2024-12-31-accounts - The Meole Brace Peace Memorial Hall

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Annual Report of Meole Brace Peace Memorial Hall Charity Reg no. 1170090 January 1[st] to December 31[st] 2024

Address: Meole Brace Peace Memorial Hall, Upper Rd, Shrewsbury SY3 9JP Trustees: Peter Dunhill (Chair), Jane Williams (Treasurer), Andrew Hulme (Website/Facebook), Helen Smart, Heather Macleod

Management Meeting Attenders/Minutes Receivers: Ruth Jones (Nobold WI Rep), Clive Goodwin (Meole Brace Garden and Allotment Club Rep) Contact for bookings: Peter Dunhill 07392 571053, email meolepeacehall@gmail.com Banking: Nat West, Telford Town Centre, Telford Insurance cover: Village Guard (Allied Westminster) – Property Damage, Employers Liability, Public Liability, Legal Expenses, Trustee Indemnity Local authority areas: Shropshire Council and Shrewsbury Town Council Facebook page: https://en-gb.facebook.com/pg/Meole-Brace-Peace-Memorial-Hall538869346237711/about/

Website: https://sites.google.com/site/meolebracememorialhall/home

Our facilities

The main hall (12.5 x 6m + Stage: 4.8 x 6m) is equipped for a variety of uses including meetings, slide/powerpoint shows, dance, drama, parties, lunches and indoor recreation

Stage with lighting and curtains.
Side dressing/green room
Plenty of stackable tables and chairs.
Maximum Capacity: 100 people standing, 90 seated
Wide door and wheel chair access
Heating

An entrance lobby

A meeting room (4 x 5.7m) that is suitable for committee meetings or refreshments - a semi sound proof partition wall can be opened onto the side of the main hall,

A fitted kitchen with

Hot water boiler and kettles for drinks
Fridge
Electric Cooker
Microwave

Toilets (male, female, accessible for people with disabilities) and cloakroom area

Plenty of storage space

Off road parking for 8 vehicles + on road parking – we are located in a built up area

Chairman’s Report

This year has been largely shaped by our forward planning around the future of the Hall. The initial proposal to refurbish the current building—costing over £460,000—was ultimately deemed unfeasible. In response, the Trustees began exploring alternative options, including a complete rebuild. A key advantage of a new build is that it would not incur VAT, offering a more financially viable path.

A local survey, conducted by our Town and Shropshire Councillor, gathered some insight—albeit with a low response rate and limited contextual explanation. It showed a narrow majority in favour of constructing a new Hall on land at the lower end of the football ground on Church Road. The alternative options considered were rebuilding on the current site or relocating to Mary Webb Road. Any future developments will now depend on whether the Town Council supports this potential relocation. Importantly, the sale of the current site could help offset the cost of a new facility.

Meanwhile, maintaining the existing Hall has continued to be a significant undertaking. Regular inspections, ongoing repairs, replacements, and redecoration have all required attention. You’ll find further details on these activities later in this report.

Our standout event of the year was once again the Frost Fayre in late November. Huge thanks go to Jane Williams and her team for organising a wonderful event featuring over twenty stallholders, festive music, crafts, games, and an unbeatable community spirit. We were also delighted to raise £776 (after expenses) in support of the Hall and its ongoing work.

We were thrilled to welcome Father Christmas himself, who kindly opened the Frost Fayre

In addition, the Hall played a key role in the Meole Garden Trail in June, serving cream teas to an enthusiastic turnout on a gloriously sunny day—so popular, in fact, we were nearly overwhelmed! We also hosted two Local History Walks, which raised nearly £200 in donations.

The recently launched Meole Matters magazine, now delivered quarterly to every household in the parish, has played a crucial role in keeping our community informed about these developments and the options we’re exploring.

In January we learnt with great sadness that Anne Davies, sister of former chairman Bob Mills, had died. Anne worked quietly but tirelessly behind the scenes for many years, keeping the Hall stocked and in good order. In recent times, as her health declined, her absence made it even more apparent how much she contributed. The term “stalwart” is

often used to describe devoted volunteers, and in Anne’s case, it was truly fitting.

Lastly, we bid a frugal farewell to our Green Bin—formerly used for leaves, moss, strimmer cuttings, and small

sticks. Thanks to a bit of elbow grease and some creative thinking, a new compost bin was constructed near the back door—a simple, sustainable solution we can all be proud of.

