Chairman’s Report 2023/2024
Working for Each Other
Management Committee
This year marked a pivotal shift in our leadership as our founder and long-serving chairman stepped down during the AGM. His invaluable contribution to the Shed was widely acknowledged by the membership. In his absence, the committee continued to oversee operations until an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) was held on 8 November 2024, where a new chairman and two trustees were elected.
Throughout 2024, the Management Committee held regular monthly meetings to ensure alignment with the direction and purpose set by our members. Thanks to the dedication and perseverance of both the committee and our members, we successfully opened our new purpose-built workshop on 7 June 2024.
The trustees extend sincere gratitude to all Management Committee members for their ongoing support, hard work, and commitment.
Membership
Our membership continues to grow steadily, now reaching 86 members. We are especially encouraged by the increasing number of younger members joining us, helping to make the Shed more inclusive and appealing to a broader age range within the community.
Premises
Until June 2024, we operated from two temporary satellite sites kindly loaned by New Milton Town Council and New Milton Sand & Ballast. These sites, while functional, limited the opportunities for members to collaborate on personal and community projects. With the opening of our new, purpose-built workshop on 7[th] June, these temporary sites were closed, and all activities have since moved to the new facility. A heartfelt thank you to all who assisted with the relocation process.
Social
Our weekly meetings at New Milton Football Club on Fawcett’s Field continue to be well-attended, with an average of 41 members participating each week. We hosted a range of guest speakers throughout the year, including Aimee Durnell (Lymington’s secret history), Richard Deakin (New Forest Verderers, Commoners, etc.), and Marc Hegany (Hidden in Plain Sight – WW2 airfields). Other social events included a quiz night, lunches, and a Christmas social, attended by 86 people. These gatherings have fostered a vibrant social environment and encouraged members’ families and friends to participate.
Community Projects & Events
Once again, we have contributed to several local community projects, with much of our recent focus on fundraising to support the new workshop. Notable projects include:
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Lions Club of New Milton – May Fayre and trophy creation for the NM Lions Classic Car Show
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Cliff House Christmas Market
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Pennington School fence repairs (with Tesco Stronger Starts Grant)
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Remembrance Sunday events
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House Martin tower for Christchurch Harbour Ornithological Group (CHOG)
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Planters for Lymington station and repairs to the station's model train carriage
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Upcycling a TV table for New Milton Youth Centre
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A garden bench for Kingfisher Care Home residents
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Book swap cupboard for Chiltern Drive
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Continued support for New Milton community garden, including benches and trellis work
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Advising New Forest Disability Shop and erecting a metal storage shed
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Construction of a historic armoury Gun Shell carriage for Hurst Castle, Historic England
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Ongoing design and construction of a bug hotel for the parish church’s children’s messy church
Additionally, we’ve undertaken many unrecorded projects that have positively impacted the community. We appreciate the time and effort generously given by our members. Although keeping up with the demands of these projects can be challenging, their success has been key to raising funds for the new workshop and strengthening our community ties. The requests for assistance continue to grow, and we remain committed to supporting both our members and the wider community.
Importantly, members don’t need specialised skills to get involved—whether through time or resources, every contribution is valuable.
Fundraising
We are pleased to report securing several grants this year, including:
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Tesco Stronger Starts Grant – £1,500
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New Milton Mayor’s Charity – cheque presentation on April 9, 2025
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Kingfisher Care Home – Nominated Charity of the Year – cheque presentation on January 29, 2025
We also boosted community visibility by supporting events such as the Lions May Fayre, two stalls at New Milton High Street, and a stall at Kingfisher Residential Home and the Cliff House indoor Christmas market.
Finances
Our Treasurer, John Healey, has diligently managed the charity’s finances, and the auditor’s report reflects his thoroughness. The charity remains financially healthy, the new workshop has been valued at £130,000 and we will have a clearer understanding of ongoing expenses once the workshop is in full use. In line with Charity Commission recommendations, the trustees have set aside a £5,000 Reserve Fund to cover any unexpected future costs, and we plan to invest these funds in a manner that ensures financial stability.
Donations
We are deeply grateful for the generous donations received from local businesses and residents. These donations, whether money, tools, equipment, materials, or raffle prizes, have been instrumental in our success.
Website and Publicity
Our PR & Communications Officer has worked tirelessly to maintain our social media presence and update local community papers about our activities. Additionally, our Digital IT Champion is revamping our website to include an events calendar, keeping members informed and engaged. Progress is also being made on securing free Microsoft charity licenses, setting up generic email addresses, and improving website hosting.
Purpose
At the heart of our Shed is a commitment to social inclusion. We provide a welcoming space where members can connect, share experiences, and rediscover purpose. Through skill-sharing, learning new hobbies, or simply enjoying good company, we aim to prevent social isolation and promote good health and wellbeing, including raising awareness of men’s health initiatives.
