Docusign EnvelopÈ ID". 57F35DDE-E10D4E15-801&F9DCBB6CD92E Cheltenham Bridge Club Trustee Annual Report and Accounts For year ending 31 December 2024 Cheltenham Bridge Club CIO Registered arItY 1188825
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Contents
Report of the Trustees .............................................................................................. 3 Governing Document ............................................................................................ 3 Objectives and Activities ....................................................................................... 3 Governance and Management ............................................................................... 3 Achievements and Performance ............................................................................ 4 Membership ......................................................................................................... 5 Premises ............................................................................................................. 5 Reserves .............................................................................................................. 5 Strategy ............................................................................................................... 5 Declaration .......................................................................................................... 6 Independent Examiners’ Report to The Directors of The Trustee Company ................... 7 For the Year Ended 31 December 2024 ...................................................................... 7 Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner .............................................. 7 Basis of independent examiners’ report ................................................................. 7 Independent examiners’ statement ....................................................................... 7 Statement of Financial Activities ............................................................................... 8 Balance Sheet ....................................................................................................... 10 Statement of Accounting Policies ............................................................................ 12 Notes to the Financial Statements .......................................................................... 14
Annual Report to the Charities Commission 1.1.24–31.12.24
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Report of the Trustees
Governing Document
Cheltenham Bridge Club is a charitable incorporated association (CIO) which operates under a Constitution registered with the Charity Commission on 31 March 2020 and modified on 12 May 2021 and 27 April 2022. This Constitution closely follows guidance from the Charity Commission and the English Bridge Union. The registration number for the charity is 1188825. It is constituted under the law of England & Wales and operates in that jurisdiction.
The Constitution provides that the trustees of the Club shall manage the affairs of the Club and may for that purpose exercise the powers of the Club in accordance with its Constitution. The Constitution provides that there shall be a minimum of five trustees and a maximum of seven.
Pursuant to Clause 25 of this Constitution, the CIO has instituted Rules, approved by the members, for running the operation. Under these Rules, day-to-day operational details are delegated to a Management Committee, who are responsible for implementing decisions ratified by the trustees.
Objectives and Activities
Cheltenham Bridge Club (the Club) owns and maintains premises for the purposes of providing bridge playing opportunities for its beneficiaries, and for the teaching of bridge.
The objectives of the Club, as set out in the Constitution, are:
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The advancement of amateur sport by promoting the game of bridge for the benefit of residents of Cheltenham and the surrounding area; and
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The provision of facilities for the learning, teaching and playing of bridge for the benefit of the residents of Cheltenham and the surrounding area with the object of improving conditions of life.
Governance and Management
The operational activities of the CIO started on 1 May 2021 when it acquired the undertaking and all the assets and liabilities of Cheltenham Bridge Club, an unincorporated association, as a result of a vote of the members of the unincorporated association on 28 April 2021 to transfer the undertaking, assets and liabilities to the CIO.
Membership of the Club is open to anyone who is interested in furthering its purposes and accepts the responsibilities of membership set out in the Rules.
The trustees, officers and Management Committee are elected by the members of the Club at the Annual General Meeting of the Club. The officers of the Club are the Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer. The officers are members of the Management Committee, and the Chairperson and Treasurer are trustees of the Club by virtue of their respective offices. In addition, there are up to five independent trustees who are not members of the Management Committee.
The elected charity trustees shall hold office for a term of three years and may stand for re-election a further two times. Vacancies arising among the elected charity trustees may be filled by election by the members of the Club at the Annual General Meeting. During the year, additional or replacement trustees may be appointed by the members of the Club or of the other trustees of the Club. The maximum number of trustees is seven.
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In planning the Club’s activities, the trustees kept in mind the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit.
The Club is affiliated to the English Bridge Union (registered company number 358588) and, by virtue of this affiliation, members of the Club are also members of the Gloucestershire Bridge Association.
