Bampton LARC - Chairman’s Report April 2024 to March 2025
Scope
This report highlights the activities of Bampton LARC and does not include details of the Library, run by Libraries Unlimited.
Visitors, volunteers, and general usage
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Usually 3 open sessions per week
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Noticed a decline in open session visitors
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We’ve retained our core group of very reliable volunteers who deserve enormous thanks for their time
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Improved usage of LARC during 2024 to 2025
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Income from bookings was up on previous year
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More independent regular sessions were booked
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Some new users for one off meetings, such as AGMs
Fund raising and community events
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2 major fund-raising events in 24 – 25
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Plant swap in May 24
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Book sale at Bampton Fair Oct 24
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Significant funds were raised from these events
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Popular summer reading challenge in conjunction with the library
Successes and Challenges
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Successes
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Most groups who use LARC are very positive about it; they really like the space
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Monday is always a busy day at LARC, Wellbeing walks, LARC open sessions and library open late afternoon
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Bookings increased over previous years
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Generous donations received
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Positive feedback about our use of Signpost and Facebook
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Craft sessions (championed by Jo and Gen) started, and were well received and successful (and have continued this year)
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Library organised events proved popular (summer reading challenge, storytelling, and drumming workshop)
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Challenges
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The Meet & Chat initiative ran for a while but failed to generate enough attendees to justify the organiser’s time
Page 1 of 2
Oliver Courtney Chair Bampton LARC Trustees
Bampton LARC - Chairman’s Report April 2024 to March 2025
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LARC continues to be an expensive building to heat, our electricity bill is one of the major expenses
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Repairs and renewals can be costly and are increasing as we approach the 10 years since opening (e.g., the outside shutter repair)
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Booking LARC is generally biased towards the start of a week, from midweek onwards to the weekends are sparsely used
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We rarely get new ideas or initiatives suggested for LARC, but we do encourage them
Trustees and management team
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No major changes in 2023-4
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Existing LARC trustees (Oliver Courtney (Chair) David Graham and Kelvin Holdom) have been joined by Monica Nichol
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Geoff Girdlestone has been our Treasurer and Derek Webster helps the management team
Thank You
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Stan and Sarah Vincent
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Pam Wheeler and Libraries Unlimited
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LARC Volunteers
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Geoff Girdlestone for managing our accounts and finances
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Management team at LARC
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All LARC users and supporters
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Oliver Courtney Chair Bampton LARC Trustees
Bampton LARC Year to 31 March 2024
LARC Published Accounts 2024-2025
| Receipts & Payments 2024/25 | Receipts & Payments 2024/25 | 2023/24 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | Total | |||
| Donations | 952.88 | 295.50 | ||
| Grants | 0.00 | 1035.00 | ||
| Fund raising | 820.02 | 479.50 | ||
| Lettings & events | 3481.00 | 3648.95 | ||
| Licence fee LU | 2730.00 | 2000.00 | ||
| Electricity LU | 941.85 | 718.86 | ||
| Computer usage | 0.00 | 2.00 | ||
| Printing & Photocopying | 66.52 | 81.20 | ||
| Calenders & Books | 1.00 | 2.00 | ||
| Youth Club | 0.00 | 0.00 | ||
| Bank Interest | 393.24 | 163.73 | ||
| Total Receipts | 9386.51 | 8426.74 | ||
| Payments | ||||
| Fundraising costs | 0.00 | 0.00 | ||
| Event costs | 0.00 | 0.00 | ||
| Rent | 1000.00 | 1000.00 | ||
| Business rates | 0.00 | 0.00 | ||
| Insurance | 449.46 | 392.43 | ||
| Heat, light & power | 2942.33 | 2932.04 | ||
| Water | 274.67 | 242.06 | ||
| Cleaning/Covid supplies | 570.00 | 531.38 | ||
| Repairs and renewals | 626.78 | 286.76 | ||
| Holiday Club | 0.00 | 0.00 | ||
| Telphone & Internet | 462.80 | 591.18 | ||
| Printing & stationery | 25.00 | 34.16 | ||
| Wellbeing Group | 0.00 | 0.00 | ||
| Youth group | 0.00 | 0.00 | ||
| Miscellaneous | 129.28 | 45.00 | ||
| Total Payments | 6480.32 | 6055.01 | ||
| Larcs net receipts | 2906.19 | 2371.73 | ||
| Statement of Funds at 31/03/2024 | ||||
| Nat West bank balance | 6029 | 3247.00 | ||
| treasurer | 117 | 258 | ||
| float | 15 | 15 | ||
| Cash at bank and in hand | 6161 | 3520 | ||
| Investments | ||||
| United Trust Bank | 5768 | 5503 | ||
| Fidelity Funds Network | see below * | 5000 | 5000 | |
| (Artemis strategic Bond Fund) | ||||
| Total Investments | 10768 | 10503 | ||
| Total funds | 16929 | 14023 | ||
| value at 31/03/22 was £7472 | ||||
| £2000 sold on 6 Jan 2023. | ||||
| value at 31/03/23 was £4985 |