## **Trustees Annual Report and Accounts for Machen Recreation CIO registered charity number 1178254 for the year 1st April 2023 to 31st March 2024.** 

## **The Charities Purpose.** 

Machen Recreation CIO was registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) on 4th May 2018. It has been set up to succeed Machen Recreation Welfare Association an unincorporated charity (no 524356) and provide limited liability to the trustees. 

## **The purpose of the Charity is;** 

“For the public benefit, to promote for the benefit of the inhabitants of Machen and the surrounding area the provision of facilities for recreation or other leisure time occupation of individuals who have need of such facilities by reason of their youth, age, infirmity or disablement, financial hardship or social and economic circumstances or for the public at large in the interests of social welfare and with the object of improving the condition of life of the said inhabitants”. 

This is primarily achieved through the work of The Charity which involves the maintenance of a sports ground, in Machen South Wales. Our facilities include 2 rugby pitches, a football pitch, cricket ground, bowling green, pavilion, multi-use games area and children’s playground which is open to all and served by paths and a car park. 

The sports ground known locally as “The Rec” or “The Welfare” is home to the following clubs as well as hosting visiting teams and occasional users. 

- Machen Rugby Football Club 

- Machen Association Football Club • Machen Devil Junior Football Club 

- Machen Cricket Club 

- Machen Bowls Club 

The ground is also used by local schools for PE lessons and sports days. 

The ground also provides a vital resource for residents of all ages from the village for informal recreation, including walking, running, dog walking, picnic, fishing but to name a few. 



## **Governance** 

Trustees of the charity and other representatives of the sports clubs meet regularly in order to update on activities and identify maintenance needs. The Constitution allows each Club to nominate a trustee, whilst others are drawn from anyone with an interest and commitment to ensuring the ground is maintained for the benefit of residents. 

The Trustees who were all appointed for a 3 year term at the establishment of the charity and who served during the period include: 

- Andrew John Rose (Independent) Hon Treasurer 

- Owen Williams (Independent) Hon Chairman 

- Colin John Stafford (Machen Bowls) 

- Peter Williams (Machen Rugby) 

- Gareth Pratt (Independent) (Hon Secretary) 

- Amanda Patricia Mc Connell 

- Christopher Morgan, appointed 

In addition, we received invaluable support from Neil Williams on behalf of Machen Devils Junior FC, and a number of residents from the nearby estate who helped us with opening and closing of the ground so as to discourage antisocial behaviour. 

## **Activities** 

Sporting activities continued with all clubs playing in their respective leagues. Machen Rugby Club, one of the oldest clubs in Wales, celebrated their 150[th] year in 2021, play 1[st] team rugby in WRU 3 East. They are hopeful of continuing with a second team 2024/25. Machen Bowls Club have a men’s and ladies’ team and continue to attract new players from the community. Machen Cricket continue to successfully recruit players of all ages. For the third year running, they joined forces with other local cricket teams to raise important funds for young cricketers in the valleys. Machen Devils and Machen AFC enjoyed full seasons this year. It was also a year that saw a number of Machen cricketers play for Wales senior teams, as well as regional representation for many of the Machen RFC under 18’s squad. Congratulations to you all. 

Grass cutting and pitch maintenance is undertaken by Caerphilly County Borough Council and individual clubs, whilst other activities such as hedge trimming, litter picking, drain clearance and maintenance and cleaning of the sports pavilion is undertaken by and representative of the 



charity and sports clubs. In addition to this, the Probation Service has provided invaluable support in helping us cut back paths, hedges and improve the overall appearance of our facilities. The Rec continues to provide a vital lifeline for people to exercise and meet. We have seen increased fishing on the river and much informal sporting activity. 

## **Finances** 

2023/24 represented the fifth full year of the charities’ operations, during which we received contributions of £7,029.50 from sports clubs, schools and ground users toward pavilion and ground costs, £1,798.19 in grants from The Co-operative Community Scheme; and £18.41 in sundry income. Costs of £7,417.59 were incurred during the reporting period largely for running costs with some maintenance to the pavilion. 

## **Income** 

|**Income**|**Unrestricted**<br>**Funds**|**Restricted**<br>**Funds**|**Total Funds**|
|---|---|---|---|
|Club and<br>School<br>Contributions|£7,029.50||£7,029.50|
|Grants||£1,798.19|£1,798.19|
|Donations||||
|Sundries|£      18.41||£      18.41|
|||||
|**Total**|**£7,047.91**|**£1,798.19**|**£8,846.11**|



## **Expenditure** 

|**Expenditure**|**Unrestricted**<br>**Funds**|**Restricted**<br>**Funds**|**Total Funds**|
|---|---|---|---|
|Totals|£7,417.59||£7,417.59|
|||||
|Net Income|(£ 369.68)|£1,798.19|£1,428.51|
|Cash Funds<br>01.04.23|£22,051.42||£22,051.42|
|Cash Funds<br>31.03.24|||£23,479.93|