Docusign Envelope ID: 30BAF2BC-4C47-4ABB-8C61-0B6AB38C0099
Charity Registration No: 1159120
Polden Gospel Hall Trust
Report of the trustees and unaudited financial statements Year ended 5 April 2025
T B Tax Services Bridge House Pattenden Lane Marden Kent TN12 9QJ
Docusign Envelope ID: 30BAF2BC-4C47-4ABB-8C61-0B6AB38C0099
Polden Gospel Hall Trust
Contents
| Pages | |
|---|---|
| Reference and administrative details | 3 |
| Report of the trustees | 4-7 |
| Independent examiner’s report | 8 |
| Statement of financial activities | 9 |
| Balance sheet | 10 |
| Notes to the financial statements | 11-17 |
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Docusign Envelope ID: 30BAF2BC-4C47-4ABB-8C61-0B6AB38C0099
Polden Gospel Hall Trust
Reference and Administrative Details For the year ended 5 April 2025
| Charity name | Polden Gospel Hall Trust | Polden Gospel Hall Trust |
|---|---|---|
| Registered charity number | 1159120 | |
| Trustees | Mr. Reuben Taylor | |
| Mr. Marcus Mitchell | ||
| Mr. Oliver Martin | (Chair) | |
| Mr. Grant Mitchell | ||
| Mr. David Tallamy (Resigned 31/01/25) | ||
| Treasurer | Mr. Oliver Martin | |
| Principal address | Gospel Hall | |
| Showground Road | ||
| Bridgwater | ||
| Somerset | ||
| TA6 6AJ | ||
| Independent examiner | Mike Prior FCA | |
| Sherlocks Chartered Accountants | ||
| 13 Plantation Way | ||
| Whitehill | ||
| Hants | ||
| GU35 9HD | ||
| Accountant | T B Tax Services | |
| Accountants | ||
| Bridge House | ||
| Pattenden Lane | ||
| Marden | ||
| Kent | ||
| TN12 9QJ | ||
| Bankers | National Westminster Bank Plc | |
| 89 High Street | ||
| Worle | ||
| Weston-super-mare | ||
| BS23 1JW |
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Docusign Envelope ID: 30BAF2BC-4C47-4ABB-8C61-0B6AB38C0099
Polden Gospel Hall Trust
Report of the Trustees For the year ended 5 April 2025
The Trustees present their report along with the financial statements of the Charity for the year ended 5 April 2025. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out on page 11-12 and comply with the Trust Deed and applicable law.
Structure, governance and management
Governing document
The charity is controlled by a deed of trust and constitutes an unincorporated charity.
The Charity is an unincorporated trust constituted by a Deed of Trust dated 30[th] June 1982, most recently amended by Deed of Variation dated 12 August 2014. The Trust was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 7[th] November 2014 under Charity Registration Number: 1159120.
Recruitment and appointment of new trustees
The names of the Trustees who served during the year and since the year end are set out on page 3. None of the Trustees, nor any person connected with them, received any remuneration or expenses from the Charity in the year ended 5 April 2025 apart from what is disclosed in Note 9.
The Trust operates a Gospel Hall and Trustees are chosen from among the regular congregation of the hall. New Trustees are nominated by the existing Trustees or by the congregation and must be appointed by unanimous resolution of the congregation. They are selected according to their skills and experience and are expected to use both in furthering the objects of the Charity. Checks are made to ensure the Trustees’ eligibility to act and incoming Trustees are made aware of their responsibilities by the existing Trustees, who ensure that new Trustees read the Trust Deed and relevant Charity Commission guidance.
Wider network
The Trustees maintain informal links with similar charities with a view to pooling experience considered useful in pursuing the objects of the Charity. The Charity also maintains particular links with the Taunton Vale Gospel Hall Trust, with which it shares members of its congregation, and during the year the Charity paid expenses on behalf of the Trust, as shown in the donated services note.
Risk management
The Trustees have identified and reviewed the major risks to which the Charity is exposed and confirm that they have established systems or procedures to manage and mitigate those risks.
Objectives and activities
Objectives and aims
The charitable purposes of the Charity are the advancement of the Christian religion for the public benefit, including by the carrying on of the service of God in accordance with the Old and New Testaments of the Holy Bible as followed by those Christians forming part of the world-wide fellowship known as the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church (the “Brethren”) and any other charitable purposes connected with Brethren. The core doctrine of the Brethren and proper practices in furtherance of certain aspects of doctrine are summarised in two schedules to the Trust Deed.
