Trustees’ Report Cowpe Community Hall. April 2025.
Charity registration Number: 1107946
Address; 7, Spring Gardens, Cowpe, BB4 7DZ.
Trustees;
Elected:
Aly Keogh, David Elmer, Julie Adshead, James MacNab.
Appointed Members.
Nigel Whittaker, Church, Treasurer.
Ann Elmer. Lunch Club. Chair.
Gill Corden. Social Committee.
Co-opted:
No co-opted trustees,
Structure, Governance and Management.
Date of Governing Document. 10[th] January 2005.
See Charity Commission Document for structure, governance and management.
Financial Review.
See separate statement of accounts.
Objectives of Charity.
1)the objective of the charity is the provision and maintenance of the community hall for use by the inhabitants of the area of benefit without distinction of political, religious or other opinions, including use for:
a) meetings, lectures and classes and
b) other forms of recreation and leisure-time occupation, with the object of improving the conditions of life for the inhabitants.
Activities undertaken to further charitable purposes for the public benefit Church Services, Lunch Club, Yoga Groups, Work on funding for Men’s
Institute and building work to renovate the Institute, Funding for Main Building. Meeting of Social Committee, Meeting of Building Committee, Letting of Hall for Children’s Birthday Parties and family celebrations including weddings and funerals, Remembrance Service, Community Carol Service with buffet lunch, 100 Club.
Achievements and performance.
Funding Committee Report. Julie Adshead.
Fundraising for the Institute
The Funding Committee was set up in early 2022 and after, long and sustained attempts to raise funds for the Institute we secured nearly £90,000 for the first phase of the work there, which is now complete.
In the past year we have succeeded in raising a further £28,615.00, which will also allow us to draw down the £5000 pledged to us by Bernard Sunley Foundation.
This is by way of funding from the Lottery, Lancashire Environmental Fund and Lancashire County Council.
This will allow us to finish the work at the Institute – by installing and equipping the kitchen and bar, decorating, improving the access to the front and rear of the building and adding various finishing touches.
A planning application has also now been submitted for the change of use of the building.
We’re looking forward to celebrating at the grand opening later this year.
Big thanks go to the funding committee and to Jonathan from our main contractors for his patience and hard work.
Fundraising for the Hall
We have paid for drawings, which will allow us to commission a condition survey and costs for work needed to the Hall.
We are currently putting in an expression of interest to the Architectural Heritage Fund to cover the cost of this, which is likely to be in the region of £12,000 to £15,000.
The costs involved for work to the building will be substantial – probably in the millions. We will need to have a think about our offering in preparation for major bids to sources such as the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Can I thank the members of the Funding committee, Julie Adshead, Wendy Davidson,
Aly Keogh, Jacob Landers, Ann Elmer. Without their tireless hard work sourcing grants, applying for them, contacting contractors, liaising with contractors and discussing future developments nothing would be done and our whole community should be grateful to them. Thank you.
Social Committee Report. Sarah Stringer.
Hi all. As chair of the social committee, I have been asked to say a few words about what we have been up to since the last AGM.
We try to organise something at least once a month to raise some funds for the coffers.
I will give a brief account of what we have done and also of what we have planned
2024
Egg hunt £172.90 Chinese night £160.60 Stephen Oldfield £440 Summer fair £380.65 BBQ £95 Stephen Oldfield £140 Halloween £59.70 Christmas party £67.63 Hamper raffle £208 Egg hunt 2025. £109.90
Total £2160.07
We have quite a few things planned for this coming year.
Next Sunday we would love for you all to join us for a tea party to celebrate the 80[th] anniversary of VE day
31[st] May and 1[st] of June there will be an Art trail
22[nd] June there will be a flowerpot people workshop. People of any age can come and pick up some tips and create their own flowerpot person to go on display at the flowerpot trail as part of our summer fair in July.
The summer fair will include local artisan stalls, duck race, tombola, cake stalls etc
September will be the Cowpe BBQ inc live music
October we have Elvis tribute & karaoke
Halloween kids party
December 14thkids party & the 21[st] will the carol service.
We are always looking for different events to put on, if anyone has any ideas let us know, or even better, come and join us.
Thank you to all the people who work on the social committee, especially to Sarah, Rosie, Aly, Sharon, Beckie, Steph, John, Gayle, Darren and Carol and Gill.
The hard work they put in for our community is amazing and I thank them from the bottom of my heart.
Building Committee Report. David Elmer.
THE INSTITUTE. Most of the internal work is now completed., except for the Bar and kitchen area. Funding has been granted for the completion of all the internal work. The steps, and the paving at the front of the Institute have been levelled. Work is under way on the Hand Rails for the steps, and the Disabled Access from behind the main Hall. THE MAIN HALL. The Dry Rot has been removed, and the walls and surrounding wood floor treated to prevent any further spread. A big Thank You to those who helped to remove the organ pipes, and the woodwork. The affected joists and flooring have been replaced, and is now awaiting a floor covering. The next job will be to make good the wall area where the panelling has been removed, and plaster in the window space, exposed after the organ pipes were removed. The Funding Committee are now looking of grants for the repairs to the main building. A big Thank you to all those who have given their time in the work done so far.
Church Report. Ann Elmer.
