BRENCHLEY MEMORIAL HALL
ANNUAL REPORT
AND ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR EI¥DED
30- APRIL 2024
Charitable Incorporated Organisation 1193552
Brenchley Memorial Hall Brenchley Road Brenchley TN12 6NX

Objects of Brenchley Memorlal Hall and Its Constltution
Brenchley Memorial Hall was estsbllshed as a Charrtable Incorporated Organisation {the"C1￿) on
16 February 2021 to take overthe objects. artivtt*s and assets of The Brenchley War Memorial
and Recreatlon Ground Charity {BMHC). BMHC was formed on 14 April 1981, combining and
replacing three ortginal Charities created betsveen 1921 and 193& An application was made to the
Charity Commission to dose BMHC on 4 January 2024, following the transfer of its assets to
Brenchley Memorial Hall CIO. The Charity Commission removed BMHC from the list of registered
Charities on 29, January 2024.
The objects of the CIO are the provision and Maintenan￿ of a village hall, residence and recreation
ground for the use of the inhabitants of the Parish of Brenchley and the neighbourhood thereof
1.the area of benefiff I without distinction of political, religiou5 or other opinions. including use for
meetings, lectures and classes. and for other fomis of recreation and leisure time occupation in the
interests of social welfare, with the object of improving the conditions of lrfe for the said inhabitants
as a permanent memorial to the offi￿rS and men belonging to the area of benefit who fell In the
Great War of 1914 to 1918.
At the Annual General Meeting of Brenchley Memorial H311 held on 29 January 2024 the Trustees
passed a resolution to change the number of elected and nominated Trustee5 of the Charity. There
should be not more than eight Trustees nominated by organisations and no more than eight Tru5tee5
chosen from the comrnuntty. The CIO is govemed by a Constitution that states that the only voting
Members are the Trustees. who are responsible for controlling the ao's management and
administration. Trustees are elected by the voting Members at the AGM to be appointed for a term
of one year. The governing document was amended to reflect these changes and approved by the
Charfcy Commission on 30 January 2024.
Trustees
The Managing Trustees who served during this financial year were:
Lynne Butler
Simon Marston
Malcolm BLrtler
Charlotte Anderson
Christine Churchlll
Gill Dykes
Jon Grant
Will Izzard
Kevin ¢YConnor
Paul Oliver-smith
Stephen Phillips
elected - Chlir
elected by- Vtcfrchalf
nominated: Soccer Field-Treasurer
elected (appointed 29 January 20241
norninated: Parish Ardiive
elected
elected
nominated: Tennis aub (appointed 29 January 2024)
nominated.. Cricket Field
elected
elected (appointed 29 January 2024)
The Trustees have no beneficial interest in the ao and are not remunerated.
Truste￿ Responsibilities
TheTrustees have accepted their responsibilities asTrustees of Brenchley Memorial Hall CIO and have
a clear understanding of the work of the CIO as defined in its Constitution. They must ensure that rt
is solvent, well-run, and delivering the charitable outcomes for the benefrt of the public for which it
has been set up.

