Trustees Report for Year Ending 31 March 2023
The last year was somewhat of a roller coaster for the Heart Project, starting with the success of our summer workshops followed by the disappointing failure to progress our plans for a building on the Redlands site. We did however continue to raise our profile, both through the website and other activities, and to develop some promising new partnerships.
The year started intensely, to put it mildly. At the end of June we were awarded a £10,000 Arts Council grant to run creative workshops in a marquee behind the Redlands surgery, leaving us just six weeks to create a welcoming and functional venue on an empty field. This included sourcing a marquee, furniture, fencing and a storage container, setting up power and water supply, as well as running a publicity campaign. Thanks must go to Patsy, not just for securing the funds, but for coordinating this massive effort at breakneck speed to ensure our temporary arts venue was ready to open on 10[th] August.
This was a totally new enterprise for the Heart Project and given the tight timelines and steep learning curve, was a remarkably successful project, engaging a wide range of people and organisations. Overall, we delivered 13 workshops, two evening events and a final exhibition. It gave us a chance to work with a range of other groups and businesses, including Crediton Arts Centre, the Turning Tides Project and Devonshire Homes.
One of the main aims of the summer project had been to develop our partnership with the Redlands GPs. Indeed it had been their suggestion that we ‘make something happen’ on their land. It was therefore bitterly disappointing that, despite repeated attempts, the GPs were not prepared to engage with us afterwards. As their priorities clearly lay elsewhere for the foreseeable future, we regrettably took the decision to put the Redlands site option on hold, and look elsewhere for development opportunities. We also abandoned plans to develop a sensory garden next to the surgery (another suggestion from the GPs) as there seemed little point investing time and money on a site with no prospects. However, this land remains a prime site, so we need to keep in touch with developments should the GPs wish to engage with us in the future.
As often happens, the closing of one door, led to the opening of another. In December we were invited by Crediton Parish Church to support their plans to upgrade their facilities, including a new roof, museum, café and toilets. It was suggested that as the Church was ‘an organisation with a building but no purpose’ and the Heart Project was ‘an organisation with a purpose but no building’ we could collaborate in some way.
At a meeting with their project team, we suggested that by removing the pews and installing theatre lights, sound equipment and flexible seating, the Church could become a versatile venue for performances, generating much needed income. This idea was greeted with enthusiasm and they have instructed their architect to expand their plans accordingly. It is too early to say whether they will receive the major Heritage Lottery grant needed for such an ambitious project. But this could be a productive partnership where we achieve part of our goal of delivering a large performance space, while helping to sustain this important historic building for future generations.
We have always been open to the possibility of converting an old building, rather than building a new one. So the prospect of developing the church as a larger theatre space, led us to consider buying the Buller pub, to create a small performance space and other community rooms on the High Street. The pub had been on the market for some months, so we rashly put in an offer and began the fundraising process. Unfortunately a cash buyer beat us to it, but the work wasn’t wasted as we will be more prepared should another property become available.
The website team continued to work hard to keep the site relevant and interesting, by regularly adding and updating listings, events and articles, as well as producing a monthly newsletter. However, as they approached their 3[rd] anniversary they reached the conclusion that the site had become too complex and the workload of maintaining it, too onerous to sustain in the long term.
With help from Mark, the original designer, Stephen came up with a plan to simplify the site. By removing all listings, and giving more prominence to our popular What’s On page, we hope to make the site easier to use and manage. Thanks to a grant from Devon County Council, this work will be done over the summer.
Although last year’s creative workshops had not produced the result we had hoped, after some deliberation we decided to build on our success by running another arts programme this summer. This year’s programme will be shorter and take place in the Arts Centre, rather than a marquee, making it much easier and cheaper to organise as well developing this important partnership with a key stakeholder. Crucially, with funding secured much earlier than last year (thanks to Patsy and Kate) we will be able to start publicising before the end of the school term.
