Parochial Church Council

Welcome

Church records for Sydling such as Churchwardens’ account books beginning in 1638 and vestry minutes are available to examine at the Records Office in Dorchester.

The church records of Baptisms. Marriages and Burials are complete from 1565 apart from a 30-year gap during the Civil War, In more recent years the minutes of Sydling St. Nicholas PCC provide fascinating insights into the challenges facing a village church. Membership of the Council has gradually increased mainly to help share out the responsibilities amongst a larger number of villagers; there are now fifteen members. The business under discussion becomes more extensive and the financial pressures more difficult as each year passes.

The Annual Parish Share is now £10000 and there are spiraling costs to maintain the building. New tax concessions for regular giving have helped increase income and the possibility of reducing VAT charges down to 5% for church repairs offers some prospect of relief on expenditure of that kind. However that proposal by the Chancellor in his November (2000) statement is subject to approval by the European Commission. Common Worship, replacing ASH Rite A services, was introduced in November 2000.

Like all major organisations in this modern era the Church of England constantly reviews its policies and practices, and introduces changes which often take some time to get used to.