Arrangements for funerals, baptisms, marriages can all be managed through the Office. We look after bookings for the halls connected with the three churches which see a wide variety of community groups using our facilities. We offer a photocopying and printing service to all those who need documents copied and usually this can be done while 'customers' wait.

Although there are employed staff to run the office, we rely on volunteers who freely give of their time to prepare paperwork for distribution, address envelopes, proof-read documents, manage archive material, maintain this website and respond to the many daily telephone and e-mail enquiries.

Apart from this work, we have a desk totally dedicated to the financial aspect of the parish. With three churches, including the magnificent Parish Church, it is important to maintain each church's accounts carefully and correctly, not to mention keeping records of all the other financial aspects which are generated by the rest of our work.

We are pleased to be able to serve our church and local communities. We believe that being part of the building known as 'the Parish Centre' enables us to do just that.

ANNUAL REPORT

The major event in the development of the Parish Office this year was, of course, the move to the Parish Centre. Although there was some concern about loss of revenue to the Parish Centre, we have been able to accommodate all our usual clients into the other two rooms in the Centre. Since we are ‘on site’ we have also been able to show potential hirers the actual Centre which has led to further bookings. Compared with the same period last year, income from bookings, this year, has risen by three hundred percent.

There is no doubt in our minds that the environment in the Centre is far more  conducive to Parish Administration and the number of visitors to our office has increased this year. Katie and Howard now work the same hours so we are both accessible for visitors 9.30 – 1pm every week-day. Visitors no longer need to climb steep stairs and push-chairs do not now block our exits. The only drawback is the smell of the drains that occasionally permeates the building and continues to evade our efforts to track down its source. Our old office at 1 Coxwell Street has been taken over as the Campaign Office for the raising of funds for the refurbishment of the Parish Church.

  The role of the office is gradually changing. The PCC has recommended that the post of ‘Office Manager’ be restructured to ‘Parish Administrator’ which really means taking on more jobs and additional responsibility. Katie and Howard have divided up some of the administrative jobs but Katie continues to be the first point of contact regarding financial queries. We also extend our services to the Deanery churches and to the work of Churches Together, so we are kept busy.

  Howard composed an Office Development Plan during the year which was summarised by the Vicar and presented to the PCC. Based on the mnemonic TRUST it considers what the roles of the administrative team are, where the responsibilities lie, ensures that we all understand what these roles and responsibilities are and how they relate to each other, what support structures are needed when people are away or ill and finally the all important area of talking and communication.

  Our volunteers are highly valued and we continue to be extremely grateful to Aileen, Heather, Margaret and Eileen who give up their mornings to help, fold, photocopy, collate booklets and even deliver the pew leaflets to church. We are especially grateful to Peter and Linda Flaherty who clean and caretake the Parish Centre so efficiently. Thank you to them and to all who call in. It’s always good to see you.
                                                                 Howard Gray and Katie Bannister

The Campaign Office is now situated at 1, Coxwell street, having taken over the old Parish Office room. The Campaign is very active in raising funds for the renovation of the Parish Church, funds which need to be over £6m.