There are many people I’d like to thank for keeping the Heart Project show on the road. Our funders, notably Crediton Town Council, who have supported the website every year, as well as Devon County Council, Mid Devon District Council and the Devon Community Foundation, for supporting our upcoming summer workshops;
Bracken, who continues to go beyond the call of duty in keeping our social media presence lively and relevant; our associates - Patsy, Chris, Rachel, Keith and Paul, who give their time and expertise so generously; and last but not least, our wonderful trustees, for their continued hard work and support through the ups and downs of another year.
Rosemary Stephenson Chair of Trustees
THE CREDITON HEART PROJECT
Annual Report and Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 March 2023
The Old Vicarage Colebrooke Crediton, EX17 5JQ Charity Registration no. 1189549
THE CREDITON HEART PROJECT
Annual Report and Financial Statements
For the Year Ended 31 March 2023
| Trustees | Dennis Mardon |
|---|---|
| Catherine Lock | |
| Eugene Mullan | |
| Hattie Booth | |
| John Bulford | |
| Paul Walker | |
| Rosemary Stephenson | |
| Stephen Hocking | |
| Wendy Murgatroyd | |
| Address | The Old Vicarage |
| Colebrooke | |
| Crediton | |
| Devon | |
| EX17 5JQ | |
| Bankers | Lloyds Bank |
| Chelmsford Legg St OSC | |
| Legg Street | |
| Chelmsford | |
| Essex | |
| CM1 1JS | |
| Independent Examiner | Smarter Accounting |
| Chartered Management Accountants | |
| 138 High Street | |
| Crediton | |
| Devon | |
| EX17 3DX |
The Crediton Heart Project
Independent examiner’s report to the members of
The Crediton Heart Project
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity for the period ended 31[st] March 2023.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity’s trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner’s statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
a) to which gives me cause to believe that, in any material respect, the general requirements to keep accounting records in accordance with UK accounting principles have not been met
b) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached
Mr N Bishop Smarter Accounting 138 High Street Crediton Devon EX17 3DX
15th June 2023
THE CREDITON HEART PROJECT
Statement of Financial Activities
For the Year Ended 31 March 2023
| Incoming resources Donations SEAL Income Website Income Gift Aid Sponsorship 2022 Summer Event Total incoming resources Resources expended Direct Charitable expenditure: The Crediton Heart project operating expenditure Total resources expended Net incoming/ (outgoing) resources for the year Fund balances brought forward Fund balances carried forward |
2023 £ 1,131 - 1,000 270 1,184 10,984 14,570 15,406 15,406 (836) 4,894 £4,058 |
2022 £ |
|---|---|---|
| 690 233 4,191 555 - - |
||
| 5,668 | ||
| 7,942 | ||
| 7,942 | ||
| (2,274) 7,168 |
||
| £4,894 |
THE CREDITON HEART PROJECT
Balance Sheet
As at 31 March 2023
| Current assets Debtors - National Lottery Grant Bank Current accounts Cash in hand Less: current liabilities Net current assets Total assets less current liabilities Funds General funds Total funds |
2023 - 4,390 4,390 332 4,058 £4,058 4,058 £4,058 |
2022 |
|---|---|---|
| - 5,014 - |
||
| 5,014 120 |
||
| 4,894 | ||
| £4,894 | ||
| 4,894 | ||
| £4,894 |
The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on 15th June 2023 and signed on their behalf by:
Dennis Mardon
THE CREDITON HEART PROJECT
Income & Expenditure Account
As at 31 March 2023
| Income Donations Gift Aid SEAL Website Sponsorship 2022 Summer Event Total income Expenditure SEAL 2022 Summer Event Other operating costs Trustee Expenses Meeting Expenses Insurance Web Services Website Development Website Management Social Media Computer Software Accountancy Advertising & Marketing Bank Fees Sundry Total expenditure Surplus/(Deficit) for the year |
1,131 270 - 1,000 1,184 10,984 14,570 - 10,984 10,984 - 111 198 - - 1,302 2,400 251 132 28 - - 4,421 15,405 -836 2023 £ |
2022 £ |
2022 £ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 111.00 - |
690 555 233 4,191 - - |
||
| 5,668 | |||