Trustees
The officers and trustees of the Club at 31 December 2024 were:
| | Alan Wilfred Wearmouth | Chairperson of Trustees |
|---|---|---|
| Became a trustee on 28 April 2021 | ||
| | Helen Janet Bryant | Secretary of Trustees |
| Became a trustee on 28 April 2021 | ||
| | Nigel Foster Burton | Became a trustee on 28 April 2021 |
| | Ashok Kumar Kwatra | Became a trustee on 9 April 2022 |
| | James Anthony Elliott Simons | Became a trustee on 9 April 2022 |
| | Sophie Jaques | Chair of the Management Committee and ex officio Trustee |
| Became a trustee on 30 April 2024 | ||
| | Angela Gatliff | Treasurer of the Club, and ex officio Trustee. |
| Became a trustee on 30 April 2024 |
During the year ending 31 December 2024, the following individuals were also trustees of the Club:
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Christopher Healy 9 April 2022 - 30 April 2024
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Jacqueline Saitch 13 May 2023 - 30 April 2024
All trustees were briefed on the role of trustees of Cheltenham Bridge Club, given copies of the governing documents of the Club, and referred to the guidance on the Charity Commission website relating to becoming a trustee and to the guidance on public benefit.
Achievements and Performance
During 2024 the recovery from the Covid period has continued to see increased numbers participating in face-to-face bridge but online participation has continued to decline, due mainly to the abundance of online games being hosted by the English Bridge Union. Face to face participations in 2024 reached 17,414 (up by 4% from 2023) while online participations declined from 3,484 to 1,946. Two of the most popular regular face to face sessions are “Gentle” which provide less experienced players, many of whom have learnt Bridge with the Club, a friendly and less formal introduction to club tournaments.
The annual Bournemouth bridge holiday was again sold out completely and remains a popular service to members. The Cheltenham Bridge Congress took place in August 2025 hosted jointly by the Club and Gloucestershire County Bridge Association and was comparatively well attended within the national context of face to face congresses becoming less popular and struggling to attract visitors. The inclusion of the Congress events for less experienced players saw a healthy uptake of participants from Cheltenham, elsewhere in Gloucestershire, and beyond. Participation is not limited to Club members in accordance with our stated charitable aims.
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Teaching, in various forms, continues to be an integral and much valued element of the Club’s activities and is publicised and offered to as wide a clientele as the Club can manage. The programme currently includes:
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A two-year programme of lessons from beginner, through improver, to club player level;
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An intensive “Learn Bridge in a Weekend” course which has proved sufficiently popular in 2024-2025 to add a second weekend session for the first time;
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A series of seminars hosted by experienced players, and
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A seminar given by Andrew Robson OBE, the celebrated international player and teacher.
The Club continues to rely upon and to value the efforts of a wide range of volunteers who perform various tasks ranging from directing sessions of play, helping to provide refreshments (which entered a period of transition during 2024 as the professional provision previously provided proved impossible to sustain due to commercial pressures), serving on the Board of Trustees and the Management Committee, preparing boards for sessions and helping to maintain the building. On Cheltenham Heritage Open Day (14 September 2024) we opened our elegant listed building to the public, with Club volunteers providing demonstration Bridge matches to a fascinated local audience.
Membership fees and table money are determined by the membership at the Club’s Annual General Meeting. No change was made at the 2024 AGM.
Membership
At the end of the year 2024 there were 535 full members (2023 – 524) and 34 Student members (2023 – 32) making a total of 569 members of the CIO.
Premises
The Club is the registered owner of freehold premises at 4 Tivoli Road, Cheltenham GL50 2TG. The Club’s principal office is at this address
Reserves
The Trustees consider it is appropriate to provide for the retention of reserves as follows:
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An operational reserve of £50,000 to cover an unforeseen short- or medium-term cessation, or forced relocation, of the bridge-playing and teaching activities taking place in the Club premises, and
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A sinking fund of £100,000 to cover the anticipated costs of a managed programme of refurbishment, repair and renewal of the Club premises, in view of their age and condition.
