Park Road, Rushden, Northants, NN10 0RW
Charity No. 1174622
Annual Report 2024
Chair Opening Words
The year from 1st October 2023 to 30th September 2024 is the period covered by this Annual Report. As we begin, I would like to invite us to take a moment’s silence in remembrance of those no longer with us, whose presence, service and fellowship remain a blessing in our shared life.
We are thankful that the repairs to the boiler have held, with relatively minor maintenance needs. The Trustees continue to look for options and solutions for replacement boiler and heating systems, assess payment options as well as applying for grant funding. The ball park figure to replace the boiler is in the region of £30 to 40k. We are still a long way from meeting this target.
There has been an increase in the use of the porch and steps by people congregating to drink and deal drugs. We have been and are liaising with the Police on this problem which affects not only our town but is country wide. All advice is to report the presence of unauthorised persons to the Police on 101 and not to confront directly. We urge all users to keep the front doors locked.
During the period 1[st] October 2023 to 30[th] September 2024 the Trustees have continued to meet in person as well as making other decisions,
issues and activity via email communication. The Trustees have shown tremendous effort and commitment.
Here is a summary list of the principal areas that have been managed by the Trustee Board during the year:
Summary of Achievements in 2024
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Building & Maintenance – Progressed essential works including scaffolding, roof and tiling investigations, and plans for long-term solutions to perimeter wall and drainage issues.
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Facilities & Equipment – Improved kitchen facilities and equipment, with replacements sourced where needed, ensuring safe and practical spaces for hirers and congregation use.
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Governance & Compliance – Trustees maintained regular meetings, monitoring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, and ensuring smooth day-to-day management.
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Community Life – Volunteers continued to play a vital role in supporting services, hall use and upkeep, with gratitude expressed for their ongoing commitment and care.
Review of 2024
This year has been one of steady, faithful progress at The Heritage Chapel and Halls, marked by significant behind-the-scenes work from our Trustees and volunteers.
Our attention has continued to focus on the practical challenges of maintaining and preserving our historic premises. Work has been ongoing to address scaffolding and roofing concerns, and we have continued to seek professional advice on issues such as tiling, drainage and perimeter walls. The need for long-term solutions remains a priority, and we are grateful for the expertise and commitment of those involved.
On a smaller but still important scale, we have made progress with equipment and facilities. Improvements and replacements have been considered for items such as freezers and kitchen needs, ensuring hirers and congregation continue to benefit from safe, practical spaces.
Once again, the Trustees have met regularly, both in person and via email, to ensure decisions are made promptly and effectively. I wish to record my sincere thanks for their dedication, perseverance and good humour in what can often be complex and demanding work. and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them.
Wendy and Dennis Dangerfield deserve special mention again in this report for their sterling work in producing the weekly booklet.
Summary of Principal Areas of Work by Trustees in 2024
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Ongoing maintenance and repair planning for the building fabric
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Applications and approaches for grant and funding opportunities
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Oversight of equipment and facility needs within the Chapel and Halls
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Liaison with hirers and users to ensure continuity and safety of access
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Monitoring of compliance with legal and regulatory requirements
The commitment of our volunteers remains invaluable, with support ranging from cleaning and gardening to administration and worship duties. Each small contribution continues to make a large difference.
During this reporting period the Trustees were: Gill Crow, Diana Black, David Ogden, Cheryl Tompkins, Janine Musson, Jayne Evans and Darren Williams.
We remain grateful to all who give freely of their time, energy and prayer.
Worship Committee Report
Over this last year we have all been truly blessed and are very grateful with all the Sunday Worship Services in the Heritage Chapel covered from our team of 14 & more volunteer ministers/ preachers, with all their preparation and commitment appreciated by us all, plus our in – house team who have also covered for emergencies, sometimes in very difficult circumstances.
We thank God for his very fruitful provision and guidance around diaries, commitments and the unexpected problems to be faced with patience.
Life Events Services have taken place in the chapel – Weddings, Funerals and Celebration of Life Services.
Other Services have included English Heritage Sunday, Easter, Harvest Festival, Remembrance Sunday, Christmas Services and more.
We have used the main hall, this was the original Church, for services in the winter, in addition to the regular weekly community use by groups and bookings in here and other rooms, of which we very much welcome their presence and provision of their services provided including fundraising.
Civic events, Coffee Mornings, & Fundraising are amongst other events taken place bringing members of the community together.
Gods great provision of two sites for a Church/Chapel gives us incredible opportunities when needed plus being versatile for other uses alongside this.
One observation of the presentations in the Chapel has been “Wow! in here is like a Colosseum (deriving from the Latin word Colosseus) the space, the galleries, the acoustics, the facilities to see and hear everything together “.
