2024-08-31-accounts

Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From 1[st] September 2023 to 31[st] August 2024 Charity name: Dacorum and Chiltern Potters Guild Charity registration number: 1161265

Objectives and Activities

	SORP reference
Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document	Para 1.17	The objects of the CIO are to advance the education of the public in the subject of ceramics, in particular but not exclusively, by holding lectures, discussions, practical demonstrations and other activities_._
Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts.	Para 1.17 and 1.19	We have 143 members, a substantial increase on 2022-23, a result of the Guild’s return to a full range of activities and increased social media presence. In the year, the Guild has published four editions of its newsletter, with copies being sent out on-line and by post for those members who request it. Between newsletters, members receive email updates which include information about forthcoming Guild activities, members’ messages, information about events of interest and appeals for information/advice on ceramic matters from the public. The Guild communicates with members and the wider public via Instagram, Facebook (publicly and privately) and You-Tube. The Guild’s demonstrations are widely publicised on social media and the Guild’s website (which also includes back issues of the newsletter, which the public is able to access) and visitors are welcome. 7 demonstrations by established ceramicists were held between September 2023 and August 2024. In addition, three celebrated potters lectured and demonstrated at the Trestle

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Theatre in St Albans at the Annual Potters Open Day. The event was also attended via Zoom and the day attracted non-members and members. A pottery supplier was able to supply and deliver materials to members at the event. Monthly social gatherings were arranged: 11 Guild coffee mornings/afternoon or evening gatherings were held at a variety of venues to enable as many members as possible to participate and exchange news, tips and advice. The Guild again worked in partnership with St Albans Cathedral, organising and running a “Big Build” at the Alban Festival. Guild volunteers worked with several hundred members of the public to construct a large scale model of the Cathedral. Members took part in the Fitzwilliam competition for the best interpretation of a subject chosen by members’ vote. The entries were displayed at our annual exhibition in Kingsbury barn and the public were able to vote for the winning piece while members were able to vote for a winner on-line. The Guild ran 9 free all day have-a-go sessions for the public at Chiltern Open Air Museum (COAM)’s Terrific Tuesdays throughout school holidays, working with museum staff to co-ordinate the theme for the day with the museum’s programme. In September 2023 The Guild held an exhibition of members’ work at at Kingsbury Barn where members exhibited and sold their work. The public were invited to view the exhibition and encouraged to participate in the craft and a workshop was held for local primary school pupils. Several groups of members shared stalls at St Albans market, selling their work and talking to the public about ceramics and about the Guild. A small wood burning kiln was constructed at the Chiltern Open Air Museum and has been successfully fierd several times. In all, 9 kiln building and firing sessions were held at the Museum, including, in July, the construction, to which museum visitors were invited to

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		contribute, of a dragon kiln. Guild volunteers also ran a dragon themed clay activity for the public. The emphasis at the building/firing sessions I on learning and different members are encouraged and supported to lead firings. Two visits were arranged for members: to working potteries and potters’ studios and to a specialist local brickworks.
Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit	Para 1.18	The Trustees have regard to the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit. They aim to provide a wide range of activities and opportunities for members and to participate in community events, giving the wider public the opportunity to create with and learn about clay.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

	SORP reference
Policy on grant making	Para 1.38	A policy has been adopted
Policy on social investment including program related investment	Para 1.38
Contribution made by volunteers	Para 1.38	All the Guild’s activities at COAM, St Albans Cathedral, Kingsbury Barn, and the Potters Open Day were staffed by Guild volunteers In addition, committee members run the library, website, and undertake roles as treasurer, membership secretary, and secretary, social media coordinators, social events and demonstrator events organisers in a voluntary capacity.
Other		The Guild make available to members, for a small charge, two potters’ wheels, in return for their being made available for the ‘have a go’ events. The Guild has no paid employees. All the activities are undertaken on a voluntary basis by the members.

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Achievements and Performance

	SORP reference
Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole	Para 1.2	The Guild participated in the Alban Festival, have-a-go sessions for hundreds of children and their families at the Chiltern Open Air Museum and held an exhibition which included a workshop for local children, and an informative display. Demonstrations and the Potters Open Day were widely publicised to the public at large via mailings and/or social media.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Achievements against objectives set	Para 1.41
Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set	Para 1.41
Investment performance against objectives	Para 1.41
Other

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Financial Review

Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period	Para 1.21	The charity’s principal source of funds is membership subscriptions which saw a welcome increase as the number of members grew. A grant has been received from the CPA (Craft Potters Association) towards events to be organised in 2025 to mark the 50th Anniversary of the Guild’s founding in 1975.
Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held	Para 1.22	The Trustees agreed in 2019 a reserve fund of £6000 to cover: Replace or repair the equipment necessary for the group’s operation Cover unforeseen expenditure, eg accidental damage to items not covered by insurance, increases in costs such as rent Enable the group to take up new opportunities to bring the creative use of clay tothe publicFunds A sum equivalent to the depreciation of the fixed assets (kilns etc) has, for a number of years, been transferred annually to a sinking fund, to allow replacement, if necessary, of the equipment needed for the Guild’s public education events. This fund has been capped at £3,000 Further reserves held to allow for Miscellaneous unexpected expenditure £1,000 Costs associated with new opportunities to promote pottery to the public: £2,000 This policy was last reviewed in April 2023 and will be reviewed again in April 2025. 0 0 O o 0 0
Amount of reserves held ~~Ce~~	Para 1.22 ~~Ce~~	£6000 General reserve ~~Ce~~
Reasons for holding zero reserves	Para 1.22	N/A
Details of fund materially in deficit	Para 1.24	N/A
Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern	Para 1.23	N/A

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Additional information (optional)