Peter Dunhill

History

Meole Brace Peace Memorial Hall was the product of many years’ work by a committee formed to try to create a Peace Memorial in memory of the sacrifices made by local people during the First World War.

Bell ringers in Meole Brace c 1920

Early Committee minutes from 1920 record the failure to raise sufficient funds a very ambitious proposal – spare cash for donations was short at the time

The plan was then changed to building a hall on a piece of land opposite The Sycamores (now known as Millford Lodge) to be donated by the Bather family - Lords of the Manor for many years who had provided the vicars of Meole Brace almost continuously between 1778 and 1931. On the back of this donation it was not long before £180 had been raised.

The committee agreed to purchase a hall built of concrete from a Mr Edwards at a cost of £650. It would contain a room 60ft x 20ft wide, a 20ft x 20ft square club room adjoining, a kitchen equipped with a boiler, and ladies’ and gentlemen’s cloakrooms with lavatory accommodation.

The building was soon erected and an opening concert arranged for Thursday October 20[th] 1921 followed by a whist drive and dance on Friday 21[st] October. Invitations were sent out to all householders and ex-servicemen who had lived in the area.

There was a dispute with Mr Edwards about a significant disparity between the original estimate and the final cost. Eventually the matter was resolved amicably through negotiation.

The list of committee members over the years includes the surnames of many well known Meole Brace families: Aris, Ashton, Bather, Burd, Chambers, Cox, Edwards, Evans, Griffiths, Harris, Jones, Massie, Purslow and Tanner

This is an A-Z of just some of the groups and functions that the Hall has hosted over the years: Alexandra Players - Art Classes - Arts Alive - Auction Sales - Boy Scouts -

Bridge Club - Child Welfare Clinic - Choirs - Coronation parties for children - Dancing Classes - Gardening Club - General and Local Elections - Girl Guides - Jazz Band - Martial Arts - Men’s Institute - Play Groups - Rummage Sales - Salinka Stars - The Women’s Institute - Whist Drives

In 2002 many of the Hall Trustees had lost heart and it seemed as though the Hall might close. Even though there were plenty of bookings this was not matched by any enthusiasm to contribute to the running of the Hall. However a public meeting resulted in the election of a new committee and a great number of improvements were made especially to the entrance and cloakroom areas which had a new concrete floor and also to the heating system.

Hall usage

Regular Users during 2024

Meole Brace Garden & Allotment Club –Club talks and Committee meetings Nobold Womens Institute –11 evening meetings a year Salinka Stars (young and teenage dance troupe) –4.00-9.00 pm every Thursday Puddles Playgroup –one morning (Friday) every week Art Group –Monday mornings Keep Fit and Fitness classes – Thursday evenings, Friday afternoons, Saturday early morning Pilates – Thursday mornings Dance classes – Tuesdays and Thursdays Tai Chi – Tuesday evenings and Wednesday afternoons Ballroom dancing practice – Thursday evenings Drumming Workshop – Sunday afternoons

Meole Brace Garden and Allotment Club Annual Show

Meole Village Community Group – monthly meetings free of charge

Festive singers at the Frost Fayre

Occasional Users

The hall is used as a polling station for local and general elections Childrens Parties Frost Fayre (Hall fundraiser) Ceilidhs Play and Band rehearsals and performances Singing and Dance grades Home Educators

Shropshire Archaeological Association Friends of Palestine

Tea and Cakes for local events eg Garden Trail

Booking rates in 2024

Groups: £9 per hour, £27 for half day /evening session Parties, events depending on time: £35 - £60

Before the redecoration - a plaster fall

The plan is to turn our attention to the exterior of the building in 2025 when we hope to employ the same decorator that did the inside.

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vs ud WS
Refreshments for local events
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Maintenance + Cleaning

We undertook a significant and much needed programme of redecoration during the quieter summer months. This involved a lot of re-plastering, replacing wood panelling, re- tiling and, of course, up grading the paint work. We were lucky to attract a very competitive quote from a local painter and decorator who was happy to work with volunteers. The outcome has put the Hall in the ‘acceptable’ category in terms of its overall look.

Over the course of the year repairs and maintenance work have been undertaken on the toilets and drains, the emergency exits, the main door, the water heater, the hall floor and the kitchen. Peter Williams (husband of our Treasurer Jane Williams) has made a particularly active contribution this year in sorting out electrical issues and cleaning out the gutter between the two pitched roofs.

