CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES [11 allyi 1 1N&8310 DUNAIOW UI4 Receipts and payments accounts CC16a To 31-Mar-24 Section A Receipts and payments Charitablo Funds AIC No 1 Funds AIC No 2 Funds AIC No 3 Tolal funds Last yèar A1 Receipts Membernhip Sut6cripbon8 9.103 103 1.104 1.104 1.174 202 16.056 14728 14020 19.020 11839 11T47 374 374 253 Bank Intertst Mcdlaneous Transbon8 32 Sub total (Gross inL7)ff* for AR) 11797 49.693 40,414 (see lable). Sub tolal 19.797 1.357 40,414 U14 )nal Fees 4174 17J07 4174 17,407 18,453 14543 11206 103 1325 655 Hall Hire Speaktr8 CommunKations 1.225 6S5 234 123 1,022 814 254 125 357 123 14 14 Sub total 24482 lo3 44035 36.392 PUhases. (see tab) Sub total 24.482 19A53 44035 36,392 Net of receipts/(payments) A5 TAnsfer5 bet4veen funds A6 Cash funds last year end Cash funds thls •nd 4022 8.784 6,028 37A 43,094 10.709 26AS7 4,022 CCXX R1 accounts (SS)
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Charitable Charitable Charitable Funds AIC No 1 Funds AIC No 2 Funds AIC No Categories Details + nearut £ 4 n••rest £ 81 Cash funds ChaTttat4e FundB No 1 10.711 Chanfat4e Funds No 2 8,027 28.358 10.711 6,027 26,358 Agreemep.l Error Restricted funds nearest£ '.Agreemo111 Error Endowment funds tr) nwest£ funds nearest £ DetaTIs Details Cost {optknM Crr0ftt valu• B3 Investment assets Fund kn Thkh Details None Cost {opth)naD B4 Assets retalned for the charlty's ovm use Fund to whkh Amount du• When due Dotails 86 Uabllttles AyHJuV24 Chwit*le No 1 4oc#) Awl-JuV25 e& 3,IXX) ned ty one or tm> trustees on behalf of all the trustees Date of roval fAB4/c ',. l. mahall z? 4r/k z+ CCXX R2 accounts (SS)
Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A -,. Independent Examinerfs Report . Report to the trusteesl members of DUNMOW U3A On accounts for the year ended 31 March 2024 Charity no (if any) 1168310 Set out on pages 1and2 Respective The charit5ls trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. responsibilities of The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year trustees and examiner under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to.. examine the accounts under section 145 of the Chanties Act, to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act, and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of independent My examination was carried out in accordan with general Diredions given examiner's ststement 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 the trustees conMIng any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the eviden that would be qUired 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 In connection with my examination, no matter has cbme to my attention examiner's statement 1. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the requirements" to keep accounting records in accordan with section 130 of the Charities Act. and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act have not been met, or 2. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. IER
Signed: Date: 2D2 Name: Peter Hodge Relevant professional qualification(s) or body (if any): Retired Bank Manager Address: 4 Millers Croft Great Dunmow, Essex CM6 2AW Section B Disclosure Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material problems. No matters have come to my attention during my Independent Examination of the accounts for the year ending 31 March 2024 that require disclosure to the Charity Commission. Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose. IER
Chair Report AGM 2024
Our Games Afternoon in September turned out to be not only a very enjoyable time for those that came but has given rise to the starting up of several new groups including Cribbage, Sequence as well as renewed interest in lunch groups. Subsequently Wool and Waffle has started up making use of the Day Centre’s coffee mornings. Again the Christmas Party with an enlarged Rock Choir and buffet which we moved from St Mary’s church into Foakes Hall was music director Adam’s last concert with the Rock Choir before moving on to pastures new so all the singers gave him their best singing of which we were the beneficiary! In April we held our Quiz which was attended by about 80 people and afterwards there have been requests that we should have another if possible, later this year.
The real strength of Du3a is of course in the Groups; we have 42 at present ranging from Art to Wool & Waffle, a testament to the hard working coordinators without who we would cease to function. We know they enjoy the activity themselves but my profound thanks to them all as well as my committee colleagues. A good job well done.
Outings Report
The Dunmow outings team has had a busy year arranging 8 outings during the year. Our first outing took us to the seaside at Southwold and was combined with a country walk for our more energetic members. We made two Theatre visits. One was to see the Lion King in London, and then later to see the hilarious play, Drop the Dead Donkey in Cambridge.
October saw us taking the Waverley paddle steamer for a twilight cruise from Southend to Tower Pier. This was perhaps the highlight of the year with a flood lit Tower Bridge being raised just for the Waverley to sail under. A special thanks to Peter Watson for arranging and running this very special trip. Our Christmas trip took us to Ely Cathedral Christmas Food and Gift Fair. My thanks to the flower arranging group for requesting this. We visited two art exhibitions. One was at Gainsborough’s House with plenty of his paintings on view. The other at the Tate Britain was Sargent and Fashion - his wonderful portraits and unique take on fashion.