We have been honoured to provide refreshments & fellowship before and after the presentation ceremonies for the learners from The King’s Trust, their friends & families and Tresham College staff, Civic leaders and members from our congregation.
We provide when needed refreshments & fellowship for life event occasions, this is from donations of goods needed including milk, tea, coffee, biscuits and cakes.
Our weekly Refreshments and Fellowship take place after our Sunday Worship Service where sometimes people from the community pop in too.
Feedback from a congregation member was “I love the fellowship of the service itself “which is great to hear.
It has been really great to welcome new members to our congregation with their ideas and feedback appreciated.
We have a small Sunday School which is part of our Sunday Worship structure.
Now in our 13th year we are all extremely grateful for our team of volunteers and trustees enabling the running of the charity and buildings kept for the Community.
Weekly and Sunday’s teamwork always comes together in the provision of a wonderful weekly booklet, some copies gratefully delivered for Church at home and a rota of tasks undertaken for Sunday Worship, including readers of the Bible, prayers of intercession, flowers, refreshments and much more.
Everything achieved here is from the dedication of volunteers.
This report is just a “snapshot” covering some of this time and we trust in God as always for the future.
A reflection with some words from the great hymn –
To God be the Glory, Great things he hath Done.
So loved he the World that he gave us his Son.
Who yielded his life our redemption to win
And opened the life – gate that all may go in
We end this report from the Worship and Pastoral Committee with Faith, Hope, Love and Peace to you all.
Premises Report
Due to another plaster fall, this time in the Ministers Vestry, problems with the roof have been investigated. Some roofing companies used drones to survey the roof. Quotes from a variety of roofers were obtained for repairs they ranged from £18,528 to £31,710 +vat. (For all the repairs.) It was decided that repairs could only be carried out as funds became available.
Work has been carried out in two areas during this period. The area above the Ministers Vestry needed a new box gutter and old patched up lead needed replacing. Also, high up in the area above the kitchen, the lead guttering that was hanging dangerously has been re attached securely. A ridge tile was replaced and also other tiles. Scaffolding was required for these repairs.
The lean to outside the kitchen that had a damaged asbestos roof due to falling roof tiles has been removed and fascia’s and guttering replaced.
These two areas were chosen as these repairs were the least expensive to complete. Further repairs to the roof will be carried out.
Two old consumer units were merged into one new consumer unit. Annual inspection of fire extinguishers took place. Gas boiler and cooker were serviced.
Pest control sorted out the mice problem.
Surround and fireplace adapted and new gas fire fitted in the back hall. The Prince’s Trust,( now known as The King’s Trust ) did some gardening and grounds maintenance.
The leaking water heater in the foyer was replaced with a new one. Annual Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) was completed. Annual asbestos re inspection completed.
The men’s toilet was leaking and it has now been fixed to the floor properly.
At the Trustee meeting on May 22nd Darren Williams was co-opted as a Trustee until the AGM in August. After being elected as a Trustee in August Darren continues to be very helpful, enthusiastic and supportive with everything premises related. Some volunteers from HCH have also done some gardening.
Finance Report
Bookings have been the main source of income during this financial year and we have been fortunate that all our hirers have continued to use the premises. The Hall has been used morning, afternoon and evenings on weekdays mostly, with the occasional Saturday private parties, barn dances and additional use by the theatre groups. We are so grateful for the classes that take place and in particular Mosaic, Community Weigh, H.H. Table Tennis, Silver Swans, Pilates, Happy Feet and to Theatrestarz who book three sessions per week. The hiring of the Halls is essential as this assists in the maintenance of the building. More enquiries are being made, and these have to be worked in among the regular hirers so that they are not disturbed.
There were regular hirers, and one wedding booked during this period to 30[th] September 2024. The gift aid reclaimed quarterly from HMRC together with the gift aid envelopes amounted to over £7k for the year.
More fund raising is required as there has been little carried out in the last year.
Following the receipt of a grant from North Northants Council for the kitchen refurbishment, there is still some finishing off required to the kitchen and there are plans to get this completed.
On 21[st] September 2024 there was the terrible storm that flooded the premises and the result of this is that an insurance claim was raised with the insurance company which has taken several months to bring to a conclusion. This will be reported in next year’s AGM report.
The accounts have been produced at the end of each month and quarterly balance sheets for the Trustees but have not been in the booklet so regularly due to the booklet having to be produced early because of holidays. The balance of the account at the end of September 2024 was £24,394.29
Conclusion
While challenges remain, particularly regarding building maintenance and funding, this year has shown once again that the Chapel and Halls continue to stand strong as a resource for worship and community. We are encouraged by the faithfulness of our supporters and the determination of our Trustees to keep moving forward.
