STEWART VILLAGE HALL Brightwell cvm Solwell Annual Report l April 2024 - 31 March 2025 Registered Charity number 1182315
Infonnation: Trustees Mrs A Kilworth (Chair) Mr G Kent (Tr¢&sureT) Mr C Baines Mrs C Collett Mr G Gilgrass Mr P Jones Mr S I,uck Mrs J POOnI Mr R 'fodd Independent Flnancial ExamiDer Mr K Templeton Hall and Correspondenee Address: Stewart Village Ha]1 West F.nd Brightwell-cum-sotwell Oxfordshire OXIO ORY Background infonDation The Stewart Village Hall is embedded in the history of our Village. It stsrted life in 1870 as the Village School and village publications tell the slory of those halcyon days when classes were held in what Ib now the main hall and of legendary tvach¢rs that are still remembered fondly today. An old abacus on the wall of the main hall bears the legend, "Manners makyth man" and is a lovely r¢minder of the hall's original rol¢. Ther¢ have been many chaoges since the Ilall opened in 1976: it is maintained and nm as a charitable trust to support and maintain this historic building on half of Brightwell-cum-sotwell villagers. Community groups, local businesses and all hail users, and to remain at the heart of our Village.
Report of the Trustees: There has been one change to the Board of Tnte¢S this year with Clive Collett tesigning and Cclia Collett being appointed as a Trustee as representative of Brigbtwell-cum-sotwell Village Stores, a community run shop and Post OtTice located at the rear of the Village Hall. We continue to be ably sUPPOrted by Gris Davis &s Minute Secretary and Shena Luck &s Ilall Manager. As Trustees of the Stewart Village Hall, we are responsible for both the Village Hall (reg no 1182315) and the Swan Allotments (reg no 1182315-1) the allotments are constituted as a linked charity. li has been noted by the Trustees that after the creation the CIO and closing of the 'old' registered charity (reg no 206148) Ihis was not registered with the Charity Commission Register of Mergers. this is now being addressed. There are two parcels of land: l. The Village Hall land and building. HM Land Registy title number BK124947 ('1he Village Hall Land"). and 2. The swan AIIoth]ents land title number ON377699 Legal tittes to both the Village Hall and th¢ Allolmcnts are held by the Stewart Village Ilall. The hall continucd to operate successfully during the year" our armual income h&s increased mainly due to our fimdraising efforts which raised £15,282 a significant increasc on the 2023124 figure of £6,575. We appreciate the support of all the groups and individuals who use the hall regularly and the people who book it for meetings, lectures, workshops. parties and celebrations. Whether for education, fun or fundraising, the Hall remains at the heart of the village. The range of activities carried out in the Hall has increased and includ¢ keep fit, pilates, the Village Toddler group, Wl. indoor knwls, badminton, dance groups, war gamers, lectures. and exhibitions. The hall is also regularly booked by a group who carry out one-to-one coaching with children and young adults with special educational needs. The Trustees have noted occ&sionaI use of the hall by individuals and groups from outside of the Village and are thcreforc applying to the Charity Commission for pennission to change the Objwt in OUT Conslitution to reflect this. requesting that the Object reads 'for the use of the inhabitants of thc Parish of Brightwell-cum- 8otwell and surrounding areas,. We acknowledge the SUPFKJrt we continue lo receive from the Community Association and the Parish Council, and because ongoing support from our community is key to the success and future of the Hall, we ty to maintain and improve the hall and its facilities for all users and have contÉnu¢d to carry out regular maintenance tasks. During this year several succeSSfi fundraising events have taken place including reating 8uc¢essful, popular events such as the Ladies Disco and a Bridge Afternoon and some new and inventive events such as A Forensic Experience led by an ex-metropolitsn Police Forensic Officer. More events are already planned for this year along with our continued attendance at Village Events. To support our fundraising, in October 2024 we launched a small society lottery, under licence from SODC. The take up of this lottery grows steadily. we promote it through tK)Sters displayed around the Village and on local face knok pages. The monthly draws are carrled out at village ¢vents and monthly reporting to SODC is completed in a timely mam)er.
