Darsham Country Centre Financial Statements For the year ended 31st December 2024
Darsham Country Centre
(a company limited by guarantee)
Financial Statements for the year ended 31st December 2024
Charity number 1047729 Company number 2831131 Directors/Trustees Susan Cole Hilary Sutton Bryan Osbon Tim Delaney Sara Harvey Helen Spilsted Gawain Little Company Secretary Susan Cole Staff Annette Day Sarah Vautier Registered office The Station House Yard, Main Road, Darsham, Saxmundham, IP17 3PN Centre address The Station House, Main Road, Darsham, Suffolk, IP17 3LA Independent examiner Fiona McArthur FCCA (reg no. 1688933) Bankers Co-operative Bank plc, PO Box 250, Delf House, Skelmersdale, WN8 6WT
Trustees’ Report for 2024
The trustees, who are also directors for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their annual report and the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024.
Objects of the Charity
Darsham Country Centre is established under its memorandum and articles for the furtherance of educational and recreational activities for the benefit of persons in the south east of England, particularly but not exclusively those resident in the London Borough of Hackney and other London boroughs, to provide and assist in the provision of facilities for recreation or other leisure-time occupation with the object of improving the conditions of life of such persons.
Activities
The company carries out its charitable objects by managing a hostel in Darsham near Yoxford in Suffolk. The trustees have considered the Charity Commission guidance and believe that the centre’s activities are wholly undertaken to further the charitable purposes for the public benefit.
It offers 30 bed spaces, catering facilities and recreational opportunities primarily for the users of voluntary and statutory organisations which support people who lack access to affordable holidays and would benefit from communal activities. The groups using the centre reflect the objectives and include children and young people’s organisations, older people and those with disabilities.
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The trustees, acting as the board of directors, are responsible for strategic and practical management, financial control, fundraising and the supervision of two staff members. The centre works in partnership with Woodcraft Folk, which organises certain services such as payroll and insurance.
Achievements during the year
During the year there were 88 bookings, including 8 day bookings and 33 weekend bookings (2023: 44).
Capacity was expanded by purchasing additional bunk beds and equipment to allow the centre to increase its offer to 30 bed spaces from 24.
Financial Review of the Year
Total income for the year was £44,222 (2023: £37,078). The majority of income was booking fees, which increased slightly to £43,561 (2023: £36,530). Expenditure totalled £41,899 (2023: £31,853), and included just over £4,000 on new beds and bedding to increase capacity. The year ended with a surplus of £2,323 (2023: £5,225).
Reserves policy
Trustees have tried to build up reserves over recent years given the need for ongoing repairs and improvements to an ageing building, rising expectations among potential users for more sophisticated facilities and the uncertainty of income from voluntary and statutory organisations.
Booking levels are vulnerable to external events beyond the trustees’ control. The Centre seeks grants for special projects and major improvements to the building. However, appropriate sources of funding are increasingly difficult to identify.
Annual expenditure, needed to maintain staff and basic services only, is about £40,000. The centre will seek to designate funds of:
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£6,000 for any essential repairs and renewals and emergencies to be agreed by trustees and revised annually as circumstances dictate.
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£4,000 to enable the centre to maintain basic services should bookings decline for a defined period
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£2,000 to meet redundancy payments for one staff member.
Should the centre cease operation, it would need to repay a secured loan of £14,500 to Hackney Borough Council. The sale of the premises would enable this liability to be met.
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Statement of directors’/trustees’ responsibilities
The Trustees (who are also the directors of Darsham Country Centre for the purpose of company law) are responsible for preparing the Report of the Trustees and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice) including Financial Reporting Standard 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland”.
Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to:
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Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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Observe the methods and principles in the Charity SORP;
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Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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Prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in business.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Approved by the board of Trustees/Directors on:
And signed on its behalf by:
Gawain Little (Trustee) on 16th September 2025
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Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Darsham Country Centre For the year ended 31st December 2024
I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2024 which are set out in pages 6 to 11.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity's trustees of the Company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act'). Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity's accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act'). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act.
Independent Examiner's statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:
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Accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
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The accounts do not accord with those records; or
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The accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
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The accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities (applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)).
