Registered Charity 1012683 Wingham Recreation Ground Annual Report and Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended March 31" 2024 Wingham Recreation Ground Contents Charity Infonnation Page 3 Trustees, report Page 4 Treasurer's report Page 5 Indepcndent Reviewer's Report Page 6 Statement of Income and Retained Earnings Page 7 Balance Sheet Page 8 Note to the Unaudited Financial Statements Pagc 8 Charity Inforniation Trustees Ian Pettman Gary Watkins Chair Ian Pettman Committee Members Bettina Braun (Tennis) Adam Cork (Football) Paul Cork (Deputy Chair & Darts) David Rothschild (Treasurer) Emma Shaw (Secretary) Martin Smith (Parish council) Gary Watkins (Cricket) Charley Watkins (Bat & Trap) Rupert Williamson (Public) Address The Pavilion Wingham Recreation Ground Goodnestone Road Wingham cr3 IAR Independent Reviewer Andy Joiner About The Recreation Grnund & Club The organisation was registered with the Charity Commission in 1964 with the principal goal of: 'Promoting the benefit of the inhabitants of the Parish of Wingham, Kent and the neighbourhood, without distinttion of sex or of political, religious or other opinions by associating the local authorities, voluntsry organisations and inhabitants in a common effort to advance education and to provide facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation and leisure time occupation with the objert of improving the conditions of life for the said Inhabitsnts., These lofy ambitions are focussed on the village Recreation Ground, out on the south- eastern edge of the village. The Parish Council has built and maintains a children's playground, fenced games area and outdoor gym, all on special surfaces. We have tennis courts in another. There is a little clubhouse with bar and changing facilities for the sports teams. The remaining 5 or so acres are for general recreational use. The management committee looks after these facilities and is formed of the chairman, a treasurer and secretary, a Parish Council representstive, two members of the public seletted at the Annual Parish Assembly and representatives from the various groups who use the facilities of the Recreation ground i.e.: Football, Cricket, Tennis, Bat &Trap, darts etc. We are managed and run entirely by volunteers. Funds are largely generated from membership subscriptions to our Sports and Social Club and sales through the bar in the Pavilion. Trustees Report The grounds are used by many from both Wingham and beyond. We have our various sports groups, children using the play areas and both children and adults using the fields for recreation. The Multi Use Games Area (MUGA), the play area and the gym apparatus are well used by all ages. By far and above the widest use of our fields is for exercising dogs. Of all things, failure to clean up the excrement from our faithful friends is still our first and largest challenge. The fields are looked after by volunteers with much help from the Parish Council and membership contributions from the sports teams and club supporters. We are proud that both cricket and football teams comment on how well the pitches are maintsined. During the year we were awarded 'Good Pitch, ststus by the FA, something that is not given to most amateur facilities. It is such a shame that this hard work is so regularly devalued by a group that collectively makes little contribution to the upkeep. We have worked quite hard to keep the problem at the forefront of people's minds and we see that the issue has diminished as a result but there is a long way to go. The good news is that we have not had many reports of anti-social behaviour on the grounds. There have been minor incidents of off-road bikes being driven on the football pitch and churning up the ground. Hopefully these excursions will cease now that the miscreants realise that they are on ccrv. We are delighted that the various sports clubs that are based at the Recreation Ground had another successful year. The Cricket teams did well but both narrowly missed league glory. By way of compensation the first team won their indoor league and the second team theirs. The second team then beat the first team in the thockout cup and went on to win. The football season has been plagued by bad weather and many matches have been cancelled. Our team started well but has flagged a bit, de5Plte maintaining high spirits. We have an even stronger squad for the 202415 season so we are quietly optimistic for their fortunes. Our darts team continues to defeat all in its path, coming first in the league again. Many will know that an annual Iok and 5k.run held every year on the grounds was supported in considerable numbers and was very well organised as ever. The event puts Wingham on the map for that day. The organiser told me that they were pleased with the attendance but regretted that numbers were down from pre-covid years, something which seems to be a trend in many areas of events. We must thank the contrattors for the good work in keeping the grounds cut to a nice standard. The same contattors (Harmen& Sons) also trimmed the trees and hedges around the perimeter of the grounds and tennis court during March so that there was no impatt of the bird nesting season. We must also thank the Parish Council for the grant to help with this. Our second challenge is to try and increase our membership and contribution to village activities. Over the years, interest in local sports has diminished and we would really like to attract other groups or individuals from the village to join the committee to bring fresh ideas and help to maintain and perpetuate this precious village asset. We would encourage anyone interested in promoting any activity which might be suited to our facilities to come forward and we can talk it