work to renew the heating at St Lawrence.
   At the October meeting, Mr Woodd was able to present the accounts for 2008 for approval by the Council and, after some discussion, to clarify the financial position of the parish. The accounts were accepted  as being ready to be signed off by the auditors.  The resignation from the PCC of Mrs Julie Albury was announced and Mr Gerry Holden was co-opted as a member of the PCC, having decided to stand down as deputy church warden.  Mr Don Pines reported on a ‘Building the Future’ day, led by the DAC Chairman, which he and Mr Hopegood had attended, hearing of church growth where the church was looking outwards.  The Vicar proposed the formation of a small learning task group to consider future developments in the School of Faith, baptism and marriage preparation and pastoral visiting.  This was agreed by the Council.  It was also agreed that the possibility of appointing a Families and Children’s worker rather than a Youth Worker should be considered by the Personnel Committee.
   In November, the audited accounts were presented to an Extraordinary Parochial Church Meeting, attended by 8 parishioners in addition to the PCC.  Mr Woodd again made clear the need to deal with the annual deficit, and there was some discussion to clarify the financial situation. The accounts were accepted by the meeting, it having been made clear that the delay in their publication had been due to their complexity and not to any malpractice.
   The immediately following PCC meeting included a consideration of the decline in the numbers of communicants at the Parish Church and at St Lawrence over the past 20 years, though Holy Trinity numbers had held up rather better. The implications for this decline on our financial situation were noted.  The new Public Development Committee was introduced by Mr Kerton.  Plans for a more efficient use of the Parish Office accommodation were approved.
   The December meeting was largely devoted to consideration of the 2010 budget which was accepted after much discussion, particularly about the proposal that, to help to balance the budget, mission giving should be reduced for the year.
  A meeting attended in January by 16 stoical members in arctic conditions supported the Personnel Committee in its consideration of a search for a Families and Children’s Worker, and in a decision to appoint a Director and Deputy Director of Music for the whole parish.  Further progress from the new Public Development Committee was reported, including plans for a revamped parish magazine to be delivered widely around the parish.  There was discussion about the extra use of paper in the new pew/service sheets at the Parish Church, but it was felt that the advantages for visitors outweighed the costs involved.  Mrs Joan Blake’s resignation from the Council was announced.
                                                                                                                                          
   Finally, in February, a very lengthy meeting considered the Finance Committee report on 2009, further developments in the Public Development Committee, gave approval for the choir to visit Dublin in July to sing in St Patrick’s Cathedral, and supported faculty applications relating to fire escape precautions in the South Porch/Town Hall and to the positioning of the font.  Careful consideration was given to policies relating to the Criminal Records Bureau and our dealings with young people and vulnerable adults.  The Vicar reported on progress in the establishment of Cirencester Street Pastors and announced some details of plans for the Easter services.
   Mrs Gledhill has announced her intention to stand down as Church Warden at the APCM after 3 years’ service, during which she has devoted countless hours to the Major Works Project of the Parish Church.
There will be 9 vacancies for elected lay representatives on the PCC at the APCM.   The Council is due to meet again on 14 April.
   For further details of PCC deliberations, the minutes of meetings are available in all the churches.

PARISH CHURCH WARDENS REPORT

Parish Life – Fabric – Goods – and ornaments
   English ecclesiastical law dictates that, in addition to ‘maintaining order and decency in the church ………especially during the time of divine service’, those who hold the ancient office of churchwarden are responsible for the ‘fabric, the plate, ornaments and other movable goods of the church’. Certainly during the last 12 months we have spent many hours trying to ensure that we fulfil the latter of these two responsibilities.
The last year has seen the completion of the new floor laid in the nave and North and South aisles; the installation of a new sound system; upgraded security and fire alarms and the near completion of reclaiming the Trinity and Garstang Chapels from being storerooms to being available once again for services.
   The West end of the South aisle has been transformed by the re-siting of the Monox monument against the West wall and the placing of the font directly in front of it. At the East end of the South aisle can be seen the majestic new organ case which encloses the partly refurbished and rebuilt organ which is now one of the most significant organs in the country.
The many complications that arise when a major project is in progress have been made bearable by the loyalty and commitment of so many people and we thank Ward & Co (main contractor) and Harrison & Harrison (organ builders) whose teams of skilled craftsmen have been so admired and appreciated by both parishioners and visitors.
                                                                                                                                           
Following the major works programme, it is so inspiring to have seen the church used to capacity on so many occasions during the year. The memorable services of Holy Week and Easter; the funeral of a young man attended by nearly 1000 people; the joyous occasions of the school services crowding the nave and aisles; the lovely wedding held in the Lady Chapel, the Baptisms held around the font, the daily worship taking place in the Catherine Chapel and the Sunday services ensure that all parts of the building are prayed in - as has happened for 900 years.
But the story is not yet complete………
   This year will see the beginning of the work to restore the exterior fabric of the South Porch.
   At the time of writing this report it is not yet known the extent of the work necessary to repair the Nave roof.

   After three congregational meetings the majority of the congregation support the vicar’s initiative that the 12-seater Victorian pews are not returned to the North and South aisles but that occasional seating is provided by stackable chairs of a design and quality worthy of the magnificence of the building.
   It is proposed that the church shop is re-positioned at the West end of the North aisle and discussions are ongoing as to how to enable the provision of coffee after the 10am service.
   The Boleyn Cup, which has been in the care of the Treasury at Gloucester Cathedral for the duration of the works, is now back in the Church and on display.
   A Faculty application is being made not only to return the four ancient regimental colours to their position on the Trinity Chapel arcade; but also to hang the six modern colours and reposition the Royal coats of arms of George II and Charles II on the East wall of the North aisle.
   The inaugural concert of the newly refurbished organ is due to take place a few days after this report is written.

   Especially, we want to thank all those who contribute in so many ways to the life of the church, clergy, readers, Brian Bruton our sacristan and his team of servers, Peter Flaherty our caretaker, sidesmen, stewards, musicians, bell-ringers, flower arrangers, and so many others who give of their time and talents.  
   We also wish to acknowledge our gratitude to our Assistant Wardens; Aileen Anderson, Derek Barnard, Teresa Davies, John Hobbs and Alasdair Macdonald for their unfailing support.

                                                                Mrs Elizabeth Gledhill and Mr Phil Kerton

                                                                                                                                  
THE FRIENDS OF CIRENCESTER PARISH CHURCH

      The ‘Friends’ continue to support the conservation of the Parish Church and during the year designated £250,000 to underwrite expenditure required for conservation work on the Old Town Hall. Grants totalling £4000 were paid towards the repair of vestments.
    Taking into account new income resources, grants made and the release of designated funds and unrealised gains on investments, overall funds increased by around £40,000 to a total of about £600,000.
    In addition the ‘Friends’ facilitated the receipt and transfer to the PCC of the instruments of the substantial Tibble Bequest. These monies will appear in the accounts of the ‘Friends’ but on a ‘pass through’ basis.
    The Anniversary Celebratory Evensong and AGM was held in June in the South Aisle and Nave area, led and addressed by the Reverend Paul Wright, Chaplain to the Household Division. The reception following evensong was held at 46, Somerford Road, Cirencester by kind permission of Dr and Mrs J Waddell.
                                                                                                                  David Lloyd