Chairmans Report 2024- May 2025
First I would like to comment on the ongoing success of the shed in terms of its stated aims of being a friendly community workshop where people can come a do stuff, it doesn’t have to be great cra%smanship or pioneering inven&ons it just has to fit the framework of you doing something crea&ve to keep the brain and hands ac&ve, and offer you the chance to learn or teach as the case may be, when cha)ng over a workbench.
Last year we had just expanded into this ac&vity space and I’m so glad we did, its proving to be much more than just a coffee room and I’m glad to see we are ge)ng increased numbers on our Tuesday cra% ac&vi&es.
At the last AGM we announced that we wanted to increase the number of people involved in the management of the shed and accordingly I am glad to explain how we see that working.
I know there are a number of new members here but just so that you are all aware let me recap on the Trustees as they have been since last year. (Show slide)
I think most of you can iden&fy myself (Chairman) and our secretary (chiefly responsible for the terrible jokes in Chat & Chisel) but also the guy who finds the money we need for new projects. Chris ably assisted by Tug produce our monthly Chat & Chisel, which doesn’t just go to members but also to our supporters, benefactors and outside agencies who work to introduce their clients who might gain benefit from joining us.
Peter Harding (our Treasurer) took over from Jim Bell last year and has done a sterling job of looking a%er our finances. Larry Ward our Membership secretary is the one who will chase you if you haven’t paid your subs, he and Chris also manage the Gi% Aid returns allowing us to get a li:le something extra from the subs you all pay. Larry also coordinates the table sales. Mar&n Dunn primarily looks a%er the management of our numerous WhatsApp groups, especially ge)ng new members onto the bu:y line. Mar&n also coordinates the day supervisor calendar so that we all know when we are on duty and find stand ins when we can’t be there. They will all have a few words to say about their individual responsibili&es.
So now we come to the newly co-opted members of the management commi:ee. Gordon has in fact been in post since last year when he took on being our permanent quartermaster, but he’s the one that monitors to blackboard to see what has been requested. The others are generally connected with different interest areas but that is only a guide, so that you know who to approach if you have a query.
They like all the other day supervisors will signpost you to the person who can help you best.
At this point I would like to emphasise that we would like you all to remember to wear your name badges, we have lots of new members and it really does help to let them learn names. If you keep forge)ng to bring your badge, why not get into the habit of leaving it on the washing line at the back of the kitchen counter as you leave for the day, then you will always have it when you come next &me.
I would like now to thank all the people who have given up a few hours to help on one of our sales stalls, or indeed have made items for us to sell. This is an invaluable part of our long-term viability. Its not just the money we take but also the interest generated and the publicity throughout the
community. We have had a number of new members through these contacts as well as dona&ons of tools and materials.
I would also like to thank Chris for the work he has done with the Darlington Building Society who display our goods for sale and bring in a very healthy amount, par&cularly in the sales of hedgehog boxes which Eric Whitehead and some of the ladies make during Friday sessions, Northallerton must have the cosiest hedgehog community in Yorkshire. We have developed a really healthy partnership with DBS who from a community point of view seem to be proud to have our work on sale.
I also want to make special men&on of Julie Ward who has single handedly sold hundreds of pounds wort of sheep, elephants and flower baskets. Thanks also to some of the ladies who have organised tables at some further out cra% stalls and have spread our name whilst taking in some funds.
There has been a sugges&on that the opening of the workshop to mixed woodworking ac&vi&es on a Tuesday morning is being well supported and that some would like this to con&nue through the a%ernoon. I think we should do this as long as we have supervisor cover for the whole day and that we respect the needs of the computer group who have priority in the coffee room on a Tuesday a%ernoon. Perhaps Mar&n can check that we can have cover un&l 4pm.
I want to pay tribute to the bu:y team that keep us fed on Monday lunch&mes it is very much appreciated.
I also want to thank all those who came for our Wednesday deep clean session, it was well a:ended and made a big improvement. Of course, like all successful things we will certainly want to repeat it but the cleaner and &dier you keep the workshops the less o%en we will have to step in with a special event. Please look at where you have been working before you leave and ask yourself “Is this as &dy as I would like to have found it”.
Other than that, keep up the good work, enjoy your sessions here, help others to do the same, and spread the word.
Opening Balances:
Barclays Bank current account £ 3,551.80 Barclays Bank premium reserve £ 15,054.63 Virgin Money fixed term deposit £ 45,388.52 Virgin Money current account £ 100.00 Cash £ 132.00 HMRC debtor re Gift Aid claim £ 1,574.20 Advance payment 2025-26 Subs -£ 1,740.00 £ 64,061.15
Shed Income:
Bank Interest (gross) £ 644.78 Grants £ - Donations £ 1,327.30 GiftAided £ 1,572.00 Subs Weekly £ 3,451.60 Subs Annual 2024-25 £ 2,782.50 Sales £ 2,001.44 Misc. £ 442.62 £ 12,222.24
Other Income:
| PayPal uncollected 89.40 £ Cash held re Daily Subs Float Cash held re Mart Car Park |
|
|---|---|
| 89.40 £ |
|
| 50.00 £ |
|
| 81.00 £ |
Shed Expenditure:
| Rent 4,000.00 -£ Insurance - £ Water - £ Bank Charges 3.46 -£ Electricity 766.00 -£ Gas 211.02 -£ Repairs 88.79 -£ Equipment 256.61 -£ Consumables 844.81 -£ Café 63.13 -£ Misc. 1,053.86 -£ Closing Balances: Barclays Bank - Current A/C 1,257.78 £ Barclays Bank - Reserve A/C 14,100.43 £ Virgin Money 95.00 £ Virgin Money - Deposit A/C 53,492.50 £ Cash on hand 181.00 £ PayPal 89.40 £ Difference |
|
|---|---|
| 7,287.68 -£ |
|
| £69,216.11 £69,216.11 £0.00 |
|
| Notes Shed net Income / outfow (-) |
4,934.56 £ |