BISHOP’S STORTFORD MEN’S SHED
Registered Charity No: 1182634
Report of Trustees and Accounts for the period ending 31 March 2025
Bishop’s Stortford Men’s Shed (“BSMS”)
Report of Trustees for the period ending 31 March 2025
Management
Those involved in managing BSMS during the period were as follows
Trustees:
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Dave Brown (to 8 May 2024) Chair
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Ian Cronshaw Chair Trevor Bennett (to 20 Nov 2024) Vice Chair Paul Clark (from 20 Nov 2024) Vice Chair John Palombo Secretary
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James Turner
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Richard Sankey (from 20 Nov 2024)
Executive Committee:
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Ian Cronshaw Chairman
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John Palombo Treasurer & Secretary Colin Smith Health and Safety Paul Clark Membership
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Richard Sankey
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Nigel Sainsbury
Incorporation and Objectives
BSMS was incorporated as a charitable incorporated organisation and registered with the Charity Commission on 26[th] March 2019.
The objectives of BSMS, as set out in its constitution are to promote social inclusion for the public benefit by preventing people (particularly but not exclusively older men), within the area of Bishop's Stortford and surrounding area, from becoming socially excluded. Relieving the needs of those people who are socially excluded and assisting them to integrate into society through the provision of facilities in which they can meet to undertake jointly or individually, creative, physical or recreational activities, learn to pass on skills and knowledge and support each other socially. In this context, "socially excluded" means being excluded from society as a result of one or more of the following factors; unemployment; financial hardship; bereavement or old age; ill health (physical or mental.
Activities
BSMS started the 2024/25 Financial Year in a difficult situation in that it was operating out of a small shed in the garden of a private house that was no longer big enough for its activities. After a yearlong search for a new base we were offered the use of an old barn owned by Connect Scaffolding in Hadham Park, and moved in there on 3[rd] July 2024.
The new shed at Hadham Park is 20m x 10m in size, so provides a lot more space for us to operate. However, like most old barns, it is in poor condition, with a leaking roof, porous walls and a rough
floor. This has mean that much of our activity over the year has been to start making the space fit for us to use, and that is a project that will continue in future years.
The new shed has had an immediate impact on our membership, which has doubled in size (from 15 to 30 members) since moving. Interest from prospective new members continues to be strong and we expect further growth in the future.
We have also continued to do woodworking projects for local groups alongside the shed renovation. These include
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access ramps for a local house with a disabled resident
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three large carts for the outdoor play area at a local school
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a number of planters
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over 200 swift nest boxes for various local bird charities.
Most importantly, the shed had a good social environment and has benefitted the attendees (both members and guest).
In terms of finances, we have started to spend the donation we received last year for renovating a new shed and the accounts show a deficit of some £2500 for that expenditure. To date the renovations have been relatively small scale (mostly installing electrics and a long bench with lighting down one wall) and we expect to increase expenditure on renovation in the coming year. The donation we received last year will partly cover that cost, but we will be doing further fundraising to cover the remaining works.
Overall, 2024/25 has been a transformational year for BSMS with the move to a much larger facility providing a really exceptional basis for the shed to expand and to further meet the needs of older men and women in Bishop’s Stortford.
Bishop’s Stortford Men’s Shed Accounts
| INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year Ending | ||
| 31/03/2024 | 31/03/2025 | |
| Income | ||
| Donatons | £16,645.00 | £179.00 |
| Subs | £160.00 | £130.00 |
| Receipts | £977.07 | £2,632.00 |
| Events | £225.00 | £269.96 |
| Other | - | - |
| Total Income | £18,007.07 | £3,210.96 |
| Expenditure | ||
| Overheads | £275.79 | £209.40 |
| Material Costs | £878.84 | £2,825.95 |
| Capital Purchases | £628.98 | £2,491.66 |
| Events | £225.00 | £269.96 |
| Other | - | - |
| Total Expenditure | £2,008.61 | £5,796.97 |
| Net Income | £15,998.46 | (-£2,586.01) |
| CHARITY FUNDS | ||
|---|---|---|
| Opening Bank Balance | £2,557.18 | £18,555.64 |
| Net Income | £15,998.46 | (-£2,586.01) |
| Closing Bank Balance | £18,555.64 | £15,969.63 |
These Accounts were approved by the Trustees on 19[th] May 2025 and signed on their behalf by John Palombo