AVON BUDDHISTS
Charitable Incorporated Organisation
Trustees Annual Report and
Flnanclal Statements Year:
06 Apr 2020- 05 Apr 2021
Charfty number:1169219

Trustees annual report for the period
Period Start Date
Period End Date
From
Day
Month
Year
To
Day
Month
Year
06
04
2020
05
2021
Reference and administration details
Charity name
Avon Buddhists
Other names charity is known by
None
Registered charity number
1169219
Charity's principal address
35 Coronatlon Road
Downend
Bristol
Postcode
BS16 SSN
Names of the charity trustee5 who manage the charity
Trustee name
Office
Dates
Name of person lor bodv)
entitled to appoint twstee
From
To
Mr Ashok Mall
Chalrperson
2010212015
o Date
Trustees Appolnted
Mr Stephen Holley
Treasurer
20102n015
o Date
Trustees Appointed
Mr Scott Pomery
Secretary
2010212015
o Date
Trustees Appolnted
Mr Chris Hill
Trustee
2010212015
o Date
Trustees Appointed
Miss Danielle Rose
Trustee
1311112016
o Date
Trustees Appointed
Name of any senior staff members
Dr Mark Fahey

Structure, governance and management
Type of governing document
Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO).
How the charity is constituted
An association consisting of everyone who uses
the Avon Buddhists or volunteers their time.
Trustee selection methods
Trustees are appointed or reappointed annually
at the Annual General Meeting held in October.
Additional governance issues
All trustees and staff give their time voluntary and received no
remuneration or other benefits.
Objectives and activities
Avon Buddhist Group was set up with the primary purpose to preserve and
maintain the Mahayana Tradition of Tibetan Buddhism and make the
teachings available to the wider public. Our central tenet is to offer the
teachings as a clear path for the f uture well being and happiness of our
community and the wider public. Paramount to this is to provide the right
conditions for our spiritual guide, Ven Geshe Lobsang Thinley to teach and
give advice. Around him, a small group of dedicated students have gathered
in order to bring about some of our objectives. As follows:
(i) To provide accommodation for the teacher and his day-to-day needs. In
the beginningp this was offered by students on a six-monthly basis, but
eventually, it was decided that he needed to be independent and so rented
accommodation was acquired. The present accommodation above is the
principal address of the charity.
(li) Provide suitable venues for the teachings to be held. Rented spaces were
made available in the local area which gave us the opportunity to advertise

our events to the public. These were on a weekly basis where a talk was
given by the Geshe and then a discussion would follow. Weekend courses
were also offered on particular topics every two or three months.
(iii) Social events were organised on special days/celebrations. This gave us
the chance to f und-raise and get the message out regarding our purp05e5 to
a wider audience.
(iv) Business models. Discussion amongst the group on how we can generate
a more sustained and stable income rather than relying on donations as our
main source. As part of our ethos, we wish to provide not just
spiritual/emotional nourishment but physical nourishment/comfort too. The
cafe and a social gathering place ideas were discussed and how these could
be realised.
(v) Following on from this point the need for a more substantial
space/property is Still the next priority: the aim is to bring together all of the
above under one roof and thus we hope it would become an integral part of
the community and to give us the opportunity to expand our aims into other
areas of service.
Additional details of objectives and activities
After the problems experienced with lockdowns due to Covid 19 our plans
in the coming year will attempt to find further means of income and find a
space/property as an Avon Buddhist Centre.

