Trustees Annual Report
CIO 1188791 - January 2024 to January 2025
Buddhist Society of Manchester
January 2024 to January 2025 has been another positive year for the society. Numbers attending meetings have continued to be good. There are 42 members, and an additional 51 “Friends” contacts on the database who are circulated with information about meetings, retreats etc.
The annual Vesak celebration (known more generally as “Buddha Day”) was held on the 26[th] of May, and the event was made accessible on-line so that members who have moved away from Manchester could join remotely.
A retreat was held on the weekend of 23[rd] June 2024 at Brinscall Hall, Chorley, with over 20 participants, and was a great success. The venue worked very well and is closer to Manchester than other retreat centres used in the past, making it more accessible for members and friends.
The society has close ties with Ajahn Sudhiro, a senior Thai Buddhist monk who regularly visits the UK to lead retreats and events. In September 2024 an appeal was launched in support of the establishment of a monastery in the UK where Ajahn Sudhiro would be resident for periods of time, a community of monks and nuns could be developed and retreat opportunities made available for the lay community. The society made a donation of £5,000 to the appeal (Buddha Metta Society UK a registered charity) and the search for suitable premises is ongoing.
During his visit to the UK in 2024, Ajahn Sudhiro presided at a “Living In Dhamma” weekend at Brinscall Hall, enabling a number of society members and friends to visit and benefit from his presence and teachings.
In November 2024 the society was delighted to host a visit of Venerable Ajahn Sudhiro. Whilst staying at the society’s premises Ajahn Sudhiro was able to host a meeting open to the public, and enable members and friends to participate in traditional food offerings and other ceremonial activities.
In addition to the three open public meetings held each week, there are meditation meetings held on two Fridays each month. The society remains financially sound, and income from donations more than covers the costs associated with the upkeep of the society premises.
To conclude, this last year has seen the society maintaining a healthy attendance at meetings, and enjoying a sustainable income from donations all of which bodes well for the future.
Luke Tennant,
Society Chair
Buddhist Society of Manchester CIO 1188791 Expenditure and Income Account for the Financial Year Ended 20[th] January 2025
| Expenditure | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2024/25 | 2023/24 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Electricity | 399.07 | 324.08 |
| Gas | 730.99 | 422.84 |
| Telephone | 145.13 | 140.76 |
| Water Rates | 233.03 | 195.81 |
| ------------ | ------------ | |
| Utility sub-total | 1,508.22 | 1,083.49 |
| Insurance | 741.52 | 697.15 |
| Donation BMP | 5,000 | |
| Retreat costs | 1,225.00 | 1,150.00 |
| Books | 275.69 | |
| Booklets | 718.00 | |
| Bay windows | 1,725.00 | |
| Decoration | 1,244.58 | |
| Garden | 850.24 | |
| Misc. | 318.18 | 606.84 |
| ------------ | ------------ | -------------- |
| Total exp: | 9,786.61 | 7,357.30 |
| Income | ||
| 2024/25 | 2023/24 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Donations | 6,427.78 | 8,062.45 |
| Subscriptions | 760.00 | 850.00 |
| ------------ | ------------ | |
| Total income | 7,187.78 | 8,912.45 |
Society current account balance at 20[th] January 2025 = £8,295.96
Utilities
Energy cost is up on the previous year, as the contract secured at pre-increase prices commencing June 2022 ended in October 2024, and we are now on the same kind of tariffs endured by all. We are still working with Utility Aid, an agency which assists charities to secure good deals with utility companies.
Support for the Wat Buddha Metta UK Charity
The Society has close ties with the above charity, which is aiming to purchase a suitable property for the establishment of a monastic community in the UK. The project is completely in line with the aims of the Society, and will be of great benefit both to the membership of the Society and the general community. In order to assist with the accumulation of funds for the project, the Society donated £5,000 to the Wat Buddha Metta UK Charity in November 2024.
Retreat
A retreat was held in June at Brinscall Hall, Clitheroe, and the hire cost was £1,225. This cost was covered by participants’ donations to the society.
General note on income:
To get a clearer idea of income from donations and subscriptions, the cost of the retreat (which self-funds through donations from retreat attendees), and book royalties, which adds up to £1,503, should be subtracted from the total income of £7,187. This results in a figure of £5,784 for donations from standing orders, the donations bowl and subscriptions.
This is a little down on last year’s income from standing orders, the donations bowl and subscriptions, which was £6,407.
The donations from standing orders alone still more than cover basic running costs, and overall income continues to allow a good level of funding for looking after the house and garden.
At 4[th] July 2025 the balance of the society’s account was £7,538