Pardshaw Quaker Centre CIO Annual Report for 2022
Charity Name: PARDSHAW QUAKER CENTRE Charity Number: 1193476 Address: The Quaker Meeting House, Pardshaw, Cockermouth, CA13 0SP Issued: 18/3/2023
Our Vision
To develop and progress the vision of Pardshaw Quaker Centre as a resource for Quakers, other groups and the local community – a place for worship, relaxation, learning, fun, creative activities, or short breaks in simple, affordable accommodation, in a historical and peaceful setting.
Introduction
It has been a year of steady progress behind the scenes, and we are now able to report some exciting developments. Pardshaw Quaker Centre CIO has now signed a lease for the premises with CAQM for 7 years. With this in place, we are able move ahead with plans that will require listed building consent.
We have previously reported works to prevent damp getting in and return to drier conditions, and the damp has retreated. Also last year we noted the removal of blown plaster on the north wall of the large meeting room and uncovering clear evidence of the earlier door in that wall. We have engaged a conservation architect to advise on reinstatement of this door. This would have clear benefits, including potential for level access from outside and a fire escape that doesn’t involve steps and jumping out of a window! We have requested listed building consent and have now heard this has been granted. This opens up more options and we will be considering carefully our next steps .
With the relaxation of restrictions and Covid considered to be less of a threat, bookings have increased again. There is still much to do and frustrations along the way, but we are making progress.
We welcome comments and ideas at our AGM on 15/4/2023 and through the contacts on our website https://pardshawquakercentre.org.uk/
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Purposes of the charity
Providing Pardshaw Quaker Centre for the public benefit as a place of Quaker worship, of spiritual retreat and refreshment, and of education and learning (especially in relation to sustainability and the environment), that is open to all, including disadvantaged members of society; and sharing with others our understanding, exploration and development of the thinking and practice of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers).
Organisation
Pardshaw Quaker Centre Charitable Incorporated Organisation (PQC CIO) is the body responsible for development of the premises and hold a lease on the premises. Its only members are its trustees, who must be in membership of the Religious Society of Friends. Both Cumberland Area Quaker Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, and Friends of Pardshaw Quaker Centre Small Charity, may each appoint up to four Charity Trustees from amongst their members.
PQC CIO works with the small charity Friends of Pardshaw Quaker Centre (FPQC) to widen participation.
Current Trustees: Graham Howell (Clerk), Rowan Langley (Assistant Clerk), Dave Moll (Treasurer, Membership Secretary), Hazel Nowell, David Day, Catherine Thomas, Christopher Thomas.
Communications
Website updates
We had hoped to have a membership and donations section on the website, which would use PayPal, and link directly to the MailChimp mailing/membership list, so that these administrative procedures would be automated, thereby saving a great deal of time for the membership secretary and treasurer. However, there have been some unexpected technical issues related to this, with PayPal and the current website designer, and we are considering how to proceed.
http://www.pardshawquakercentre.org.uk/
Newsletters
We continue to provide newsletters to all those on our mailing list, four being issued in 2022.
Other events
There was a mention of Pardshaw in May with Angus Winchester’s online George Richardson Lecture for the Quaker Studies Research Association, 'George Fox's Pulpits: Place and Story in Quaker History'. The Pardshaw Crag includes one of two “Fox’s pulpits”.
Community
There were open gatherings at Easter, summer workcamp, and October. A pre-Christmas gathering was planned, but illness, weather and finally freezing of water pipes prevented this going ahead.
Christmas Zoom
On 29th December 2022, people associated with Pardshaw met on Zoom for a festive get-together. It was wonderful to see each other, catch up on our news together, share our thoughts and take part in a light-hearted quiz.
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Pardshaw Jig!
Some of us may remember, and we are sure others will be delighted to discover that Pardshaw has its very own piece of music! It is called 'Pardshaw Jig for Three Tin Whistles', and is written by the acclaimed bassoonist Laurence Perkins. He has said that the manuscript can be passed on to Pardshaw and that he is “very happy for it to be used and enjoyed”. Warmest thanks to Laurence for sharing this so generously with us.
