## Shrewsbury Triratna Buddhist Centre
## **Trustees’ Annual Report**
For the period 6 April 2024 to 5 April 2025
## **Report on Activities**
## **Overview**
During the reporting period, the Shrewsbury Triratna Buddhist Centre delivered a consistent programme of activities aligned with its charitable purposes, namely the advancement of Buddhism for the benefit of the public. We provided opportunities for meditation and devotional practice, Buddhist study and community engagement, serving both established practitioners and members of the wider public.
Activities were delivered primarily at the Centre’s premises, with some online provision.
## **Meditation and Devotional Practice**
Meditation remained central to the Centre’s activities throughout the year. The programme included regular open meditation sessions, guided meditations, chanting sessions, and monthly meditation support sessions. These activities were generally open to the public, with the exception of the meditation support sessions, and supported mental wellbeing, emotional resilience and spiritual development.
## **Buddhist Education and Study**
The Centre offered structured learning opportunities to support engagement with Buddhist teachings and practice. These included public courses, study groups, Dharma talks and themed Sangha events, chapter meetings for Order Members, and study groups based in the Centre library.
## **Community Engagement and Wellbeing**
Alongside its core religious activities, the Centre hosted community-focused activities including yoga and Pilates classes and a community choir.
## **Festivals and Special Events**
We marked key dates in the Buddhist calendar, including the Buddha’s enlightenment and his passing away. We also celebrated the Sangha as a spiritual community and the life of influential Indian Buddhist leader Dr B R Ambedkar.
For the first time, 2025 was launched with an event we christened the Rainy Season Retreat. This was a series of additional events each day for January on top of our normal open classes, the aim of which was to give the Sangha the opportunity to engage more intensely with practice.
## **Governance**
The Centre hosted trustees’ meetings and other governance and planning meetings to ensure effective oversight, safeguarding and strategic development.
## **Financial Review**
Total income: £36,053
Total expenditure: £33,929
Surplus for the year: £2,123
## **Public Benefit**
The trustees confirm that they have had due regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit.
## **Triratna Shrewsbury**
## **Receipts and payments account for years ended 5 April**
||**2025**|**2024**|**variance**|**variance**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|**Receipts**|||||
|Donations from regular activities|1,603|2,467|-|864
|
|Donations from intro courses, etc.|7,476|5,142||2,334|
|Planned giving|9,760|11,630|-|1,870
|
|Gift aid reclaim|-|3,587|-|3,587
|
|Bookshop sales|903|1,310|-|407
|
|Flat rental|8,725|6,720||2,005|
|Room hire|1,593|2,853|-|1,260
|
|Fundraising|575|6,382|-|5,807
|
|One-off gifts|190|200|-|10
|
|Outreach groups|638|-||638|
|Retreats|4,544|3,117||1,427|
|Stock adjustment|45|2,059|-|2,014
|
|Sundry|-|25|-|25
|
|**Total**|**36,053**|**45,492**|-|9,439
|
|**Payments**|||||
|Accountancy fees|571|510||61|
|Bookshop and library|903|941|-|38
|
|CCPAS and DBS|150|358|-|208
|
|Chair and mitra meetings|674|736|-|62
|
|Cleaning, kitchen, shrine expenses|924|1,122|-|198
|
|ECA development fund|1,705|1,399||306|
|Fundraising contributions|80|1,438|-|1,358
|
|Garden|-|845|-|845
|
|Insurance|1,275|1,249||26|
|Loan interest|-|609|-|609
|
|Maintenance|4,181|3,243||938|
|Office expenses|1,055|221||833|
|Outreach groups|1,481|-||1,481|
|Payment fees|432|-||432|
|Private preceptors retreat|238|285|-|48
|
|Publicity|823|838|-|16
|
|Retreat allowance|1,792|1,958|-|166
|
|Retreats - venue hire|3,900|4,202|-|302
|
|Sundry|-|482|-|482
|
|Support - Chair & Centre co-ord.|9,600|2,400||7,200|
|Visiting teachers expenses|144|908|-|764
|
|Training for teachers|608|420||188|
|Travel|-|263|-|263
|
|Utilities|3,395|2,168||1,226|
|**Total**|**33,929**|**26,596**||7,334|
|**Surplus for the year**|**2,123**|**18,896**|-|16,773
|
## **Triratna Shrewsbury**
## **Balance sheets as at 5 April**
|**Balance sheets as at 5 April**||||
|---|---|---|---|
|**Assets**
Premises
Cash at bank
Debtors
Bookshop stock
**Total Assets**
**Less Liabilities**
Creditors
**Net Assets**
**Financed by:**
Accumulated fund
Add surplus for the year||**2025**
201,356
14,890
150
2,104
**218,499**
221
**218,279**
216,155
2,123|**2024**
201,356
12,741
-
2,059
**216,155**
-
**216,155**
197,259
18,896|
|||**218,279**|**216,155**|
INDEPENDENT ExAMINEs REPORTTOTHE TRUSTEES OF SHREWSBURY BUDDHIST CENTRE
th
I report on the attounts of the charity the Shrewsbury Buddist Centre for the Year Ended 5 April
2025
RESPECTIVE RESPONSIBLILTIES OF TRusfEES AND EXAMINER
As the charivs trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts: you consider that
the audit requirement of section 4312)e of the Charities Act 1993 (the Act) does not apply; it is my
responsibility to state, on the basis of pnxedures specified in the General Directions given by the
charity Commissioners under section 43(7) {b} of the Act, whether particular matters have come to
my attention.
BASIS OF INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT.
My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity
Commissioners. An examination include5 a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and
a comparison of the accounts presented with records. It includes consideration of any unusual items
or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanats'ons from you as trustee5 concerning such
matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide evidence that would be required in an audi(
and consequently I do not expre$5 an audit opinion glven by the accounts.
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER, STATEMEKr
All records that were asked for were provided to rne in my examination, and no rnatters came to
light that suggested true and accurate records were not being kepL
Signed:
W. McGin
ey
Upper Demesne,
The Turning,
GarvRy,
HR2 8RI
21. January 2026