Hut on on Henry & District Community Associat
AGM – Chair’s Report
Thursday 16[th] May at 7pm in St Francis Village Hall
Thank you everyone for coming along this evening, for what is my first AGM as chair of the Community Association (CA), following Patrick Gilbert’s decision to stand down as Chairman and trustee at the end of 2023.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Patrick again for all his hard work and dedication that he has given to the CA over the years and to say it’s great to see him coming to our events since his ‘retirement ‘ from the post.
The number and variety of events held in the hall has continued to grow this year. In addition to our established monthly coffee mornings, we now have a monthly entertainment evening that has been well supported and we have three sections up and running covering different areas of interest:
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The Hutton Henry History & Heritage Group now meets twice a month and are busy researching and recording events from the village covering the last 125 years.
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The Carpet Bowls Group has grown in popularity from meeting just one afternoon per month to an afternoon and evening session each week. Thank you to Hazel Gilbert for securing the funding to provide the equipment and to Steve Lea for his excellent coaching.
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The Ladies Club is well into its monthly programme of excellent speakers. Thanks to Sue Hutchinson for organising them.
The hall is available for private hire and there has been an increase in the number and variety of events held over the last year. We specifically introduced a reduced rental charge for a child’s birthday party which has proven popular. Moving forward, over the next few months, we have plans in
place to start providing regular entertainment and activities for families and the younger members of our community which we hope will be as equally well supported as those already in place.
It’s hard to believe that it was a year ago that we celebrated the King’s Coronation with The Coronation Big Lunch. It was hosted by ourselves and the Parish Council and saw games and entertainment for the whole family, alongside music and a delicious hog roast. Free to all residents of Hutton Henry and Station Town, I think we can agree it was a great success and it was lovely to see the community coming together for such an occasion.
A huge THANK YOU goes to all our volunteers because without you putting up the banners, doing the baking, cutting the grass, running the raffle, delivering the flyers etc etc none of our events would have been possible or taken place. Thank you for your tireless help, dedication and giving up your time so generously. Thank you also goes to everyone who has attended our events throughout the year because without your support we would not be able to keep raising the funds we need to cover the day to day running costs of the hall.
As reported by Patrick last year we had a list of maintenance jobs that needed to be carried out on the hall. We have used some of our funds to rectify issues with the roof but would like to say thank you for the Community Energy Efficiency Grant that we received via Durham County Council that paid for work to the windows and infrastructure. We have ongoing issues with the roof, damp, and energy efficiency however please be assured that we are continuing to try and source funding to rectify them so that we can keeping enjoying this beautiful village facility.
Finally, something to look forward to is the Hutton Henry Summer Fair which will be taking place on Sunday 25[th] August, timed to celebrate the first anniversary of Vicky and Steve taking over The Plough. Activities for the whole family will be taking place across the village so please look out for the notices and put the date in your diaries.
Andrea
Independents Examiner's Report on Accounts Report to the trustees/members of Hutton Henry & District Community Association (Registered Charity No. 1154083) On accounts for the year ended 31st December 2023 The Charity's Trustees 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 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to: examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act to follow the procedures laid down in the general directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145 (5)(b) of the Charities Act,) and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention My examination was carried out in accordance with general directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the 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 matter has come to my attention: l. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the requirements: to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act" to prepare accounts which accord the accounting records and comply with the the accounting requirements of the Charities Act have been met. or 2. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Signed: Date: 08/05/2024 Name: Natalie Currer (MAAT) Relevant qualification(s) AAT Level 4 Accounting Technician Address: C/0 The Eco Centre, Windmill Way, Hebburn, Tyne and Wear NE31 ISR