## **Annual Report 2023** for the year ended 31 December 2023 including Financial Statements Registered Charity no 1167108 ## **Tithe Barn Trust** ## Board of Trustees’ ## **Annual Report 2023** for the year ended 31 December 2023 including Financial Statements Registered Charity no 1167108 ## Contents |Co|ntents|page| |---|---|---| |A|Chair’s Introduction|3| |B|Objectives and Activities|4| |C|Achievement and Performance|5| |D|Public Benefit|6| ||Focus|6| |E|Financial Review|8| |F|Structure, Governance and Management|9| |G|Reference & Administration Information|10| |H|Plans for the Future|10| |I|Financial Statements|11| ## Report Version – Final issued All images ©Tithe Barn Trust – by members of the Board and Commi:ee – unless otherwise stated > Front cover – summer at the Barn (June 2023). > Back cover – curiosity never stops! (summer 2023) page 2 Tithe Barn Trust – Annual Report 2023 ## **A. Chair’s Introduc5on** The Trust is making ongoing improvements in preserving this special old Tithe Barn. The year 2023 yet again has highlighted the value of the Barn as a local community facility and increased visits and requests to hire the venue are made as many are charmed by the unusual building and its special se>ng. We have used the year to catch up with various things. Certainly useful before embarking on any other larger project – a breathing space is always useful to reenergise and refocus. our website and social media acDviDes. These make more people aware of do-it-yourself parDes within the Barn which are cost-effecDve for the hirer and also increasingly ensure income to enable looking aHer the Barn and its surrounds for community benefit. Our eco-toilets are definitely a game changer and the dwell Dme of visitors at the Barn is now much longer. We are monitoring how they are working but to date we are pleased with their performance. We welcomed a new Trustee and commiKee member on board – Kate Doak-Keszler and Charles Cook respecDvely, who both have been involved beforehand as Tithe Barn Trust volunteers. Our expert Treasurer spurs us on to ensure that we generate increasingly more income, not just to breakeven but also generate funds for imminent and longer-term minor and major repair and essenDal works. We are now making good progress. Each Dme I meet our volunteers, I am hugely grateful for their fabulous dedicaDon as they give valuable Dme to this small charity with limited resources. Some volunteers can commit a lot of Dme and experDse, whereas others support diligently with their skills one-off events and acDviDes – everyone Big thanks also to all our members, donors and grant providers who support us with funds making the Barn a welcoming local community asset and an increasingly thriving heritage place for many to enjoy. A special thanks to our Trustees and commiKee members with their endless energy, great ideas and commitment to retain the Barn as a valued local community facility – a place to learn, play and enjoy. In the autumn I announced that I sadly will need to stand down in the next year due to taking on a lead role at the Landscape InsDtute (my professional home as a Chartered Landscape Architect), however I will further support the Trust in the next year and remain as a trustee. I am hugely grateful for everyone’s contribuDons, passion and immense enthusiasm – so appreciated. Our quest conDnues to celebrate heritage and make the Tithe Barn a place for nature, people and our local communiDes to enjoy. ## **Thank you all!** _Carolin Göhler, Interim Chair of the Tithe Barn Trust_ AGM 2023 The ‘Li.le Door View’ Fes8ve decora8ons Volunteer ac8on page 3 Tithe Barn Trust – Annual Report 2023 ## **B. Objec5ves and Ac5vi5es** The Tithe Barn Trust’s **charitable objec3ve** , as set out in the November 2017 ConsDtuDon is: ## “ _at Landbeach in Cambridgeshire, and to provide the public with access to the Barn in order to educate the public about its history and heritage.”_ **Our vision** – is to ensure the long-term survival of the rare and ancient Tithe Barn by breathing new life into the site for everyone to enjoy. whilst ensuring that the Barn remains an asset the community can enjoy. ## **Our objec3ves** – - to maintain the Tithe Barn, its land and wider surroundings - - to maximise the Barn’s value of being part of the local heritage and leisure provisions - generate income to support its long-term upkeep - - to raise awareness of the site’s unique and special qualiDes and character – in terms of heritage, landscape and culture to enable full interpretaDon of the site's diverse heritage - to carry out exemplar educaDonal events/community-based and/or income generaDng acDviDes • to help interested communiDes, groups and individuals or similar to aid the upkeep of the site - fundraising to bring water and electricity to the site. have a due regard to the guidance on public benefit in exercising their powers