Beyond the Shed, we take pride in contributing to the wider community and are committed to listening to our members as we continue to grow and evolve.
In conclusion, our Shed is more than just a workshop—it’s a place where connections are made, communities thrive, and lives are enriched.
Mark Hughes Chairman
Income and Expenditure Account
New Milton Men's Shed
For the year ended 31 December 2024
| Income and Expenditure Account New Milton Men's Shed For the year ended 31 December 2024 |
|
|---|---|
| 2024 | |
| Income | |
| Membership Subscriptons | 2,838.47 |
| Donatons (Includes £39,620.80 assumed value of volunteers tme to build interior of new shed) | 46,541.28 |
| Fundraising | 1,964.67 |
| Income from Functons | 2,641.25 |
| Income from Project Work | 463.00 |
| Income from Trips | 1,612.00 |
| Other Income | |
| Bank Interest Received | 99.86 |
| Income from Sales of Equipment | 1,580.21 |
| Total Other Income | 1,680.07 |
| Total Income | 57,740.74 |
| Direct Costs | |
| Ground Rent | 252.00 |
| Utlites | 719.68 |
| Property Maintenance | 141.52 |
| Shed Consumables, Small Tools and Equipment | 1,031.51 |
| Membership Refunds | 35.00 |
| Purchases for Fundraising | 55.00 |
| Purchases for Functons | 2,542.75 |
| Purchases for Project Work | 237.76 |
| Purchases for Trips | 1,642.50 |
| Speakers | 185.00 |
| Total Direct CostsAdministratve | 6,842.72 |
| Costs | |
| Ofce Equipment and Statonery | 199.99 |
| Afliaton Fees | 30.01 |
| Advertsing | 159.60 |
| Insurance | 806.11 |
| Leasehold Building - Structure - Depreciaton Charge | 1,186.11 |
| Leasehold Building - Kitchen - Depreciaton Charge | 194.44 |
| Leasehold Building - Washroom - Depreciaton Charge | 116.67 |
| Workshop Tools and Machinery Depreciaton Charge | 1,166.61 |
| Furniture, Fixtures and Fitngs - Depreciaton Charge | 36.00 |
| IT and Electrical Equipment - Depreciaton Charge | 126.83 |
| Other Equipment Depreciaton Charge | 55.00 |
| Total Administratve Costs | 4,077.37 |
| Surplus for the Year | 46,820.65 |
31DEC2024
Balance Sheet
New Milton Men's Shed As at 31 December 2024
| Fixed Assets | Fixed Assets |
|---|---|
| Tangible Assets | |
| Leasehold Building - Structure 122,000.00 |
|
| Leasehold Building - Kitchen 5,000.00 |
|
| Leasehold Building - Washroom 3,000.00 |
|
| Workshop Tools and Machinery 5,878.37 |
|
| Furniture, Fixtures and Fitngs 140.00 |
|
| IT and Electrical Equipment 731.90 |
|
| Other Equipment 144.17 |
|
| Total Tangible Assets Less Depreciaton 136,894.44 |
|
| Leasehold Building - Structure - Accumulated Depreciaton (1,186.11) |
|
| Leasehold Building - Kitchen - Accumulated Depreciaton (194.44) |
|
| Leasehold Building - Washroom - Accumulated Depreciaton (116.67) |
|
| Workshop Tools and Machinery - Accumulated Depreciaton (1,260.40) |
|
| Furniture, Fixtures and Fitngs - Accumulated Depreciaton (36.00) |
|
| IT and Electrical Equipment - Accumulated Depreciaton (365.30) |
|
| Other Equipment Depreciaton (97.79) |
|
| Total Less Depreciaton (3,256.71) |
|
| Total Fixed Assets Current Assets 133,637.73 |
|
| Prepayments and accrued income | |
| Prepayments 352.65 |
|
| Total Prepayments and accrued income Cash at bank and in hand 352.65 |
|
| Current Account 5360 268.51 |
|
| Deposit Account 3668 9,100.00 |
|
| Cash In Hand 131.12 |
|
| Total Cash at bank and in hand 9,499.63 |
|
| Total Current Assets Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 9,852.28 |
|
| Accruals 184.84 |
|
| Total Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 184.84 |
|
| Net Current Assets (Liabilites) 9,667.44 |
|
| Total Assets less Current Liabilites 143,305.17 |
|
| Net Assets Capital and Reserves 143,305.17 |
|
| 31DEC2024 | |
| Current Year Earnings 46,820.65 |
|
| Members Funds b/fwd 96,484.52 |
|
| Total Capital and Reserves 143,305.17 |