Strategy
The Club’s Strategy Process has continued and developed and in 2024 entered a second major phase following upon the initial, very wide-ranging phase which attracted contributions and participation from across the membership. The second phase was designed to build upon the outcome of the first phase (with Strategy being defined as being of necessity a process which is never finished and is always being suited to the Club’s situation). The wider membership was advised at the Club AGM in 2023 that the increasing difficulties in finding volunteers to fill specific posts (eg Health and Safety Officer) would inevitably mean that certain posts would need to be filled professionally in order to meet legal obligations if for no other reason. This would have cost implications including for session
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payments by members and possibly annual subscriptions. A smaller group drawn from the Trustees and Management Committee was convened to suggest priorities for the Club following the AGM and this group recommended the appointment of a Club Operations and Development Manager. This recommendation was approved by both the Trustees and the Management Committee, professional advice on advertising, recruitment and employee obligations was engaged and an appointment was made from a strong shortlist of four with the successful applicant beginning work before the end of the year. Following upon the appointment the appointee, the Club Chair and the Chair of Trustees intend to meet early in 2025 to suggest how the process would continue in the light of the new appointment.
Financial
The club remains in a healthy financial position.
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The Club owns its freehold premises free of mortgage and has repaid borrowing taken out for past improvements to the premises
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Cash on deposit amounted to £195,000 on 31 December 2024, and total cash at bank was approximately £200,000.
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After providing for its current liabilities, the Club enters 2025 with net cash levels around £141,000
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The Club’s surplus for the twelve months of 2024 was £23,000
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As the Club enters the current phase of its Strategy Process, outlined above, the Trustees expect that in 2025 it will make a loss on charitable activities of the order of £15,000, assuming regular income and expenditure is similar to 2024. Ways of increasing the Club’s operational income are under consideration, and additional sessions have been introduced.
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There has been little movement on fixed assets with new Bridgemates being the only additions.
Declaration
The Trustees declare that they approve the report and accounts for the period ending 31 December 10/3/2025 2024 on .
Signed ................................................
Alan Wearmouth, Chairman on behalf of the Trustees
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Independent Examiners’ Report to The Directors of The Trustee Company
For the Year Ended 31 December 2024
I report on the accounts of Cheltenham Bridge Club for the year ended 31 December 2024, which are set out below.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year (under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Act)) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to:
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examine the accounts (under section 145 of the Act);
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to follow the applicable directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Act); and
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to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiners’ report
My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair’ view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent examiners’ statement
In connection with my examination, no material matter has come to my attention which gives me cause to believe that, in any material respect:
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the accounting records were not kept in accordance with Section 130 of the Act; or
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the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or
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the accounts did not comply with the accounting requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008, other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair’ view, which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
…………………………
10/3/2025
Martin Howard FCA Date: ……………..