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Docusign Envelope ID: 30BAF2BC-4C47-4ABB-8C61-0B6AB38C0099
Polden Gospel Hall Trust
Report of the trustees (continued) For the year ended 5 April 2025
Public benefit
The Trustees confirm that they have complied with their duty under section 4 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the Charity Commission’s general guidance to charities on public benefit. Details of public benefit activities carried out by this Trust can be found in the separate appendix to this report.
Main activities and achievements
The Trust provides and maintains a Gospel Hall where religious meetings are held by the local Brethren community. Details of the origins, teachings and way of life of the Brethren can be found on the website - www.plymouthbrethrenchristianchurch.org and in the schedules to the Trust Deed.
The Trust has continued to engage with the congregation and visitors and encouraging good works by them which benefit the wider community, as described in the annexed report.
Meetings
Meetings held at the Gospel hall include the Lord's Supper (Communion), Gospel preachings, Bible readings and Bible addresses. There is a structured weekly schedule of meetings and, depending on the particular meeting, between 30 and 250 people normally attend these occasions.
The meetings are attended by the regular congregation and most are open to other properly disposed visitors. The notice board outside the Hall welcomes visitors and displays the times of Gospel preachings, along with a telephone number for those seeking further information or help. Gospel tracts, which are distributed by street preachers, also display this information.
Bibles and an extensive range of other Christian reading material are on display at the hall and visitors are free to help themselves.
Spreading the Gospel message and the life of a Christian
The Gospel Hall is a base from which the regular congregation and others who attend the meetings are encouraged to spread the Christian Gospel, in word and deed.
Members of the congregation participate in a programme of street preaching and Gospel tracts are provided free of charge by the Charity to such preachers to be handed out to interested members of the public.
In carrying out this work, the congregation considers itself to be living out its faith in practice, as particularly exemplified in the following extract from the schedule to the Trust Deed on living a Christian life:
-
We seek and are encouraged to live exemplary lives in all our relationships with others in the wider community (including former Brethren), in accordance with the teachings of Holy Scripture (1 Tim 2:2).
-
We regularly go out from our homes to preach on the streets, to distribute Christian literature and engage with the wider community (including former Brethren) in order to present eternal salvation, available to all men by faith in Jesus Christ. (2 Tim 4:2).
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Docusign Envelope ID: 30BAF2BC-4C47-4ABB-8C61-0B6AB38C0099
Polden Gospel Hall Trust
Report of the trustees (continued) For the year ended 5 April 2025
Objectives and activities
(continued)
-
We seek as members of the public to lead Christian lives as husbands and wives, parents, children, employers, employees and neighbours. (Col 3:22-25, Col 4:1).
-
The preservation and protection of the family unit is fundamental and children are prized as a blessing from God. (Psalm 127:3-5). The elderly are valued members of the community, for whom both their family and the wider community are expected to care.
-
Holy Scripture commands us to be good neighbours to others, and deal with all other people (including former Brethren) openly, honestly and fairly and consistent with these principles, we should give our time, talents and money to assist those in need in the wider community, in so far as reasonable given our abilities and our available resources. (Matt 7:12, Matt 22:39, Eph 4:28).
Funding
Funding is sought through gifts from the congregation and Gift Aid is claimed on eligible donations. Funding is sometimes received from other charitable trusts with complementary objectives.
Financial review
Financial position
In the year ended 5 April 2025 the Trust had a large surplus of incoming resources over resources expended due to some grants and legacies received during the year.
Total voluntary income received this year was £547,021 compared to £124,482 in the previous year.
All funds held were unrestricted funds.
Reserves policy
The Trustees have considered the level of reserves they wish to retain, appropriate to the charity's needs, based on its size and the level of its financial commitments. The Trust has no employees and its regular outgoings are minimal. The Trustees have a programme of raising further funds by way of donations and collections, and if necessary, loans, in order to fund intended projects, including future plans as referred to below.
The congregation is kept regularly informed as to particular needs for funds, and other relevant matters and the Trustees aim to ensure that the Charity will be able to continue to fulfil its charitable objectives even if there is a temporary shortfall in income or unexpected expenditure, by raising a funds appeal to the congregation.
Free reserves at the year-end were £697,501 (2024: £260,819).
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Docusign Envelope ID: 30BAF2BC-4C47-4ABB-8C61-0B6AB38C0099
Polden Gospel Hall Trust
Report of the trustees (continued) For the year ended 5 April 2025
Plans for future periods
The Trust plans to continue all current activities, and expend public benefit activities as conditions permit.
