Annual Report
1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025
A sad year full of uncertainties following Kirklees Council’s decision to dispose of the Red House site.
Following the rules for Assets of Community Value, Kirklees Council requested bids for the property by 21 May 2024. The short fund-raising timescale meant that RHYHT could not make a bid alone. Working with Communities Together, another local group, we submitted a joint bid. Sadly, this was not accepted, and Kirklees Council went on to put the site up for auction.
The Chair’s 4th Garden Party was held on 13 July 2024. Qaisar and his wife, from Communities Together, were invited along and they kindly accepted the invitation. Inclement weather saw the gathering held indoors for the first time. Despite this, everyone had a very enjoyable afternoon.
Our Facebook page had gained 1,378 followers by 20 July 2024.
On 7 September 2024, Paul Clarke, one of our first Trustees, died. Paul was instrumental in achieving our Charity status. He advised us on Health & Safety and Risk Assessment as well as being our official photographer. He provided help and support to all the Trustees and will be very sadly missed. His funeral was attended by the Chair and Associate Member Moira Spencer.
In September, we once again participated in the Heritage Open Days by publishing a daily Facebook post on the theme ‘Connections & Networks’. Our posts enjoyed over 50 thousand views across the 10 days.
It was hoped that we would run our third Autumn Fayre once again at Oakwell Hall. However, on encountering difficulties in securing a booking for either October or November 2024, we decided instead to host a Spring Fayre in 2025. After a suitability visit, Birkenshaw Methodist Church was selected as the new venue. The Fayre is scheduled to take place in May 2025, and will be included in the 2025-2026 report.
Our AGM, for 2023 – 2024, was held on 26 November 2024 at the Chair’s house and attended by Trustees and one Associate Member in person and one of the Trustees via computer link.
The Red House site auction, after multiple delays, occurred in early December 2024. With only two bids and one under the guide price, the site sold to Stone Developments at the guide price of £650,000.
In January 2025, we were delighted to welcome back as a Trustee, Caroline Goodwill (Caz), who has also assumed the role of Secretary.
In January 2025, the Chair and two Trustees met informally with Paul Stone of Stone Developments, the new owner of Red House, to review his preliminary plans for the site. His intention is to convert all buildings for residential use. It was agreed that RHYHT could continue their work in the gardens for approximately two years while development is ongoing.
Following the sale of Red House and a review of our charity's objects, we have determined that there are no concerns related to the first object regarding the education of the public. However, it will be necessary to amend our second object due to Kirklees Council no longer owning the site.
A decision was made by the Trustees to proceed with establishing our website. We have ownership of domain names. The Chair and Moira Spencer (Associate Member and communications advisor) have commenced planning for this.
The Chair was invited by empower extend to participate in an hour-long online interview for a pod cast, which covered the following points:
What is the historical significance of Red House in Yorkshire?
How has Red House contributed to the cultural heritage of Yorkshire?
What architectural features make Red House unique?
Are there any famous historical figures associated with Red House?
This was a most enjoyable interview with both parties gaining new information.
The end of the year was dedicated to planning for the Spring Fayre, which included visits to the proposed venue to evaluate the available facilities, determine the assistance that will be provided, and identify our responsibilities.
In conclusion, the year has been marked by significant challenges and changes, particularly with the sale of the Red House site and sad passing of Trustee Paul Clarke. Despite these hurdles, we have continued to make strides in our mission, from hosting successful events like the Chair’s Garden Party and participating in the Heritage Open Days, to expanding our online presence with a growing Facebook following. The return of Caroline Goodwill as a Trustee and our ongoing meetings with Stone Developments are positive steps forward. As we look ahead, we remain committed to our goals and are excited about the upcoming Spring Fayre and the launch of our new website. Thank you to all Trustees, Associate Members, and Volunteers for their unwavering dedication and support throughout this transformative year.
Red House Garden Group Report
April 2024
New plants were bought and planted; grass was cut every week. Lawn edges were re-defined.
May 2024
Split and replanted London Pride, trying to make a border all the way down the path, to conform to original plan. Circular borders and long borders were weeded.
June 2024
Started to tidy up the border under the trees, very dry and shady so some ferns were divided up to replant.
July 2024
Box hedges cut; part of the large lawn mowed. Started work on the oval border opposite the arch.
August 2024
Weeded the borders, mowed the lawn, and tidied up. Then bid a sad farewell to the garden.
Statement of Financial Activities
The year ending 31 March 2025 represented our fourth year of operation. Monies carrier forward from 31 March 2024 were £1,870. Balance on 31 March 2025 was £1,990.
Income
Total Income from 1 April 2024 to 31 March was £674 plus monies brought forward, including the remainder of the restricted gardening funds - £29 - from 22/23 Liversedge and Gomersal Ward Funding.
Expenditure
Total expenditure for the same period was £540 with the main areas of spend relating to gardening, stationery, administration and IT.
Red House Yorkshire Heritage Trust 1193941 Receipts and payments accounts CC16a For the period Period start date Period end date To from 01/04/2024 31/03/2025
Section A Receipts and payments
| A1 Receipts Donations 610 Fayre stalls 60 bank interest 4 - - - - - 674 - - Sub total - Total receipts 674 A3 Payments Gardening 180 Gardening 67 Bafm 2024 60 Bafm 2025 60 Fayre expenses 74 Admin/IT 99 - - Sub total 540 - - Sub total Total payments 540 Net of receipts/(payments) 134 A5 Transfers between funds - A6 Cash funds last year end - Cash funds this year end 134 Unrestricted funds to the nearest £ Sub total(Gross income for AR) A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table). A4 Asset and investment purchases, (see table) |
to the nearest £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Restricted funds |
to the nearest £ Endowment funds |
Total funds to the nearest £ 610 60 4 - - - - - 674 - - - 674 180 67 60 60 74 99 - - - 540 - - 540 134 - - 134 |
Last year to the nearest £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | 610 | - | ||
| - | 60 | - | ||
| - | 4 | - | ||
| - | - | - | ||
| - | - | - | ||
| - | - | - | ||
| - | - | - | ||
| - | - | - | ||
| - | 674 | 1,009 | ||
| - | - | |||
| - | - | - | ||
| - | - | - | ||
| - | 674 | 1,009 | ||
| - | 180 | - | ||
| - | 67 | - | ||
| - | 60 | - | ||
| - | 60 | - | ||
| - | 74 | - | ||
| - | 99 | - | ||
| - | - | - | ||
| - | - | - | ||
| - | - | - | ||
| - | 540 | - | ||
| - | - | |||
| - | - | |||
| - | - | |||
| - | 540 | - | ||
| - | - | 134 | 1,009 | |
| - | - | - | - | |
| - | - | - | - | |
| - | - | 134 | 1,009 |
| Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period | Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period | Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Categories B1 Cash funds B2 Other monetary assets B3 Investment assets B5 Liabilities B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees |
Details Details Details Details Details Signature Total cash funds (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) |
to nearest £ to nearest £ - - - - - - 134 - OK OK to nearest £ to nearest £ - - - - - - - - - - - - Cost (optional) - - - - - Cost (optional) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Print Name Carol Garforth Halina Kasperowicz Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Fund to which asset belongs Fund to which asset belongs Fund to which liability relates Amount due (optional) |
to nearest £ Endowment funds |
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| OK | |||
| to nearest £ Endowment funds |
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| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| Current value (optional) |
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| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| Current value (optional) |
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| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| When due (optional) |
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| Date of approval |
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| Carol Garforth | 07/06/25 | ||
| Halina Kasperowicz | 07/06/25 |