2025-08-31-accounts - Thorley U3A

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

Registered Charity No 1182852

Trustees’ Annual Report – To Year End 31/08/2025

Charity Details

Charity Name Thorley u3a Charity Registration Number 1182852 Address c/o The Chairman Thorley u3a 34 Broadleaf Avenue, Thorley Park, Bishop's Stortford, CM23 4JY

Trustees – Officers

Nigel Varnam Chair Elected 8[th] January 2024 Linda Ketteridge Vice Chair Elected 8[th] January 2024 Pam Archer Business Secretary Elected 9[th] January 2023 Ryland Perrin Treasurer Elected 6[th] January 2025

Trustees – Non-Officers

John Bailey Assistant Treasurer Elected 6[th] January 2020 Anne Willett Membership Secretary Elected 9[th] January 2023 Dave Willett Communications Elected 9[th] January 2023 Linda Maxwell Speaker Co-ordinator Co-opted 19[th] January 2023 Annie Compton Groups Co-ordinator Elected 8[th] January 2024

Advisers

Nick Ambrose e-mail and Cloud Storage Non Trustee Ken Blethyn Beacon System Non Trustee

Document Date 1[st] November 2025

Page 1

Registered Charity No 1182852

Governance

The governing document of the charity is its constitution adopted on 4th March 2013, as amended at an Emergency General Meeting on 9th April 2018 and as amended at AGM 8[th] January 2024.

Thorley u3a is an un-incorporated charitable organisation with a financial turnover of between £25,001 and £250,000. As such, the charity is required to file a Charity Commission Annual Return.

The Return comprises an online form, a PDF copy of accounts (independent examination required), and the Trustees’ Annual Report. These items are due to be filed within ten months of the charity’s financial year-end of 31st August.

Trustees are nominated and elected by members, usually for a period of three years. Appointment of new Trustees takes place at the AGM, normally in January. The Trustees manage the charity by way of monthly committee meetings which all members are welcome to attend.

Thorley u3a is a member of the Third Age Trust.

Financial Review

Principal sources of funds are membership subscriptions and payments from members for the activities in which they participate.

The Trustees constantly review the level of reserve funds and will adjust membership fees according to our financial expectations. Our aim is to maintain a level of funding approximating to between 6- 9 months' annual income in reserves.

Subscriptions for the financial year (to 31st August 2025) were £15.00 per member and it has been decided to maintain them at that level for the following financial year (to 31st August 2026).

Accounts for the year to 31st August 2025 have been approved by the charity's independent examiner and are appended to this report.

Document Date 1[st] November 2025

Page 2

Registered Charity No 1182852

Public Benefit Statement

In carrying out their duties, the Trustees have had full regard to the guidance issued by the Charities Commission on public benefit and that of the Third Age Trust.

Objectives and Activities

Objects

The advancement of education, and in particular the education of older people and those who are retired from full time work, by all means including associated activities conducive to learning and personal development, for those residing in Thorley, Bishop’s Stortford and its surrounding locality.

Activities for achieving objects

Held monthly meetings available to the entire membership at which invited speakers delivered talks on topical and educational subjects.
Operated more than 40 Interest Groups, covering topics such as art, customs & cultures, languages, gardening, bridge, photography, walking, singing, Pilates, etc. New groups started recently include a discussion group, seated exercise to music and line dancing.
Organised a Quiz Night in October 2024, with 73 members attending, and a Christmas Lunch in December 2024 with 108 members attending. Organised a meeting for all new members in November 2024
Organised a number of trips and outings for members, including a visit to the Houses of Parliament, a Livery Company, several theatre and garden trips, and Ely Cathedral.
Organised Spring and Christmas choir concerts.
Ran a five-night visit to Cornwall in May 2025
Maintained our new (WordPress) website and issued monthly news Update emails to promote the organisation's activities and provide access to members' news and Interest Group activities. Issued our quarterly Newsletter to all members.
Ongoing program to maintain and expand the activities offered.
Continued to meet with neighbouring U3A groups to share knowledge experience and group sharing where possible.

The operation of Thorley u3a relies upon the dedicated contributions made by members on a voluntary basis.