and duDes. The Trust provides access to the historic Landbeach Tithe Barn and its surrounding green space. In principal the green space is accessible all year round and affords a tranquil countryside se>ng with borrowed views over a grazed common. acDviDes for young and old alike. to anyone. The Australian Duo performs in high summer 2023 page 4 Tithe Barn Trust – Annual Report 2023 ## **C. Achievements and Performance 2023** ## - project plan developed covering repairs as well as iden2fying and priori2sing next major improvement projects (including infrastructure) - submi;ed comments to proposed Guided Bus Route between Waterbeach and Cambridge with alignment planned close to the Tithe Barn and poten2ally adversely impac2ng its heritage seCng - workstreams set up to develop a more delegated management model looking at opera2onal needs and aspects in more detail - **Liaison with Ely Diocesan Board of Finance** (as the Freeholder of neighbouring land) - annual payment of rent of pasture used for enhanced access and parking. ## **Membership & volunteering** - retained steady membership - organised 3 ‘Outdoor Gym’ sessions (vegeta2on and path management) and the annual Barn Clean - AGM held 21 September 2023 with special talk covering research by Dr Adam Menuge (Course Director for MSt Building History) of the University of Cambridge ‘The Tithe Barn – inves2ga2on & reflec2on’. ## **EducaBon and Learning** and entertainment in the form of: - country market – twice a year support by the ‘Histon Country Market’ - music – two bookings by the ‘Broken Blues Band’ and Australian duo Mal Webb and Kylie Morrigan - theatre – we welcomed students from the Cambridge School of Visual & Performing Arts (CSVPA) back with Shakespeare’s ‘The Tempest’ - art exhibi2on – linked to the local ‘Cambridge Open Studios’ scheme - - Heritage Open Day – autumn event with a special display of old tools used in farming and demonstra2on sessions - winter event – singing in the Barn with an impromptu Na2vity Play supported by the Landbeach All Saints’ Church team. ## **Media and Comms** Developing and maintaining a regular dialogue with external individuals and groups is an essen2al element in reaching our goals. This is achieved through a variety of channels - messages to our membership base - regular posts on social media including Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twi;er) and LinkedIn. When appropriate this is supported by press releases to local print, web and broadcast media that this year have resulted in radio interviews with our Chair (BBC Radio Cambridgeshire) and web and newspaper coverage of the forthcoming events in Cambridge News and Visit South Cambs website - regular features in local community newsle;ers including Fen Edge News, Beach News, Waterbeach Babble, Urban & Civics’ Waterbeach Barracks Newsle;er. We also leaflet the immediate area around the Barn and place posters adver2sing forthcoming events around Landbeach - ongoing updated website for the Tithe Barn and its Trust - post cards printed for sale at the Barn - par2cipated in the local church’s Christmas Tree Fes2val. ## **Fundraising** - invested in cashless payment system to aid dona2ons and event payments - developing next priority schemes which may also require funding support. **Tithe Barn in Landbeach** – Heritage Open Day – Cambridge News 4 September 2023 **Christmas Tree Fes3val** – at/by our neighbours All Saints’ Church in Landbeach with contributors requested to use natural and recyclable decora2on b 2023 page 5 Tithe Barn Trust – Annual Report 2023 ## requirements’ (as per Chari8es Act 2006) – and must be demonstrated within the Trustees’ Annual Report. The Tithe Barn Trust’s charitable objec8ves are ’to preserve and restore for the benefit of the public the historic Tithe Barn at Landbeach in Cambridgeshire, and to provide the public with access to the Barn in order to educate the public about its history and heritage’. Public benefit is at the heart of the charity and its decision making. It is accomplished through the way we look a\er and provide open access to the public through our diverse events and educa8on programme. Access to the historic building is at low or no cost. Parking is free for visitors arriving by car or bike. We keep any charges for our open days and other events as well as educa8on ac8vi8es at low and subsidised levels. Most events are all open to non-members, being provided free of charge. Membership of the Tithe Barn Trust is open to all, and we offer reduced fees for members, some age and local community groups. Access is not limited by geography or other and visitors come from all over the UK and abroad. seriously. We do not sell, share or divulge any detail of members, or other supporters, to any organisa8ons outside the Trust and we only use informa8on with prior agreement to contact members and other supporters about membership, events and ac8vi8es together with other relevant updates. ## **Focus – volunteering at the Barn** ## **No charitable endeavour can survive without willing volunteers and the Tithe Barn Trust is no excep3on.