Chair: Louise Murray Deputy Chair: Lesa Blenkinsopp Treasurer: Sheila Wilson Chair Telephone Number: 07971 964558 Registered Charity number 1157023 ## **Annual Report** The Management Committee continue to meet on a regular basis to ensure the safe and successful running of the Centre. The Community Centre continues to benefit from the support of those who regularly attend and volunteer for activities. As always, the Committee would like to appeal to more people in Hawthorn and the local area. We have our regular Classes and we continue to promote existing activities, including our Community Garden and Library. Thanks to everyone for the regular donations which make these activities self funding. We encourage new ideas from members, through our Facebook page and in the Parish Council Newsletter. ## **Again, it will be no surprise to mention that we are always seeking support from new volunteers and would welcome new Management Committee members. If you are interested please speak to any of the current Committee members or email louisemurray@virgin.net** In 2024 we worked hard to maintain and improve the building and hosted a variety of events. The Centre finances are in a healthy position although we did see a further fall of income below expenditure for 2024. Our regular coffee mornings have gone from strength to strength and generate a very welcome stream of donations, largely as a result of the hard work of Lesa and Lianne. Thank you to the volunteers who make it happen, everyone who regularly donates raffle prizes, and all those who pop in for a cuppa and chat. Particular thanks must also be recorded to our regular Hirers for the Monday Art Class and Outbuildings. This income helps our continually increasing running costs. In 2023 we worked hard to maintain and improve the building and hosted a variety of events. The Centre finances remain in a healthy position although we did see income fall below expenditure for the first time in a number of years. We’ve used our events to raise funds and as an opportunity for residents to showcase their arts & crafts: 1 - Easter Family Event - Armed Forces Event - July Summer Event - Macmillan Coffee Morning - Autumn Craft Fair In August our friends from Trail Outlaws returned for the Hawthorn Trail Run In October we hosted a fun Horse Racing night that raised funds for the Centre. In December we had a children’s theatre show from the Badapple Theatre Company. Our regular activities include art & craft classes, our art group, garden project, yoga and community library. Throughout the year we faced a number of milestone maintenance compliance checks as dictated by our Tenancy Agreement with Durham County Council. These included: - Asbestos Management Inspection - Electrical Compliance checks - Legionnaires’ Disease Risk Assessment - Durham County Council Building Condition Survey and Business Energy Efficiency Audit. Our biggest expenditure this year was to begin to replace the chairs within the Community Centre. The first batch were purchased with the help of £1,000 Grant from the Hadrian Trust. We hope to replace them all in due course. Finances remain healthy, however we must be mindful that expenditure exceeded income by £1,175 in 2024. This was mostly a result of needing to fund the balance for the new chairs referred to above. The Committee will continue to monitor this throughout the rest of the year. ## **On behalf of the Management Committee I would like to thank Hawthorn Parish Council for their ongoing support.** In conclusion, thanks were given to Management Committee members and regular volunteers for their support with events and ideas for ways of working moving forward into 2025. Louise Murray Chair, Hawthorn Community Centre March 2025 2 HAwfHORN OMMUNITY CENTRE INCOME EXPENDITURE DEfAILS 2024 Incom• Expenditure 24￿.74 Artc 307.00 2*04 $24.14 HI￿ of 3(￿1.85 Hawt+￿ P*i8h Cthmdl Hall Hke 76.00 470.Tr) 421.60 154.80 Trril