It is committed to assisting the Taunton Vale Gospel Hall Trust, which has parallel objectives, with funds towards a further Gospel Hall to be owned by that Trust, and for which a potential site has been found, subject to planning permission.
Despite the increased cost of energy, the trustees feel that these increased costs are not significantly impacting on the ability of the charity to continue as a going concern.
Statement of Trustees’ responsibilities
The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Report of the Trustees and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
The law applicable to charities in England and Wales, the Charities Act 2011, Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations and the provisions of the Trust Deed require the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the Charity for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the Trustees are required to
-
select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
-
observe the methods and principles in the Charity SORP;
-
make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
-
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations and the provisions of the Trust Deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. All transactions have been reviewed and approved by two trustees.
On behalf of the board:
[4 465EA059EF304F7...DocuSigned by: Oliver Martin Trustee 1/8/2026 Date: ...........................................
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Docusign Envelope ID: 30BAF2BC-4C47-4ABB-8C61-0B6AB38C0099
Polden Gospel Hall Trust
Independent examiner’s report to the trustees For the year ended 5 April 2025
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Polden Gospel Hall Trust for the year ending 5 April 2025.
RESPECTIVE RESPONSIBILITIES OF TRUSTEES AND EXAMINER
The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).
BASIS OF THE INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT
My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a “true and fair view” and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S STATEMENT
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
-
Accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; Or
-
The accounts do not accord with those records; or
-
The accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view’ which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
[ tutSign e d by:Prov
Mike Prior FCA
1/8/2026
Sherlocks Chartered Accountants 13 Plantation Way Whitehill Hants GU35 9HD
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Docusign Envelope ID: 30BAF2BC-4C47-4ABB-8C61-0B6AB38C0099
Polden Gospel Hall Trust
Statement of financial activities For the year ended 5 April 2025
| Notes Income and endowments from: Donations and legacies: Legacies Contributions from the congregation Gift Aid donations Income tax refunds Donated services Other donations Grants from other Trusts 4 Investments Bank interest Other Total Expenditure on: Charitable activities Running meeting rooms 6 Charitable events 6 Cost of donated services 5 Total Net income/(expenditure) Gains/(losses) on sale of fixed assets Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward |
Unrestricted funds Designated funds Total funds 2025 Total funds 2024 £ £ £ £ 187,401 0 187,401 0 64,133 0 64,133 73,182 51,627 0 51,627 40,440 12,907 0 12,907 10,110 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 750 230,953 0 230,953 0 0 12,247 0 12,247 5,400 0 0 0 0 |
|---|---|
| 559,268 0 559,268 129,882 |
|
| 47,770 0 47,770 40,022 4,676 0 4,676 7,488 37,441 0 37,441 12,975 |
|
| 89,887 0 89,887 60,485 |
|
| 469,381 0 469,381 69,397 0 0 0 0 469,381 0 469,381 69,397 968,137 0 968,137 898,740 |
|
| 1,437,518 0 1,437,518 968,137 |
The notes on pages 11 to 17 form part of these financial statements. All of the above activities are classed as continuing and there are no gains and losses other than those included above.
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Docusign Envelope ID: 30BAF2BC-4C47-4ABB-8C61-0B6AB38C0099
Polden Gospel Hall Trust
Balance sheet As at 5 April 2025
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notes | £ | £ | |||
| Fixed assets | |||||
| Intangible assets | 0 | 0 | |||
| Tangible fixed assets | 7 | 740,017 | 707,318 | ||
| 740,017 | 707,318 | ||||
| Current assets | |||||
| Debtors: | |||||
| Loan | 0 | 0 | |||
| Prepayments and accrued income | 4,815 | 6,091 | |||
| Cash at bank and in hand | 695,151 | 256,276 | |||
| 699,966 | 262,367 | ||||
| Current liabilities | |||||
| Creditors: amounts falling due within one year: | |||||
| Other creditors | 0 | 0 | |||
| Accruals and deferred income | (2,465) | (1,548) | |||
| Loans | 8 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Net current assets | 697,501 | 260,819 | |||
| Total assets less current liabilities | 1,437,518 | 968,137 | |||
| Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one | |||||
| year: | |||||
| Loans | 0 | 0 | |||
| Net assets | 9 | 1,437,518 | 968,137 | ||
| Funds | |||||
| Unrestricted income fund | 1,437,518 | 968,137 | |||
| Designated funds | 0 | 0 | |||
| Restricted funds | 0 | 0 | |||
| Total charity funds | 10 | 1,437,518 | 968,137 |
The unaudited financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees of Polden Gospel Hall Trust on and signed on their behalf by 1/8/2026
[4 DocuSigned by:
Oliver Martin
Trustee
The notes on pages 11 to 17 form part of these financial statements
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Docusign Envelope ID: 30BAF2BC-4C47-4ABB-8C61-0B6AB38C0099
Polden Gospel Hall Trust
Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 5 April 2025
1. Accounting policies
1.1 Basis of financial statements
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) issued on 16 July 2014, and incorporating update bulletins 1 and 2, and the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.
