Chairman's Report
The Warren Church Charitable Trust
April 2017.
This year we record with great sadness the loss of two very old friends and loyal supporters of Warren during the past year. John Russell and John James both passed away last year, leaving an irreplaceable gap in the ranks of our friends. John Russell was our treasurer for many years and his experience, wisdom and care ensured that the finances were kept impeccably.
We have been most grateful to receive generous donations from the estate of the late Hugh Morgan and from John Russell’s daughter Jane.
We have been most grateful to receive generous donations from the estate of the late Hugh Morgan and from John Russell’s daughter Jane.
Our balance sheet shows a small deficit over the year but also indicates that for routine management our income is generally able to keep up with expenditure but will not cover major structural work which is now probably needed at the West end of the church where water is getting in and endangering the electrics in the cupboard below the window. We will almost certainly need to instigate action to raise funds for an in-depth investigation to remedy to this problem.
Generally, our regular services tend not to be over-subscribed but when there is a more eye-catching event such as Harvest or Remembrance, more attend. One such this year was the farewell service to Bishop Wyn Evans in July. This was a traditional choral evensong in which the evening canticles were sung by Susan Blick’s choir ‘Sing for Joy’ to music by Christopher Totney who did us the honour of attending the service, coaching the choir and playing the organ for the service. It was a very special service which will live long in my memory.
Looking ahead, we need to try for more ‘eye-catching’ events and next year looks promising. In addition to our normal programme there are ‘extras’ in the form of a memorial concert on Friday 2nd June by ‘Sing for Joy’ in memory of Sonia Thompson who died in the autumn, a concert by the Pembroke Male Voice Choir on Friday 22nd July and an organ recital by Christopher Totney on Wednesday 25th October.
Our Remembrance Service on Wednesday 8th November promises to be very special as Bishop Joanna Penberthy, Bishop of St Davids and also our Patron will attend.
In finishing, there are many people to thank. Firstly, our committee who do so much towards the running of the church and without whom we could not function. My frequent absence in Wilts make me doubly dependent on them. We say farewell this year to Sarah Thomas who has served the committee loyally for many years and who will be greatly missed. Special thanks go also to Susan Blick for her wonderful support as organist all times and to her choir ‘Sing for Joy’ who brighten our services so much when they attend. Special thanks also go to Gilly Flanagan who unpaid, and occasionally unasked, continues to provide wonderful flowers in the church for services and concerts. The efforts of all are greatly appreciated.
St Mary’s continues to impress all those who see it. The visitors’ book shows a steady trickle of callers and their comments are invariably most positive. For the foreseeable future things look secure enough but we face the same problems as all churches with diminishing congregations, old buildings, ageing staff and tight finances.
PGF Lort-Phillips
Chairman Warren Church Charitable Trust
12 May 2017.