Hazlewoods LLP Chartered Accountants
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Statement of Financial Activities
Cheltenham Bridge Club CIO
For the year ended 31 December 2024
| Income from charitable activities Joining Fees and Subscriptions Table Money UMS in table money Online income Online costs Learners’ sessions Training Income Training fees Catering, Stationery & Courses Net Training Income Rental Income Bar income Catering costs Net bar costs Special events Holiday Income Donations and Fundraising Investment Return (Congress) Other Income Total Income |
2024 £ income 10,966 49,067 5,046 3,049 17,610 5,182 18 4,344 4,604 561 809 3,033 |
2024 £ direct costs -8,100 |
2024 £ net 10,966 40,967 2,727 3,049 10,503 5,182 -3,002 2,427 4,604 561 809 3,033 |
2023 £ income 10,882 47,102 10,269 3,392 17,315 2,948 28 1,123 4,441 256 1,200 1,856 |
2023 £ direct costs -8,099 -4,529 -6,417 -612 |
2023 £ net 10,882 39,003 5,740 3,392 10,286 2,948 -1,400 1,123 4,441 256 1,200 1,856 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| -2,319 | ||||||
| -6,460 -647 |
||||||
-3,020 |
-1,400 | |||||
-1,917 |
0 | |||||
| 104,289 | 81,826 | 100,784 | 79,727 |
Expenditure is shown on the next page
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| Expenditure Note Bridge Stationery Equipment Repairs IT Consultancy Other IT Costs Cafe costs Prizes, entry fees Directors Course Costs Depreciation, Bridge Equipment 3 Total Bridge Costs Building Repairs & Maintenance Contingency reserve Depreciation, Plant and Other Equipment 3 Cleaning Insurance Refuse & water charges Telephone and Internet Utilities Total Occupancy Costs Bookkeeping and Accountancy Professional Services Payroll costs Total Administrative Costs Youth Bridge Costs iZettle and bank charges Payments to charities from events Sundry Expenses Total Other Costs Total Expenditure Surplus from charitable activities 2 |
2024 938 1,306 0 1,051 0 113 0 1,668 £5,076 13,920 0 3,831 13,323 2,305 2,262 600 3,627 39,868 1,369 2,956 8,640 12,965 0 205 739 145 1,089 £58,997 £22,829 |
2023 782 373 306 1,174 849 192 180 1,447 |
|---|---|---|
| £5,303 | ||
| 25,413 10,000 3,724 10,498 2,578 1,941 600 3,311 |
||
| 58,065 | ||
| 1,342 73 0 |
||
| 1,415 | ||
| 190 210 259 239 |
||
| 895 | ||
| £65,678 | ||
| £14,049 |
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Balance Sheet
Cheltenham Bridge Club Charitable Incorporated Organisation
| As at 31 December 2024 Fixed Assets Investment Tangible Assets Buildings Plant Bridge Equipment Other Equipment Furniture & Fittings Total Tangible Assets Total Fixed Assets Debtors and Prepayments Debtors Accrued income Prepayments Total Debtors and Prepayments Cash at Bank and in Hand Deposit Account Current Accounts Total Cash at Bank and in Hand Total Current Assets |
2024 £ 0 217,236 5,013 5,799 81 4,266 232,396 232,396 -0 0 1,129 1,129 195,029 5,160 200,189 201,318 |
2023 £ 2,300 |
|---|---|---|
| 217,236 7,521 5,662 189 5,483 |
||
| 236,091 | ||
| 238,391 | ||
| - 0 502 666 |
||
| 1,168 | ||
| 155,996 15,090 |
||
| 171,086 | ||
| 172,254 |
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Liabilities
| Current Liabilities Accounts Payable Accruals 2024 Subscriptions/Training in Advance Member Deposits Holidays Holding Account VAT Total Current Liabilities Net current assets Net Assets Unrestricted funds See note 2 Surplus Brought Forward Surplus for the Year Surplus Carried Forward |
1,962 5,305 13,158 9,088 24,706 5,202 59,421 141,897 374,293 351,464 22,829 £374,293 |
1,466 4,680 13,420 9,112 26,000 4,503 |
|---|---|---|
| 59,181 | ||
| 113,073 | ||
| 351,464 | ||
| 307,415 44,049 |
||
| £351,464 |
10/3/2025 The financial statements set out on pages 9 to 15 were approved by the Trustees on and were signed on its behalf by:
Alan Wearmouth
Chair of Trustees
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Statement of Accounting Policies
The principal accounting policies have been applied consistently in dealing with items which are considered material in relation to the CIO’s Financial Statements.
Basis of preparation
The Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice ‘Accounting and Reporting by Charities’ (update bulletin 1 applying FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011. They have been prepared on the historical cost convention. The format of the Statement of Financial Activities has been simplified when compared with last year, to enable members to see more easily the performance of the club.
Going concern
The trustees of the charity believe that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence at for at least 12 months from the date the report and accounts are approved and continues to use the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the annual Financial Statements.
Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds are the charity’s general funds that are available for use at the trustees’ discretion in furtherance of any of the charity’s objectives. Within the unrestricted funds is a designated fund that relates to the legacy received by Cheltenham Bridge Club from the late Derek Rue. These funds have been set aside for training and refurbishment purposes. The movements in this designated fund during the year are shown in note 2 to the accounts.
Incoming resources
All income is recognised once the CIO has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received, and the amount of income can be measured reliably. Holiday deposits are held in a holding account and recognised as income once the holiday has taken place. Payments into player accounts are recognised as income when the player has taken part in a chargeable session. Income from Bridge Base Online is recognised on an accruals basis.
Expenditure
Expenditure is recognised when a liability is incurred, when there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to the expenditure and the obligation can be measured reliably.
Tangible fixed assets and depreciation
The CIO owns the freehold property at 4 Tivoli Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL50 2TG. The property is an operational asset and is stated at a historic carrying value. The club premises were valued in July 2024 at £1.5 million
Other tangible fixed assets, comprising plant (principally the lift) office and bridge furniture and playing equipment (see note 3), are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. The CIO capitalises assets with a cost of £500 or more and an expected useful life of at least three years.
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Depreciation for assets other than the freehold property is charged on a straight-line basis at the following rates:
Plant and machinery 10 years Fixtures and fittings 10 years Bridge and other equipment 5 years
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Notes to the Financial Statements
Year ended 31 December 2024
1. Trustee remuneration, staff costs and contribution made by volunteers
During the period under review
i) no remuneration nor any expenses were paid to any of the Trustees. ii) an employee was recruited during the year and the salary costs were £7,868. iii) the CIO was managed and operated almost entirely by volunteers
The teaching programme was delivered by self-employed tutors, the cost of which is shown as “training fees” in the Statement of Financial Activities.
The work of the management committee, and day to day directing of bridge sessions were performed by volunteer members of the CIO. Without the contribution made by volunteers, it is likely that the CIO would have had an excess of expenditure over income.
2. Unrestricted funds allocation
| General Fund Maintenance Reserve Contingency Reserve Derek Rue Training Fund Derek Rue Refurbishment Fund |
Surplus at start of year Allocati on for the year Surplus carried forward 315,243 -6,546 308,697 20,000 20,000 40,000 10,000 10,000 20,000 5,816 -220 5,596 405 -405 0 |
|---|---|
| £351,464 £22,829 £374,293 |
The maintenance reserve is made up of £40,000 set aside for large scale maintenance to the premises at 4 Tivoli Road.
The contingency reserve is made up of £20,000 set aside for any unforeseen short- or medium-term cessation, or forced relocation, of the bridge-playing and teaching activities taking place in the Club premises.
The Derek Rue training and refurbishment funds are in relation to a legacy payment from said individual, to be utilised for specific training and refurbishment costs.
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3. Fixed Assets
The building represents the club premises which is an operational asset and is carried at historical cost. The club premises were valued in July 2024 at £1.5 million
| Cost Balance b/f at 1.1.24 Additions Disposals Balance c/f at 31.12.24 Depreciation Balance b/f at 1.1.24 Charge for the period On disposals Balance c/f At 31.12.24 Net book value at 31.12.24 Net book value at 1.1.24 |
Building Plant (lift) Furniture & Other Bridge Total Fittings Equipme nt Equipment £ £ £ £ £ 217,236 25,067 26,768 4,284 18,536 291,891 - - - - 1,804 1,804 - - - - - - |
|---|---|
| 217,236 25,067 26,768 4,284 20,340 293,695 |
|
| - 17,546 21,285 4,095 12,874 55,800 - 2,506 1,216 108 1,667 5,499 - - - - - - |
|
| - 20,052 22,501 4,203 14541 61,299 |
|
| 217,236 5,013 4,267 81 5,799 232,396 |
|
| 217,236 7,521 5,483 189 5,662 236,091 |
Previously Cheltenham Bridge Club held an investment in a joint venture with Gloucestershire County Bridge Association. This joint venture ceased during the year.
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