The functional currency of the charity is sterling (£).
The Trust meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note(s).
1.2 Income
Donations are recognised in the year in which there is entitlement and probability of receipt and the amount can be measured with reasonable certainty. Income is only deferred when the charity has to fulfil conditions before becoming entitled to it or where the donor has specified that the income is to be expended in a future year. Gift aid is added to the value of the donation to which it relates.
Donated services are recognised as income and expenditure in the financial statements when organisations or individuals offer their services and support pro bono. The value of these donated services to Polden Gospel Hall Trust is considered to be equal to market value which would be paid were the service formally procured. This includes services paid for by other trusts.
Investment income is accounted for on a receivable basis.
1.3 Expenditure
Expenditure is included on an accruals basis. Liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to pay out resources.
Charitable activities comprise those costs directly attributable to the fulfilment of the charitable objects.
1.4 Governance and support costs
Support costs have been allocated between governance costs and other support costs. Governance costs comprise all costs involving the public accountability of the charity and costs related to statutory requirements. Governance and support costs are allocated to charitable activities on the basis of capacity used.
1.5 Tangible fixed assets and depreciation
The Freehold Property at Showground Road, Bridgwater, is not depreciated. Costs of improvements are depreciated over 3 years on a straight line basis. The overall realisable value is considered to be not less than book value.
Fixtures and Fittings 25% per annum reducing balance
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Docusign Envelope ID: 30BAF2BC-4C47-4ABB-8C61-0B6AB38C0099
Polden Gospel Hall Trust
Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 5 April 2025
1.6 Taxation
The Trust is a registered charity and is not liable to United Kingdom income or corporation tax on charitable activities, provided income falls within the charitable exemptions and is spent on charitable purposes.
1.7 Funds
The general unrestricted fund is free for the Trustees to use for any purposes in furtherance of the trust’s charitable objects.
Restricted funds arise from donations to the trust, which are made for a specific purpose. Restricted funds can only be used for the purpose for which funds were given.
1.8 Preparation of consolidated financial statements
The Charity does not have a trading subsidiary and there is no requirement to prepare consolidated accounts
1.9 Going concern
The Trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern.
- 1.10 Significant estimates and judgements
The trustees do not consider that there are any sources of estimation uncertainty at the reporting date that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next reporting period.
2. Trustees’ remuneration and expenses
No Trustees received any remuneration or other benefits from an employment with the charity and no Trustees were reimbursed for expenses apart from those disclosed in Note 10.
3. Wages and salaries
There are no employees (2024: none).
4. Grants from other Trusts
| Mays Lane Gospel Hall Trust Quarry Gospel Hall Trust TOTAL 5. Donated services Outgoing - Taunton Vale Gospel Hall Trust |
2025 £ 225,000 5,953 225,000 2025 £ 37,441 37,441 |
2024 £ 0 0 0 2024 £ 12,975 12,975 |
|---|---|---|
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Docusign Envelope ID: 30BAF2BC-4C47-4ABB-8C61-0B6AB38C0099
Polden Gospel Hall Trust
Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 5 April 2025
6. Resources expended
| Current Year Direct costs: Insurance Repairs & Maintenance Event expenses Utilities Loan interest Donations Legal and Professional Fees Depreciation Governance costs Prior Year Direct costs: Insurance Repairs & Maintenance Event expenses Utilities Loan interest Donations Legal and Professional Fees Depreciation Governance costs |
Meeting rooms £ 1,835 5,951 1,800 10,004 0 0 5,594 22,586 0 47,770 Meeting rooms £ 1,870 8,129 2,426 8,678 0 0 3,529 15,390 0 40,022 |
Other charitable activities £ 0 0 0 0 0 2,926 0 0 1,750 4,676 Other charitable activities £ 0 0 0 0 0 6,593 0 0 895 7,488 |
2025 £ 1,835 5,951 1,800 10,004 0 2,926 5,594 22,586 1,750 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 52,446 | |||
| 2024 £ 1,870 8,129 2,426 8,678 0 6,593 3,529 15,390 895 |
|||
| 47,510 |
Governance costs include £1,750 (2024: £1,080) in respect of independent examiner’s fees.
