Tustees’ Report to Devon Weavers Workshop for the period 1[st] November 2023 to 31[st] October 2024.
Objectives and Activities
To advance the education of all members of the public in the subject of hand-weaving and hand spinning by providing a space for weaving and spinning and assisting in the provisions of teaching and equipment for these crafts.
To establish and maintain a weaving workshop in South Devon which will have public access for exhibitions, teaching and craft day venues
To develop and encourage the use of modern, innovative technology, such as the use of computers and alternative materials and equipment in the production and design of textiles and related handcrafted items.
Devon Weavers workshop is a registered charity, run on a self-help , voluntary basis by its members, who mostly come from rural parts of South Devon. It is a unique model which has evolved and blossomed since it first began in January 2005 thanks to the enthusiasm, friendship, good humour and sheer hard work of all those involved.
Update for Members.
2024 has been an exciting year with lots of changes to the membership. Welcome to all you new weavers. We look forward to seeing more of your lovely work. We have been settling into our extended unit and moving the furniture around so that we can comfortably run our courses without tripping over one another.
On 31st October 2023 the balance of our current account was £10,261.28 and on 31st October 2024 it was £9,192.92, so it has reduced by £1068.36. Our Lloyds savings account has decreased from £60,321.10 to £15,601.94 because I transferred £40,000 into a longer term savings account with a higher interest rate of 5% which has earned £1991.37 interest, and £5000 to the current account.
Our budgeted income and expenditure are as follows:
Budgeted Income: £48,252 Actual income: £35,040 Budgeted Expenses: £43,140 Actual expenses: £39,716 Budgeted Net Profit: £5,112 Actual Net loss: (£4,699)
It has been a difficult year financially, mainly because the courses have been slow to fill. We have never seen this before in our 18 year history. In the past we have easily filled all the courses and had
a reserve list. This year we have been struggling to fill them and that has had a huge impact on our finances. Our course income is £15,249 below what we budgeted for this financial year, however the corresponding course expenses were down too by £1932.71. I believe that this is due to the current economic climate rather than the quality of our courses. We have had fantastic tutors who have given us very stimulating courses. Many other organisations and weaving course providers are also having difficulties with filling their courses, or people booking at the last minute. To try and combat this and keep our finances secure and predictable, we are offering an early bird discount of 5% off any course bookings made more than 6 months prior to the course start date. We have also increased our advertising budget to bring in more bookings from non-members. Unfortunately, one course had to be cancelled completely due to the tutor being unavailable.
Kay, Sareela and Gail have helped hugely by offering member led courses to boost our income. These are much cheaper than the external ones, because we don’t have to pay the tutor’s fees, their travel and accommodation. We have had one on Deflected Doubleweave which made a profit of £713 and the Weave a Gift one which has just finished will make £600 (before expenses).
I would like to point out that the majority of our income comes from course sales. Membership fees nowhere near cover our costs, so please do support your group by attending the courses and encouraging others to come too. If you have any ideas for new courses or would like to teach one yourself, please do talk to Paula Williams our new advanced course organiser who will only be too pleased to discuss it with you.
During this year we have welcomed some new tutors - James Donald and Sharon Kearley were particularly well received. James taught “Sashiko” and Sharon Kearley did two courses - “Twills” and “Texture and Structure”. Angie Parker taught “Krokbragd” in November ‘23 and January ‘24 although her courses were all sold out before the start of this financial year. Margo Selby was as popular as ever and taught us “Colour Theory and Weave”. Laura Thomas taught us some interesting variations of “Doubleweave on a Pointed Draft”. The courses which filled completely, made profits in the region of £2000, but those that didn’t still made a smaller profit of £800 to £1000. We will reluctantly cancel any course if it is predicted to make a loss. Overall the net income this financial year from advanced courses was £4778.09. As ever some income and expenses will be accounted for in the previous and subsequent financial years.
3 beginners courses were also taught by Colleen Pope and Margaret Cushen with lots of willing helpers, for which we are very grateful. Thank you to Gail Bryant for organising these courses. They earn us a good proportion of our income. Numbers were down on these too. We only had 2 attendees in February, 5 in June and 2 in September, however we gained several new members from them. Our net income in thus financial year was £3,044.66 for the beginners courses.
Much of the income from our “Let’s get Technical” spinning course which Jackie and Chris ran came in the previous financial year, but we did get a further £375.45 this year. Thank you to Chris and Jackie for your hard work running these. At the time of writing Christina Chisholm is yet to run her “Spinning for a Purpose and Consistency course”, but by the time I read this to you, she will have delivered it! It has taken £1564.25 in income so far this financial year, with at least 1 more booking and Christina’s expenses to come next year.
