STEWART
VILLAGE
HALL
Brighlwdl cvm Solwell
Annual Report
l April 2023 - 31 March 2024
Registered Charity number 1182315

Infornlation:
Trustees
Mrs A Kilworth (Chair)
Mr G Kent (Treasurer)
Mr C Baines
Mr C Collett
Mr G Gilgrass
Mr P Jones
Mr S l#uck
MTS J Po￿OnI
Mr R 'l'odd
Independent Financial Examiner
Mr K Templeton
Hall and Correspondence Address:
Stewart Village Hall
West End
Brightwell-cum-sotwell
Oxtordshire
OXIOORY
Background inforniation
The St¢wart Village I lall is embedded in the history of our Village. li started Itfe in 1870 as the
Village School and village publications tcll the story of those halcyon days when classes werc h¢ld
in what is now the main hall and of legendary teachers thal are still remembered fondly today. An
old abacus on the wall of the main hall bears the legen(t "Manners makyth man" and is a lovely
reminder of the hail's original role.
There have been many changes since the Hall opened in 1976, it is maintained and tun &s a
charitable trust to support and maintain this historic building on behalf of Brightwell-cum-sotwell
villagers, community groups, local businesses and all haIl users, and to remain at the heart of our
Village.

Report of tbe Trn$ttts:
There has been one change to the Board of Trustees this year with Michacl Moore Tesigning. We
continue to be ably supported by Gris Davis as minute secretary and Shena Luck as Hail Manager.
Although the incorwration process was completed on I st November 2019, we are still awaiting
completion of the transfer of some assets from thc 'old' chariiy to the new entity. We have
instructed Slade Legal in Wallingford to complete this for us and they have registered the change in
Title name with the Land Registy. As trustees we are responsible for both the Hail and the Swan
Allotments- the allotments are constituted as a separate charity (reg charity no 1182315-1).
There are two parcels of land:
l. The Village Hall land and building. HM Land Registry tille number BK124947 ("the
Village Hall Land,)" and
2. Th¢ Swan Allotments land title number ON377699
Legal titles to both the allotm¢nts and the Hall are vested in the oifjcial Custodian for Charities.
The hall continued to operale successfully during the year, our annual incom¢ h&8 increased slightly
due to our fundraising efforts raising £6575. We appreciate the support of all the Iocdl groups whi)
use the hall regularly and the people who b(K)k it for meetings. parties and celebrations. Whether
for fun or fundraising. thc Hall remains at th¢ heart of the village. The range of activities carried out
in the Hall has increased and include keep fil. pilaies. Village Toddler group, WI, Bowling,
Badminton, Dance groups, war gamers, lectures, and exhibitions.
Wc would also like to acknowledge the support we received from the Community Association and
the Paribh Council.
Because ongoing support from our communiiy is key to the success and ￿tUre of the Hall we ty to
maintain and improve the hall and our facilities for all users and have continued to carry out regular
maintenance tssks.
In February 2024 we were grantcd planning perniission to w out a restoration and enhancement
project. This will include extending the hall and upgrading all the essential elements, new roof and
clay tile covering. electrics and heatin& bringing some much-needed improvements to the
insulation and structur¢ of the building.
In developing ihe plan we carried out 2 village surveys, had an information 8tand at all village
¢v¢nts and had regular updates in the village magazine which is delivered by hand to every house in
the parish. We believe that these activities have ensured the plan developed is one the community
approve of and the overriding feedback has been 'it will be a great improvement lo this vital
community buildÈng'.
The focus of the project now turns to fimdraising the monies required to achieve this ambitlOUS
project. We believe securing the funding could take 18 months or more and we have a dedicated
fundraising team working on this.
During this year several successful fimdtaising events have taken place including a Ladies Disco,
Bridge Afternoon and Wine T&sting. A Cosy Café is hosted once a week and has proved a very
successful meeting place for the community. More events are already planned for this year along
with our continued attendance at ViElage Events.

Review of Financial Activiti
FirsL we must acknowledge and thank Shena Luck for her continued help and supporL as always
this is key to how smoothly the accounts process works. she has m&stered the use of Hallmaster, an
online booking and invoicing system and it is firnlly embedded in10 our ways of working and has
benefits for both Hall users and for Hall manag¢mcnt.
Stewart Villag¢ Hall accounts are produced based on receipts and payments. Although we are not
required io have these audited under The Charity Commission reporting guid¢line4 we beli¢v¢ it is
good practice to have our accounts reviewed independently annually.
Our aecounts:
Our incom¢ has incre￿ed slightly to £30,692 (2021-22 £26,123) and expenditure of £24,220 (2021-
22) £19.198). Giving a balance of £6,472.
Our Balance Sheet shows our total account balances at 3113122 was £62.237. With thc prospect of a
Restoration pioject in the future we have bcen actively fimdrdising and seeing grants and donations
to &ssist with the running costs orth¢ hall and to continue to build our reserves to put us in a
stronger position when seeking funding for the project.
Looking forward, we will continue to work to maintain the hall for all our users. Any maintenance
expenditure will b¢ weighed against future proofing of the work (ie will it exist after refurbishment)
or it. it is essential maintenance that must be earri¢d out to allow hall hirers to safely and
comfortably use the hall thus securing our income.
Annual report Balance Sheet and Incom￿xpendItUre repK)rts are copied ￿lOW.
Approved by tbe Trustees and signed on their behalf by
Annette Kilworth
Chair of Trustees
Date
21Jfh,,,

STEWART VILLAGE HALL
Balance Sheet to 31st March 2024
3110312024
3110312023
Property
Old School House
34,266
34,266
Bank
Current Account
COIF Account
£ 14,143
£ 48,094
£ 9,900
£ 45,865
96.503
90.031
Balance at start of
General Fund year
90,031
83,106
Surplus (deficit) for
the year
6.472
6.925
Balance at the end
of Year
96,503
90,031

Recelpts and Payments Accounts 31st March 2024
3110312024
3110312023
Recelpts Hall Letting and Furnf(ure Hire
Current and Deposit Account Interest
AllotMents/Wa￿eave
Grant5 and Donations
Fundraising
Sundry
Total Recelpts
17,306
2.229
238
4.344
6.575
17,009
526
238
5.561
2,789
30.692
26,123
Utilities IvRter,gas,elertricl
Insurance
Caretakers and Cleaners
Cleanln8 Materials
New Equipment & Improvements
Repairs & Maintenance
Performing Rights Societv
Subscriptions & Licences
Stationery/Postrrelephone
Advertisin8
Sundry Expenses
Project Costs
Fundraising Costs
4,496
1,411
5,520
346
95
3.494
204
676
3,248
1,267
5.460
322
3,479
2,607
255
638
272
1,246
5,331
1,125
165
1,300
454
Total Payments
24,220
19,198
Surplus (deficlt) for the year
6.472
6,925