In February 2024 we were grdnted planning pern]ission to carry out a major restoration and enhancement project. This will include extending the hall and upgrading all the essential elements. new roof and clay tile covering. electrics and heating, bringing some much-needed improvements to the insulation and structure of the building &8 well as giving additional hiring spaces, saving this imwrtant Village facility for future generations. In developing the plan we carried out 2 village surveys. had an inforntIon stand at all village events and had regulaT updates Èn th¢ village magazine which ts delivered by hand to every house in the pish. We believe that these activities have ensur¢d the plan develOd is one the community approve of. and the overriding feedback has been 'it will be a greal improvement to this vital community building,. continue to Communicate with the community by attending the main village events, articles in every edition of the Villag¢ magazine.and inviting feedback. suggestions and comments. The focus of the Project has turned to fundraising the monies required to achieve this ambitious project. We believe securing the fimding could tsk¢ another 18 months or more and we have a dedicat¢d fijndraising team working on this. We have sought support and advice from several other local Village Halls who have carried out renovation projects, from Community First Oxfordshire, Oxfordshire Community for Voluntary Action (OCVA), the National Lottery and from South Oxfordshire Distrith Council (SODC). Fundraising for this ambitious project will be the focus in the year ahead. Review of Flnancigl Aetivities The Village Hall bookings and invoiLing is managed by use of the Hallmaster system (Hallmaster Ltd, Hallmasler.co.uk). stewart Village Hall and Swan Allolment Tnt accounts are produced based on receipts and payments. The Surplus/(Dcficit) and th¢ Balance of General Funds for the Swan Allotments {Register¢d CIO 1182315-1) are included in the accounts {copied below). Although we are not required to have these audited under The Charity Commission re)rtIng guidelines. we believe it is good practice to have our accounts reviewed indcpendenily annually. Our Accounts: Our income w&s £42.021 with expenditure of £19,855. Giving a sUlUS balance of £22.166. The Balance Sheet shows our total bank account balanc at 3 713125 was £84.403. With the prospect of a Restoration project in the future we have been actively fimdraising and seeing grants and donation.s to assist with the nll]ning costs of the hall and to continue to build our reserves to put us in a stronger position when seeking funding for the project. Looking fonvard, we will continue to work to mainlain the hall for all our users. Any maint¢nance expenditure will be weighed against future proofing of the work (ie will it exist after refurbishment) or is it essential maintenance that must b¢ carried out to allow hall hirers to safely and comfortably use the hall thus securing our income. Annual report Balance Sheet and IncOmxpendIture reports are copied below. Approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by Annette Kilworth Chair of Trustees 14Lo.AL Date I C) 2D£
St Balance Sheet at 31 March 2025 31J3r2025 3113t2024 Property". Old School House £ 34.266 £34266 Bank: Current Account COIF Deposit Account £ 33,926 £ 50,477 £14,143 £48,094 Total £118,669 £96503 General Fund: Balance at start of year Surplus for the year £ 96,503 £ 22,166 £90.03] £ 6,472 Balance at tbe end of the ear £118 699 Receipts and Payment account for year ending 31" March 2025 3113r2025 311312024 Receipts: Hall letting & furniture hire Current and Deposit account interest Allotments/Wayleave Grants & donations Fundraising income Sundry income Total £18,253 £ 2,382 £ 238 £ 5,864 £15.282 £17.306 £ 2,229 £ 238 £ 4,344 £ 6,575 £42,021 £30,692 Payments: Utilities (water, gas. electric) Insurance Caretak¢rs and cleaners Cleaning materials New equipment/improvements Repairs & maintenance P¢rforniing Rights Society Subscriptions & Li¢ence$ 8tationery/Postrrelephone Advertising Sundry Expenses Project Costs Fundraising Costs Total £ 4.636 £ 1,675 £ 5,505 £ 307 £ 270 £ 1.455 £ 185 £ 690 £ 4.496 £1.411 £ 5.520 £ 346 £ 95 £ 3.494 £ 204 £ 676 £ 180 £ 918 £ 272 £ 1.246 £ 5.331 £ 1,125 £24220 £ 3.985 £19,855 Sur lus Deficit
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