Chair’s report;
Looking back
Pre-August 2023, we had periods without a permanent Chair or Treasurer, had to cancel the Adult Social Event, and had an unresolved drainage issue with the playing field. I am pleased to report that these gaps, issues and problems have now been resolved and we have continued with business as usual.
Over this last year, our social events have gone from strength to strength in terms of numbers attending, quality provided, range of volunteers involved in organising and funds raised. Bagby’s Summer Bash was supported by Monk Park Farm, showcasing their premises to our 90+ attendees.
In December, we decorated our Christmas Tree and the North Pole Post Box postal system enabled 27 local children to receive personalised replies from Father Christmas. Our hamper raffle generated 5 prizes from donations of goodies and sold 154 tickets. The new musical procession was attended by well over 200 people throughout the village, who sang, clapped and cheered, and some joined us in The Greyhound afterwards.
In January, The Seniors Lunch’ ran as smoothly as ever, 26 guests attended, including a few newbies, and a wonderful time was had eating, drinking, socialising and singing. The raffle provided several prizes for all who entered and raised funds to cover our outgoings on the day.
In September and April, the Indoor Car Boot Sales brought folk together to sell and buy, whilst socialising and enjoying refreshments. These sales have proved very successful in raising funds and many thanks to our core group of volunteers.
In June, the 100 Club commenced again with 107 subscribed numbers for this term, a slight decrease on last year’s, but still serves as one of our key fundraisers.
In July, November and April we produced and delivered newsletters to all residents in Bagby and Balk, reporting our successes, advertising our events and improvement works, providing village information and promoting local businesses.
Throughout the year we’ve carried out ongoing maintenance and improvement works;
Great effort from volunteers in the late Spring to carry out tasks in the playpark, with continued hedge work over Summer. Regular grass cutting by the PC, recent offer to spruce up the picnic benches by a York House resident, and very generous donations to the honesty box really show how valued our playpark is in the local, and wider community.
The playing field has arguably never looked better with our purchased lawn mower enabling regular grass cutting. There has also been two bouts of recommended aeration and one lot of weedkilling, and re-seeding taken place, which has improved the pitch quality.
Thank you to Bagby & Balk FC members who commit their time and efforts to improving and maintaining the field and surrounding areas.
Our replanted village troughs continue to look fantastic
Barbara’s regular litter picks are much appreciated, and the spruce up she kindly gave to Bagby’s little library this Summer has made a big difference.
Refections
Firstly, I want to thank our dedicated committee members for their efforts, contributions and leadership this year. Our meetings have been regularly attended and everyone in their own way has taken on key roles or tasks, alleviating the burden on the few and really making our volunteer work a collective effort. It has also been great to see members of Bagby and Balk FC maintain the playing field and assist with playpark maintenance.
I want to especially thank Nicky who continues to lead in her role as Treasurer and Lucy who not only diligently undertakes the secretary role but is the cornerstone of much of our work. I must take this opportunity in writing to thank Tom and Kathleen for their devotion, knowledge and skills over the years, you will be greatly missed.
Whilst we have a small but strong and active committee, we do have gradually depleting numbers, which is something for us to be mindful of for future proofing. Over the last five years there have been many new people move to the village; hopefully they will be attracted to attend our social events or read our newsletters and possibly join our committee.
Whilst finances have somewhat stabilised, largely due to our fundraising efforts and prudency, I am conscious that we will no longer receive our annual £1000 grant from Shell via Tom. Therefore, it seems wise to continue our strategy of hosting social events not solely to raise money, but ensuring we do use each opportunity to generate any funds we can.
Looking ahead
We have much to look forward to, whether that be continuing our successful social events and improvement works, or providing effective services to villagers i.e. newsletters, improved aesthetics – seating areas, planters, litter picking and the little library. It will be great to see the adult social event held at The Greyhound and bring villagers together at the return of the Family Fun Day or ‘Village Fete’.
It feels like we are settling into a period where our core events and activities are being well run, contributed to, and received. Such organisation keeps meetings shorter, helps with planning, and ensures that we do not overstretch ourselves. It also allows some capacity for possible new projects to be considered, which I think is to be welcomed.
Barring renewing or replacing key playground equipment, it seems that no major investments in the playpark are needed. This leaves the playing field; the football club is here to stay and contains several players from the village, but the clubhouse is substandard. We have also been approached to host a North Yorkshire Female Soccer Team.
Therefore, I wonder if our vision of the playing field should involve a new clubhouse which is fit for purpose. Of-course, the possibilities, details and costs would need committee scrutiny, but I raise it here for record to consider committee agreement in principle to exploring the idea.
To continue our fine, much needed, and greatly valued community work, requires continued dedication from the core committee members. Therefore, if voted in again, I will embody this commitment by continuing my role as Chair for another year.
Treasurers report;
Financial year 26.07.2023 – 25.07 2024
Incoming £7438.25
Outgoing £4664.29
End balance £9703.94
Fundraising Events
The first fundraiser of the financial year was “Farm Fest” and the “Summer bash” held at Monk Park Farm on 12.08.2023. Total raised after costs £1k
The two indoor car boot sales held in September and April made a profit of £500 (Outgoings for both events totalling £180 which includes hall hire & refreshments)
Christmas Hamper Raffle raised £298
Seniors Lunch Raffle raised £116 (£33.85 after our outgoings)
Fundraising Ongoing
100 club subscriptions £1605 (£650 prize money given to bob already)
Playpark honesty box £100.81 plus a very generous anonymous donation of £100
Grants
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Shell - we received £1,000 via Tom however this will be the final one as he is moving away from the village and has stepped down from the VS.
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Parish Council Grant of £1152.29 and an additional £353 may be forthcoming after the allotments project.
Easy fundraising totalled £87
Misc Income
Sale of gang mower £300
Outgoings
Main outgoings include:
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Insurance £1152
-
Playpark £238.80 (£127 inspection biggest outlay) other spends of sundries – sand, chalk, sponges, locks, fixings etc
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Playing field £621 (£600 donated to Bagby and Balk football club as agreed for ground works)
General comments
The banking of Petty Cash - We banked £1,500 then £495.00 so our current petty cash total £581.00
The move to online banking which has made managing the accounts much easier
Finally – Big thanks to Lucy for all her help in handing the Treasurer role over so smoothly, as a superbly efficient secretary and most of all as spreadsheet queen and patient tutor!
Bagby & Balk Village Society Charity Registration 1171982 Year ended 25 July 2024
Income and Expenditure Account
2024
| Income Expenditure Honesty Box and Donations 238.74 - Events held 1,860.48 903.97 Fundraising 881.25 331.74 100 Club 1,619.62 670.00 Christmas rafe 298.00 - Just Giving and EasyFundraising 87.03 - Grants received 2,152.29 - Sale of assets 300.00 - 7,437.41 1,905.71 Cash back earned 0.84 Bank Charges 33.20 Playpark running costs 238.80 Playing Field 1,040.98 Insurance 1,152.29 Stationery 228.84 Sundries 64.47 0.84 2,758.58 Surplus of receipts over expenditure Village Society funds @ 25 July 2023 Village Society funds @ 25 July 2024 Represented by: Bank account balance Petty cash held |
238.74 956.51 549.51 949.62 298.00 87.03 2,152.29 300.00 |
|---|---|
| 5,531.70 0.84 33.20 238.80 1,040.98 1,152.29 228.84 64.47 |
|
| 2,773.96 | |
| 6,929.98 9,703.94 9,145.01 558.93 |
|
| 9,703.94 |