Additional information (optional)	Additional information (optional)	Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising)	Para 1.47	Membership subscriptions, commissions from sales of members’ work, Gift aid claimed on participating members’ subscriptions and an exceptional grant of £1500 from the CPA towards activities to mark the Guild’s 50thanniversary in 2025.
Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted	Para 1.46	N/A
A description of the principal risks facing the charity	Para 1.46	Curtailment of activities due to pandemic type event leading to prolonged denial of funds. Significant call on funds – depleting all reserves – created by catastrophic events.
Other

Structure, Governance and Management

Description of charity’s trusts:
Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter)	Para 1.25	Constitution based on using model document for a Charitable Incorporated Organisation
How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO)	Para 1.25	CIO
Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees	Para 1.25	Trustees are selected from the membership by election They are co-opted by the Committee, formally voted onto Committee by the members at AGM

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees	Para 1.51	Committee members reviewed the Guild’s policies on Data Protection and Retention, Safeguarding, Honorary Membership and Social media
The charity’s organisational structure and any wider	Para 1.51	In addition to the posts indicated in the list of Trustees, named trustees have oversight of: editing and distributing the newsletter, newsletter production, exhibitions and

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network with which the charity works		events and the annual Potters Open Day.The data controller is also a trustee. The committee incudes volunteers who are not trustees, who have the following roles: treasurer (from June to the year end the role of treasurer was covered by the bookkeeper, a new treasurer was appointed at the AGM 2024); committee secretary; membership secretary; programme organiser; librarian; safeguarding officer, website manager; social events organiser; firings co-ordinators. Additionally, members act as book-keeper and a social media co-ordinators. The member, Laura Gibbs, who was elected treasurer at the AGM in November 2024 but who, prior to that date, had had no involvement with the finances/accounts of the Guild, undertook an independent examination of the accounts and identified no matters of concern.
Relationship with any related parties	Para 1.51
Other

Reference and Administrative details

Charity name	Dacorum and Chiltern Potters Guild
Other name the charity uses	DCPG
Registered charity number	1161265
Charity’s principal address	6 Falstaff Gardens, St Albans AL1 2AL

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Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20	Trustee name	Office (if any)	Dates acted if not for whole year	Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if any)
	John Higgins	President
	Rosalind McGuirk
	MaryAnne Bonney
	Jacqueline Harrop	Chair
	David Evans

– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved

Director name

Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity

Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year

Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others

Description of the assets held in this capacity

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Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets

Additional information (optional)

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)

Type of Name Address adviser

Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)

Exemptions from disclosure

Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details

Other optional information

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Declarations

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature(s) ~~eee a~~ Full name(s) Mary Anne Bonney Position (eg Secretary, Administrator Chair, etc)

Date 10th March 2025

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CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Dacorum and Chiltern Potters Guild 1161265 CC16a Receipts and payments accounts To Forthe period from 0110912023 3110812024 Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricte d funds to the nearest Restricted funds Endowment funds Total funds Last year to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ A1 Receipts Membership Fees Metnber Donations Vdunteei Gifts 3,274 74 3,274 74 2.433 157 New51etterAdverbsing COAM FridayslMis¢ Firin9 Fees Events 55B $58 642 798 798 195 419 419 Gift Aid 506 506 Exhibitsons 7.557 5,067 118 7.557 5,067 118 5.690 4516 1,773 POD Trips Ilntemational Geram￿C5 Festival 221231 8ank Interest 101 101 Incorne 1,947 20.419 1,947 20.419 113 ub total ( ross income or R) 15.830 A2 Asset and investment sales. (see table). tota 20,419 20,419 15,830 A3 Payments Newsletter Costs 794 794 1,306 1,804 4,317 2,854 Friday Demonstiat10Tr5 Exhibition Costs 1.755 6,118 2.883 È104 1.755 6,118 2,883 404 POD Costs Garage Outreach eventslcommunity Engagemenvclay Builds COAM SitelFiring costs Insurance 308 308 187 1.783 641 1,783 641 451 755 Bank Charyes Gifts for Voluntews (Paid from Mernber Donations) Misc Expenditure Webgte and ZcK)tn Trips Ilnternational Cerdtnics Festival 221231 library 64 69 70 70 199 1.511 1.511 380 299 120 120 1.773 35 14,613 Sub total 16.451 16.451 A4 Asset and investment purchases. (see tsble) Laptop 6, Folcjing Table5130 Tr0.1 Heavy Trestle Table Calor Gas Cage ICOAMI Gazebo $40 1,079 1,079 294 292 Sub totaiL $40 S40 1,713

16,991 16,991 16,326 Net of receipts/(payments) A5 Transfers between funds A6 Cash funds last year end Cash funds this year end 3.428 3.42 496 3,428 3.428 496 Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Unrestricted funds to nearest £ Restricted funds to nearest £ Endowment funds to nearest £ Categories Detsils B1 Cash funds Current account 1,841 14,602 138 Reserve Petty Cash Total cash funds 16,581 18gfee baian(xswith receipis and payment5 accounllsll Unrestricted funds to nearest £ Restricted funds Endowment funds Details to nearest £ to nearest £ B2 Other monetary assets Details Fund to which asset bÈlon Cost loptsonall Current value ional B3 Investment assets Fund to which asset belon rjotails kiln Cost Itwtionall Current value onal 2,518 1,170 606 10 wheel B4 Assets retained for the charit￿5 own use exhibition 291 14brary office 600 535 1,529 B94 6. Folding Tables130 no.) Treslle Table 1.025 CaSor Gas Caye Gzzebo 279 277 Total 6.423 3.357 Fund to whTrch relatva Amountflu• tional When due tional Details B5 Liabilities Total Signature Print Name Date of proval SOFQNYCY 3.12.2021 Signed by one or fv40 trustees on behalf of 811 the trustees