Friends of Pardshaw Quaker Centre Annual Report for 2023
Updated 20/09/2024
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.
Trustees:
Graham Howell, Rowan Langley, Dave Moll, Hazel Nowell, Audra Hunter, Catherine Thomas
Introduction
Pardshaw Quaker Centre has continued to progress during the year of 2023. In early spring planning consent was obtained to reinstate the original door into the larger meeting room, thus enabling better access for those with mobility issues, and a level escape route in case of fire. Following on from this consent, we have continued to work with our conservation architect to draw up plans for an inclined pathway from the upper foyer down to the new access door which would allow those with wheelchairs or pushchairs to traverse the sloping ground more easily.
We welcome comments and ideas at our AGM on 13/4/2024 and through the contacts on our website https://pardshawquakercentre.org.uk/
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Organisation
Friends of Pardshaw Quaker Centre (FPQC) works alongside Pardshaw Quaker Centre CIO, to promote Pardshaw Quaker Centre for the public benefit, as a place of Quaker worship, spiritual retreat and refreshment, and learning, that is open to all, including disadvantaged members of society. This body:
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Allows involvement and drawing in skills from a wider membership
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Promotes Pardshaw as affordable holiday accommodation
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Promotes volunteering for maintenance and upgrading
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Promotes Pardshaw as a resource for the local community
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Raises funds for the work needed
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nominates trustees for the Pardshaw Quaker Centre CIO
Communications
Our problems with linking donations via the website continued and work is being done to attempt to solve the issue.
In the meantime, we are asking that donations (and subscriptions to FPQC) are made via bank transfer.
We had an online presence at the Groups Fair at Britian Yearly Meeting 2023.
Newsletters
Newsletters continue to be issued which give information on upcoming events, reports of work which has been done and other information. Five newsletters were issued in 2023.
Community
2023 saw our usual summer workcamp in August. Two social gatherings were held – one at Easter and one in November. A Meeting for Worship was held on Christmas Day.
Again in 2023, a Christmas zoom social was held, which saw friends from USA and New Zealand joining in.
Progress in development
The summer workcamp saw the former schoolroom, toilet and upper foyer being repaired and repainted. The toilet had hand grab bars installed to assist disabled users. Two benches were created from recycled caravan seats. A mock-up of a bed base and of a mini kitchen were also created to help assess effective use of the space.
The former library was cleared out and work started to stabilise the walls prior to repainting.
The window frames of the small meeting room were given a coat of paint on the inside.
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Electricity was restored to the former coach house/hostel, and the building was brought back into use as a workshop and store when E.ON introduced hefty standing charges on empty buildings.
In the burial ground, overgrowth was thinned out, and a large tree stump dug out from the corner by the stable block. More of the branches piled up following the tree work the previous year were sawn into usable sizes.
Bookings
Bookings in 2023 totalled 60 nights including the summer workcamp. Apart from the workcamp (a variable number each night), the majority of the nights had 4 or more staying. Ages ranged from babies to those aged 60+. In addition the premises were used on two afternoons for the provision of refreshments following walks organised by a member of the local history society.
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 |
| 2023 | 60 | £1206.00 |
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Financial
The income during the year of £7,070 covered the running costs of £6,182 with £888 to spare. In addition, £3,495 was spent on developments, depleting the reserves by £2,607.
The annual insurance premium increased from £1,518 to £2,360 as a consequence of all Cumberland Area Quaker Meeting properties being revalued on a similar basis. This increased Pardshaw’s insured rebuild costs from £1.55 million to £1.93 million.
Income and expenditure for the year 2023 is shown in the table below. The accounts were examined and approved by Joe Shaw.
Summary of Accounts to 31-12-2023
Income:
Friends of PQC membership 25.00 donations (inc. Gift Aid) 5,839.28 bookings 1,206.00 total income 7,070.28 Expenditure: Electricity & water 1,652.37 small repairs & maintenance 1,873.58 insurance 2,359.86 promotion 285.00 other payments 11.48 routine expenditure 6,182.29 developments 3,495.11 total expenditure 9,677.40 opening balance 11,342.95 income 7,070.28 expenditure 9,677.40 net movement 2,607.12 closing balance 8,735.83
All land, buildings, fixtures, and fittings constituting the Pardshaw Quaker Centre, together with all equipment, tools and materials in place at the commencement of the lease from Cumberland Area Quaker Meeting (CAQM), are the property of CAQM. Any equipment , tools or materials acquired since the commencement of the lease are deemed to be similar in kind and would be considered CAQM property at the termination of the lease. The charity currently holds no items which would be considered outside these terms.
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