BLUE TOWN REMEMBERED ( A company limited by guarantee having no share capital )
ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS
Year ended 31st March 2025
Charity number 1136175 Company Number 07191893
BLUE TOWN REMEMBERED ( A company limited by guarantee having no share capital )
Year ended 31st March 2025
Index
| Page | |
|---|---|
| 1 | Legal and Administrative Information |
| 2-5 | Report of the Trustees |
| 6 | Independent Examiner's Report |
| 7 | Statement of Financial Activities |
| 8 | Schedule to Statement of Financial Activities |
| 9 | Balance Sheet |
| 10-12 | Notes to the Accounts |
BLUE TOWN REMEMBERED
( A company limited by guarantee having no share capital )
Charity Registration No 1136175 Company Registration No 7191893 Registered Office and 69 High Street principal address Blue Town Sheerness Kent ME12 1RW Charity Objects The advancement of education by providing: museum, art gallery, library and centre for historic and environmental research. The advancement of citizenship and community development by the promotion of volunteering. The advancement of the arts, culture, heritage and science. Directors/Trustees M J Brown R F Seager J Beake P McDonald D J Watson - resigned 10 August 2025 S J Mulchinock - resigned 15 February 2025 J C Nurden - appointed 12 February 2025 M J H Hodgson - appointed 12 February 2025 Principal Bankers HSBC 3 Bank House Broadway Sheerness Kent ME12 1TL Independent Examiner L. C. Seal FCCA FAIA Blain Pritchard Limited Chartered Certified Accountants 29 High Street Blue Town, Sheerness Kent ME12 1RN
Page 1
BLUE TOWN REMEMBERED
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the year ended 31[st] March 2025
The directors present their report and financial statements for the year ended 31[st] March 2025.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
Charity Name Blue Town Remembered Charity registration number 1136175 Company registration number 7191893 Registered address 69, High Street, Blue Town, Sheerness, Kent. ME12 1RW. Telephone Number 01795 662981 Email criterionbluetown@outlook.com
DIRECTORS/TRUSTEES
Members of the Charity elect the Management Committee, as required, at the annual meeting, The Management Committee, who are directors for the purpose of company law and trustees for the purpose of charity law, who served during the year and up to the date of this report: are;
Kenneth J. Ingleton, Chairman Michael J. Brown, Treasurer R Seager, Trustee J Beake, Trustee
STRUCTURE
The company was established under a Memorandum of Association which established the objects and powers of the charitable company and is governed under its Articles of Association. In the event of the company being wound up, members are required to contribute an amount not exceeding £10.
Recruitment and Appointment of Management Committee, the directors of the company are also charity trustees for the purpose of charity law.
The management committee seeks to have a broad range of skills and experience amongst its members including but not confined to; business, finance, education, heritage, publicity, fundraising, community work, construction, engineering and local government. The directors are actively seeking further trustees to broaden the skills of the management committee.
The day to day management of the centre is delegated to the company secretary/manager who has the authority of the directors to spend up to £150 each week on the provision of materials and services, within a budget agreed by the directors.
A bookkeeper has been appointed to manage QuickBooks. Systems and policies have been put in place to ensure we are compliant with new requirements and the growth of the organisation.
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REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the year ended 31[st] March 2025 (continued)
BLUE TOWN REMEMBERED
PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES
The company is a private charitable company limited by guarantee, having no share capital, and exempted from the requirement to have the name ending with ‘Limited’, registered 16th March 2010 and became a registered charity on 3rd June 2010. The objectives of the Charitable Trust are: 1, the advancement of education, 2, the advancement of citizenship and community development, 3, the advancement of the arts, culture, heritage and science.
The principal activities of the company are;
The provision of education in Local and National Heritage by providing a centre for a local history .
Promotion of the arts by the provision of a music hall, exhibition area for heritage and art displays, a community cinema and research facilities.
Increasing the effectiveness of the charity by training & developing volunteers together with using volunteers to operate the centre.
FUNDING
The principal funding comes from the sale of tickets for events, admissions, a Friends scheme, private hire and grants form Swale Borough Council, Kent Community Fund, Lottery and Heritage funding as well as fundraising and donations.
RESERVES POLICY
It is the policy of the charity to maintain unrestricted and designated funds, designated reserves are to complete the project to which they are allocated; unrestricted reserves are the available reserves of the charity.