The Trustees must ensure that the CIO complies with:
Charty law and the requirements of the Charity Commission as regulator: in particular they
must ensure that the ao prepares reports on rts work and submits Annual Returns and
accounts as required by law.
The requirements or rules and the charitable purpose and objerts. as set out in the ao's
Constitution.
The requirements of other leglslation and other regulattons (rfanyl which govern the actiwties
of the CIO, including GDPR regulations.
The requirement for Trustees to act wwth integrity and avoid any personal confiicts of interest
or misuse of the CIO'S fund5 or assets.
The Trustees must:
Ensure that the ao is and will remain solvent by keepin8 themselves informed of the ao's
activities and finanaal position.
Use charitsble funds and assets wisely and only to further the purFY)ses and Interests of the
cio.
Avoid undertaking artlvltles that might place the ao's woperty. funds, assets or reputation
at undue risk.
Take special care when investing the funds of the ao or borrowing funds for the CIO to use.
Exercise reasonable (3re and skill as TrLFStees. using personal knowledge and experience to
ensure that the CIO is well-run and effictent.
Consider getting external professional advice on all matters where there may be material risk
to the CIO or where the Trustees may be in breach of their duties.
obSe￿e the Code of Conduct of the ao.
Report of Activities
Brenchley Memorial Hall has provided a valuable community facility for over a centurytr Wlth the
buildings and recreation ground supporknnE a wide range of sports and leisure artivities for all ages.
The Trustees met four times during the financial year, w¢th additional meetings to discuss the
centenary event held by sub-commtttees. Totsl expendttures of £48,946 during the year were
overed by total income of £52,141 leading to a surplus for the year of £3.19412023.' defiat of
£19,916). Net finanaal assets at yearend amounted to £120.97312023: £111,842).
The buildings were insured against property damage for £2.84 million under an Ansvar Charity and
Community policy specifically designed for village halls. The annual premium of £3,880 was offset bv
contributions from the lessees of the buildin& based on the proportion of the totsl area occupied by
their premises. Fire safety is monitored by EJP Fire Protertion Ltd, whith undertook the biannual
alarm system checks. fire exit checks and annual fire extinguisher serviang. Remedial work was
undertaken in May 2023, following a fire inspertion of fire exit Slgns and emergency lightingi which
included the installation of new emergency lighting at the rear of the building. Elertrical work
¢ontinued on the premises to ensure that all areas had a satisfartory Ele¢trlcal Installation Condition
Report. The annual legionella testing and water chlorination was carried out by RCT Water Services
Ltd in May 2023.
Casual and regular booklngs of the Main Hall provided an income of £11,434 towards the cost of
running and maintaining the premises. The Meeting Room was used frequentiy. hosting the Parish
Archive and other loc31 organizations for a range of artivities. The ArchiNE, fun by volunteers and
established in December 2014. reduced its sessions from twice to once weekly from I" October
2023. The Snooker Room was used by several regular groups each week, with casual users able to

play during Grays, opening hours. An income of £5,094 was generated from the use of the Meeting
and Snooker Rooms.
Grays, the community café owned by Kirsty Beckley* has the former vlllage club premises on a
renewable five-year lease from I" May 2021. Grays was open six days a weekfrom 9am to 2pm and
continues to be a popular and much appreciated community facility.
The former Ladieg Room and Attic Room were leased to Little Birthes at Brenchley under a twelve-
year lease trom I" July 2023. prowding full time nursery and presthool care for children from 3 to 60
months. A considerable number of improvements were made to the nursery premises, both by the
Charity and Little Birthes before its opening. In January 2024 the Trustees were asked to consider
POS5ible expansion of baby-care facilities into the former changing rooms, which were no longer in
use. Problem5 With damp and Condensation were inTrRstigated and remedial work was undertaken,
which delayed the launch of the new baby unit until September 2024.
The Memorial Hall giounds provided an idyllic setting for user5 of the building and sports club5, Wlth
maintenance arranged by the Tr¥Jstees. Kent County Council Landscaping SeNces were contracted
to gang mow the Cricket and Football fields. The Tennis Club had the responsibility for the ground
maintenants around tts courts and dubhouse. The CIO used l¢)cal contractors for addttional
groundwork, treework and hedge rna1ntenan￿ a5 required.
The grounds were used by the community for a range of artivtties, from dog walking to croquet and
Chinese martial arts. Following an enquiry from an adult cricket team In search of a home ground, a
representative from Kent Cricket investigated the possibility of using the Cricket Field with the
Engllsh Qlcket 8oard. Unfortunately* even the combined area of the Cricket and Football prtches
was considered insufficient for competitive aduft crickeL
Durin8 the year landscaping work continued on the Cricket Field by the d8Jicated team of Jon Grant,
Simon Marston, Paul Oliver-smith and Kevin Iyconnor. Maintenance work was carried out on the
roadside hedge and the birch tree triangle was weeded and replanted. Jon Grant kept a watchful eye
on the grounds, as well as contributing to the work programme. Simon Marston carried out manv
tasks to enable the field to continue as a community facilty. which involved almost daily ViSFts to the
site and the Charity is indebted to him for his commitinent and generosity.
The sports clubs affiliated to the ao have the use of ts land without payment of ground rent and
benefit from the full Council Tax exemption of the CIO. In recognrtion of the considerable costs of
maintsining the complex and its services, the sports dubs provided a combined contribution of
£3,171 towards expenditures such as insuran￿, the provision of toilet faciltties* grounds and car
park maintenance.
Sadly, after a prolonged period of rain and high winds. one of the iconic Chestn￿ trees on the Cricket
Field was uprooted on 5 January 2024. A Tr4i5ual tree survey of the largesttree5 on the BMH site was
undertaken to identtfy ne￿Sary remedial work and to plan a programme of further work. A tree
condition report was recommended for the remaining chestnuttree and the red oak tree near the
main road, which was commissioned in May 2024. The evaluations induded Picu5 Sonic and
Electrical Resistance Tomography. which conduded that. apart from an application of fertilizer, no
further actlon was necessary and the condltlon of the trees would need to be reassessed In 2026.
Brenchley Mernorial Hall was opened on 5 February 1923 and plan5 were made to celebrate its
centenary during 2023. The Trustees agreed to commemorate the centenary by commissioning a
circular bench to match the pedestrian gateway that was installed in 2018. The new bench vrns
installed on a stone circle. skillfully laid by the Trustees and guarded by three saplings. The Sassoon
plaque was expertly refurbished by Kevin ￿ Connor to protect against exposure to rain and sunlight.
An information board outlining the history of BMH was installed at the pedestrian entran￿.