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Fiona McArthur FCCA (reg. No 1688933) Cambridge, UK
Date: 11th September 2025
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Darsham Country Centre
Statement of Financial Activities
For the Year Ended 31st December 2024
| Note | 2024 Unrestricted |
2024 Restricted |
2024 Total Funds |
2023 Unrestricted |
2023 Restricted |
2023 Total Funds |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |||
| Income from: | ||||||||
| Charitable activities | 2 | 43,561 | - | 43,561 | 36,612 | - | 36,612 | |
| Investments | 3 | 661 | - | 661 | 466 | - | 466 | |
| Total income | 44,222 | - | 44,222 | 37,078 | - | 37,078 | ||
| Expenditure on: | ||||||||
| Raisingfunds | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| Charitable activities | 4 | 41,432 | - | 41,432 | 31,539 | - | 31,539 | |
| Governance | 5 | 467 | - | 467 | 314 | - | 314 | |
| Total expenditure | 6,7 | 41,899 | - | 41,899 | 31,853 | - | 31,853 | |
| Net movement of funds | 2,323 | - | 2,323 | 5,225 | - | 5,225 | ||
| Funds brought forward | 46,963 | 43,453 | 90,416 | 41,738 | 43,453 | 85,191 | ||
| Funds carried forward | 49,286 | 43,453 | 92,739 | 46,963 | 43,453 | 90,416 |
All amounts relate to continuing activities. There were no recognised gains or losses other than those included above.
The notes on pages 8 to 10 form part of these financial statements.
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Darsham Country Centre
Balance Sheet at 31st December 2024
| Note | Unrestricted funds |
Restricted funds |
Restricted 2024 Total funds |
2023 Total funds |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |||
| Fixed Assets | 8 | 1 | 57,953 | 57,954 | 57,954 | |
| Current Assets | ||||||
| Stock (oil) | 800 | - | 800 | 800 | ||
| Debtors and prepayments | 9 | 252 | - | 252 | 252 | |
| Cash at bank and in hand | 63,574 | - | 63,574 | 51,123 | ||
| Total Current Assets | 64,626 | - | 64,626 | 52,175 | ||
| Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year | 10 | 15,341 | - | 15,341 | 5,213 | |
| Net Current Assets | 49,285 | - | 49,285 | 46,962 | ||
| Total Assets less Current Liabilities | 49,286 | 57,953 | 107,239 | 104,916 | ||
| Creditors: Amounts falling due after more than one year | - | 14,500 | 14,500 | 14,500 | ||
| Net Assets | 49,286 | 43,453 | 92,739 | 90,416 | ||
| Funds of the charity | ||||||
| Restricted funds | 43,453 | 43,453 | ||||
| Unrestricted Funds | 49,286 | 46,963 | ||||
| Total funds | 92,739 | 90,416 |
The trustees are satisfied that an audit is not required of the financial statements for the year by virtue of section 43(2) of the Charities Act 1993.
Small Companies Audit Exemption
The trustees are satisfied that an audit is not required of the financial statements for the year by virtue of section 477 of the Companies Act 2006. The members have not required the company to obtain an audit, in accordance with section 476 of the Act.
Small Company Accounting Exemption
The directors acknowledge their responsibility for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and for the preparation of the accounts. These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies’ regime.
These financial statements were approved by the board on 16th September 2025 and signed on their behalf by:
Gawain Little, Director and Trustee
The notes on pages 8 to 11 form part of the financial statements.
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Darsham Country Centre
Notes to the Accounts for the Year Ended 31st December 2024
1. Accounting Policies
1.1. Basis of Accounting
These accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) “Accounting and Reporting by Charities Statement of Recommended PRactice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)”, Financial Reporting Standard 102 “The Financial Reposting Standard applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland” and the Companies Act 2006.
1.2. Cash Flow Statement
The trustees have taken advantage of the exemption in FRS 102 “The Financial Reposting Standard applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland” and the Companies Act 2006 from including a cash flow statement in the financial statements on the grounds that the charity is small.
1.3. Tangible Fixed Assets and Depreciation
Tangible Fixed Assets are stated at cost less depreciation. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost of fixed assets, less their estimated residual value, over their expected useful lives on the following basis:
Fixtures and fittings: Over five years
1.4. Stocks
Stocks are valued at the lover of cost and net residual value.
1.5. Donations and Grants
These are included in the Statement of Financial Activities when they are received.
1.6. Income from Activities and Other Income
Income from Activities and Other Income is included in the period to which it relates.
1.7. Resources expended
Resources expended, including Value Added Tax, are included in the period to which they relate.
1.8. Funds
Resources received are allocated to Restricted Funds according to the limitations on their use specified by the donors or other providers. Funds received in the direct operation of the Charity are treated as unrestricted income funds. Other resources received without external restriction are designated by the trustees for particular purposes as deemed appropriate.
