The Rector welcomed those attending and opened the meeting with prayer.
Attendance
The Rector and 48 parishioners attended with 15 apologies for absence.

Election of Churchwardens
Mr Hyatt and Mr Watson, having indicated their willingness to stand for re-election and there being no other nominations, were unanimously elected to serve for another year. The Rector commented he is very grateful for all their hard work which grows all the time and that they are willing to stand again as the post entails an immense amount of work and commitment up front and behind the scenes.

Minutes of the previous Meeting of Sunday 5th April 2009
The Minutes having been distributed, and as no amendments were raised, they were unanimously approved.
Presentation of the Electoral Roll
Mr Warner, deputising in the absence of Mr Lafford, stated that the numbers from the annual revision are 169 of which 95 are resident and 74 non-resident including 3 new members. The Rector commented that the Roll is very important as it gives members' names and addresses and is a measure of what we are as a parish. He thanked Mr Warner for undertaking this extra duty and it would be very helpful if a new volunteer were to come forward to take over the post and talk to the Rector regarding what is entailed.
Presentation of Inventory and Log Book
Mr Hyatt reported that the Inventory, which lists the material possessions and has been checked with nothing new to report. The Log Books of both churches, which record all work carried out during the year, have also been updated with the All Saints Land Registration under title number DT7755 noted which includes triangular area bounded by the bridleway, wall of Church Farm House and western edge of churchyard. As required the Rector countersigned the record forms to be returned to the Archdeaconry.

Presentation of the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31st December 2009
Mr Warner opened by stating the accounts have for the first time been prepared on a full accounting basis due to the level of income.
Total Incoming Resources: these show a figure of £116,295 - an increase of £35,074. The 2009 planned giving through FWO envelopes and direct payments to the church bank account (including tax recovered) was up by £2,686(6.9%) compared to 2008 with plate collections from all services up by £869(14%). Therefore a very creditable income flow from church attendees was achieved. The total Voluntary Incoming Resources increased by £43,142 due to a trust fund and legacy being received totalling £35,438. Also included are donations of £6,741 for work to be carried out at both churches. Two particular income sources warrant a mention. First on the positive side is the Hall rents at £11,514 although, due to the new accounting procedure, 13 months rent is included, and I would like to thank Frank Sizer for his work involved in arranging bookings and collecting and banking the rent. Secondly, the expected large decrease in investment income due to minimal interest rates now available. The Income from our deposits reduced from £15,867 in 2008 to £4,304 this year and are unlikely to show much improvement in 2010.
Resources Used: The Parish Share towards the ministry and mission of the Church in the Diocese for the year was £52,916(up 9%) which was met in full. The Share for 2010 is £53,502. Budgeted expenditure has been kept under close control and the only item that needs comment is Major Repairs/Installations/decorations. This includes the replacement of the oil tank and boiler, the refurbishment of the Bell at All Saints, and the organ keyboard at St. Marks with expenditure being £9,549 to date.
Our Charitable donations from Church funds during the year, including the Dearle Charitable Funds, amounted to £5200, but in addition, other donations from special collections and missionary boxes amounting to £2.665. Restricted funds, not available for general purposes, include the All Saints Restoration fund, commenced in 2008, initially to fund the heating replacement and bell restoration, raised £4,970 in 2009 with expenditure of £7,676 to date including a reserve of £4,000 for the bell. The Total Resources Used was £86,007 an increase of £7,851. To summarise, 2009 was a positive year with our net assets ending at £330,422 and with the Total Incoming resources exceeding Total resources Used by £30,288 but this was only due to the trust fund and legacy being received.
A point to ponder: When one totals the figures for FWO, standing orders, tax reclaimed, plate collections, ecclesiastical fees, hall and magazine income, there was a shortfall of £6,850 against budgeted expenditure.
The Rector then warmly thanked Mr Warner for his detailed report and all his hard work maintaining our Accounts each year, and also Mrs Hancock for once again auditing them. Miss G.Taylor then proposed, seconded by Mr Stevenson, the Annual Accounts be adopted by the Meeting. Carried Unanimously
The Rector at this point commented that when he arrived 10 years ago the parish share was about £26 or £27,000 and had anyone said to him that in 10 years time it would increase to the current £53,502 he would not have believed it. In fact, we have risen to the challenge of every year's increases. Some parishes moan at the Share but we are fortunate in that Salisbury Diocese is solvent whereas there are other diocese that are in debt. The Salisbury "Fairer Share" system enables other parishes to help those in difficulty, and expressed his gratitude to all who give and commented our aim should be to be self - sufficient.

