Potton Hall for All - Registered Charity No: 1158751
Trustees Annual Report for the year ended 31[st] December 2025.
The Charity was registered on 2[nd] October 2014 as a CIO and this is our report for the 12 month period ended 31[st] December 2025. The Trustees confirm that this complies with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 and our Constitution.
Our Aims
Our aim is to build and run a self financing multi-functional community Hall for the people of Potton and surrounding villages.
Our Objectives
To identify sources of funding which will enable us to build and then run the hall and to work with other local bodies, both statutory and voluntary to leverage this.
To ensure the building is suitable for the use by the local community.
To run the building for the benefit of the community.
Review of Activities and Achievements
2025 has seen the culmination of our work over many years and we were able to open Potton Hall for All. We were delighted to have the official opening on February 28[th] 2025, when HRH The Duke of Gloucester KG CCVO visited and declared the hall open. He unveiled a plaque and planted a tree.
We started taking bookings from then and we have been pleased with the take up of people wanting to use the hall. Currently we have regular bookings for fitness classes for all ages, mother and baby support groups, a dementia support group, a local choir, Alcoholics Anonymous and the Potton Dance Academy.
We have been the venue for a number of parties held by local people, to celebrate a Golden Wedding, a Graduation and a number of children’s birthday parties, some with indoor play equipment. Potton Town Council held their annual Chairman’s celebration in the hall.
We have been the venue for our local Special School’s inset day, providing a venue to which they could bring their whole staff team.
The Diabetic Retinal Screening service used the hall as its Potton venue.
Our local amateur theatre group held their autumn production in the hall and one of our choirs held their summer concert in the hall.
We have run a number of successful events which enhance community engagement in the project to build and run the hall and raise funds towards it. These included a New Year’s Eve party with live band, and a Murder Mystery Night run with Potton Playhouse and St Mary’s Church. We also provided teas at the Community Orchard Apple Day and participated in Potton Show, and the Seasonal Markets and Christmas Lights Switch on organised by Potton Town Council.
The Friends of Potton Hall for All group has been active in these events.
Further funding applications are being prepared to pay for parts of the build and to enhance it after completion.
We are working closely with Potton Town Council and Central Bedfordshire Council who are offering support for the project to build and run the hall.
Organisation
Potton Hall for All continues in the ownership of Potton Town Council and is leased to Potton Hall for All charity to run for the benefit of the community.
The management of the hall is performed by a Management Committee which currently has 13 members and comprises the Trustees of Potton hall for All Charity and other community representatives.
We have no paid employees, but are using an agency to provide cleaning services. This is under review as the use of the hall increases.
The Trustees
We have 7 Trustees who are very active in the local community, one of whom is nominated by Potton Town Council. They are supported by a number of smaller support committees. The Trustees have taken the commission’s public benefit guidance into account when making any decision to which it is relevant.
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