Pen Selwood Community Association Annual Report 2025 Charity reg no 1186930
The main purpose of our charity is very wide and is described in our governing document as “ to further such exclusively charitable purposes, which are charitable under the law of England and Wales, as the trustees from time to time determine.” This gives us a lot of scope but we must still act within the boundaries set out by the Charity Commission. In truth most of our activities are aimed at fundraising to maintain village amenities, at present: the Bryan Young Community Field and Village Hall. We also have a long tradition of making grants to local and national charities, chosen at the Annual General meeting. As a community association, we strive to meet these fundraising aims by organising/facilitating activities and services for the residents of Pen that we hope are enjoyable and help to sustain the positive community spirit of our village.
At our AGM in Feb 25 you voted to support Médecins sans Frontières and Pick Ups for People as our 2 national charities and Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance and The Balsam Centre as our 4 charities to support in 2025. A vote for 2026 charities to support will take place as part of the AGM.
After more than 3 tortuous years we finally signed a new lease for our continued use of the Village Hall until 2060. This means we have finally been able to start some of the more costly renovations and repairs, most notably the removal of concrete cladding and a start to the repointing of the hall. Because we need to use traditional lime mortar for this, the work is being undertaken in phases to help manage the cost. I hope there is general agreement that removal of the concrete has greatly improved the external appearance of the hall. Internally it should alleviate some of the damp problems so that we can re-plaster where needed and decorate. In 2026 we are resolved to finally merge the Village Hall Trust with the PCA . I think this is our third or fourth deadline the earlier ones being scuppered by the length of time taken by the lease renewal.
This year the PCA agreed to part fund the Pen Paper alongside the Parish Council and Parochial Church Council. This allows the editor to add a couple of extra pages when needed.
The Annual Fete and Tough 10k event both had their best year ever and as our biggest fundraisers this is hugely welcomed. Many thanks to Charlie Meaden & Mark Bunting and Sandra & Andrew Jenkins for leading on these and all the myriad of helpers who then make them happen.
The Pen Pub and Black Bin Cafe have completed another successful year, offering social activities as well as contributing to funds. Jenny and Ian Steadman and members of the Cafe rota as well as Rob and Nicky Backus and the wider pub team all deserve our thanks for the repeated support of these ventures.
Thanks largely to Penny Varnes, we have continued with a series of Take Art live performances at the Village Hall, starting with “Elvis in Blue Hawaii” which had the VH rocking with laughter throughout the show. A performing duo who played cello and harmonica called “Good Habits”, showed great musical talent with a variety of Indie and folk style songs and tunes in late October. A delightful matinee performance called “The Greatest Robot Ever” was held for 3-9 year olds and the whole audience was enthralled, involved and captivated. No mean feat for a very mixed audience of young children not to mention we adults who were there, in a support role of course.
Another well attended quiz night took place in early October. A friend of mine from Stoke Trister who was part of our team felt she had seen “the dark underbelly of Pen Selwood” with the overall noise, heckling and fierce competitiveness experienced…. thanks to Ian Steadman and Leigh Newton for organising and managing these unruly competitors!
The final event of the Year was the Christmas Night at Pen House when 60+ villagers spent an evening in elegant Christmas themed surroundings with drinks and a finger buffet and a little live entertainment to complete the evening. Many thanks to Paul Shinar and team for use of the house and to the “Pen Party Planners” who laid on the food and the Pen Pub for running the bar.
jane Ashman
Chair Pen Selwood Community Association
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