Achievements and performance
Due to the Covid 19 restrictions, the Avon Buddhist Group had great difficulties
providing its core purpose - as soon as these are lifted we will continue to offer
Buddhist teachings to the general public. These remain on a weekly basis by
our resident teacher Ven. Geshe Lobsang Thinley. The general programme
begins with offering prayers chanted in Tibetan (although an English translation
is there for those who wish to read it), followed by the main topic of the
evening. A discussion amongst the group follows. Emphasis is always placed on
making the teachings relevant to our everyday experiences with a particular
focus on strategies enhancing wellbeing and reducing problems. Similarly,
weekend courses are held to give students a more in-depth study of the
Buddhist Path by focusing on particular topics in the Canon. These are generally
well attended.
Furthermore, our outreach program will extended to include groups outside the
Bristol area. Links to other communities are encouraged who might share
common interests. In the past invitations have come from local schools for our
teacher to talk about Buddhism to the students as part of their studies on
Comparative Religions. Also encouragement in the learning of mindfulness and
stress relief techniques to help with their studies and enhance their general
health and happiness.
We will continue to organise social events so we can keep in touch with our
extended associate members who are unable to attend regularly. The core
group meet fairly often to discuss current needs, progress reports and future
projections. Special events to commemorate Losar or Tibetan New Year and to
celebrate the birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama are organised. Thanks go
to our Chairman for providing the venue for these occasions offering food and
entertainment. And to the volunteers who give their time and make it possible.

Financial review
Concerns over our finances have been in review for some time. The need to
reduce our overall costs has meant we have had to consider where our
priorities lie. Our primary outgoing has been the rent on Geshe Thinley's
residence. It has also become apparent that his situation has become difficult
and inappropriate for his status as a monk and so the need for him to move to
more suitable accommodation has become absolutely necessary. In due course,
placement has been found and while not ideal ie. it is smaller, a single room
with shared facilities, it is a temporary solution. However, it is more affordable
and nearer his place of work.
Inquiries have subsequently been made with the local authority whether there
is an entitlement for council accommodation. Registered as a British citizen for
more than 10 years now he should be eligible. Due to the smallness of his
current accommodation, we cannot hold our weekly classes there and have had
to look for alternative venues. Fortunately one of our core members has access
to a Community Room in the block of flats where she lives. As a resident, she is
entitled to hire the room at no cost and so this is at present where we hold our
meetings. It is a large space with an adjacent kitchen facility so ideal for our
purposes. Advertising this and other functions are now on our web page.
Since our last review, the organization has continued to function largely due to
the generosity of our donors. However regular donations generated from our
teaching programme have fluctuated from month to month which has made
forward planning difficult. Many of our projects have had to be put on hold for
the time being but we hope to bring some of these to fruition in the near
future. To this end, we are looking for sponsors. Part of our programme looking
for sponsorship has been focused on our membership.

Further financial review details:
Mail-shots with publicity materials, fundraising events etc at some cost and
effort to the volunteers and active members have not generated enough in
the past. We continue to inform by email and on our web page about our
activities.
However our catchment is small, relatively speaking, and so it has been
decided to spread the net wider, literally on the Net by opening our
Facebook and Twitter pages. Posting various Buddhist related topics, articles,
teachings etc along with who we are and what we are trying to achieve we
hopefully are broadening our appeal.
Recognising the situation as it has been, our teacher Ven Geshe Thinley took
the unprecedented decision to find work in order to help supplement our
costs. An excellent cook learnt from his time in his monastery he took
courses to up his skills in preparation for the world of work. This while still
teaching and carrying on his own personal studies. While it was never our
intention for this to happen, his practical solution to all things has stabilised,
for the moment at least the drain on the finances. His subsequent move to
his present address again has shown his willingness to help lift the financial
burden and secure a future for Avon Buddhists.
Other optional information
Please find statements relating to the relevant financial periods in the
appendices of cc16a.
Declaration
Signature(s)
Full name(s)
Mr Ashok Mali
Mr Stephen Holley
Position
Chairperson
Treasurer
Date
0111012021



**----- Start of picture text -----**<br>
Charity No<br>Avon Buddhists 1169219<br>Receipts and payments accounts CC16a<br>For the period  Period start date Period end date<br>To<br>from 06/04/ 05/04/202<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br>