through. This includes our pavilion which is radically underutilised. Indeed, the facilities certainly need reviewing themselves. Our pavilion is now looking to be updated as it was built mainly by public donations back in 1983. Since then, the sports scene has changed with the diversity of options expanding and the needs of the village changing. We would love to be able to tsckle these issues but with a shortage of volunteers and ideas it just can t happen. Unlike so many organisations we have already saved over £47,000 towards this goal. We must hope that we can find some direttion with help from the village. These funds are largely generated by our social club which manages and maintains the pavilion. Sports clubs and individuals can become members entitling them to use of the facilities and get memberfs prices at our bar. This section is entirely self-funding and staffed by volunteers. We must raise over £6,000 a year to keep it all going and they do. We, the trustees, really appreciate the work that goes in to keeping the grounds maintained, the sports clubs running and the pavilion open and warm. A great deal of hard work is put in by the volunteers for others to enjoy. Without them the facility probably wouldn't exist. We thank them all sincerely. Signed dll:b Date Recreation Ground Finan￿ Report 2022-2024 A disappointing year financially as a combination of rising prices and reduced income limited profits. The reduction in bar sales was mainly a reflertion of the appalling weather during the football season where so many matches were cancelled due to rain and waterlogged pitches. Gross margins on beer slipped as a result of price increases across the board. At the beginning of the year we were concerned about rises in operating expenses, not least energy prices. In that respect we were not disappointed, energy prices nearly doubled but through careful management we reduced usage and kept the financial impact down to a 50 % increase. We also managed savings elsewhere, on both bar and pavilion maintenance. Gross margins recovered a little in 2024. Maintenance costs should now stsbilise and energy costs are falling so we believe we are in a better position looking forwards. Despite all of this, the accounts presented here show a modest surplus of £1,245. At the operating level we achieved £2,856. This, after spending £1,500 on new flooring and £1,300 repairing fencing, the latter thanks to a grant from the Parish council There has been a concomitant increase in funds with our overall cash position rising by nearly £2,000. Surplus funds have been allocated to our building projett account which stood at £47,148 as of the year end. Signed Date Lt.6.2Lfr Independent Reviewer's Report For the Year Ended 31 March 2024 I, the undersigned, have examined the attached Financial Artivities accounts together with the statements of assets and liabilities and in my opinion, they present a true and fair view of the accumulated funds as of 315t March 204and of the transactions for the year ended on that date. Dated: ab￿￿¥ 2021* Signed: Please print: Name: Address: T1 4Sc LIGLfrJ.- Wingham Recreation Club Financial Activities April 2023 - March 2024 £.8 A r 2023- Mar 2024 Apr 2022. Mar 2023 Bar sale5 Cafe Donations and legacies Hall Hire Membership Subscriptions Pool Table Revenue Sales of Produrt Income 19,695 599 59 195 2,030 257 14 22,127 386 150 130 2,589 Total Sales 21849 25,6 Stock for Resale Bar Equipment maintenance Subscri ptions and Licences Telecoms Entertainment Card Fees 10,726 10,071 2.017 896 538 737 587 350 258 14,063 &787 257 13,780 11,910 Total Cost of Sales Club House Gross Profit Electricity Gas Club House Repairs & Maintenance Cl ub House Insurance Cleaning Water Club House Health and Safety Software subscri ptions Supplies Off ice/Admi nistrative Expenses Total Club House Expenses 2,069 1,366 655 1,667 396 749 430 363 361 416 139 182 38 18 5,548 158 70 5,247 Club House Contrfbution 3,239 6,663 Recreation Ground Grznts Recreation Ground Donations Ground Maintenance Recreation Ground Insurances Rent & Rates Recreation Ground Net Expen5e5 -1,3[ -300 1.475 430 -1,311) -300 1,257 396 242 295 Net Operating Income Amortisation of Grants Interest earned 1,177 1,777 82 332 Other Income Depreciation 3,388 2,313 1313 Other Expendlture Net Other Expenditure 1,611 1,981 Net Income Wingham Recreation Club Balance Sheet As of March 31, 2024 fs Mar 31, 2024 Mar 31, 2023 Fixed Assets Total Bar Equipment Total Fixtures and Fittings 576 7,138 7,714 1,152 8,450 9,602 Total Tangible assets Cash at bank and in hand Cash on Hand Club House Current Account Square Card Account Management Committee Current Account Ring Fenced Funds Savings Account Ring Fenced Funds Term Deposit Total Cash at bank and in hand 1, 107 8, 105 154 7,893 91 247 316 44,651 6,098 41,050 56.222 20 27 518 158 598 1,120 58,662 Debtor5 Prepaid TV Licence Prepaid Insurance Prepaid PPL- PRS Prepaid Security Stock 363 1,621 Current assets Creditors". falling due within one year Trade Creditors Accruals 703 144 1,049 474 1,523 Totsl Creditors Net current assets 57,815 55,283 Total current assets less current liabilities 65,529 Deferred income 2, 150 2.750 Total net assets 63,379 62,135 Charityfunds Retai ned Earn i ngs Surplus/lDef icit) Total Charity funds 62,135 1.244 63,379 57,749 4,386 62.135 Notes to Unaudited Flnancial Statements l) Tangible Assets Prior years have not incorporated any depreciation of assets - this only commenced in the year to March 2023 but the organisation is confident that the current valuation is a true reflection of market value. 2) Cash at Banks The sum includes £47,148 of funds ring-fenced for pavilion expansion. 3) Deferred income This un-expensed income from a grant given to help repla￿ the pavilion boiler.