RISK MANAGEMENT
The Directors have examined the major risks that the charity faces by compiling a register of such risks; this is the subject of review at each management meeting. We confirm that a system of internal audit has been established as well as the provision of regular reports and accounts in order that risks may be quickly identified and action taken to minimize them.
PUBLIC BENEFIT
The Charity acknowledges its requirement to demonstrate clearly that it must have charitable purposes or ‘aims’ that are for the public benefit. The Trustees confirm that they have paid due regard to the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit before deciding what activities the charity should undertake.
Page 3
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the year ended 31[st] March 2025 (continued)
BLUE TOWN REMEMBERED
ACHIEVEMENTS and PERFORMANCE
Since its Registration on 16[th] March, 2010 The Charitable Company has operated a Heritage Centre at 69 High Street, Blue Town, Sheerness, leased from Ian and Jenny Hurkett.
The charity has been working on maximizing its income stream by working to its strengths promoting to groups and coach operators. This includes a unique combination of a guided tour of the Isle of Sheppey, a guided tour and talk in the museum, a heritage film or entertainment with refreshments. An added bonus for these customers is that we are accessible and flexible regarding their needs and budgets.
Promoting and preserving the heritage and culture of the area is paramount for the charity and the combination of a museum, theatre, cinema and tea room has allowed us to educate, entertain and enthuse 14,500 visitors this year.
As being accessible has been a major factor in our growth we have made this a priority by working on accessibility improvements and have been successful with grants to widen corridors and enhance the visitor experience throughout the building. More of our events and shows are being held in the daytime as this suits the elderly and families.
We have become a corporate member of The Rotary club of Minster on sea and host community activities for the Island including a Junior Scorpion Wranglers club sponsored by Rotary. The scorpions that live in the Dockyard wall opposite the charity have attracted interest from the Times science correspondent who wrote a half page article about the charity and the scorpions our founder has spoken on Radio 4 and regional and local radio explaining the history of the area and the scorpions.
It is 15 years since the charity was formed and in June 2010 it became a registered charity. In preparation for this the charity has undertaken as series of awareness raising sessions where they have engaged with a wide variety of users and listened to why they use the venue and their suggestions on how the experience could be improved.
Although not a primary aim we have recruited 3 new trustees and several volunteers and the island has become more engaged with more community groups wanting to use the facilities.
We have hosted productions from schools, a film festival, youth activities and expanded our Dementia offer to three groups.
As the building was built as a music hall making music is a priority and we have hosted the regional final of the Rotary young musicians contest, started jamming sessions for local musicians every Wednesday. Our ukulele club rehearse here every Thursday and there are around 30 of them who now perform all over the country in care homes and at events where they take the opportunity to promote the centre.
The eclectic mix of activities linked to our heritage, culture and community activities have been recognised and we have been nominated for the Kings Award for volunteering our 25 volunteers deserve to be recognised as they gave up 17,500 voluntary hours last year.
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BLUE TOWN REMEMBERED
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the year ended 31[st] March 2025 (continued)
STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES RESPONSIBILITIES
The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Company law in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the charitable company and the incoming resources and application of the resources, including the net income or expenditure of the charitable company for the year. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to:
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a) select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;
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b) o bserve the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
c) make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
d) state whether applicable accounting standards and statements of recommended practice have been followed, subject to any departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
e) prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to assume that the company will continue in operation.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charity’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and which enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011 and comply with Section 386 of the Companies Act 2006.
The Trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
This report has been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities (issued March 2015) and in accordance with the special provisions of Part VII of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
Approved by the directors who have authorized the following to Sign on behalf of the board on
10 December 2025
…................................. …........................................ M J Brown R Seager Trustee Trustee
Page 5
Independent Examiner's Report to the trustees of BLUE TOWN REMEMBERED
I report on the accounts of the Trust for the year ended 31st March 2025 which are set out on pages 7 to 12.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The trustees (who are also the directors of the company for the purpose of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and that an independent examination is needed.
Having been satisfied that the charity is not subject to audit under company law and is eligible for independent examination It is my responsibility to:
examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act.
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.
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to follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission under section
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. 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act: and
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. to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiners' report
Our examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts with those records. It also includes considering any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently, no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair view' and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
In connection with my examination, no material matters have come to my attention which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
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. the accounting records were not kept in accordance with Section 130 of the Charities Act; or
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. the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or
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the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of
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. accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 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.
