Over the past few months it has become increasingly apparent that All Hallows will end this financial year with a substantial deficit – well into five figures. The main reasons for this are threefold:

 

• Loss of Planned Giving income, largely due to the effects of the economic downturn on several of our most generous givers
• Reduced Car Park revenue as there were no summer concerts at Twickenham Stadium in 2009
• Increased costs for maintaining our Grade I listed church and ageing Parish Hall

 

In addition to the above, we are required to pay our Common Fund contribution of over £50,000 per annum to the Diocese of London and we receive absolutely no financial help from anywhere.  We are not profligate spenders, our income is used wisely and costs are kept to the bare minimum.

 

This situation is clearly one that cannot continue and we are considering how best to reduce the existing deficit, whilst ensuring we end next year in a healthier financial position.  The favoured strategy at the moment is to approach those who do not currently give to the church through Planned Giving but who nevertheless feel part of the All Hallows community.  Many people simply do not realise that churches such as ours must be totally self sufficient, on top of which we have to pay the Common Fund payment to the Diocese.  We also plan to hold a major fundraising event, perhaps another Sponsored Abseil down the Tower. 

 

Further details of our financial situation will appear in the Annual Report and Accounts and I would like to invite everyone living in the Parish to attend our Annual Meeting, which will be held in the Parish Hall on Wednesday April 21^st at 8 p.m.

 

In the meantime if you have any suggestions, or would like to make a donation, please could you be in touch.  Contact details appear elsewhere in this Newsletter.