**Dartington Recreation Association - Annual Report 2022-23** ## **Annual report 1.4.22 – 31.3.23** Type of governing document: Constitution How the charity is constituted: Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) Trustee selection method: by election (appointed trustees) and nomination by affiliate clubs (nominated trustees) ## **Summary of charity objects** To provide or assist in the provision of land and facilities for the benefit of the inhabitants of the Parish of Dartington and the surrounding area, and of such other area or areas as the trustees may from time to time resolve to invite, for recreation, sport, education or other leisure time occupation of groups and individuals who have need of such facilities by reason of their youth, age, infirmity or disablement, financial hardship or social and economic circumstances or for the public at large in the interests of social welfare and with the object of improving the condition of life of the said inhabitants. ## **Summary** After 5 years of delivering capital projects – two phases of the play park and the bike track, this year was focussed on making the most of these amazing resources and ensuring good upkeep of the entire estate. All grants (total value £16,060) raised were used to run activities for the community or improve the existing facilities. The site is thriving as a hub for recreation and sport with eight clubs/organisations, two businesses and three schools as regular users. In good weather there are often 250 – 350 people on site using the facilities. 1 **Dartington Recreation Association - Annual Report 2022-23** Sadly, the outdoor pool developed an irreparable crack and saw its last season after more than 40 years from its opening. The transformation of the pool to heated facility run on renewable energy is the next major capital project for the charity. ## **Main achievements** The Meadowbrook community centre is the heart of the DRA estate and continues to attract not only regular users from the village but also visitors from across Devon. Pizzalogica has established a strong reputation for delicious handmade pizza, and the New Lion Brewery maintains a varied programme of live music and events, as well as selling a wide range of locally brewed beers. Between them NLB and Pizzalogica occupy the entire downstairs space. The upstairs space comprises two large rooms, a small meeting room and a snooker room which are all available to be booked for events, meetings and parties. Regular users include Aikaido Club, Ballet classes, Kung Foo Classes, Sub Aqua Dive Club and Drama Club. To improve the accessibility of the community centre, an accessible toilet was added with baby changing facilities in Spring 2023. Most weekends we have pop up caterers serving food in the play park. The New Lion Brewery made the difficult decision in Spring 2023 to surrender its user agreement to run the Tap Room. This was due to the difficulties being experienced by breweries across the country from the increased costs of ingredients and energy. Working with NLB, the charity enabled the management team to take on the user agreement for the Tap Room. The Tap Room was closed for two weeks for the transition and re-opened as ‘Things Happen Here’ in May 2023. Thanks to funding from British Cycling a neglected parcel of woodland was transformed into an exciting two loop rustic bike track. The track opened in Spring 2022 and has proved extremely popular. It is free to use, unsupervised and accessible 24/7. It attracts a wide range of riders from very young children learning to ride to skilled bmx riders who enjoy the challenge of the bumps and burns of the inner track. The outer loop is suitable for three wheel trikes making it accessible for children and young people with disabilities from the nearby Special School. Sessions were run for children from River Dart Academy, Bidwell School, St Johns School and Dartington Primary School to increase their confidence riding. Over 75 children including 31 with additional needs or a disability took advantage of this opportunity. A bike club has been established which runs every week in good weather. It has 35 members and typical attendance of 16 riders. Our partner Earthjump CIC has led numerous community engagement activities. They make a major positive contribution to the DRA helping to raise grants, manage the site and engaging with schools and other partners in the community. 2 **Dartington Recreation Association - Annual Report 2022-23** Earthjump organised the Meadowbrook extravaganza (a day of activities for children and families) in summer 2022 and thanks to sponsorship from Totnes Town Council, raised £4800 for the DRA. The event was a true collaboration between all the clubs and different users offering people the chance to try lots of different activities ranging from Parkour to Bushcraft. The day attracted approximately 1500 people onto the site, further raising the profile of the charity. In spring and summer 2022 they delivered 6 Natural Play sessions in the field for the public, directly engaging approximately 25 people per session. Over the last year they have been working with 3 schools, 1 college and TRAYE (Totnes Rural Areas Youth Engagement project to develop a Green Vision for the much valued natural spaces within our 10 acres. So far over 