I can confirm I have 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.
L. C. Seal FCCA FAIA
Blain Pritchard Limited Chartered Certified Accountants 29 High Street Blue Town, Sheerness Kent ME12 1RN
10 December 2025
Page 6
BLUE TOWN REMEMBERED
Statement of Financial Activities
Year ended 31st March 2025
| Schedule Income and Endowments Donations and Legacies 1 Charitable Activities 2 Other trading activities 3 Investments 4 Total Incoming Resources Expenditure Raising Funds 5 Charitable Activities 6 Other Expenditure 7 Total resources expended Net Incoming/(Outgoing) Resources before Transfers Transfers between funds Net Incoming/(Outgoing) Resources Other Recognised Gains and Losses Gains and losses on revaluation of fixed assets for the charity's own use Gains and losses on investment assets Net Movements in Funds Fund balances brought forward as at 1st April 2024 Fund balances carried forward as at 31st March 2025 |
Unrestricted General Funds Restricted Funds Total Funds 24,125 42,880 67,005 82,756 - 82,756 12,938 - 12,938 - - - 119,819 42,880 162,699 431 - 431 37,442 6,033 43,475 85,757 8,524 94,281 123,630 14,557 138,187 (3,811) 28,323 24,512 (551) 551 - (4,362) 28,874 24,512 - - - - - - (4,362) 28,874 24,512 4,283 44,564 48,847 (79) 73,438 73,359 2025 |
2024 Total Funds 18,290 65,462 9,586 - |
|---|---|---|
| 93,338 | ||
| 536 32,454 69,238 |
||
| 102,228 | ||
| (8,890) - |
||
| (8,890) - - |
||
| (8,890) | ||
| 57,737 | ||
| 48,847 |
The notes on pages 10 to 12 form part of these accounts
Page 7
BLUE TOWN REMEMBERED
Year ended 31st March 2025
Schedule to Statement of Financial Activities
| Income and Endowments 1 Donations and Legacies General donations Friends Grants receivied 2 Charitable Activities Music hall & event income Cinema income Catering income Tour Income Admissions 3 Other trading activities Shop income Room hire Fundraising 4 Investments Expenditure 5 Raising Funds Shop expenses Room hire expenses 6 Charitable Activities Music hall & events costs Cinema costs Catering Archiving/school room Tours Advertising & promotional expenses Museum expenses 7 Other Expenditure Rent Light and heat Water rates Waste disposal Insurance Premises repairs Staffing costs Rental of telephone equipment Telephone Printing, postage & stationery Computer costs Repairs & renewals Hygiene, Health & Safety Sundry expenses SBC Licence Card machine, bank charges Accountancy Depreciation |
2025 Unrestricted funds Restricted income funds 21,359 - 2,766 - - 42,880 24,125 42,880 48,977 - 2,748 - 30,887 - 144 - - - 82,756 - 1,491 - 11,430 - 17 - 12,938 - - - 431 - - - 431 - 14,698 100 16,399 4,128 6,113 1,587 - - - - 36 218 196 - 37,442 6,033 - - 17,978 - 715 - 1,656 - 3,531 - 3,987 1,600 49,530 - 1,656 - 599 - 831 - 1,396 - 50 - 580 - 44 - 834 - 744 - 1,260 - 366 6,924 85,757 8,524 |
2024 Total funds 4,815 3,325 10,150 |
|---|---|---|
| 18,290 | ||
| 37,508 953 26,527 - 474 |
||
| 65,462 | ||
| 963 8,623 - |
||
| 9,586 | ||
| - | ||
| 536 - |
||
| 536 | ||
| 26,674 1,620 3,529 - - 396 235 |
||
| 32,454 | ||
| - 7,979 338 1,535 3,437 1,125 39,087 1,656 512 1,544 1,172 128 301 491 775 668 1,200 7,290 |
||
| 69,238 |
The notes on pages 10 to 12 form part of these accounts
Page 8
BLUE TOWN REMEMBERED
Balance Sheet
31st March 2025
| Notes Fixed assets Tangible assets 6 Current Assets Shop stock Debtors 7 Cash at bank and in hand Creditors: amounts falling due 8 within one year Net Current Assets/(liabilities) Net Assets Funds of the charity Funds 10 |
2025 Unrestricted General Funds Restricted Funds Total Funds - 31,994 31,994 - 31,994 31,994 500 - 500 1,116 2,205 3,321 (210) 42,239 42,029 1,406 44,444 45,850 1,485 3,000 4,485 (79) 41,444 41,365 (79) 73,438 73,359 (79) 73,438 73,359 (79) 73,438 73,359 |
2024 Total Funds 39,283 |
|---|---|---|
| 39,283 | ||
| 500 436 9,892 |
||
| 10,828 | ||
| 1,264 | ||
| 9,564 | ||
| 48,847 | ||
| 48,847 | ||
| 48,847 |
For the year ended 31st March 2025 the company was entitled to exemption under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies. No Members have required the company to obtains an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006. 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.