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Docusign Envelope ID: 30BAF2BC-4C47-4ABB-8C61-0B6AB38C0099
Polden Gospel Hall Trust
Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 5 April 2025
7. Fixed assets
| Cost B/f at 06/04/2024 Additions Disposals At 5 April 2025 Depreciation B/f at 06/04/2024 Charge for the year Transfer Disposals At 5 April 2025 Net book value At 5 April 2025 At 5 April 2024 Freehold Property: Showground Road |
Freehold Property Improvements 692,153 68,452 0 55,285 0 0 692,153 123,737 1,465 68,452 0 18,428 (1,465) 1,465 0 0 0 88,345 692,153 35,392 690,688 0 Title No ST101131 / ST198720 |
Equipment 72,757 0 0 72,757 56,127 4,158 0 0 60,285 12,472 16,630 |
Total 833,362 55,285 0 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 888,647 | |||
| 126,044 22,586 0 0 |
|||
| 148,630 | |||
| 740,017 | |||
| 707,318 | |||
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Docusign Envelope ID: 30BAF2BC-4C47-4ABB-8C61-0B6AB38C0099
Polden Gospel Hall Trust
Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 5 April 2025
| 8. Analysis of net assets between funds 8.1 Current year Unrestricted funds £ Fixed assets 740,017 Current assets 699,966 Current liabilities (2,465) Long term liabilities 0 Total funds 1,437,518 8.2 Prior year Unrestricted funds £ Fixed assets 707,318 Current assets 262,367 Current liabilities (1,548) Long term liabilities 0 Total funds 968,137 9. Movement in funds 9.1 Current year Balance at 6 April 2024 Incoming resources £ £ Restricted funds 0 0 Designated funds 0 0 Unrestricted funds 968,137 559,268 Total funds 968,137 559,268 |
8. Analysis of net assets between funds 8.1 Current year Unrestricted funds £ Fixed assets 740,017 Current assets 699,966 Current liabilities (2,465) Long term liabilities 0 Total funds 1,437,518 8.2 Prior year Unrestricted funds £ Fixed assets 707,318 Current assets 262,367 Current liabilities (1,548) Long term liabilities 0 Total funds 968,137 9. Movement in funds 9.1 Current year Balance at 6 April 2024 Incoming resources £ £ Restricted funds 0 0 Designated funds 0 0 Unrestricted funds 968,137 559,268 Total funds 968,137 559,268 |
Designated funds £ 0 0 0 0 0 Designated funds £ 0 0 0 0 0 Resources expended £ 0 0 (89,887) (89,887) |
Restricted funds £ 0 0 0 0 0 Restricted funds £ 0 0 0 0 0 Realised/ unrealised gains and losses £ 0 0 0 0 |
Total £ 740,017 699,966 (2,465) 0 1,437,518 Total £ 707,318 262,367 (1,548) 0 968,137 Balance at 5 April 2025 £ 0 0 1,437,518 |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 559,268 | 1,437,518 |
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Docusign Envelope ID: 30BAF2BC-4C47-4ABB-8C61-0B6AB38C0099
Polden Gospel Hall Trust
Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 5 April 2025
9.2 Prior year
| .2 Prior year |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance at 6 April 2023 |
Incoming resources |
Resources expended |
Realised/ unrealised gains and losses |
Balance at 5 April 2024 |
|
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Restricted funds | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Designated funds | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unrestricted funds | 898,740 | 129,882 | (60,485) | 0 | 968,137 |
| Total funds | 898,740 | 129,882 | (60,485) | 0 | 968,137 |
10. Transactions with related parties
During the year there were donations totalling £15,610 (2024: £14,320) from Trustees, related parties, and businesses controlled by the Trustees.
During the year reimbursements were made totalling £7,092 (2024: £70) to Trustees and persons related to them. These were made at arms length.
11. Volunteers
Polden Gospel Hall Trust relies entirely on volunteers to carry out the management, administration and general maintenance work. The Trust has no paid staff or paid Trustees.
