Handpost Community Library Association
Trustees Annual report 2021
After the easing of restrictions following the "firebreak" lockdown in late 2020, Cwtsh (the name by which the association is generally known) could gradually reintroduce physical meetings of the committee and later in the year internal exhibitions and fundraising events.
Unfortunately there had been some recent vandalism in January and CCTV and a porch light were introduced such that potential vandalism could be monitored.
Art displays of work produced by a local primary school were exhibited in the window of Cwtsh pending reopening of the building for exhibitions. The committee also discussed possible measures for full reopening when conditions allowed.
The children's library reopened in May and June but it was very underused despite efforts to advertise its existence including a sandwich board outside the building for display to the parents passing the building when taking their children home from school. Contacts were also attempted with local schools but to little avail.
In June 2021 internal exhibitions were resumed with suitable anti-Covid measures such as restrictions on number of visitors, provision of hand gel and wearing masks etc.
In July 2021 it was discussed if classes could resume, e.g. creative writing and ukulele, but there were practical difficulties due to the non-availability of the tutors and also understandable reticence on the part of class attendees. There was also the problem of providing sufficient social distancing in classes. However a QR poster was provided on the door for users to register with the NHS Covid app.
In August 2021 a new sound system was obtained to replace the rather conjugated previous one to make things easier for users, e.g. first Friday events when they could resume, the old system also been prone to breaking down.
September 2021 unfortunately brought the demise of the children's library due to lack of demand. Despite the best efforts of those volunteering and especially those running the children's library, there was little or no use of the library and it was decided its closure was inevitable.
With the demise of the children's library, the committee undertook a review of the activities in Cwtsh and also the purpose of the organisation itself. In particular it was thought that without the necessity to display the children's
books more use can be made of the window space for exhibition material. The purchase of an easel to display paintings in the window was discussed.
October saw the resumption of both First Friday and Open Mic events now that Covid restrictions had eased somewhat and it was considered safe. However the committee noted the need to ensure sufficient spacing for social distancing and also other anti-Covid measures such as those referred to above in relation to classes.
A memorial evening was held in October for Angela Platt, a much loved committee member and volunteer, who had passed away recently.
Also in October and the committee thought the presentation of the front of the building required some attention as the logo on the large front window was thought too large and would also hinder the display of artwork in the window. It was agreed to remove the logo and commission a smaller version for the main entry door of the building.
In October Cwtsh took part in the Diffusion Festival, a Welsh Arts Festival. This involved the display of photographs of rock bands. The festival had previously been centred on Cardiff but it had been decided to branch out to Newport.
November saw Cwtsh taking part in and helping to organise a community art project in concert with Gaer School. Cwtsh was also a hub for the annual "Art on the Hill" festival involving displaying art involved in the festival and also having an administrative role in registering attendance. Cwtsh also made a small financial contribution to the festival.
The remaining library books were sent to a charity providing books for school children in Africa, Cwtsh paying for transport to the UK hub of the charity.
The year ended with hope for Cwtsh to resume more of the activities cut short by Covid restrictions. However it was recognised that there would be difficulties in attracting some of the organisations using Cwtsh back again. You
Handpost Community Library Association Accounts 2021 (Charity number 1157225)
Introductory notes
These accounts cover the period from 1st January 2021 to 31st December 2021.
‘Restricted’ income must be spent on the speci?ied items for which it has been donated or provided.
Unrestricted income can be spent on anything that supports HCLA’s objectives.
Income
Income source Restricted Unrestricted Total Cwtsh room rental 950.00 Gallery income 64.00 Grant from Diffusion Festival (for Gaer 1,300.00 Primary School project) Total 1,300.00 1,014.00 2,314.00
Expenditure Rent (Newport City Council) 1500.00 Welsh Water / Dwr Cymru 114.41 Virgin (WiFi Rental) 772.80 Electricity (British Gas) 832.72 Cleaning (A Bright Clean) 795.31 Insurance 537.75 Webber Design (website hosting) 114.00 Annual Premises Licence Fee 70.00 Exhibition expenses (poster design, printing, launch hospitality) 288.80 Building expenses (CCTV, central heating leak, electrical, window revamp) 1,569.17 Contribution to Art on the Hill 200.00 Gaer Primary School project 2,500.00 Equipment (vacuum cleaner, electrical goods) 193.80 Sundries (cost of donating books to Africa, Land Registry, DRB) 47.00 Outstanding expenses from 2020 children’s writing competition 127.86
Total 9,663.62
Bank Reconciliation
Opening balance 9,325.56 Add income 2, 314.00 11,639.56 Subtract expenditure 9,663.62 Closing Bank Balance 1,975.94
All restricted funds have been used for the bene?it of HCLA.
These accounts are a true and accurate record.
David Osmond (Treasurer, Handpost Community Library Association) October 24th 2022