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.
Approved by the Board of Trustees on
10 December 2025
and signed on its behalf by
………………………………… ……………………………………….. M J Brown R Seager
The notes on pages 10 to 12 form part of these accounts
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BLUE TOWN REMEMBERED
Notes to the accounts
Year ended 31st March 2025
1 Accounting policies
Basis of accounting
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with applicable accounting standards; the Charities SORP (FRS102) "Accounting by Charities"; the Charities Act 2011 and the Companies Act 2006.
Income Recognition
Voluntary income is credited to the Statement Of Financial Activities at the later of receipt of monies or the period over which the income relates. Except in the case of legacies in which the income is recognised when it is certain that monies are due at the balance sheet date and can be measured with reasonable certainty, no value is attributed to donated assets or services. Other Income is credited to the Statement Of Financial Activities taking into account monies due relating to the financial year and accrued accordingly.
Investment Income
Investment income is credited in the accounts on a receipts basis, and no adjustment is made for accrued amounts receivable at
Resources expanded and basis of allocation of costs
Expenditure is included in the accounts using the accruals concept. Resources expended are allocated directly to the particular activity where the cost relates to that activity.
Tangible Fixed Assets
Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.
All Assets: 10% and 20% per annum on cost.
2 Expenditure
2025 2024 Independent examiner's fee 1,260 1,200
3 Restricted Funds
| Fund Name | Type of Fund | Purpose and Restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| Museum Development | Restricted income fund | This grant was awarded to enable us to complete the museum accreditation process. This is on hold until the building work has been completed. |
| Defibrillator | Restricted income fund | Purchase & installation of defibrillators |
| Garfield Weston | Restricted income fund | Funds for lift installation |
| Cantocoarum | Restricted income fund | Funds to purchase a lift ramp & flooring |
| Dockyard room | Restricted income fund | Funds toput in new ceiling,insulation,level floor for dockyard room |
| SBC Cleaner Growth | Restricted income fund | funds toprovide upgrade heating,lightingand insulation |
| Heritage Grant | Restricted income fund | Fund for re-organisingarchive area and surroundings |
| KCF Impact Fund | Restricted income fund | Grant to assist with costs of the charity's salaries & wages |
| SBC Grant | Restricted income fund | Grant topurchase heaters and chairs for the Criterion |
| Colyer Fergusson | Restricted income fund | Grant to strategic development costs. |
| Community Fund Lottery grant |
Restricted income fund | Grant to fund the following costs: Community cinema licences, Purchase of a ukuele, Marketing expenses, admin staff,trainingand birthdayevent |
| Minster Parish Council grant |
Restricted income fund | Grant to fund costs toward the lift shaft and cinema film licences |
| KCC Grant | Restricted income fund | Grant to fund improvingaccessibility |
| SBC Grant | Restricted income fund | Sale Borough Council members heritagegrant |
| SBC Grant | Restricted income fund | Communityinfrastructuregrant topayfor costs includingsolarpanels,computers and POS system. |
| SBC Grant | Restricted income fund | Grant to fund improvingaccessibility |
| SBC Grant | Restricted income fund | Sale Borough Council members heritagegrant |
| Sheerness town team | Restricted income fund | Grant to assist with the fundingof cinema licences |
4 Movement of the Restricted Funds
| Museum Development Defibrillator Garfield Weston Canticoarum Dockyard room upgrade grant SBC Cleaner Growth grant Heritage Grant KCF Impact Fund SBC Grant Colyer Fergusson grant Community fund lottery grant Minster Parish Council grant KCC Grant SBC Grant SBC Grant SBC Grant SBC Grant Sheerness town team grant |
Expenditure Fund Balances B/Fwd Income Depreciation of assets Expenditure Transfers Fund Balances C/Fwd 1,500 1,500 1,103 (158) 945 30,022 (4,220) 25,802 720 (240) 480 4,200 (1,400) 2,800 1,811 (600) 1,211 234 (78) 156 100 100 686 (228) 458 4,188 (1,509) 2,679 18,500 (210) 18,290 5,000 (2,775) 2,225 700 (1,200) 500 - 1,000 (1,009) 9 - 16,500 16,500 400 (400) - 300 (8) 292 480 (522) 42 - |
|---|---|
| 44,564 42,880 (6,924) (7,633) 551 73,438 |
Page 10
BLUE TOWN REMEMBERED
Notes to the accounts
Year ended 31st March 2025
5 Members' Remuneration
No remuneration directly or indirectly out of the funds of the charity was paid or payable for the year to any member or to any other person or persons known to be connected with them apart from the transaction disclosed in the related party note.
