BISHOP’S STORTFORD MEN’S SHED
Registered Charity No: 1182634
Report of Trustees and Accounts for the period ending 31 March 2026
Bishop’s Stortford Men’s Shed (“BSMS”)
Report of Trustees for the period ending 31 March 2026
Registered Address
Field End, Woodside Green, Great Hallingbury, Bishop’s Stortford, CM22 7UG
Management
Those involved in managing BSMS during the period were as follows
Trustees:
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Ian Cronshaw Chair
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Paul Clark Vice Chair
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John Palombo Secretary
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Richard Sankey
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Nigel Sainsbury (from 25[th] June 2025)
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James Turner (to 25[th] June 2025)
Executive Committee:
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Ian Cronshaw Chair
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John Palombo Treasurer Richard Sankey Secretary Colin Smith Health and Safety Paul Clark Membership Nigel Sainsbury Purchasing
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
The 2025/26 Financial Year was our first full year in our new premises at Hadham Park, having moved in there on 3[rd] July 2024. We had made a start on adapting the space to our needs previously but in this financial year, we made a major update to the shed by building a “Shed within the Shed” (aka “Shedquarters”). This is an 8m x 4m structure inside the existing shed/barn that is insulated, weatherproof and heated, so we can have a comfortable area to socialise in even in the middle of
winter. This has been an important addition and will allow frailer members of our group to attend the shed throughout the year.
Construction of Shedquarters has taken much of our time this year as all of the building work was done by members of the shed, but we have continued to do woodworking projects alongside, including:
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some 300 Swift nesting boxes supplied to local bird charities
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stage blocks for a local theatre
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a sandpit cover for a local school
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stage steps for a local village hall.
Most importantly, the shed had a good social environment and has benefitted the attendees (both members and guests) and allowed us to meet our objective of promoting social inclusion, particularly for older men and women in Bishop’s Stortford and the surrounding area.
In terms of finances, the materials for the Shedquarters development was our biggest outlay. This was funded by a grant from Stansted Airport Community Fund in this year and donations we had received in previous years for the development of a new shed as well as income from the Swift boxes.
Overall, 2025/26 has been a year of development for BSMS as we have made some major improvements to our new home at Hadham Park with more still to come.
Trustee Responsibility Statement
The trustees understand the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit when planning and carrying out the charity's activities during the year. The trustees believe that the activities described in this report demonstrate the public benefit provided by the charity. The trustees regularly review the major risks facing the charity, including health and safety, safeguarding, premises-related risks and financial sustainability, and take appropriate measures to mitigate those risks.
Bishop’s Stortford Men’s Shed Accounts
| INCOME AND EXPENDITURE | ACCOUNT | |
|---|---|---|
| Year Ending | ||
| 31/03/2025 | 31/03/2026 | |
| Income | ||
| Donatons | £179.00 | £2,130.00 |
| Subs | £130.00 | £132.00 |
| Receipts | £2,632.00 | £5,749.80 |
| Events | £269.96 | £516.00 |
| Other | - | £80.00 |
| Total Income | £3,210.96 | £8,607.80 |
| Expenditure | ||
| Overheads | £209.40 | - |
| Material Costs | £2,825.95 | £1,851.11 |
| Capital Purchases | £2,471.18 | £11,645.78 |
| Consumables | £20.48 | £99.91 |
| Events | £269.96 | £505.52 |
| Other | - | - |
| Total Expenditure | £5,796.97 | £14,102.32 |
| Net Income | -£2,586.01 | -£5,494.52 |
| CHARITY FUNDS | ||
|---|---|---|
| Opening Bank Balance | £18,555.64 | £15,969.63 |
| Net Income | -£2,586.01 | -£5,494.52 |
| Closing Bank Balance | £15,969.63 | £10,475.11 |
These Accounts were approved by the Trustees on 20[TH] July 2026 and signed on their behalf by John Palombo.