Progress in development
The former Allerdale Conservation Officer had noted the difference between the centre window and the others on the north wall of the main Meeting room, suggesting alteration from a previous doorway. This matches historical records, and last year the removal of blown plaster on the inside of this wall uncovered clear evidence of the earlier door. We have engaged a conservation architect to advise on reinstatement of this door. This would have clear benefits, including potential for level access from outside and a fire escape that doesn’t involve steps and jumping out of a window!
Our Conservation Architect submitted a planning application for reinstatement of the 1729 north door to the main room. This led to a visit by a newly designated planner in January, a very positive meeting. We were granted listed building consent from Allerdale Borough Council on 7[th] February 2023. This stipulates we start work within three years.
This opens more options and we will be considering our next steps carefully. Our Conservation Architect will draw up tender documents and we will then be able to get quotations for the work and know how much money we need to raise to go ahead. We are also looking towards a wheelchair accessible path to this entrance.
This development, and the new quinquennial survey, will inform work over the coming years.
Work done
The annual workcamp returned to form in 2022, with some additional work at other visits from our dedicated volunteers. In summary:
The Workcamp this year ran from 13th – 21st August, and, as ever, there was a huge amount of ground covered.
The Schoolroom
The Schoolroom floor has been repaired using materials suitable for the period; this is Limecrete, which is breathable and matches the original floor. The grindings from levelling the floor first were re-used in the Limecrete mix. The Schoolroom floor is now even in the areas repaired at the Workcamp, which is the majority of the room.
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The very old, perhaps original, Schoolroom table was recovered and has been cleaned. The table itself has now been surveyed by two local woodsmen who have recommended more work to preserve the pine top. The supporting structure was too decayed to save, but could be replaced on the same pattern, of the top with its historical graffiti could be displayed elsewhere on the premises.
Entrance
In addition to the floor work, a prototype access ramp and step with handrail was constructed. Feedback is being collated for guidance on modifications.
Steps and stables
The area between the steps and the stables was extensively tidied up. The handrails are now over 30 years old and showing deterioration. The bottommost section was in the most serious condition and was completely rebuilt during the ten days. It is likely future work camps will repair or replace all the sections in turn. The end safety rail at the top of the ramp to the outside toilet was also replaced.
Lots more wood got chopped and stored ready for burning.
Painting and protecting
The repair and painting of the window frames of the main building (that has been progressing gradually over the last three workcamps!) was completed. The front doors from the road were also repaired and painted, and work was begun on doing the same to the door frame. Undercoat is awaiting topcoat at the next opportunity.
General
The garden bench had a couple of loose slats on the seat, along with a panel at the end, that were re-attached. There was a lot of clearing of greenery in the burial ground, especially around the ‘fairy ring’. Thorough cleaning was done in kitchen. The stove was repaired to see it safely through a final season while a replacement to current standards is researched.
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Financial
The balance formerly held by Cumberland Area Quaker Meeting in the Pardshaw Meeting House and Burial Ground account has been transferred to the new account as part of the lease arrangements between Cumberland Area Quaker Meeting and the Pardshaw Quaker Centre Charitable Incorporated Organisation.
Bank balance at start of 2023 was £11,342.95.
Income and expenditure for the year so far is shown in the table below. A full financial report is given in Appendix 1.
Financial summary
| Financial summary | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 Income: | 2022 Expenditure | 2021 Income: | 2021 Expenditure |
| usage: £1252.00 | utilities: £741.69 | usage: £863.10* | utilities: £504.72 |
| Interest, gift aid etc: £782.70 |
insurance: £1,368.12 | Interest, gift aid etc: £2653.03 |
insurance: £1,399.39 |
| donations: £5,932.03 | maintenance: £302.19 | donations: £6,273.04 | maintenance: £255.02 |
| Membership: £30.00 | Membership: £95.00 | ||
| Total regular expenditure: £3,078.12 |
Total regular expenditure: £2,212.62 |
||
| web site: £488.00 | web site setup: £1,085.00 |
||
| One-off enhancements: £2,768.57 |
One-off enhancements: £95.84 |
||
| Total income: £7,996.73 |
Total Expenditure: £6,334.69 |
Total income: £9,884.17 |
Total Expenditure: £3393.46 |
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Bookings
With the covid pandemic hopefully behind us, restrictions have relaxed and usage has increased, with 43 nights and a day booking, but a greater number of participants giving increased income.