We are having one service each month. Our Remembrance Service was well supported, especially by all political parties and 5 wreathes were placed on the memorial.
Andrew Lythe organised for a gardener to tidy the garden before the event and we were again provided with a beautiful display from one of our local florists who has a connection to the memorial. Thank you to both of them. The carol Service was especially enjoyable, followed by a community lunch. Everyone is welcome to our monthly services where we read Morning Prayer from the Church of England Common Prayer Book. Lunch Club Report. Ann Elmer.
The Lunch Club meets once a month, apart from January. A hot meal is provided with biscuits, tea, coffee and soft drinks. About 35 to 40 people attend at a cost of £6. We have a table quiz, Play Your Cards Right and Raffle. This is an important social event in the community and is much appreciated by the people who attend. It is open to all ages in the community, not just senior citizens.
100 Club Report. David Elmer.
A good year was had by the 100 club. 250 numbers were sponsored over the year resulting in monthly Prizes of £50-00, £25-00, and £12-50. Overall, we had an income of £3,000.00, with £1032-00 given in prizes, and a total of £2268-00 donated to the main Hall fund. As usual, any left-over money, usually from prizes given back to the funds of the 100 club, has been donated to the Hall fund. If you are a member of the 100 club, and wish to renew your numbers, but have not yet renewed your numbers, can you please check if you have a Standing order in place, to be paid in the near future, or you can pay by Bank transfer or cash as soon as possible, so I know what the prize money will be for this year. The 100 club provides a very useful constant income for the Hall funds, and is easy to join. Numbers are £1-00 per month, making £12-00 per year per number. Should you be willing to join the 100 club, please leave me your name, and email address, and I will send you the details of the banking info.
Other Groups Using the Hall.
We also have two Yoga groups, a Flying Club and Band Practise that meet in the hall.
Just had the first meeting in the hall of Cowpe creative Co-operative so look out for the events that they are planning.
We’ve had a few Family Evenings where families can bring games and tea and play and chat together. We would like this to continue so if anyone would like to help, please let us know.
Any one wishing to start up a group should contact David our secretary to discuss this.
The Trustees are beginning to think about how The Institute can be run as a Café/Bar. We are thinking that we will need to ‘employ’ a person to organise this on a day-to-day basis, with of course, the help of volunteers. Please think about how you can get involved either by starting a group who can meet there or giving a few hours of your time to help in the café.
Thank you to everyone who has contributed in any way to keep Cowpe Community Hall and Worship Centre open, as a place where good memories can be made for our families and the community.
Ann Elmer.
Cowpe Community Hall Income Breakdown 2024 Balance5 2024 2023 Quiz Chinese Easter Summer Fair ucket Elvis Halloween BBQ Fashlon Oldfleld Oldfield Collection5 Partles £574.00 £160.16 £172.90 £380.65 TSB Current Cash Closlng Bal Opening Bal £3,575.85 £15.828.60 £321.57 £19,726.02 £21,285.77 Income Income Balances £30,932.55 £21,285.77 £22,676.41 £24,697.44 £203.00 £325.69 £59.70 £97.00 £205.00 £440.00 £140.00 £796.73 £300.00 £1,600.00 £1,330.00 £380.00 £450.00 £500.00 Total Income £52,218.32 £47,373.85 Deflclt £1.559.75 Expendlture Energv Water £3,486.20 £561.37 £1,592.77 £577.55 Insurance CCPAS Roof School Repalr/Cleanlng Internet Buildlng ReES Materia15 Buildin8 Work Institute Plumbing Carpet £2,92S.24 £145.00 £2,179.47 £145.00 Yo8a Flylng Club Lunch Club Band RBC Grant Fell race 100 Club LEV Donatlons £250.00 £794.00 £155.52 £412.00 £459.82 £22,716.00 £302.00 £286.00 £592.30 £2,218.50 £15,000.00 £5,006.92 Total £32,493.15 Total £30,932.55
Cowpe Community Hall Income Breakdown 2024 Balances 2024 2023 Quiz Chinese Easter £574.00 £160.16 £172.90 TSB £3,575.85 £15,828.60 £321.57 Income Current Cash Closing Bal Opening Bal Income Ba lances £30,932.55 £21,285.77 £22,676.41 £24,697.44 Summer Fair Bucket Elvis Halloween BBQ Fashion Oldfield Oldfield Collections Parties Yoga Flying Club Lunch Club Band RBC Grant Fell race 100 Club LEV £380.65 £203.00 £325.69 £59.70 £97.00 £205.00 £440.00 £19,726.02 £21,285.77 Total Income £52,218.32 £47,373,85 Deflclt £1,559.75 Expenditure Energy Water Insurance CCPAS Roof School Repair/Cleaning Internet Building Regs Materials Building Work I nstitute Plumbing Carpet £3,486.20 £561.37 £2,925.24 £145.00 £250.00 £794.00 £1,592.77 £577.55 £2,179.47 £145.00 £140,00 £796.73 £300.00 £1,600.00 £1,330.00 £380,00 £450.00 £500.00 £592,30 £2,218.50 £15,000.00 £5,006.92 £155.52 £412.00 £459.82 £22,716.00 £302.00 £286.00 Donations Total £32,493.15 Total £30,932.55