Sarah Adams, our dedicated and flexible cleaner, has used her two hours a week very efficiently and has been thorough, cheery and conscientious. We replaced to useless old vacuum cleaner with an equally cheery ‘Henry’ secured at a useful discount by Trustee Helen Smart.

Inspections

The Hall has complied with the legal requirement to have annual (electrical) Portable Appliance Tests and a commercial Gas Installation Examination. The Gas Examination revealed a slight

pipe width deficiency with our newly replaced water heater. This was rectified at minimum cost and was all sorted by September when the weather started to get colder. In addition the fire extinguisher inspection by Oakleys took place in July.

on standardised, and therefore economiical, components to help give the local community an idea of what a future new build Hall might look like.

Plans for Hall a potential new Hall

Any new Hall will need to improve the use of space, energy efficiency and comfort and in general create a modern and welcoming ambience while retaining the traditional feel of a village hall.

We commissioned an architectural technician to develop a design based

What a potential rebuild using standard components might look like

There is a possibility that we could work with the SAHA football Club to incorporate new changing rooms but will resist any initiatives to include a social club and bar which would incur significant local opposition.

Summary of Annual Accounts

Payments 2024

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||||| |---|---|---|---| |Receipts|2024 2023| |£|£| |ee|Hire of Hall|10551|10104| |Donations|50|42| |Interest|325|299| |Fundraising|1328|1350| |Electricity meter|95|12| |Grants/other|507|0| |SS|Total income|12856|11808| |Current account b/f|5176|12223| |——|Reserve account b/f|21937|25638| |GO| |Total brought|27114|37861| |forward| |||Cash in hand b/f|457|2| |Stock held|50|45| |————|Overall total|40477|49715|

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2023

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||||||| |---|---|---|---|---|---| |£|£| |Electricity|884|1240| |Gas|2376|2209| |Water|621|377| |Insurance|825|800| |Licences/Subs|155|109| |Maintenance/Repairs|4352|2740| |Renovation costs|275|12185| |Cleaning|1196|1216| |Fundraising costs|172|689| |Consumables|387|358| |Printing/Banners|215|173| |Total expenditure|11457|22095| |Current account c/f|4041|5716| |Reserve account c/f|2462|21937| |eeee| |Total carried|28803|27114| |forward| |-———}|Cash in hand c/f|217|457| |ee|Stock held|—}|0|—|50| |ee|

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~~Po~~ Overall total 40477 49715

This summary is purely indicative. The full inspected accounts are available on request.

The Ceilidh Band in full swing

Salinka Stars are long term regular users of the Hall. We wish them luck in all their activities and competitions

The Meole Brace Peace Memorial Hall

(Registered Charity Ref 1170090)

Financial Statement for the Period 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2024

*Receipts* Hire of hall receipts Donations received Interest received Fundraising proceeds Electricity Meter Grants/Other Total Receipts *Bank Balances brought fwd* Current Account Reserve Acccounts Bank totals brought fwd Cash in hand brought fwd Stock held Grand Totals	*2024* *2023* 10,551 10,104 50 42 325 299 1,328 1,350 95 12 507 - 12,856 11,808 5,176 12,223 21,937 25,638 27,114 37,861 457 2 50 45 40,477 49,715	*Payments* Electricity Gas Water Insurance Licences/Subscriptions Maintenance and Repairs Renovation Costs Cleaning Fundraising costs Goods & Consumables Admin Costs/Printing Expenditure from Grants Total Payments *Bank Balances carried fwd* Current Account closing Reserve Acccounts closing Bank totals carried fwd Cash in hand carried fwd Stock held Grand Totals	*2024* *2023* 884 1,240 2,376 2,209 621 377 825 800 155 109 4,352 2,740 275 12,185 1,196 1,216 172 689 387 358 215 173 11,457 22,095 4,041 5,176 24,762 21,937 28,803 27,114 217 457 - 50
			40,477 49,715

Notes

Hall hire income increased by £499 this year, total £10,603. The hall was temporarily closed for around 3 weeks for extensive re-painting, otherwise income would have been higher

Fundraising update - Frost Fayre proceeds exceeded previous years raising £947 less £172 costs making an overall profit £776 Garden Trail refreshments also made £224 contribution

Grants received: Shrewsbury Town Council £500 one off

Maintenance: £2,800 spent on internal and some external re-platering and painting of walls, ceilings and wood. £1,266 spent on new water bolier as broken and other heating/gas equipment repairs