** We have a small but dedicated group whose contribuLon varies from trusteeship and commi:ee membership from the contribuLon of specific experLse (sign wriLng, social media support, building and landscape maintenance) through to general helping-out when available (support on event days and cleaning). We hold regular ‘Outdoor Gyms’ where volunteers maintain the Barn’s immediate environs (cuUng back vegetaLon and planLng trees) and cleaning sessions to keep the internal space in good order. The following snippets are extracts of some of our recently published e-news: **Luke** – I have been volunteering with the Tithe Barn Trust and I help with communica@ons ac@vi@es, mainly arranging and pos@ng into their social media accounts and advising on how to make beDer use of social media as a part of their overall communica@ons ac@vity. I’ve collaborated with other volunteers to ensure that the Trust gets its messages out in a @mely way through mul@ple channels including Facebook, Instagram, TwiDer/ X. Marke@ng communica@ons is my professional area of exper@se so this has been a natural fit for me and an easy way to make a useful contribu@on. It’s not an onerous task; I volunteer from home and mostly can make my contribu@on as and when it works for me. It gives me another outlet for my talents and it is good to feel that I am helping the Trust to achieve their goals of developing the medieval @the barn into an asset valued by the whole community. **Richard** – I have lived and worked in and around Cambridge for many years as a surveyor with an interest in old buildings and so back in 2016 was intrigued by a public mee@ng to be held in Landbeach village hall to discuss the plight of the village’s @the barn. It transpired that it was in a poor state with a leaking roof and roRng @mber frame and a real risk of this rare medieval survivor being lost through decay. However there was an enthusias@c and friendly group of trustees (led by their very dynamic Chair, who were working hard to overcome every obstacle and hurdle to save the barn for use as a community asset. Through my background in building survey I felt I had something to offer to this very worthwhile enterprise and so volunteered, joining as a trustee in 2016. Over the following seven years I have enjoyed engaging with the other trustees, commiDee members and volunteers working on leases, insurance terms and specifying the essen@al remedial works required to preserve the barn for future genera@ons to enjoy. page 6 Tithe Barn Trust – Annual Report 2023 **James** – Before my taking my arts more seriously my working life was as a welder and fabricator but I had always been into art and had very often done custom paintwork, whether it was with brush, airbrush or aerosol. I then found myself learning to tattoo and made my way into studios. While doing this I reconnected with an old friend from school who was working as a traditional sign writer and seeing his work inspired me to give this a go. It was during the midst of covid when work was slow that I came across an advert seeking supporters for the Tithe Barn Trust and Landbeach’s tithe barn. I had a great chat and meeting with Gemma O’Shea (Trust’s Chair at the time) where it was decided that I could do something to help with their cause by producing attractive traditional-looking sign boards. **Tina** – The events I help with are varied and provide interes@ng and enjoyable ac@vi@es from annual tongue-in-cheek performances of Shakespeare plays, Christmas Carols, art installa@ons and live music. All are enjoyable to be there and be a small part of. I have had the pleasure of mee@ng fellow volunteers and working alongside with them. For me being part of the team is rewarding, is not par@cularly @meconsuming and does offer the opportunity to play a part in saving the history of Landbeach. As a result I have learned about the importance of the history of a building that embodies the agricultural history of the village I was born in. The Tithe Barn Trust volunteers are interes@ng people and some have extensive knowledge that is always informa@ve including one gentleman, who offers numerous tales of the history that is the Tithe Barn at Landbeach who lives a couple of doors up from the bungalow where I came into this world. **Barry** Gym’ session (helping look a[er the barn’s environs) which is a great way to get to know other volunteers whilst really helping with the upkeep of the barn and which really doesn’t require any specific skills; besides which covolunteer Maggie usually provides delicious cakes which makes it even more worthwhile! These sessions only happen two or three @mes a year but as with any voluntary work, the @me I give is completely at my discre@on but I do find the liDle I do give is very appreciated and personally sa@sfying. It’s always good to see new faces so I do hope to see some of you at our next event. For anyone who likes working with a friendly group and cares about our wonderful historical heritage, why not give the Tithe Barn Trust a go? For more informaDon visit: www.Dthebarntrust.org.uk page 7 Tithe Barn Trust – Annual Report 2023 ## **E. Financial Review** generates sufficient income from opera8onal ac8vi8es to fund both its short and long-term needs. That said, due to 8ght control of costs and the benefit from having 100% of its human support arising from volunteers, the Trust has a secure current financial posi8on and a strong balance sheet for the expected and unexpected exigencies that might arise for at least the next few years. helped us rent out the Barn for various types of events during 2023. These made a posi8ve contribu8on to the Trust’s funds. obliga8ons rela8ng to the maintenance of the Barn and overheads. Following the revision to the chart of accounts in 2022 which aligned them be.er for performance evalua8on and risk iden8fica8on, the results of this have started to flow through via this year’s accounts. The capitalisa8on policy has enabled a sharper visibility of the long-term financing requirements of our asset. ## **Income** Memberships and dona8ons were low once again at a combined amount of £500 in 2023 compared with £975 in 2022 and £13,644 in 2021. Income from running community events and ren8ng the space out also declined from £2,276 in 2022 to £949 in 2023. Private hire of the Barn for par8es or weddings is our most lucra8ve poten8al revenue earner. There was no major event held at the Barn in 2023. Booklet sales con8nued to make a contribu8on with £66 worth of sales in 2023 compared with £48 worth during 2022. Total income was £1,636 in 2023 compared with £3,385 during 2022. ## **Expenditure** Total income statement in 2023 was £5,556 compared with £ 5,183 in 2022. Lower professional fees in 2023 was compensated for by zero Non-Capital Infrastructure costs in 2023 and lower event costs. Other costs were roughly equivalent at £1,740 in 2023 compared to £1,694 in 2022. With the first year of deprecia8on for the eco-toilets commencing in 2023, deprecia8on of £3,578 was significantly higher than 2022’s figure of £677. ## **Net Surplus** 8me resulted in a net deficit of £3,920 in 2023 compared to a net deficit of £1,798 in 2022. ## **Cash** Cash reserves remain robust with a 2023 year-end cash balance of £35,576 compared with £35,919 at the end of 2022. ## **Total Fund** ## **Reserves** The Trust does not hold any restricted funds. ## **Reserves Policy** In line with our current Reserves Policy our cri8cal level of reserves remains at £1,000. A sinking fund for maintenance and repair to enable quinquennial repairs as well as long-term major repair of the more costly fabric of the Barn such as the thatched roof is being developed. We will take ongoing advice and develop an appropriate saving mechanism to ensure that this can be achieved. Updates will be reported in our Annual Reports. This will be reviewed once commi.ed costs along with future maintenance and management costs of the Barn are accurately established. _Iain Cross, Treasurer, Tithe Barn Trust_ page 8 Tithe Barn Trust – Annual Report 2023 ## **F. Structure, Governance and Management** The Tithe Barn Trust is a Charitable Incorporated Organisa8on (CIO). The CIO is governed by its Cons8tu8on, dated 14[th] November 2017, based on the Charity Commission's Founda8on model cons8tu8on document. The Tithe Barn Trust’s governing body is the Board of Trustees currently comprising of eight Trustees, elected by majority vote at Trustee mee8ngs. The Trustees have full decision-making authority on behalf of the Trust. ## **Trustee Name** (if any) Carolin Göhler Interim Chair Iain Cross Treasurer Robert Stripe Membership Secretary Alan Shipp Melanie Hale Kimberley Brightley (un8l May 2023) David Chalcra\ Kate Doak-Keszler (from May 2023). Trustees undergo an ini8al induc8on and ongoing training which is appropriate in rela8on to their skills and experience. All Trustees support the Trust wholly in a voluntary, unpaid capacity. The main du8es of the Trustees are: - Ensure the Charity is carrying out its purposes for the public benefit - Comply with the Charity’s governing document and the law - Act in the Charity’s best interests - Manage the Charity’s resources responsibly - Act with reasonable care and skill - Ensure the Charity is accountable. ## **CommiDee Members** ## (if any) Maggie Stephens Secretary (un8l May 2023) Ray Gambell Richard Taylor (un8l April 2023) Kimberley Townshend (from May 2023) – formerly Kimberley Brightley Charles Cook (from May 2023). Commi.ee members and volunteers support the Board in planning, as well as in varied