Our hope and prayer is that, with God’s continued blessing, The Heritage will remain a place where both the practical and the spiritual flourish together – a testimony of endurance, service, and fellowship for generations yet to come.
Closing Reflection
The prophet Isaiah reminds us: “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles” (Isaiah 40:31).
The work of The Heritage Chapel and Halls is not completed in a single year or even a single generation. Like those who plant trees knowing they may never sit in their shade, we are called to invest our time, gifts, and resources for the blessing of those yet to come. Each repair to the building’s fabric, each gathering for worship, each act of kindness offered here is a seed sown into God’s greater plan.
We may not see the whole picture, but we trust that our labours— however small—are part of His story for this place. And in that trust, we find strength to continue with faith, with gratitude, and with hope.
Balance Sheet for the Period
1[st] October, 2023 to 30[th] September, 2024
– ACCOUNTS 2023/2024 MONTHLY SUMMARY
| Income | Sub-totals | Exp1nditure | Balance | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opening Balance |
25,785.84 | |||
| October | 2,139.21 | 27,845.05 | 1,737.20 | 26,107.85 |
| November | 2,408.74 | 28,516.59 | 1,919.76 | 26,596.83 |
| December | 3,228.23 | 29,825.06 | 1,865.75 | 27,959.31 |
| January | 1,666.31 | 29,625.62 | 1,812.69 | 27,812.93 |
| February | 2,073.54 | 29,886.47 | 1,926.13 | 27,960.34 |
| March | 3,061.10 | 31,021.44 | 4,093.34 | 26,928.10 |
| April | 1,904.06 | 28,832.16 | 1,878.81 | 26,953.35 |
| May | 2,308.66 | 29,262.01 | 4,846.41 | 24,415.60 |
| June | 1,903.72 | 26,319.32 | 946.26 | 25,373.06 |
| July | 3,278.99 | 28,652.05 | 3,923.76 | 24,728.29 |
| August | 1,517.36 | 26,245.65 | 1,607.31 | 24,638.34 |
| September | 1,180.20 | 25,818.54 | 1,504.25 | 24,394.29 |
| 52,455.96 | 28,061.67 | |||
| Balance at 30.9.24 | 24,394.29 | |||
Balance Sheet for 12 months – 1[st] October, 2023 to 30[th] September, 2024
| INCOME | £ | PAYMENTS | £ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.10.23 | Opening balance – | 25,785.84 | British Gas –Gas British Gas–Elec |
7,491.00 1,545.34 |
| Donations | 505.00 | Anglia Water | 1,175.00 | |
| Gift Aid Envelopes | 5,958.00 | Premises repairs | 338.50 | |
| Offertory | 1,376.70 | Premises cleaner | 3,648.00 | |
| Bookings/hiring | 13,339.75 | Insurance–Ansvar | 3,829.56 | |
| North Northants Council | 1,200.00 | Annual Renewals/surveys | 489.80 | |
| Rushden Rewinds RRE | 1,749.00 | |||
| Coffee Money | 378.30 | Prestige Scaffolding | 4,848.00 | |
| HMRC gift aid refund | 1,546.98 | Ministers Expenses | 275.00 | |
| Listed Places of Worship | 1,129.37 | Prof. Pest Management | 118.80 | |
| Waendel Fire | 242.70 | |||
| Wedding hiring | 620.00 | Sundries/cleaning materials | 578.35 | |
| Sundries | 66.59 | Corvee Prop. | 824.40 | |
| Fund raising | 549.43 | Wedding Anniversary refund | 100.00 | |
| CCLI licence | 183.30 | |||
| Donations | 160.00 | |||
| Xmas Fayre Exp. | 36.68 | |||
| Kitchen equipment | 49.99 | |||
| Thirty One Eight | 145.00 | |||
| Gardening | 80.00 | |||
| PAT Testing | 153.25 | |||
| Sub. Total | 52,455.96 | Sub. Total | 28,061.67 | |
| Balance at 30.9.24 | 24,394.29 | |||
Park Road, Rushden, Northants, NN10 0RW
Registered Charity No. 1174622
Janine Musson, Treasurer Tel: 01933 350405 Email: janinemusson305@gmail.com
17, Loseby Close, Rushden, Northants, NN10 9HT
Balance Sheet for the Period