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Darsham Country Centre
Notes to the Accounts for the Year Ended 31st December 2024 (continued)
2. Income from Charitable Activities
| 2024 Unrestricted |
2024 Restricted |
2024 Total Funds |
2023 Total Funds |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Hostel accommodation | 43,556 | - | 43,556 | 36,530 | |
| Grants | - | - | - | - | |
| Other income | 5 | - | 5 | 82 | |
| 43,561 | - | 43,561 | 36,612 |
3. Income from Investments
| Income from Investments | 2024 Unrestricted |
2024 Restricted |
2024 Total Funds |
2023 Total Funds |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Bank interest | 661 | - | 661 | 466 | |
| 661 | - | 661 | 466 |
4. Expenditure on Charitable Activities
| Expenditure on Charitable Activities |
2024 Unrestricted |
2024 Restricted |
2024 Total Funds |
2023 Total Funds |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Salary costs | 18,543 | 18,543 | 12,234 | ||
| Rates | - | - | 200 | ||
| Water and Sewerage | 154 | 154 | 562 | ||
| Heat and Light | 4,091 | 4,091 | 2,892 | ||
| Equipment | 4,718 | 4,718 | 249 | ||
| Repairs and refurbishment | 7,823 | 7,823 | 8,970 | ||
| Refuse disposal | - | - | 557 | ||
| Cleaning materials | 522 | 522 | 726 | ||
| Insurance | 1,086 | 1,086 | 1,049 | ||
| Advertising | 877 | 877 | 786 | ||
| Administration | 3,097 | 3,097 | 2,836 | ||
| Phone and broadband | 521 | 521 | 478 | ||
| 41,432 | - | 41,432 | 31,539 |
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Darsham Country Centre
Notes to the Accounts for the Year Ended 31st December 2024 (continued)
5. Expenditure on Governance
| 2024 Unrestricted |
2024 Restricted |
2024 Total Funds |
2023 Total Funds |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Trustees' travel and subsistence | 467 | - | 467 | 314 | |
| 467 | - | 467 | 314 |
6. Total Expenditure
| Charitable Activities Governance |
Staff costs | Other costs | 2024 Total costs |
2023 Total costs |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| 18,543 | 22,889 | 41,432 | 31,539 | ||
| - | 467 | 467 | 314 | ||
| 18,543 | 23,356 | 41,899 | 31,853 |
7. Staff costs
| 2024 | 2023 |
|
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Salaries | 18,195 | 11,792 |
| Social Security costs | 348 | 442 |
| 18,543 | 12,234 |
8. Tangible Fixed Assets
| Tangible Fixed Assets | Freehold land and buildings |
Fixtures, fittings and equipment |
Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Cost | |||
| Balance brought forward | 57,953 | 15,129 | 73,082 |
| (Disposals) | - | - | - |
| Balance carried forward | 57,953 | 15,129 | 73,082 |
| Depreciation | |||
| Balance brought forward | - | 15,128 | 15,128 |
| Charge foryear | - | - | - |
| Balance carried forward | - | 15,128 | 15,128 |
| Net book value | |||
| Brought forward | 57,953 | 1 | 57,954 |
| Carried forward | 57,953 | 1 | 57,954 |
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Darsham Country Centre
Notes to the Accounts for the Year Ended 31st December 2024 (continued)
9. Debtors and Prepayments
| 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Share account with East of England Co-op Society | 252 | 252 |
| 252 | 252 |
10. Creditors
| Amounts falling due within one year |
Amounts falling due within one year |
Amounts falling due after more than one year |
Amounts falling due after more than one year |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Deposits and prepaid income | 7,856 | 4,561 | - | |
| Trade creditors and accruals | 7,485 | 652 | - | |
| Secured loans | - | - | 14,500 | 14,500 |
| 15,341 | 5,213 | 14,500 | 14,500 |
11. Restricted Funds
| Income Expenditure Net movement Openingbalance Closing balance |
PropertyReserve | Grant funds | Total funds |
|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | £ | |
| - | - | - | |
| - | - | - | |
| - | - | - | |
| 43,453 | - | 43,453 | |
| 43,453 | - | 43,453 |
12.
Commitments
There are no capital commitments at the end of the financial year for which provision has been made (2023: nil).
13. Trustee expenses
During the year two trustees (2023:2) received travel and subsistence expenses totalling £466.95 (2023: £314).
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