The ￿ntenary was commemorated at a well-attended community event on 10 June 2023. A
ceremony to unveil the circular bench was complemented by an exhibition in the Parish Archtve and
refreshments in Grays. Frances Berrill, the granddaughter of John Podmore, unveiled the bench and
spoke of her childhood memorie5 of the parish and her grandfather. The Qicket Field also hosted a
suc￿sSful Coronation picnic event on &Jnday ty May, organised by the Parish Council and local
residents.
The increased use of the faciliknes has created parking problems at busy times. The Trustees installed
signage and contacted several local organisations to remind them th3t the czr park wa5 private and
did not have the capacity to PrO￿de all day parking. The Trustees agreed to investigate grants to re-
tarmac the car park in stages. beginning with the area previously used fortheTWBC recycling bins.
Although there were major expenditures during the year the ao was still in a strong financial
position at the end of the year. The Trustees have worked extremely hard to maintain and improve
the facilities forthe benefrt of the community. They should be applauded for their commitment and
achievements in fuffilling the purposes of the original chartties.
Rlsk Assessment and Mltl8atlon
The Trustees continue to asses5 the rlsks faced by the ao In the course of tts work These Include:
Physical risks to the property and liability risks;
Financial riskstr primarily the risk that the cilys sources of income may reduce 5igntficantly
and
Reputational risks. taking into account the deperKlency of the ao on the good will of its local
supporters.
The TrLfrStees tonslder that they have taken approprfate artions to mftlgate and manage the
possible impact of these risk& The premises of the CIO are insured for a rebuilding cost of just over
£2.84 million under a Charity and Community Connect Policy with Ansvar Insurance Company Limited.
The renewal Pfemium in January 2023 was £3,880.44, with a reduction for a three-year agreement,
which was partially offset by contributions from the CIUS tenants. The bungalow, owned by the CIO.
is rented out on a long-temi basis, provtding additional income forthe CIO and insured under an Aviva
Property Ownerf5 Policy for a rebuilding cost of £330,(KIO.
ReseThes Pollcy
The Trustees have instituted a Maintenan￿ and repair program for the grounds and buildings on the
site they manage and have a Capitsl and Major Repairs Reserve of £40.000. The Trustees plan to
maintsin the reserve fund at £40,000 and will continue to assess whether it is necessaryto modrfythe
level of thi5 reserve in the fvture.
Independent Financial Examiner
The ao is greatly indebted to Michael Hanafin for the time he has given to the CIO in arting as the
Independent Examiner of the accounts.
This report was approved by the Trustees on 5 December 2024 and signed on their behalf by:
Lynne Butler
Chair