events and ac8vi8es. Volunteers with specialist skills act in an advisory capacity to the Board and at 8mes work with other volunteers and Trustees as part of working groups to develop aspects of the work of the Charity. Open Days, guided tours, fundraising, building and nature conserva8on and other ac8vi8es are supported by local volunteers – without their enthusiasm, strong support and commitment we would not have achieved as much as we have to date. page 9 Tithe Barn Trust – Annual Report 2023 ## **G. Reference and Administra5on Informa5on** The Tithe Barn Trust CIO, also known as The Tithe Barn Trust, became a Charitable Incorporated OrganisaDon (CIO) in November 2017 under charity number 1167108. Registered address: 87 Waterbeach Road, Landbeach, Cambridge CB25 9FA **3** E-mail: Dthebarntrust@gmail.com Website: www.Dthebarntrust.org.uk ## **Declara3on** The Trustees declare that they have approved the Trustees Annual Report above. Signed by the Chair on behalf of the Charity’s Trustees: Signature: Name: Date: Carolin Göhler 17/06/24 ## **H. Plans for the Future** With all the work in the last decades to restore and protect the Tithe Barn in Landbeach, the 8me has come to consider historically sensi8ve and ecologically sound upgrades to the infrastructure of the site. These upgrades, such as bringing electricity and water onto our site, will not only enhance the Barn’s func8onality but also its role as a vibrant community hub. This is an exci8ng step towards a more accessible and enjoyable community space. With this vision in mind, we are currently looking to recruit new Trustees (as part of the natural rota8on) and volunteers. We are also working to strengthen our partnerships with local groups and organisa8ons. **Trustees –** we are especially keen to hear from people with event organisa8on and management experience, as well as finance and fundraising skills, to support our commi.ee and Board. **Volunteers –** historic sites require ongoing upkeep, and our Barn is no excep8on. We are lucky to have such a beau8ful natural sepng, but keeping the site safe and accessible requires year-round indoor and outdoor maintenance work. We are looking to expand our great volunteer pool and we are looking for volunteers who would like to par8cipate in various ac8vi8es – from annual spring cleaning to vegeta8on maintenance, minor barn and outdoor furnishing repairs, to event support (including welcome and gree8ng visitors, refreshment ac8vi8es, barn opening and closing work). **Partnerships –** over the years, the Tithe Barn Trust has enjoyed visits and learning ac8vi8es by the local nursery group Beach Babies, the Cambridge University’s vernacular post-graduate students, students of Cambridge School of Visual & Performing Arts and at 8mes local companies have held team ac8vity days at the Barn. We envisage more regular events from such groups but also would welcome other groups and we are interested in coordina8ng efforts and partnership working with local historical socie8es, arts and cra\ groups (music, theatre, cra\ ac8vi8es) and more. We know our site offers a unique place to come together, learn about our shared history and enjoy nature. We thank all our members, supporters and volunteers for their past and ongoing contribu8ons. It's your passion and dedica8on that has brought us this far on our exci8ng journey. We look forward to welcoming new passionate people to join us. Thank you for your support. The Tithe Barn Team page 10 Tithe Barn Trust – Annual Report 2023 ## **I. Financial Statements** ## The Tithe Barn Trust – for the Period Ended 31 December 2023 |**Income**
Membership
Donations
Gift Aid
Grants
Event Income
Interest
Other
**Expenses**
Professional Fees
Blds & Estate Maintenance
Depreciation
Events Costs & Fundraising
Other
**Net Surplus / (Deficit)**
Reconciliation of Funds:
Funds Brought Forward
**Total Funds Carried Forward**


**Statement of Assets & Liabilities**
for the Period Ended 31 December 2022
**Fixed Assets**
Cost
Accum Depreciation
Net Fixed Assets
**CURRENT ASSETS**
Cash Balances
**CREDITORS AND ACCRUALS**
Accruals
**TOTAL NET ASSETS**
**FUNDS OF THE CHARITY**
Restricted funds
Unrestricted Funds
**Total Funds**|2023
2022| |---|---| ||£
£| ||130
90
370
885
50
50
949
2,276
71
36
66
48| ||1,636
3,385
36
1,234
645
517
3,578
677
202
1,061
1,095
1,694| ||5,556
5,183
- 3,920
- 1,798
69,901
71,699| ||65,981
69,901| ||| ||2022
2021| ||£
£| ||34,659
34,659
- 4,254
- 677
30,405
33,982
35,771
36,012
- 195
- 93| ||65,981
69,901| ||65,981
69,901| ||65,981
69,901| page 11 Tithe Barn Trust – Annual Report 2023 Tithe Barn Trust – Annual Report 2023 page 12 Tithe Barn Trust – Annual Report 2023 page 13 **Tithe Barn** Opposite 2a Waterbeach Road Landbeach Cambridgeshire CB25 9FA **3thebarntrust@gmail.com www.3thebarntrust.org.uk** Registered Charity no 1167108 Tithe Barn Trust – Annual **Report** page **14** **2022**