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Didsbury Civic Society Report To The Charity Commission For 2021
The year 2021 carried on much in the same vein as the previous year. Without, the benefit of live face to face meetings and relying on Zoom to transact our business with Trustees, members and local council members.
Our membership continued to reduce during the period along with the associated revenue. Though donations were still being received from generous supporters. We also received back our sequestrated funds held by the Duchy of Lancaster. Which were taken as a result of our changing from a Charity to a CIO and de-listing as a limited company at Companies House. Resulting in a very fraught time and a process that a small charity would generally be both unaware of or how to resolve. Resulting in the need for a Barrister to transact and negotiate on our behalf. The journey being navigated for us by a leading legal organisation on a pro bono basis. For, which we are extremely grateful for their generosity and help in the process.
We continued in the decision during 2021 to reduce the Restricted Funds which were held in the accounts, carrying out good works within the Didsbury area. We also decided after public and member consultation to embark on two major projects for which fund raising was required. These being namely the updating of the rundown Didsbury War memorial, to a garden of contemplation with biodiversity, new permeable paths, bee and bird attractive, new benching and a “reach out service”, and suitability for community programmes. We are also working towards inclusivity of various religions within the area. This project subject to funding should start in Spring 2023. We are also working to save a local Ghost Advert on a landmark site in the centre of Didsbury. Again, we are in the fundraising phase, having selected a well-known artist specialising in this type of renovation. The landlords and residents have been fully consulted about the proposals and progress to date.
Our new and improved website was also launched with the added ability to pay memberships, make donations and purchase service such as the making of payments for events such as Social Trips. Which we returned to in September 2021. With a visit to Nostell Priory in Yorkshire with 34 members enjoying both a great day out and a superb lunch.
We continue to work with and share information with the South Manchester Civic Societies which all continue to have the same views, concerns and problems affecting their members. We also continue to attend and support local Council Ward Meetings for East and West
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Didsbury meetings, Didsbury Pride and both the local Mosque and Synagogue activities.
During September 2021 we held a very successful Climate and Pollution seminar with acknowledged academic speakers from Manchester University, Friends of the Earth and Stagecoach local bus company updating the attendees on the benefit and
costs of electric powered vehicles v hydrogen powered and the current developments to reduce roadside pollution due to vehicle idling in queues and on bus stands. The meeting which was open to both members and the public was well received.
The DCS also embarked on a programme of filming the numerous buildings taking part in the Heritage Open Doors and hosting the videos of the various sites on our YouTube channel. We intend to carry on with this project during 2022. Reducing the use of paper leaflets, travel to sites and a reduction in the onsite attendance by volunteers.
In March 2021 the DCS purchased and installed a replacement noticeboard for members and residents replacing the old and tired one in the Didsbury library garden. Which has been a great addition to our communications tools.
Yours sincerely
Chair Didsbury Civic Society
DIDSBURY CIVIC SOCIETY RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 DECEMBER 2021 PAYMENTS 2020 Total RECEIPTS 2021 Rèstricted 2020 Social £ 999 General Restricted Social General Social Events Newsletter Heritage Dav lim Leeming Memorial Acer Banner Room Hire for meeting5 Carol & Lights funds to Did5bury Traders Post38e Printing Insuranee 999 170 Income from Social Events Subscriptions Donatlons l Gift Aid reclaimed Le8acy Fundraislng loidsbury Friends i Heritage books Cenotaph donation £ 170 624 £ 1,718 £ 1,002 435 85 85 428 428 521 67 535 354 25 23 280 72 53 158 53 so 50 ioi ioi 283 16 437 16 Committee expènses Webslte Costs Rememberance Day costs Companies House Office expenses Notice Board Did5bury Plan Bench Refurbishment E 112 20 112 20 TOTAL £ 881 £ 2,442 50 £ 3,373 1 £ 2.717 SUMMARY Income Less Expendlture ' Balances as at 31 Dec 2020 Balances as at 31 Dec 2021 £ 1,433 48 928 2,361 £ 11181 £ 1,288 £ 11.24411 £ £ 4,395 1 £ 3,473 £ 9,156 £ 3,151 2,526 15361 £ 10,513 £ 9.977 TOTAL RESTR•ED FUNDS ilecelpts Payments Bank Balances at 31 December 2021 HSBC Account Natwest Gar8oyles NIF Grant- Noticeboard 83llbrook NIF Grant Cenotaph refurbishment E 2,869 928 69 £ 9.977 É 9,977 928 69 £ 2,869 50 50 50 £ 2,919 £ 3,866 997 £ 9,977 Icertfyth&t thEobo{<0uts tsCtDrdtrnCÈ W/ith thÈ Mike Cr)rlett CJ small 04 June 2022