250 people have taken part. Ultimately, the Vision will lead onto an established Management Plan. In autumn 2022, they set up a coffee club – a group for people over 55. The group have become active volunteers helping to maintain the site as well as regular petanque players. In partnership with The Woman’s institute they have undertaken some wildlife friendly planting in the playpark. Coffee club is supported by Pizzalogica, who provide a space to meet and coffee. In winter 2023 they created a woodland seating area to allow groups to learn and enjoy nature. This space is used weekly. Totnes and Dartington Football Club has used the DRA football pitch for junior teams practice and matches throughout 2022/23. The teams are incredibly popular and it is not unusual for there to be 150 people (under 10s, coaches and parents) on site on a Sunday morning. Meadowbrook is also home to the Totnes Sub Aqua Club which is a vibrant and well supported organisation with 90 members and two ribs, a compressor and a towing vehicle. The club meets weekly at the community centre and dives local wrecks and reefs, with regular expeditions in the UK and further afield. We also have a weekly session in a local pool for swimming and training. In collaboration with Earthjump, 2 schools and a youth group we delivered 11 snorkel sessions for 83 children and young people, 17 of whom had additional needs. The Dartington Swimming Pool Club had a good season opening the pool for the summer of 2022 from May – September. They faced challenges with staffing – lifeguards are in short supply post pandemic – but the pool was as popular as ever with schools and the public. It had long been feared that the pool was coming to the end of its life. The wood frame and bag liner had lasted much longer than expected (the pool was built in 1976). The decision to close the pool is sad but not unexpected. 3 **Dartington Recreation Association - Annual Report 2022-23** Pre-planning permission has been awarded for a new design which includes air source heat pumps powered by solar PV panels to heat the water, improved access and an extended shallow end making the pool much more inclusive for older and younger swimmers and those with disabilities. Work is now underway towards securing Full Planning Permission. Volunteer organised community fundraising events have been a huge success and include; a collaboration between Dartington Trust Barn Cinema, Studio Canal and RADICAL ECOLOGY. In the winter of 2022/23 the pavilion (a single storey wooden structure) in the pool compound had a burst pipe. The water damage was severe bringing down all of the ceilings in the building and damaging the electrics. This is the second time in 4 years that the pavilion has experienced a burst pipe. All advice had been followed but it was not sufficient to mitigate the severe frost. The charity’s insurance has covered the cost of the repairs, which were completed in May 2023. New fencing and a changed access to the pavilion means that it can now be accessed without the hazard presented by entering the pool compound. This means that the facilities can be rented to local community groups as well as providing changing facilities for sports teams using the field and storage for site users. In addition to plans to rebuild the pool, there is a longer term project to build a new community centre. The current building cannot be refurbished and as a result a new build is the only option. The project is in the early stages undertaking community consultation to develop requirements of a future centre. At the same time, work is underway to develop a sustainability plan for the charity which will include a review of current and future energy needs and the options available to the charity for more sustainable and affordable future energy supply. The trustees are proud of the achievements of the charity this year. Meadowbrook is a vibrant hub for recreation and sport and continues to attract more volunteers and organisations wanting to become part of this exciting, inclusive community. In 2023/24 the trustees will focus on fund raising for the pool re-development, maximising revenue from the existing facilities (particularly the pavilion), developing a Management Plan for the green spaces on site, improving the MUGA, and ensuring a diverse and inclusive range of activities. ## **Charity’s policy on reserves** The charity retains £20,000 as a reserve. This is sufficient to cover the running costs of the charity for a year. 4 **Dartington Recreation Association - Annual Report 2022-23** ## **Financial review** The charity received £105,580 in the period 1.4.22 – 31.3.23. This included: ESC Lottery grant £7270 for Bike and Splash. Funded by Sport England through the Queens Platinum Jubilee Activity Fund we have been able to establish a more inclusive community at Dartington Bike Track and teach children and young people the skills to snorkel. We developed a program of regular training opportunities for girls, children and young people with additional needs and those living in deprived areas. Natasha Bradley, World No 2 and British no 1 female champion together with Dynamic Adventure CIC delivered Bike Coaching to enable riders to develop the confidence and ability to access and enjoy the pump track. Semble Network Action grant £ 1950; Protecting