TORRIDGE METHODIST CIRCUIT

Registered charity 1132638 · accounts filings on the Charity Commission register · also known as BIDEFORD AND SHEBBEAR METHODIST CIRCUIT, BIDEFORD METHODIST CIRCUIT

The Torridge Methodist Circuit provides ministers for the Methodist Churches within its area and co-ordinates church activities across the area.

Causes: Religious Activities · website · Get email alerts

Latest income

£324k

Latest spending

£264k

Registered

2009

Accounts read

FY2025

Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts

The accounts state that the charity holds unrestricted reserves of £1,319,785, which exceeds its stated policy target of four months' average expenditure. The filing reports a surplus of £59,606 for the year, driven significantly by capital receipts from property sales, while noting that recurring assessment income is falling due to a reducing number of chapels.

Automated summary of the FY2025 accounts; the evidenced findings below carry the verbatim passages.

What the accounts disclose

Reserves policy: 4 months' average expenditure (held: £1.3m)

“The Reserves Policy for the Circuit is to hold a minimum sum equivalent to 4 months' average expenditure.” — page 4

Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.

Related-party transaction: The charity is part of the Methodist Church Connexion; payments are made to the District and Connexional Funds.

“The sum of £37,917 was this year’s annual contribution to the District and Connexional Funds. A significant part of which is used for the work of the wider Methodist Church.” — page 2

“Investment Bankers Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church. Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes.” — page 4

Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.

Related-party transaction: Investments are held with the Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church.

“The sum of £37,917 was this year’s annual contribution to the District and Connexional Funds. A significant part of which is used for the work of the wider Methodist Church.” — page 2

“Investment Bankers Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church. Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes.” — page 4

Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.

Accounts independently examined (not a full audit). Discloses 4 of 6 completeness components.

Trustees · trustee networks

Anthea Sussex
BRIAN REGINALD CHAPPLE · trustee of 1 other charity
Beryl Oke
DAVID COURTNEY WATSON · trustee of 2 other charities
David Bryan Ley · trustee of 1 other charity
Deacon Deborah Marsh
ELSIE IRENE POTTER
FRANK LEWIS WATSON · trustee of 1 other charity
HILDA MARY HARRIS
IRIS MAY CHAPPLE
Jacqueline Rose Watson
Jennifer Thurston
John Babb
Judith Irene Ross
Judith Marie Quance · trustee of 1 other charity
Julian Allin
MARGARET CISSIE REED
MAUREEN LETITIA ELLIS
MICHAEL DAVID STEVENS
PHILIP JOHN SQUIRE
ROSANNA MARGARET STEVENS
ROY ARTHUR STANLEY JOHNS
RUTH ANN BLAKE
Rev ANDREW THOMAS VIDAMOUR
Rev Paul Booth
SARAH ANNE RICHARDS
SARAH LYNIA BADHAM
SHEILA ANN BABB
STUART JOHN FAULKNER
VALERIE ROSE PEARD
VICTOR JOHN HANCOCK
Vivienne Phyllis Sheriff

Trustee list from the Charity Commission register (current, not historical).

Operates in: Devon

Income and spending

Financial year end	Income	Spending
31/08/2025	£324k	£264k
31/08/2024	£244k	£249k
31/08/2023	£184k	£211k
31/08/2022	£187k	£192k
31/08/2021	£244k	£215k

Common questions

Is TORRIDGE METHODIST CIRCUIT financially healthy?

Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity holds unrestricted reserves of £1,319,785, which exceeds its stated policy target of four months' average expenditure. The filing reports a surplus of £59,606 for the year, driven significantly by capital receipts from property sales, while noting that recurring assessment income is falling due to a reducing number of chapels. Its FY2025 accounts were independently examined.