erKhky ￿l￿N>r*I Hal
Forthe wr anthd >) *•rl 2Q4
2D24
Irmn
C5r Park
c￿bl
3,1TI
3,076
3.324
Re•Jar
8.110
14.1(X)
5.721
13.3JO
4,675
Rert
11,ff24
31141
11
1376)
15.213)
(38n
11.YOI
14.1461
119.07SJ
(6.0351
¢6,￿7)
P.1971
.2841
11.58S)
13.17n
15811
14,1321
Equyrrrt ewrfed
11.6481
P.0761
Genernl exFen
IwJRr
f2.97n
(8.8761
11.0251
11
RryaYo￿ & l¢W
(6.7
.6W))
14,3451
NetFwWh)8È1

Thp Brgnthkny Mon￿rI￿r
As atXSAwH2024
Fthjres &
9.176
11.2
11.2
t￿l￿or$
4,631
HS
41 072
15.0
110,973
111.842
Cratorn
V,452)
11,02J
155.859
119.91
Netwm(k*si
3.194
139.138
135.943
102+

THE BRENCHLEY MEMORIAL HALL CHARITABLE INCORPOIiATED ORGANISAnoN
Irbd•pÈiid•nt Examln0rf5 Rewt to the Trust*s ofTho Brnnchloy
Memortal Hall Charltabl• In¢(￿Oratrd Institudon (CIO)
I report on the Accounts of tt)e Trust for ts year ended 30" &Jril 2024, which ar8 set out on pag8$ 6
and 7.
Respecb've reS[￿S1b111ti8S oftrustees and examin
The CIOS trustees are resp￿1￿￿e for tr* preparation of the aca)unts. The CIOS trustees consider that
an audit is nol required for thts year under section 4312) of the Charities Ad 1993 {the 1993 Act) and
that an independent examinab'on is needed.
It is my responsibility to-
examlne the accounts under seL*on 43 of tha 1993 A(1,
lo follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions gr¥en by th8 Charity Commission (under
secton 43171{bll of the 1g93 Act, and
to state whether particular matters have come to my attent￿.
Basis of Independent examineffs statement
My examinth'on was carried out in accordance wth Generdl Di￿lOnS given by.the Chartty
Commission. An examination indudes a rewew of the aC(￿Unting records kept by the CIO and
comparison of the a(yx)unts presented wth t￿8 re(xirds.11 also includ8s consideration of any
unusual it&ms or disclosures in the accounts. and seeknng explanath)ns from the trustees (x)ncernl
any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the eviden¢* that would be required
in an audit. and o)nsequenlly no O￿n￿n is gtven as to whether the aco)unts present a Irue and f8irf
view and the report is limiled to ttrK>se matters set out in the statement belcm.
Indep8nd8nt &xamin8rfs ststement
In connection with my &xamination. no matter has L￿)￿ to my attention:
1. which gives me reaSonal￿e cause to believe that in any material resiwt the requirements
to keep awunling records in aC￿r￿an￿ with section 41 of the 1993 Act" and
to prepare accounts which accord wEth the a￿)unt.ng re￿rdS and comply wth the accounting
requirements of the 1993 AL*
have not been mel: or
2. to which. in my opinion, altenthyF sh￿jId be drawn in ordw to en8￿& a proper understanding of the
acwunts to b6 read￿d.
Mich881 Hanafin BA. FCA
The House
High Street
Brenchley
Kent TN12 7NQ.