Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 1st April 2023 To 31st March 2024
Charity name: YORK RAILWAY BOWLS & SOCIAL CLUB
Charity registration number: 1196809
Objectives and Activities
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
To promote community participation in healthy recreation for the benefit of the inhabitants of York and the surrounding area by the provision of facilities for the playing of the amateur sport of outdoor bowls. To promote for the benefit of the community of York and the surrounding area, the provision of the facilities for recreation or other leisure time occupation of individuals who have need of such facilities by reason of their age, youth, disabilities, financial hardship or social and economic circumstances, or for the public at large in the interests of social welfare and with the object of improving the condition of life of the said inhabitants. |
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
The Club operates and maintains a 6 rink bowling green, clubhouse, associated grounds and car parking for the benefit of its members, the wider bowling community (including visiting Clubs, Bowls England and Yorkshire competitions) and the local community at large. The Club has also advertised and provided coaching sessions for those interested in knowing more about bowling. The Club promotes its non-bowling facilities in order to maximise its income base to improve its financial security. Local businesses and community groups are encouraged to use the facilities for meetings/training sessions and experience the sport of outdoor bowling if they wish. |
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
All Trustees have received, read and accepted the Charity Commission guidance related to public benefit and the role/responsibilities of trustees. |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Policy on grant making | Opportunities for grant funding to support improvements to the club facilities are explored. |
| Policy on social investment including program related investment |
N/A |
| Contribution made by volunteers |
The Club is managed entirely by volunteers. It could not function without this key group of people who devote a lot of their time to the maintenance and operation of the Green and Club facilities; and to the provision of social events and catering services. The Club is extremely grateful for their continued support. |
| Other | N/A |
Achievements and Performance
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. |
BOWLS ACTIVITIES The Green was available for bowling activities from mid-April to mid-September 2023; in total 139 days. Either side of this period the green is required to "rest" and be prepared for the following season. The Club facilities are, however, available for use throughout the year. During the period April 2023 to March 2024 the green was in use on 122 days (88%). This is almost identical to the 2022 season. Activities during this period included: - members practicing, league games and informal matches - competitions and friendlies with other clubs - hosting national competitions In support of the club's community objectives the green was also made available/hired out for local groups including schools and for coaching and taster sessions. Detailed examples of usage are given below: Club members were encouraged to note use of the green in the rink book, and this shows that with casual roll-ups and other organised member events, the green was used for about 23% of |
the available time. There were 17 days when no use was recorded. (This is almost identical to 2022 season)
As well as use by members, the green was also used to host friendlies, Bowls England national competitions and Yorkshire Bowling Association competitions. In addition, the green was hired by outside organisations on 4 occasions, and we ran our annual Open Triples competition, attracting 24 entries.
The green was also made available to local schools (OLQM, Poppleton Road and The Mount) and local organisations helping youngsters who struggle in mainstream education and provide activities for such youngsters. (Ad Astra and Evolve sports).
We were also chosen to host a Disability Bowls England Regional Competition, but due to lack of entries the event was unfortunately cancelled.
Coaching/taster sessions were run for non-members on most Saturdays mornings and other times which resulted in new members joining.
Our facilities were appreciated by many of our visitors, with comments such as
“I wanted to thank you all for making our students feel so welcome and engaging them in the sport so well. They really enjoyed taking part and the staff you had for each group were very helpful”.
“Would like to say a massive thank you for Friday at the bowls club! Thoroughly enjoyed it and the students got a lot out of it and really enjoyed it”.
Internally most section’s held competitions, and there were also joint club competitions, won as follows –
· Men’s Singles – Stephen Dilks
· Ladies Singles - Sue Kirkpatrick
As a club we also played in Bowls England competitions, i.e. Men’s Top Club, Men’s Double Fours and Tony Allcock Trophy (mixed double fours).
In the Men’s Top Club, we reached the group final but were narrowly beaten at Heaton Hall, Manchester and in the Double 4’s were also narrowly beaten at the same stage by Springhead Park. In the Tony Alcock Trophy though, we qualified for the quarter finals at the National Championships at Leamington, losing to Leicester Bowls Club.