6 Tangible Fixed Assets
Details of Movements on Assets
| Balance brought forward Additions Net book value at 31st March 2024 Balance carried forward Net book value at 31st March 2025 Balance brought forward Disposals Revaluation Charge for the year Revaluations Disposals Balance carried forward DEPRECIATION COST |
Improvements to Leashold Property 30,590 - - - 30,590 23,452 - - 2,380 25,832 4,758 7,138 |
Plant & Equipment 43,782 - 43,782 12,625 4,378 17,003 26,779 31,157 |
Computers 4,194 - - 4,194 3,891 - - 303 4,194 - 303 |
Fixtures, fittings & equipment £ 5,998 - - - 5,998 5,313 - - 228 5,541 457 685 |
Total £ 84,564 - - - |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 84,564 | |||||
| 45,281 - - 7,289 |
|||||
| 52,570 | |||||
| 31,994 | |||||
| 39,283 |
All fixed assets are used directly for charitable purposes.
7 Debtors
Amounts falling due within one year
| Other debtors HM Revenue & Customs Prepayments |
2025 Unrestricted fund Restricted fund - 2,205 1,116 - - - 1,116 2,205 |
2024 Unrestricted fund Restricted fund 64 - 372 - - - 436 - |
2024 Unrestricted fund Restricted fund 64 - 372 - - - 436 - |
|---|---|---|---|
| - |
8 Creditors
Amounts falling due within one year
| Other creditors HM Revenue & Customs Swale Museums Group Funds Held for Sheppey Scene Accruals |
2025 Unrestricted fund Restricted fund 162 - - - 65 - 3,000 1,258 - 1,485 3,000 |
2024 Unrestricted fund Restricted fund - - - - 65 - 1,199 - 1,264 - |
2024 Unrestricted fund Restricted fund - - - - 65 - 1,199 - 1,264 - |
|---|---|---|---|
| - |
Page 11
BLUE TOWN REMEMBERED
Notes to the accounts
Year ended 31st March 2025
| 9 Staffing Salaries and wages Social security costs Pension costs |
2025 48,632 - 898 49,530 |
2024 38,290 216 581 |
|---|---|---|
| 39,087 |
The charity holds funds on behalf of the Swale Museums group. This will enable the 15 museums and other heritage collections in Swale to be able to work collectively to raise the profile of this heritage area, raise funds for historic Swale and share resources. At the year end funds unspent amounted to £65 and this amount is shown in creditors. Once the Swale Museums group becomes a registered charity in its own right and has its own bank account any unused funds will be transferred to it. Mrs J M Hurkett is chair of the Swale Museums Group.
| 10 Funds Reserves at 1st April 2024 Income Expenditure Transfers between funds Reserves at 31st March 2025 11 Operating lease commitments |
Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds 4,283 44,564 119,819 42,880 123,630 14,557 (551) 551 (79) 73,438 |
Total Funds 48,847 162,699 138,187 - |
|---|---|---|
| 73,359 | ||
The following payments are committed to be paid within one year
| Lease Expiring: 1 to 5 years Over 5 years |
2025 Property Other - - - - |
2024 Property Other - - - - |
|---|---|---|
The Charity operates from premises owned by Mr and Mrs Hurkett. Mr & Mrs Hurkett waived rent for this year. Mr & Mrs Hurkett and the charity are currently drawing up a lease for 15 years with the charity to potentially pay a peppercorn annual rent only. Mr & Mrs Hurkett have agreed to provide financial support as required.
Page 12