Election of up to 12 Lay members of the Parochial Church Council
The following were unanimously elected to serve for the coming year:
Messers A Hancock, R Huntington, G Jarvis, V Paget, E Stevenson, R Sweet, D Warner.
Mesdames J Jarvis, J Lewis, J Paget, P Wood, Miss G Taylor.
The Rector followed by enquiring whether anyone else present at the meeting wished to stand for election at which Mr Kevin Moore expressed his willingness to stand and was unanimously elected. Arising from this the Rector put to the meeting his proposal that in future the number of Lay members be increased to 13 which, with himself and 6 ex-officio members, raises total Council numbers to 19. Carried Unanimously

Nomination of Sidespersons
While Sidespersons are not formally elected the Rector is required to declare the names of those who are willing to fulfill the role of this most important Ministry of Welcome for those attending our Services viz:-
Mrs M Anderson, Mrs B Bailey, Mrs A Brimblecombe, Mrs D Bundle, Mrs H Cox, Mrs K Hancock (Stepping Stones), Mrs M Hyatt, Mr G Jarvis, Mrs J Jarvis, Mrs G Jellis Mrs J Lay, Mr G Lewis, Mrs J Lewis Mrs J Norris, Mrs J Paget, Mrs B Raymond(MU only), Mr F Sizer, Mrs M Stansbury, Mr A Stavert, Mr E Stevenson, Mr R Sweet, Miss G Taylor, Miss J Taylor, Mrs E Thornton, Mrs E Toms, Mrs P Wood.

Presentation of the Annual Report for 2008/9 and Rector's Matters
The Rector commented that when he first came to the parish he was greeted by the sign "Welcome to the friendly Church" but the sign was very dilapidated - hardly a friendly welcome. During his early years here he had felt isolated from a congregation widely dispersed and the empty pews. Then, after a few years we undertook the re-ordering and refurbishing of the Nave and Sanctuary, the first stage being removal of excess pews which had made a big impact providing disabled accommodation and increased the welcoming area at the west end. However, he also commented that he had felt hurt to learn from comments made that some felt we were not a friendly Church and to rectify this will require special effort. One such way would be to change our present set seating habits by changing this and moving to sit with others. To be Disciples of Christ we need to commit ourselves to bear one another's burdens and share one another's joys.
The Rector then spoke of the many wonderful servants whose commitment and involvement giving of their time and many talents in the life of our churches and expressed his thanks to them as well as to the officers for their support. During the questions that followed, he spoke of the background and history of the pews at All Saints as well as the importance of music in Christian worship and how our repertoire has increased thanks to the efforts of Ralph and Val Hebditch.
Mr Hyatt, Churchwarden, followed remarking that many have been thanked for their achievements the exception being our Rector Charles so, on behalf of those present and our church congregations, he expressed heartfelt appreciation to him for his leadership and spiritual guidance in all aspects of our worship.
There being no Other Business the Annual Meetings closed with the Grace at 12.20pm followed by a Soup and Bread lunch which was well supported.
The next Meeting of the PCC is scheduled for Wednesday 5th May 2009 at 7.30pm.
Following the meeting about 40 people remained to enjoy fellowship and a heart-warming and delicious Leek and Potato Soup, prepared by Chris Watson. It was a very enjoyable way to end an inspiring Palm Sunday.