There were two sales – one at Birdwood house and the other at the Contemporary Craft fair. They are great ways of advertising what we do, recruiting new members for the workshop and course attendees. We take a commission on all sales made by members at the exhibitions to cover our stand expenses. Most of the sales more or less break even. Birdwood 2024 is the 3rd to 7th
December this year. Many thanks to Kay and Sareela for their hard work in organising these sales and together with their helpers putting on such a fantastic display. Thanks to all the members who supported them by selling their lovely woven and spun items. It would be great to see lots of members submitting their work for sale.
As expected our rent has not increased this year and will remain at £21,354 per annum including VAT and the service charge until the 20th January 2026 when our lease is due for renewal. At this point we are hoping to be bringing in enough income to cover the increased rent and other expenses.
Electricity is still a significant expense for us, so please do use the heaters sparingly. We spent £2,850.20 last financial year.
South Hams District Council have continued to support us and have kindly given us a discretionary discount so that our business rates remain at £0.
We did have some issues with the printer using huge amounts of ink. We spent £345.52 on ink, but hardly any on paper, so we think that the ink has been drying up in the nozzles and the cartridges were being discarded before they were empty. We have recently purchased a new printer, so we are hoping that it will be a big improvement. Please don’t forget to put your money in the elephant piggy bank if you use the printer.
The Xero bookkeeping package is working well and we are able to get reports on our financial wellbeing quite easily now.
Membership has stayed static numbers wise, but the individuals making up those numbers have changed frequently. Some have changed to full and others reduced to associate. We now have 32 full members (4 more), 42 associates (4 fewer) and 3 honorary members. Welcome to all who have joined us this year. We do hope that you will enjoy weaving with us and do get involved in helping run the workshop.
This financial year has been a challenge, but we have been extremely busy. As we are a non profit, self-financing group, funded only by subscriptions, income from courses and grants won on start up ( over 10 years ago now – which provided equipment) we us eany profits to further develop the workshop for members and the wider community. Our Associate membership enables an affordable introduction for new weavers and spinners.
Margaret Cushen ( Chair) on behalf of the Trustees.
Profit and Loss
Devon Weavers Workshop For the year ended 31 October 2024
Prepared by Jackie Thomas
Profit and Loss
Devon Weavers Workshop For the year ended 31 October 2024
| Profit and Loss Devon Weavers Workshop For the year ended 31 October 2024 |
||
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| Turnover | ||
| Advanced course income | 12,675 | 18,676 |
| Associate Membership fees | 2,907 | 2,613 |
| Beginners courses | 4,900 | 6,908 |
| Full/Trustee Membership fees | 8,303 | 7,291 |
| Interest Income | 2,272 | 356 |
| Member's stock | (15) | 15 |
| Other Revenue and donations | 536 | 16,147 |
| Sales/Misc | 1,887 | 1,066 |
| Spinners advanced course | 1,575 | 690 |
| Spinners beginners course | - | 530 |
| Total Turnover | 35,040 | 54,292 |
| Gross Profit | 35,040 | 54,292 |
| Administrative Costs | ||
| Admin | 186 | 105 |
| Advertising & Marketing | 871 | 266 |
| Audit & Accountancy fees | 777 | 705 |
| Bank Fees | 395 | 503 |
| Course Expenses | 8,027 | 5,820 |
| Discretionary costs | 2,581 | 3,078 |
| Electricity | 2,850 | 1,712 |
| Essential running costs | 269 | 325 |
| Exhibition/Fair | 895 | 1,106 |
| Insurance | 867 | 1,491 |
| Rent & Service Charge | 21,354 | 16,261 |
| Storage | - | 508 |
| Subscriptions Journal Mags/Books | 121 | 558 |
| Telephone & Internet | 523 | 545 |
| Total Administrative Costs | 39,716 | 32,982 |
| Operating Profit | (4,676) | 21,310 |
| Other Income | ||
| Sales holding account | (22) | - |
| Total Other Income | (22) | - |
| Profit on Ordinary Activities Before Taxation | (4,699) | 21,310 |
| Profit after Taxation | (4,699) | 21,310 |
Profit and Loss Devon Weavers Workshop
Independent Examinerfs Report Report to the trusteesl memb•rs of Devon Weavers Workshop On accounts for the year ended 31110r24 Set out on pages "d sreet51 I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts ol the above charity ("the Trust") for the year ended 31 October 2024. Rosponsibilitles and basis of As the chanty trustees of Trust, you are responsible for the report preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 {Ihe Act.). I report in resFect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in tsrying out my examination, I have foll0vd the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145151{b) of the Act I have completed my examination. I confimi that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examinatiJn which gives me cause to believe that in, any matenal respect.. 1. accoLJnting records Vre not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or 2. the accounts do not accord wth the accounting records Independent examinerfs ststement I have no ConMS and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination lo which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Signed: Name: Cathenne J Rayner Relevant professional qualification(s) or body (rf any): Chartered Tax Adviser Address: 92 Fore Street Kingsbridge Devon TQ7 1 PP