A Triple from our Club won the Men’s YBA (Yorkshire Bowling Association) Triples title, and one of our players (Gary Bunce) also won the Men’s YBA singles. Gary Bunce also went on to become the Northern Counties Singles Championship. Several men from the Club were regular members of the Yorkshire squad featuring the Middleton Cup, Alsop Trophy and Balcomb Trophy squads.
OTHER CLUB ACTIVITIES
Our focus has been on developing additional uses of the clubhouse to provide benefits for the local community and businesses and to generate income to support the financial viability of the club.
In addition to the use of the building by people bowling, over the year the club hosted 35 business events, 140 community lead events and 20 social events; in total attracting nearly 4000 visitors. Many of the activities make use of the bar and in-house catering offer to enhance the experience. Details of events and comments received are recorded and used in the annual review process to refine the Club Plan for the coming year.
In addition, we hold community events including quizzes, social evenings, bingo, York Speakers Club and dominoes which were not only for club members but also for the members of the local community.
The Club is increasingly being used by local businesses and community groups to hold their events, training sessions and meetings. These events include Weightwatchers, Fleetways, Streamline Taxis, the Holgate Allotment Association and the York Cruiser Training Centre.
The Club has also become the home of the York section of the Korean Veterans Association. The St. Andrews Society and the Rotary Club use the Club at least twice a year for their social evenings.
The York Speakers Club has met fortnightly over the period September 2023 - March 2024 and is affiliated to the Association of Speakers Clubs. The Speakers Club gives members the chance to practice their public speaking in a structured but supportive and friendly environment. Members realise new skills and as their ability improves so does their confidence. Members receive constructive advice to help them develop as a public speaker.
One-off Social events hosted include Christenings, Funeral Wakes, and anniversary parties
There were many favourable comments: “I wanted to thank you on behalf of the whole family for being so friendly and welcoming.
Your kindness made what was a difficult day for us, a happy and enjoyable occasion” “ A huge thank you to everyone involved in my party. Many of the guests said that they were impressed with the venue and quality and quantity of the food. The buffet was amazing” "...my grateful thanks to everyone who did a sterling job looking after all aspects of our event last night. The supper was absolutely terrific. The evening was a resounding success. Looking forward to our next one in February"
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Achievements against objectives set |
Specific actions to address the Club's objectives are defined and monitored through the Club Plan which is reviewed and refined annually in consultation with Members, the Management team and the Trustees. Key achievements in 2023/24 are summarised below: i) Reducing Energy costs More efficient use of the bar cellar equipment and new heating boiler fitted. ii) Improved Accessibility (to the Club and its facilities) Following the Accessibility Review report on all aspects of the Club, carried out by consultants in late 2022, the focus has been on detailing specific proposals and exploring external funding opportunities. A Lottery Grant bid towards a comprehensive package of works was not successful. As a result more targeted schemes and alternative grant sources were explored. iii) Improved Site Safety Work done on boundary trees following a tree assessment survey. Fire safety equipment updated. iv) Increase Bowling Club membership Developed links with schools and resulting visits. links with local groups to provide activities for local youngsters. v) Raise the profile of the Club Promotion of coming events via new notice board and links on social media. vi) Explore and seek grant funding opportunities Successful Ward Grant funding towards a scheme to improve access to and from the green. |
|---|---|
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
The 100 Club for members helps to raise funds to improve the facilities. |
| Successful Ward Grant funding towards a scheme to improve access to and from the green. |
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|---|---|
| Investment performance against objectives |
N/A |
| Other |
Financial Review
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
The Club accounts for 2023/4 show a loss of just under £3000. This was largely due to increased electricity costs; professional fees for changes to the Constitution; and the urgent need to replace the gas boiler and large kitchen appliances. Despite this the Club is in a reasonably healthy position. A significant proportion of the Club’s financial assets is being held as reserves (see below). |
|---|---|
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
