## **Joint AGM report September 2021** ## **Ian Davis Chair of Aldridge Shed Ivor Anderson Chair of Trustees for Aldridge Shed** Well, as we all know, it’s been a very difficult and unusual 12 months. The good news is that to our knowledge we haven’t lost any members to Covid 19. For the majority of lockdown Aldridge Shed was reduced to some weekly Zoom meetings, and several “ring rounds” by the committee to check on members health and welfare. Our landlord, housing 21 were kind enough to suspend our rent for the lockdown period which meant our bank balance remained stable. As lockdown started to ease the long-awaited garage, which we needed for a wood storeroom, was able to be started. The base turned out to be a bigger job than first expected and finding a contractor to build it was even more difficult than anticipated. However, the deadline was met, and the erection of the garage completed in time. As lockdown continued to ease, discussions that had started earlier to completely redesign, revamp and remodel the workshop and old wood store gained pace and put into progress by members of the committee, working within Covid guidelines. This involved a lot of hard work which we sincerely thank those committee members for, and the purchase of 8 new work benches, and a mitre/crosscut saw. We were also, with the help of several members, whom we also give thanks to, able to reclaim our timber that the council (Clean & Green) had kindly been storing, this has already taken up a large portion of our new garage. Since reopening members have been slowly returning and several new members joining taking membership up to (to be added later). Given that people are still cautious and that we are in the holiday season we are pleased with that number. Two changes to our operation are: - Lifetime membership for only £25 - We are allocating Fridays as “Community Fridays.” As the name suggests members will volunteer time to work on projects for the community. This can be anything from repairing items, building planters, bird boxes, making pens etc. There will be no session fees charged for those helping. We are looking at projects that people can get involved in but all ideas welcome. The future for Aldridge Shed looks good but we are always aware that we need to keep our eyes on finances. Thanks here must go to our Treasurer, Mark Perry, and the committee who have done and continue to do a very conscientious job of making sure monies are looked after and well spent when necessary. We have recently applied the National Lottery Community Fund for just under £10,000. This will help cover rent, electricity, insurance, and various sundries and we should know sometime in October as to whether our application has been successful. Again, thanks to everyone who has helped over the last year to make our Shed what it is, a much better Shed than it was. A place where we can have friendly banter as we make, mend and mingle together helping to make new friendships and overcome loneliness and social isolation. CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES A￿￿d9& Shed Recei tsand ments accounts CC16a For tho p•rfod from To 011C6r2018 31105r2019 Section A Receipts and payments EndowTn8rrt Totsl fund• Lali y•ar A1 R•c81 MCW w81s911 m 19)0 AR) 10J71 14071 n¥•8tment Sa A3Pa •nts Rent Uulib 3,920 1.925 817 11,742 Sub total liJ17 19,082 A4 A￿¢t and Inve8trnent Sub total 12A17 19 N•t of AK•1p￿{Paym0nts) AS Transfern between fun