Nature for Community Wellbeing. Meadowbrook Park includes established woodland, wet meadow, amenity green space, wildflower meadow areas, hedgerows, coppiced glades and a brook which have not historically been managed and cared for. We brought people together to care for the site through surveying it and better managing it, nurturing an engaged, knowledgeable local community with more ownership of nature on site. South West Water £1500 for Bike for People project. We were able to get second hand bikes and new helmets to allow children from schools who didn't have these to participate in Bike sessions. This enabled us to coach an additional 120 pupils. Grant from British Cycling £4290 for equipment for the bike track Totnes Town Council Arts and Events Grant of £1050 to support the Extravaganza. This community day focused on raising awareness of Meadowbrook and all the different activities, groups and facilities that exist in Dartington. The remaining funds came from a range of sources including contributions from clubs, user fees for use of the community centre, payment for use of the car park and donations. In the same period, the charity expended £83,937. This comprises running costs of the community centre (utilities, insurance, repairs and maintenance), grant related expenditure and general maintenance of the estate. At the financial year end, the charity held a balance of £76,154. 5 **Dartington Recreation Association - Annual Report 2022-23** ## **Trustees** ## **Current** Margarent Cushen, Louise Morpeth, Mandy Burton, Jan Maddick, Mark Burton, Uma Oliver, James Brittain, Olivia Doherty, Ashish Ghadiali, Joel Riley, Charlotte Huish and Helen Tune ## **Resigned** Will Fitzgerald (May 2023) This report was approved by Trustees on 26th September 2023. 6 DARTINGTON RECREATION ASSOCIATION charty￿￿ 116B817 RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT F¢JR YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2•23 RECEIprs 2023 Total 5932 66276 2022 Total 5691 31448 845 D8swa18d R8Stricled R&nt.' D&rtinglon Trust Car Park Olh8rr&nts Afflliatod Club Rents BankAtt￿)unt interest 5932 66276 iscgllan80us Income Grants.. Darungton Parish CounrA VSHDC 2015 Grants SHDC S106 661 2443 14163 16000 2667 SHDC Covid grdnl Pa￿lk)r￿s1MBadLVWb￿ talB SHDC Covld lÈlsurt grant Fund Raislng Toln9s TO￿ Coun¢ll gfftnt ESC Lottery Fund Fundin9 Appllcabon British CydkvJ Sembl8 N8iworkAcloTh grant SOU￿ VV8st Walergrant-blk8 project DonalSons Instsrani 285 285 1050 7270 4290 1950 1500 2632 1050 7270 4290 1950 1500 18320 2632 385 246 408 122 Elè¢trfdty Watsr Hnd 59Wgfdge S31 690 13705 Insurance ¢lairn Repalr8 8lnk fu TOTAL RECEIPTS 13705 233 93633 89520 105580 PA YMENTS Field Grass t*ttlng & otherfield malntsnarK8 Play Park Grsss cuLtin Blns & c'8anlng M¥ddowbruuk gas and 818rarfdty Meadowbrook ratès 7607 7607 2961 580 1585 12011 1592 3254 5482 11476 122 95 116 50 18 3513 17W2 3513 17￿2 G￿ne￿ MHlnl&Dan¢8 Ropair5 Methybwk Bullding Repalr5 P￿li0￿S BuIld￿¥JSfire eX￿[¥jENSh8rs p SvAmMlng Po(4: Wal8r Rstes Pavlllk>rts F￿Fball S8asM Watsr Rat&8 18489 18489 Pavillk>ns Fix)tball Season SBwsrage Ratps EIE¢tri(¥iySw,mffling Pool E18drtdty Pavlmio Ral8S 623 500 12856 3270 623 Rent Insumnce Water and S￿ryage Te ephone Consultsr AGwuntsnGy arKI eXamIna￿ort Adverti*ng anLI mtheling Blk? Track E%p&n88S Awards f￿ all Grant expendi¢we Plsy Park MIsGeUaneous 12656 3270 1717 4643 718 4843 718 37113 5017 12154 12154 3962 4979 126 126 P(￿1 grass cuts 73 922Q3 TOTAL PAYMENTS 71783 12154 83937 EKC8SS of Income over Exper￿llure AdluBlJngnl 17737 4174 3906 21643 4174 1430 -79 Bank and cash b￿anCeS al 9lartofyear 40387 14813 58685 57334 Bar￿ and cash b￿an￿ al eThJ of￿ar 53950 14813 Y391 76154 58685 DARTINGTON RECREATION ASSOCLATION 8TATEMENTOFA8SETS *J4D LiABIUTIES AT318t MARCH 2023 chvltyuD.1I￿IT G9ngr81 Design818d 2023 2022 Assots Bank & Cash Belan￿5 BarcldyE Current 88rc12y8 Saver les8 cO￿d grant Users Rèpatrs Account 53950 14813 7391 76154 41970 14806 1909 53950 14813 7391 76154 58685 Llabllltits Indyd8nt EyAmintrr 330 330 330 The twgts85 confirm, in accordan￿ the Charitab Incorporal8d Organlsations {Gen￿ Regulaljjns 2012. Ihat atlhe ￿ar 8nd lh8 CIO (th1 not h8ve any¢)￿al￿￿10 guarBnt86ato thlrd part￿ ncr￿Yd8bts so￿￿*1 on th8 asFets olthè CIC). Independent Examlnerfs Report to the Trustees of Dartington Recreation Association ao Charlty r￿. 1168817 I report to the trustees on my examinatlon of the accounts of Dartington Recreation Associatlon CIO for the year ended 31" March 2023. Responsibilities undljasis of report As the charity trustÈes you are responsible for the preparatlon of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 20111.the Ace). I report In respect of my examination of the Chariws accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145{5}Ibl of the Art. Independentexuminerfs Statement I have completed my examination. I confim 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 Charity as required by section 130 of the Att,. or The accounts do not accord with those records. I have no concems and have come across no other matters in connertion with the examlnation to which a hould be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the account to be rea I P Borrett FCA FCIE Barretts Chartered Accountants 22 Union Street Newton Abbot Devon TQ12 21S 10 October 2023