For something more up to date, we visited the Lightroom in London, for an immersive experience reliving the USA’s Apollo space missions with a Tom Hanks voice over.
This year we sold just short of 300 places to members. My thanks to the outings team and all who helped to make this year’s outings a success, especially those who came on the trips. Pat Jones Outings Coordinator
Dunmow Events
Our Games afternoon was a new idea for relaunching the U3a year after a summer break that really did seem to appeal to those who came including 6 new members. Smiling faces on folk as they came into the hall surveying the neatly laid out 28 games eagerly deciding which they wanted to try out. Three new groups came from the afternoon as well as introducing Quirkle and Sequence which many had not seen before.
Our Christmas concert was performed to a packed Foakes Hall; the Rock Choir treating us to an opening selection of classic songs, then a taste of Christmas, more classic songs before ending with a rousing finale of Christmas favorites. The choir was made up of singers not only from Dunmow but also Braintree, Chelmsford and even Sudbury, it being Music Director’s last concert with them. We were then treated to a delicious buffet organized by Margo and her friend Christine with plenty of savories and sweet cakes to tempt us all. The choir don’t make a charge to perform but a retiring collection massed over £300 for Cash for Kids Mission Christmas!
The Spring quiz was again a big success and we had 10 tables with almost 80 quizzers. As we could not accommodate all who wishes to book tables, we will look for a larger venue for the autumn. The Randomates (Mah Jong) team retained their title from last year so we may need to handicap them for next time! Thanks to Heather Quiney for setting the questions and scoring as well as Stephen Abbott for acting as a cool quizmaster.
25 new members met some of the committee over tea and cakes on an afternoon in May when questions, suggestions and stories were shared as well as new friendships started or so we hope.
Hilary Jinno Events Manager
Membership Report
For the year 2023/24 we had a total of 605 members, the highest membership number since Dunmow u3a was founded. The total included 103 new members which is also a record.
The membership fee remained at £13 for 2023/24. We aim to keep this as low as possible though we do have a range of fixed costs such as the subscription we pay to the Third Age Trust and the cost of the Beacon system which is used to record member data, Group information and all of the financial data.
Additionally, we have the cost of hall hire and speakers for the monthly meetings at which we continue to offer free refreshments. Renewals and new member applications for 2024/25 are already breaking records and at the time of writing this report (early May 2023) we have 625 members.
As in previous years our preferred payment method for membership subscriptions is via bank transfer and some 52% of our members used this method. This results in less work for the Membership Secretary and Treasurer. We appreciate, however, that some members do not have this facility or are wary of using this process so we continue to accept cheques and cash. In the past I have reported that losses had been experienced in the postal system both for subscriptions sent by post and the return of membership cards. This year I am happy to report that these losses have been much lower. The Membership Secretary aims to process membership renewals and new member applications sent via post within 24 hours of receipt so you should receive membership cards within 5 working days of posting a cheque. You can contact the Membership Secretary via the Dunmow u3a website if you feel that there is a problem.
With our high membership numbers, and increasing number of Interest Groups, it is clear that members of Dunmow U3A are very pleased to be associated with an active and caring community that offers the chance to make new friends, socialise at our various events and participate in our Groups. Terry Parker Membership Secretary
Groups Coordinator’s report
We have started some new groups this year: cribbage, pickleball, sequence, an extra luncheon group & wool and waffle as well as leadership of some groups changing. This is always a healthy sign since it is unfair for one person to feel they have the responsibility for ever. It is especially good when the outgoing leader feels able to stay as a member of the group.
Sadly, we had to say farewell to Zumba Gold which after 5 1/2 years had too few members to continue and has closed. Thanks to Rosemary for working hard to keep this running (Mike).
Many thanks to all Group leaders for their hard work and continued support. Rosemary Jensen Groups Coordinator
Welfare Report
During my first year as Welfare Coordinator we have tried to show more awareness of what people need with our U3a. We have offered transport to our monthly meetings but to date only found one lady wishing to take this up.
For those who find it difficult to hear speakers we now reserve the front two rows for you. Please don’t feel embarrassed to make use of these and do bring your friend or partner to sit with you as we are not trying to separate you out but make for a better listening experience. We now send cards of Get Well Soon to those who become seriously ill or facing surgery and condolence cards to a member who loses a partner. If you happen to know someone in this position please let me, Maureen Best know and I will organise an appropriate card. Similarly if help is needed to attend an Outing let me or Pat in the Outings team know.
Maureen Best Welfare Coordinator
New Committee Member
Debbie Miller
Mike Best Chair