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Docusign Envelope ID: 30BAF2BC-4C47-4ABB-8C61-0B6AB38C0099
Polden Gospel Hall Trust
Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 5 April 2025
12. Comparative Statement of Financial Activities
| Notes Income and endowments from: Donations and legacies: Legacies Contributions from the congregation Gift Aid donations Income tax refunds Donated services Other donations Grants from other Trusts Investments Bank interest Other Total Expenditure on: Charitable activities Running meeting rooms 5 Charitable events 5 Cost of donated services 4 Total Net income/(expenditure) Gains/(losses) on sale of fixed assets Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward |
Unrestricted funds Designated funds Total funds 2024 £ £ £ 0 0 0 73,182 0 73,182 40,440 0 40,440 10,110 0 10,110 0 0 0 750 0 750 0 0 0 5,400 0 5,400 0 0 0 |
|---|---|
| 129,882 0 129,882 |
|
| 40,022 0 40,022 7,488 0 7,488 12,975 0 12,975 |
|
| 60,485 0 60,485 |
|
| 69,397 0 69,397 0 0 0 69,397 0 69,397 898,740 0 898,740 |
|
| 968,137 0 968,137 |
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Docusign Envelope ID: 30BAF2BC-4C47-4ABB-8C61-0B6AB38C0099
Polden Gospel Hall Trust
Public Benefit and Outreach Report
2024-2025
Docusign Envelope ID: 30BAF2BC-4C47-4ABB-8C61-0B6AB38C0099
The Trust continues with its principal activity; to provide a facility for the coordination of ‘outreach’ work into the wider community.
Street Preaching
Often held in the middle of the day in the vibrant town of Bridgwater. Members of the PPCC have opportunity to reach out to shoppers and those taking lunch time strolls along the banks of the river Parrett. Gospel Tracts are distributed at these occasions.
Below is a location frequented by enthusiastic church members.
Food Donations
Regular food donations were made during the course of the year to the Bridgwater YMCA and the ARC Inspiring Lives in Taunton to assist with helping the Homeless.
Parish Council Support
Members of the congregation continue to routinely attended Parish Council meetings for the purpose of keeping up to date with needs of the
Docusign Envelope ID: 30BAF2BC-4C47-4ABB-8C61-0B6AB38C0099
wider communities and where possible offer to help with projects and assist at local events.
Members of the congregation refurbished 4 bus shelters in Ruishton & Henlade. Below are photos before and after the work was completed.
The following article appeared in the local newsletter.
BUS SHELTERS Plymouth Brethren Christian Church has undertaken to refurbish the four bus shelters in the parish as a service to the community. The volunteers will remove the vegetation, clean and paint. The Parish Council sincerely would like to thank Ben Pavey for organising the project on behalf of Plymouth Brethren Christian Church.
Docusign Envelope ID: 30BAF2BC-4C47-4ABB-8C61-0B6AB38C0099
Blankets To Charity
Some members of the congregation have been knitting blankets for a charity called Linus Project UK. The blankets are given to children whilst undergoing chemotherapy and other treatments. Brainwave in Bridgwater has received some of these. Over 70 blankets were donated in the last year, and the work is ongoing.
Somerset County Council Support
Docusign Envelope ID: 30BAF2BC-4C47-4ABB-8C61-0B6AB38C0099
The Trust is pleased to report that it has encouraged church members to enrol with SCC for volunteer work. We have ‘Ease of Use’ surveyors helping the council in regular surveyance and reporting of footpaths throughout the county. 20 sections of footpaths were surveyed this year.
Charitable Work for RRT (Rapid Relief Team)
Some members of the church have supported RRT in several events this last year.
- 22[nd] June 2024 – Weston Super Mare 999 Day
12[th] July 2024 – Children’s Hospice Ride for Precious Lives
17[th] August 2024 – Breakfast for Riot Police in Taunton ahead of planned protests.
- 9[th] August 2024- JESIP Multi Agency Training conference at Bridgwater Rugby Club.
23[rd] October 2024 – Mental Health awareness Week at Hinkley Point – served donuts and coffee to 1000 workers on site.
Docusign Envelope ID: 30BAF2BC-4C47-4ABB-8C61-0B6AB38C0099
14[th] January 2025 – Major Incident training event for multi agency emergency services at Butlins.
27[th] January 2025 – Reactive event to provide nourishment to Avon and Somerset Police & Devon & Somerset Fire Services during flood response.
4[th] February 2025 – Donuts served to NHS staff at Musgrove Park Hospital in recognition of World Cancer Day
Photo of Major Incident Training event at Butlins
Conclusion
The trustees are committed to facilitating the spread of the Christian Gospel in both word and practice in line with the charitable purpose of our trust.
We would like to thank members of our congregation who have given up time and money in support of the vision and outreach of the Polden Gospel Hall Trust.