**----- Start of picture text -----**<br>
Section A Receipts and payments<br>Unrestricted  Restricted  Endowment<br>Total funds Last year<br>funds funds funds<br> to the nearest    £  to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £<br>A1 Receipts<br>Donations 50 -                                  -    50 673<br>PayPal Donations -    -                                  -                                  -    80<br>Cash at PayPal Account 154                               -    -    154 74<br>                                -  -                                  -    -                               -<br>-                                -    -                                  -    -<br>                                -  -                                  -    -                               -<br>-                                -    -                                  -    -<br>                                -  -                                  -    -                               -<br>Sub total (Gross income for<br>204 -                                  -    204 827<br>AR)<br>A2 Asset and investment sales,<br>(see table).<br>-                                  -  -                                -    -<br>                                -  -                                  -  -                                 -<br>Sub total  -                                  -  -                                -    -<br>Total receipts 204 -                              -  204 827<br>A3 Payments<br>Rent for Spiritual Teacher -                                -    -                                  -                                  -<br>Administration -                                -    -                                  -                                  -<br>Room Rent -                                -    -                                  -    -<br>                                -  -                                  -    -                               -<br>-                                -    -                                  -    -<br>                                -  -                                  -    -                               -<br>-                                -    -                                  -    -<br>                                -  -                                  -    -                               -<br>-                                -    -                                  -    -<br>Sub total -                                -    -                                  -                                  -<br>A4 Asset and investment<br>purchases, (see table)<br>-                                  -  -                                -    -<br>                                -  -                                  -  -                                 -<br>Sub total -                                  -  -                                -    -<br>Total payments -                              -  -                                -    -<br>Net of receipts/(payments) 204 -                              -    204 827<br>A5 Transfers between funds -                            -    -                           -<br>A6 Cash funds last year end  3,239 -                             -    3,239 2,566<br>Cash funds this year end 3,443 -                              -    3,443 3,393<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br>


CCXX R1 accounts (SS) 

/ /2020 

1 



## **Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period** 


**----- Start of picture text -----**<br>
Unrestricted  Restricted  Endowment<br>Categories  Details  funds  funds  funds<br>to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £<br>B1 Cash funds  Cash at Bank  3,289 -                               -<br> Cash at PayPal  154  -                               -<br>-                                  -    -<br>Total cash funds  3,443 -                            -<br>(agree balances with receipts and payments<br>account(s)) OK OK OK<br>Unrestricted  Restricted  Endowment<br>funds  funds  funds<br>Details to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £<br>B2 Other monetary assets -                                  -    -<br>                              -    -                               -<br>-                                  -    -<br>                              -    -                               -<br>-                                  -    -<br>                              -    -                               -<br>Fund to which  Current value<br>Details asset belongs Cost (optional) (optional)<br>B3 Investment assets -                                  -    -<br>                              -    -                               -<br>-                                  -    -<br>                              -    -                               -<br>-                                  -    -<br>Fund to which  Current value<br>Details asset belongs Cost (optional) (optional)<br>B4 Assets retained for the  -                                  -    -<br>                              -    -                               -<br>-                                  -    -<br>                              -    -                               -<br>-                                  -    -<br>                              -    -                               -<br>-                                  -    -<br>                              -    -                               -<br>-                                  -    -<br>Fund to which  Amount due  When due<br>Details liability relates (optional) (optional)<br>B5 Liabilities -                                  -    -<br>                              -    -                               -<br>-                                  -    -<br>                              -    -                               -<br>-                                  -    -<br>Signed by one or two trustees on  Date of<br>behalf of all the trustees  Signature Print Name approval<br>Mr Ashok Mali<br>01/10/2021<br>Mr Stephen Holley<br>01/10/2021<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br>


CCXX R2 accounts (SS) 

2 

/ 0/2021 



Appendlx (l):
Avon Buddhists Barclay's Account
(73323595) 0610412020- 0510412021

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Appendlx: Appendlx (11)
Avon Buddhi5t5 Pay Pal Account
0610412020 - 0510412021

• PayPal
Merthant Account ID.. M5B4FMX8NUG
Paypal ID.. rnark@aVOni￿ddhlsts.org.uk
0610412020- 05104r2021
statement for 06 2020 to 05 Aprfl 2021
Avon Buddhists
35 Coronation Road, Downend
BS16 SSN Bristol
Balan￿ Summary (0610412020- 0510412021)
Available Start
Available End
Withheld St8rt
Withheld End
GBP
154.44
154.44
0.00
0.00
Page 1

• PayPal
Merthant Account ID.. M5B4FMX8NUG
Paypal ID.. rnark@aVOni￿ddhlsts.org.uk
0610412020- 05104r2021
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