Usage, year on year
| Usage, year on year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Total nights(and days)in use | Income from bookings |
| 2010-2016 average | £746.22 | |
| 2017 | 27(+1 daytime) | £1070.00 |
| 2018 | 28(+1 daytime) | £957.00 |
| 2019 | 41(+2 daytime) | £913.43 |
| 2020 | 16 | £280.00 |
| 2021 | 41 | £863.10 |
| 2022 | 43(+1 daytime) | £1252.00 |
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Appendix 1, Pardshaw Quaker Centre CIO Accounts
Summary of Accounts to 31-12-2022
| 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|
| Income: | ||
| Friends of PQC membership | 30.00 | 95.00 |
| donations | 5,932.03 | 6,273.04 |
| Gift Aid | 782.70 | 2,651.49 |
| donations from usage | 1,252.00 | 863.10 |
| bank interest | 0.00 | 1.53 |
| other receipts* | 5,700.00 | 0.01 |
| total income | 13,696.73 | 9,884.17 |
| *monies transferred in 2022 from CAQM Pardshaw MH & BG account | ||
| Expenditure: | ||
| Electricity & water | 841.59 | 504.72 |
| service fire extinguishers | 636.24 | 120.84 |
| general repairs and maintenance | 143.79 | 169.18 |
| empty septic tank | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| PayPal fees | 5.27 | 10.57 |
| insurance | 1,451.23 | 1,399.39 |
| other payments | 0.00 | 7.92 |
| routine expenditure | 3,078.12 | 2,212.62 |
| PDG setup/promotion | 488.00 | 1,085.00 |
| electrical work | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| development work | 2,768.57 | 95.84 |
| total expenditure | 6,334.69 | 3,393.46 |
| opening balance | 3,980.91 | 3,279.42 |
| income | 13,696.73 | 9,884.17 |
| expenditure | 6,334.69 | 3,393.46 |
| net movement | 7,362.04 | 6,490.71 |
| closing balance | 11,342.95 | 9,770.13 |
| N.B. figures for 2021 include transactions through CAQM Pardshaw MH & BG | account | |
| closing balance | 9,770.13 | |
| less MH&BG | -5,789.22 | |
| PQC CIO | 3,980.91 | |
| (£89.22 retained by CAQM) | ||
| D. Moll – Pardshaw Quaker Centre Summary Accounts – 01-01-2023 |
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Pardshaw Quaker Centre CIO Accounts Summary of Accounts to 31-12-2022
| 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|
| Income: | ||
| Friends of PQC membership | 30.00 | 95.00 |
| donations | 5,932.03 | 6,273.04 |
| Gift Aid | 782.70 | 2,651.49 |
| donations from usage | 1,252.00 | 863.10 |
| bank interest | 0.00 | 1.53 |
| other receipts* | 5,700.00 | 0.01 |
| total income | 13,696.73 | 9,884.17 |
*monies transferred in 2022 from CAQM Pardshaw MH & BG account
| Expenditure: | ||
|---|---|---|
| Electricity & water | 841.59 | 504.72 |
| service fire extinguishers | 636.24 | 120.84 |
| general repairs and maintenance | 143.79 | 169.18 |
| empty septic tank | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| PayPal fees | 5.27 | 10.57 |
| insurance | 1,451.23 | 1,399.39 |
| other payments | 0.00 | 7.92 |
| routine expenditure | 3,078.12 | 2,212.62 |
| PDG setup/promotion | 488.00 | 1,085.00 |
| electrical work | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| development work | 2,768.57 | 95.84 |
| total expenditure | 6,334.69 | 3,393.46 |
| opening balance | 3,980.91 | 3,279.42 |
| income | 13,696.73 | 9,884.17 |
| expenditure | 6,334.69 | 3,393.46 |
| net movement | 7,362.04 | 6,490.71 |
| closing balance | 11,342.95 | 9,770.13 |
| N.B. figures for 2021 include transactions | through CAQM Pardshaw MH & BG account | |
| closing balance | 9,770.13 | |
| less MH&BG | -5,789.22 | |
| PQC CIO | 3,980.91 | |
| (£89.22 retained by CAQM) |
D. Moll – Pardshaw Quaker Centre Summary Accounts – 01-01-2023