Document Date 1[st] November 2025

Page 3

Registered Charity No 1182852

Achievements and Performance

Provided a University of the Third Age for approximately 650 retired and semiretired residents of Thorley, Bishop's Stortford, and the surrounding locality.
Provided educational and informative talks for members attending monthly meetings.
Provided Interest Groups for members covering a wide range of educational and associated activities.
Provided news and information to all members about Thorley u3a and the wider u3a movement's activities.
Maintained our new modern (WordPress) website to replace our aging website which was no longer going to be supported.
Enabled members, some of whom are isolated people, to make new friends and acquaintances and to participate more fully in the local community.
Membership as of 31st August 2025 is 638.

Document Date 1[st] November 2025

Page 4

Registered Charity No 1182852

Declaration

The Trustees declare they have approved the report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity's trustees.

Signature: NIGEL VARNAM

Nigel Varnam (Chair)

Date: 1[st] November 2025

References:

Prepare a charity annual return https://www.gov.uk/guidance/prepare-a-charity-annual-return

Send annual online return https://www.gov.uk/send-charity-annual-return

Charity reporting and accounting essentials https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/charity-reporting-and-accounting-theessentials-cc15b/charity-reporting-and-accounting-the-essentials

Document Date 1[st] November 2025

Page 5

Thorley U3A Social Account Income Expenditure 1st September 2024 to 31st August 2025 Soclal Account IoMe Amount 1,152.56 1S0.(M) 4,115.50 8.032.49 5,978.73 962.70 Expendlture Amount 880.14 90.00 2.393.55 6,229.38 4.053.00 882.00 637.75 3,914.00 614.C(I 3,042.0) 375.(X) 1,749.75 1,717.00 1,759.25 252.C(S o.oo Art Group Badmlnton Group Brid8e Group Choir Cultures and Customs Group Dressmaklng Group Family History Group Garden Group I Garden Group 2 History Group Photography Group Table Tennis Group I Iwednesdavl Table Tennis Group 2 ITue5dayl Table Tennis Group 3 IThur5davl Whal The Papers Say Balance on Completed Trip5lEvents ILHI Balance on Completed TripslEvents IMBI Balance on Completed TrlpslEvents ISP) Miscellaneous Christmas Lunch 2024 Cornwall Deposits Dolly Parton Michael Jackson Musical The Great Gatsby Qulz Night 2024 Fiddler on the Roof Scotland Trlp deposlt5 Evita WEYMOUTH TRIP (iep05its QUIZ NIGHT 2025 Art Group Badminton Group Bridge Group Choir Cultures and Customs Group Dre5smakin8 Group Family History Group Garden Group I Garden Group 2 History Group Photography Group Table Tennis Group I Iwednesdayl Table Tennis Group 2 ITuesdavl Table Tennls Group 3 (Thursday) What The Papers Say Balance on Completed Trlps/Events ILHI Balance on Completed TripslEvents IM81 Balance on Completed TripslEvents 15PI Miscellaneous Christmas Lunch 2024 Cornwall Dep051ts Dolly Parton Michael Jack50n Musical The Great Gatsby Quii Night 2024 Fiddler on the Roof Scotland Trip deposits Evita WEYMOUTH TRIP deposit5 QUIZ NIGHT 2025 1,467.47 5,092.48 1,170.75 4,675.51 570.00 1,965.25 1,770.60 1,826.00 403.00 113.00 58.49 662.20 418.82 4.254. 2,354.50 3.047.00 390.00 4,056.00 912.50 3.619.00 836.00 3,850.(10 1.6QO.00 29.00 Total In¢ome lin(s £8322 BIFI 65,533.55 86.ijo 403.82 4,254.00 2.300.00 3,047.00 390.00 4,024.00 912.50 3,588.(K) 836.00 3,885.00 0.00 0.00 Tptal Expenditure 51315.14 Ispi Isp) (SPI Isp) Isp) Isp) Isp) IM81 Ispi IMBI Isp) IMBI Isp) IMBI Soclal Bank Account balancè 0ty0912024 Group income this financSal year Group expenditure this financial Soclal Bank A¢count balance 3110812025 8,321.88 57,211.67 52.315.14 13.218.41 ear Total accumulated surplu5 In Groups 13,218AI The al>ove financial statement has been prepareil from the records kept by the Treasurer and the reiptS presented to me. I have rarried out an examination of the accounts and have received satlsfadory explainations on all matters raised. I find the above acunta true and corrett record of the club's financial position. Audltor". Date=

41llll ££