The Parochial Church Council of Saint George the Martyr, New Mills deeply regret the need to increase our Hall Hire Fees this year. There are several reasons for this, which we hope you will understand:

The income of Saint George the Martyr, New Mills comes solely from congregational giving, donations received at weddings, baptisms and funerals, and any surplus income from the Parish Hall.

Like many other local-level charitable organisations, our income continues to be impacted by the after-effects of the pandemic and by the huge increases in gas and electricity prices. It should be noted that whilst we have received some assistance from the government towards the energy costs of the church and hall, this is nowhere near the amount of that householders have received.

In 2022, receipts for the hall did exceed payments by £7160, however, no expenditure was incurred on major items of maintenance, such as an overhaul of the heating system and decorating the hall.

Since the pandemic we have not had a cleaner, relying on volunteers from the church to carry out this work. Essentially, therefore, the PCC and church members have subsidised the costs of hiring out the hall.

In view of the considerable expenditure we face at St. George’s Church, we have, sadly reached the position where the church and church members can no longer afford to support the Parish Hall Hirers.

St. George’s Parochial Church Council.