1[st] October, 2023 to 30[th] September, 2024
Treasurer: Janine Musson
ACCOUNTS 2023/2024 – MONTHLY SUMMARY
| Income | Sub-totals | Exp1nditure | Balance | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opening Balance |
25,705.84 | |||
| October | 2,139.21 | 27,845.05 | 1,737.20 | 26,107.85 |
| November | 2,408.74 | 28,516.59 | 1,919.76 | 26,596.83 |
| December | 3,228.23 | 29,825.06 | 1,865.75 | 27,959.31 |
| January | 1,666.31 | 29,625.62 | 1,812.69 | 27,812.93 |
| February | 2,073.54 | 29,886.47 | 1,926.13 | 27,960.34 |
| March | 3,061.10 | 31,021.44 | 4,093.34 | 26,928.10 |
| April | 1,904.06 | 28,832.16 | 1,878.81 | 26,953.35 |
| May | 2,308.66 | 29,262.01 | 4,846.41 | 24,415.60 |
| June | 1,903.72 | 26,319.32 | 946.26 | 25,373.06 |
| July | 3,278.99 | 28,652.05 | 3,923.76 | 24,728.29 |
| August | 1,517.36 | 26,245.65 | 1,607.31 | 24,638.34 |
| September | 1,180.20 | 25,818.54 | 1,504.25 | 24,314.29 |
| 52,375.96 | 28,061.67 | |||
| Balance at 30.9.24 | 24,314.29 | |||
Park Road, Rushden, Northants, NN10 0RW
Registered Charity No. 1174622
Balance Sheet for 12 months – 1[st] October, 2023 to 30[th] September, 2024
| ~~a~~ | INCOME ~~ee~~ |
£ | PAYMENTS | £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.10.23 ~~a~~ |
Opening balance – ~~ee~~ |
25,705.84 British Gas –Gas | 25,705.84 British Gas –Gas British Gas–Elec |
7,491.00 1,545.34 |
| ~~a~~ ~~i~~ |
Donations ~~ee~~ |
505.00 Anglia Water | 505.00 Anglia Water | 1,175.00 |
| ~~i~~ | Gift Aid Envelopes | 5,958.00 Premises repairs | 5,958.00 Premises repairs | 338.50 |
| ~~i~~ | Offertory | 1,376.70 Premises cleaner | 1,376.70 Premises cleaner | 3,648.00 |
| ~~i~~ | Bookings/hiring | 13,339.75 Insurance | 13,339.75 Insurance–Ansvar | 3,829.56 |
| ~~i~~ | North Northants Council | 1,200.00 Annual Renewals/surveys | 1,200.00 Annual Renewals/surveys | 489.80 |
| ~~a~~ | Rushden Rewinds RRE | Rushden Rewinds RRE | 1,749.00 | |
| ~~a~~ | Coffee Money | 378.30 Prestige Scaffolding | 378.30 Prestige Scaffolding | 4,848.00 |
| ~~i~~ | HMRC gift aid refund | 1,546.98 Ministers Expenses | 1,546.98 Ministers Expenses | 275.00 |
| ~~i~~ | Listed Places of Worship | 1,129.37 Prof. Pest Management | 1,129.37 Prof. Pest Management | 118.80 |
| ~~i~~ | Waendel Fire | Waendel Fire | 242.70 | |
| ~~i~~ | Wedding hiring | 620.00 Sundries/cleaning materials | 620.00 Sundries/cleaning materials | 578.35 |
| ~~i~~ | Sundries | 66.59 Corvee Prop. | 66.59 Corvee Prop. | 824.40 |
| ~~i~~ | Fund raising | 549.43 Wedding Anniversary refund | 549.43 Wedding Anniversary refund | 100.00 |
| ~~i~~ | CCLI licence | CCLI licence | 183.30 | |
| ~~i~~ | Donations | Donations | 160.00 | |
| ~~i~~ | Xmas Fayre Exp. | Xmas Fayre Exp. | 36.68 | |
| ~~i~~ | Kitchen equipment | Kitchen equipment | 49.99 | |
| ~~i~~ | Thirty One Eight | Thirty One Eight | 145.00 | |
| ~~i~~ | Gardening | Gardening | 80.00 | |
| ~~i~~ | PAT Testing | PAT Testing | 153.25 | |
| ~~a~~ | ||||
| ~~a~~ | Sub. Total | 52,375.96 Sub. Total | 52,375.96 Sub. Total | 28,061.67 |
| ~~a~~ | ||||
| ~~a~~ | Balance at 30.9.24 | Balance at 30.9.24 | 24,314.29 | |
| ~~a~~ | ||||
| ~~a~~ | ||||
| ~~a~~ | ||||
| ~~a~~ |
The Herlt3g Chapel and Halls Park Road, Rushden, Northants, NN100RW Registered Charity No. 1174622 Janine Musson, Treasurer 17, Loseby Close, Rushden, Northants, NN10 9HT Tel: 01933 350405 Email.. janinemusson305@gmail.com Balance Sheet for the Period 11t October, 2023 to 30th September, 2024 Treasurer.. Janine Musson Auditor: Alan Richardson