Annual Review for the Charity Commission 2025/6
2. Objectives
The Trust exists to preserve, maintain, and promote the historic Nailsea Tithe Barn as a community resource, heritage site, and venue for local activities. Our mission is to safeguard the building’s fabric while ensuring it remains accessible and relevant to the people of Nailsea and surrounding areas.
3. Governance and Management
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The Trust is managed by a board of volunteer trustees who meet regularly to ensure we are meeting our four purposes which are to:
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Promote social contact and reduce isolation by developing the potential and the facilities of the Barn through, for example, a wide range of musical events, community cinema, art exhibitions and local theatre.
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Promote the heritage of Nailsea Tithe Barn in the context of the local area and the barn's unique history.
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Promote education related to the Tithe Barn and local history, for example, through school visits to the barn.
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Meet local social need, either directly, or by working in partnership with and supporting other organisations through, for example, the weekly Leg Club, and our flagship Memory café, Music and Memories sessions and Barn Owls Choir.
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Policies on safeguarding were reviewed and updated during the year.
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Volunteer engagement remains central, with a wide range of volunteers contributing time and expertise to events and weekly and monthly events.
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Memories at the Barn now has 49 volunteers in total.
4. Activities and Achievements
During the reporting year, the Trust delivered a range of activities aligned with its charitable objectives:
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The Memories at the Barn team continued our flagship activities with 117 people registered. Karen continues to provide a huge range of activities for people with dementia and support for their care partners including the new initiative ‘Artful minds’. Our dementia projects are supported by The Quartet Community Foundation, The Grateful Society, Nailsea Town Council and Nailsea Folk Club and public donations. We are extremely appreciative for all the help we receive.
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We were extremely proud that this year Nailsea Leg Club, which meets at the barn every Wednesday, has been awarded Leg Club of the Year by the Lindsay Leg Club Foundation. The club was nominated by their Industry Partner, Medi, in recognition of the outstanding support they provide to people living with legrelated conditions.
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Educational Outreach: We have continued our collaboration with local schools to provide history sessions and guided tours for Scouts groups, fostering local history awareness among young people in the town. We have had visits from a number of primary schools in the area. Next year we have a series of talks booked in for local history societies visiting the barn.
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Cultural initiatives: Nailsea Folk Club continue to promote a wide range of music events. This year this included hosting ‘Grace will Lead Me Home’ for Black History Month, an event supported by Nailsea Town Council, Race Quality North Somerset and the Hannah More Trust.
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Friends of Nailsea Tithe Barn continue to be a highly successful group, which meets monthly. Numbers are growing each month, and may outgrow the Hannah More Room space! This year the ‘Friends’ also had a summer outing to Chedworth Roman Villa and to mark the harvest, held a Harvest supper on Saturday 11th October. Forty or so people enjoyed a meal of cheese, ham, bread and side dishes. This was followed by films showing how harvest had been celebrated in the southwest over the years.
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Our Christmas Fayre is set to be our busiest yet!
Mark Thomas
Chair
5. Public Benefit
The Trust continues to demonstrate clear public benefit by:
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Offering a historic venue for community use.
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Promoting cultural, educational, and social activities in line with our four purposes.
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Preserving a Grade II listed building for future generations.
6. Financial Review
- Independent Examination: Accounts were independently examined in line with Charity Commission requirements.
7. Future Plans
Looking ahead, the Trust aims to:
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Expand educational partnerships with schools and community groups and with the Hannah More Trust who are expanding their community projects with Barley Wood – the site of Hannah More’s home in North Somerset.
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Continue to support the Town Council with grant opportunities for improvements in accessibility and sustainability.
8. Trustee Declaration
The trustees confirm that the Nailsea Tithe Barn Trust has complied with its charitable objectives and the Charity Commission’s public benefit requirement during the reporting year.
NAILSEA TITHE BARN - ACCOUNTS 2024 2025 FOR THE AThEKfioN OF MR JOHN LAVER I have reviewed the books and records of Nailsea fithe Barn for the year April 2024/2025. I confirm that the Accounts Summary as provided, is an accurate reflection of the activities and transactions of the Tithe Barn for this financial year. Some sample checking of individual transactions has been undertaken as appropriate. In addition, bank balances have been reconciled with the cash flow summary. Overall, income in the year 2024/2025 increased by £9,538.74 (+42.1%), compared with the previous year, mainly due to higher Donations and Fundraising. Expenditure increased by £2,219.08 (+10.7%). Net cash flow improved by £9,232.31 which is reflected in the increased bank balances of the three main bank accounts. Kind regards R J THOMAS Dated: I" September 2025
| Nailsea Tithe Barn Accounts Summary |
2024 - 2025 |
|---|---|
| Income Social Engagement Social Needs Heritage Schools & Education General TOTAL |
LA Grants Non LA Grants Donations Fundraising Total 822 822 4,606 8,500 13,374 3,248 29,728 135 135 122 122 503 885 1,388 4,606 8,500 14,956 4,133 32,195 |
| Expenditure Social Engagement Social Needs Heritage Schools & Education General TOTAL |
720 21,462 76 0 704 22,963 |
| Variance | 9,232 |
| No 1 Account Memories Account Memories Reserve Acct Total Bank Cash On Hand Fixed Assets Book Value |
12,860 11,091 18,257 42,207 0 0 |
| Brought forward Account Balance Total Creditors/Debtors |
32,975 9,232 42,207 0 |