Chairman’s Annual Report to Windsor and District u3a
Annual General Meeting, April 10th, 2024
I am delighted to present the fourth annual report as your chairman, summarising the achievements and developments of our Windsor and District over the past year. The support and enthusiasm from our members have been instrumental in making this another successful year.
Membership Growth: I am pleased to report that we experienced further growth and our membership is now nearing 700 members. This demonstrates the appeal and vibrancy of our community.
Convenor conference and lunch:
After a three-year absence due to the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, we were once again able to thank our convenors for the work they do with their groups by holding a conference and lunch in the Hospitality and Catering Academy of Langley College in May. Approaching 50 convenors and committee members took part in a workshop entitled Learning the u3a Way, which was conducted by our guest speaker Sally Ingledew. Sally is manager of Hampshire South Central network and a member of the national movement’s strategic development committee. It was followed by lunch prepared and served by the academy’s students and staff.
Interest Groups:
We have launched what I believe is a record number of interest groups over the past year. Our existing convenors came up with ideas for nine new groups at the conference workshop. Six came to fruition and they are: Play-Reading; MusicMakers; Learning from Experience; Wardrobe Friends; Thinking Inside (the box); National Trust Properties Outings. In addition, two new Creative Writing groups have begun work, we have a second Rummikub group and a Flower Arranging group. One of the earliest launches in the year was the Stargazers group which began life with a healthy 25 members who meet for night-sky events, outings and lectures. A fixed meeting acts as a forum to plan outings and to share knowledge and expertise. Our long-established Local History group has doubled its attendance this year which shows a growing appetite among our members to explore our local heritage. My thanks to Sue White, our outgoing Groups Coordinator, for taking the initiative on those.
Outings:
Outings in 2023 continued to be successful. In addition to the popular Explore London trips, there were wide ranging trips around the country. Each provided a mixture of educational and social activity. Trips have included:
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Midsummer Murders coach tour around the Chilterns in the spring.
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A five day holiday based in Harrogate in July with daily excursions to locations with historical, heritage and agricultural themes
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An afternoon - evening visit in November to view Waddesdon Manor, a stately home belonging to the Rothschild family.
Lastly an evening theatre performance of High Society at The Mill in Sonning in December.
Eton Action Fair: The Eton Action Fair proved to be an excellent platform for us. This long-established and highly popular charity fund-raiser allowed us to showcase the diversity of our activities to try to attract new members who share our passion for lifelong learning.
Christmas Meeting: Our December meeting included a festive celebration featuring delightful performances by two of our groups, Singing for Fun and the Ukulele group. It was heartening to see the camaraderie and talent within our community.
Local Coffee Mornings - CAMEO Groups: Our local coffee mornings, known as CAMEO groups (Come And Meet Each Other), have been exceptionally successful. Hosted in various cafes and venues in Old Windsor, West Windsor, Sunningdale, and Datchet. One of the key benefits is that social interaction at coffee mornings helps foster connections and friendships among our members.
Committee Retirement: I would like to take this opportunity to thank both Dave Humphries and Sue White as key members of the committee. They have provided huge contributions to the ongoing success of our u3a. They are retiring because our constitution does not allow any member to serve for more than two three-year terms on the committee. I’m sure they will enjoy their greater freedom but also be able to continue to provide u3a advice as appropriate to the Committee.
Appreciation: I extend my sincere thanks to all convenors, members of our committee and all volunteers. Your dedication and efforts are the driving force behind our achievements, and your contributions are truly valued. As a charity, we rely on the initiative and support from all involved, and together, we have created a vibrant and thriving community.
In conclusion, I look forward to another successful year with continued learning, and camaraderie within our Windsor and District u3a.
Best Regards,
Peter Todd Chairman, Windsor and District u3a
Windsor u3a Receipts and Payments - to 31st December 2023
| Year End | Year End | |
|---|---|---|
| 31/12/2023 | 31/12/2022 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Operational Receipts | ||
| HMRC Gift Aid | 1,292 | 924 |
| Membership (689 paid up at 31/12/2023) | 9,268 | 8,980 |
| Miscellaneous | 442 | 100 |
| Total | 11,002 | 10,004 |
| Operational Payments | ||
| Administration | 124 | 145 |
| Beacon levy | 591 | 583 |
| Convener conference | 2,147 | - |
| Equipment | 98 | 1,477 |
| Gardeners Hall Events | 1,644 | 360 |
| Membership fee to 3rd Age Trust | 2,360 | 2,332 |
| Miscellaneous outgoings | 248 | 265 |
| National conference expenses | - | - |
| New Members Meetings | 120 | 278 |
| Newsletter, printing and postage | 984 | 1,516 |
| Paypal and credit card fees | 155 | 131 |
| Speaker fees | 920 | 644 |
| Third Age Matters | 1,001 | 1,040 |
| Total | 10,393 | 8,772 |
| Operating surplus/deficit | 609 | 1,231 |
| Other activity | ||
| Groups Income | 3,776 | 6,007 |
| Groups payments | 3,813 | 5,546 |
| Groups surplus /deficit | -37 | 460 |
| Cash groups income | 6,221 | 5,324 |
| Cash groups payments | 6,096 | 5,296 |
| Cash groups surplus/deficit | 125 | 28 |
| Social events/outings income | 10,974 | 9,319 |
| Social events/outings | 13,656 | 6,716 |
| Social events/outings surplus/deficit | -2,682 | 2,603 |
| Total Surplus/Deficit | -1,984 | 4,323 |
| Opening balance | 16,706 | 12,383 |
| Closing balance | 14,723 | 16,706 |
| Represented by | ||
| Bank balance | 13,928 | 16,038 |
| Paypal balance | - | - |
| Zettle balance | - | - |
| Groups cash | 795 | 670 |
| Total | 14,723 | 16,708 |
| Year End balance includes | ||
| Operational Reserves | 13,411 | 12,693 |
| Group Funds - Explorer 2 | 248 | - |
| Group Funds - Quiz | 181 | 210 |
| Group Funds - Table Tennis | 87 | 473 |
| Cash Funds - Local History | 675 | 302 |
| Cash Funds - Scrabble | 40 | 27 |
| Cash Funds - Singing for Fun | 44 | 90 |
| Cash Funds - Tea & Jazz | 11 | 166 |
| Cash Funds - UKE3a | 25 | 85 |
| Total | 14,723 | 14,046 |
Report of the Independent Examiner to the Trustees of the
Windsor U3A
I report on the accounts for the year ended 31[st] December 2023 which are set out attached.
Respective responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner
As trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. You, as the Trustees, consider that an audit is not required for the year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 but that an independent examination is needed under that 2011 Act.
It is my responsibility:
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1) To examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;
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2) To follow the procedures laid down in the general directions of the Charity Commissioners under section 145 (5) of the 2011 Act and
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3) To state whether particular matters have come to my attention
Basis of Independent Examiner’s Report
My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept 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 you as the Trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all evidence that would be required 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 matter set out in the statement below.
Independent Examiner’s Statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
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(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements
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(a) to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 130 of the 2011 Act; and
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(b) to prepare accounts in accord with the accounting records and to comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act have not been met; or
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(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
George G Flett C A
28 Holland Road, Marlow Bucks SL7 1LJ SIGNED and DATED 27th February 2024