The Club requires a level of free reserves to safeguard the charitable activities of the Club and protect options for its future development. For example, the reserves are needed to: · Develop (improve/repair/maintain/replace) our premises and equipment in line with changing needs of the membership and organisations to which the Club is affiliated. · Ensure that delays in the receipt of or achieving expected income do not interrupt our day-to-day charitable activities or cause serious financial difficulty to the Club. · Survive unexpected and on-off events that may arise from internal or external causes and have financial implications not covered by insurance. · Survive significant increases in the cost of utilities that may have a major impact on the budget. The Trustees and Management Committee of the York Railway Bowls & Social Club have kept the level of free reserves at £30,000. This policy will be reviewed annually as part of the preparation of the operational budget for the following financial year. |
| Amount of reserves held | £30,000 |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
N/A |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
N/A |
|---|---|
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
N/A |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Member subscriptions, bar takings, Club house hire and fundraising through bowling and social events |
|---|---|
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
£20,00 held in a deposit account £10,000 to be put into an Instant Access account |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Increase in utility charges Membership demographics Membership support for non-bowling activities Lack of volunteers |
| Other | N/A |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
|
|---|---|
| Type of governing document |
Written Constitution based on the Charity Commission template. Updated & Approved 29/10/2023 |
| How is the charity constituted? |
Charitable Incorporated Organisation |
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Elected by Club members but Trustees can appoint additional members as long as~~that is~~they areratified by members within 3 months. |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees |
N/A |
|---|---|
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
The Trustees have devolved day to day responsibility for the running of the Club to a Management Committee comprising of: Chair, Treasurer, Bowling Manager, Admin Secretary, Premises Manager and Social Events/Bar Manager. |
| Relationship with any related parties |
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| Other | The success of the Charity is due solely to the tireless work of a small group of volunteers. |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Charity name | York Railway Bowls & Social Club | York Railway Bowls & Social Club | York Railway Bowls & Social Club | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses |
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| Registered charity number | 1196809 | ||||
| Charity’s principal address | Ashton Lane York Y024 4HX |
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| Names ofthe charity trustees | whomanage the charity | ||||
| Trustee name | Ofce (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if any) |
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| 1 | Malcolm Britton | Chair | |||
| 2 | Lyn Britton | 29th October 2023 | |||
| 3 | Stephen Dilks | 1st April 2023 - 3rd September 2023 |
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| 4 | June Ogden | 29th October 2023 |
| 5 | Michael O’Donnell | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Paul Bunnell | 29th October 2023 | ||
| 7 | Kallum Taylor | 29th October 2023 | ||
Other optional information
Declarations
The Trustees declare that they have approved the Trustees’ report above
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KM TAYLOR
Signature(s) M O’DONNELL
KALLUM MARK TAYLOR
Full name(s) MICHAEL O’DONNELL
TRUSTEE
Position TRUSTEE
27/10/2024
Date 27/10/2024
----- End of picture text -----
~~AGM 24(3)~~
York Railway Bowls & Social Club
CC16a
1196809
Receipts and payments accounts
01.04.2023
31.03.2024
For the period from
To
Section A Receipts and payments
| A1 Receipts | Unrestricted funds to the nearest £ |
Unrestricted funds to the nearest £ |
Restricted funds to the nearest £ |
Restricted funds to the nearest £ |
Endowment funds to the nearest £ |
Endowment funds to the nearest £ |
Total funds to the nearest £ |
Total funds to the nearest £ |
Last year to the nearest £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bar |
22,375 | - | - | 22,375 | 28,419 | ||||
| Catering | 6,608 | - | - | 6,608 | 5,796 | ||||
| Subscriptions | 8,117 | - | - | 8,117 | 7,810 | ||||
| Affiliation EntryFees | - | - | - | - | 495 | ||||
| Room Hire | 3,620 | - | - | 3,620 | 3,695 | ||||
| Donations | 1,682 | - | - | 1,682 | 2,142 | ||||
| Fundraising | 2,065 | - | - | 2,065 | 2,323 | ||||
| Green Fees | 715 | - | - | 715 | 663 | ||||
| Competition entryfees | 465 | 465 | - | ||||||
| Players Kit/Workwear | 413 | - | - | 413 | 408 | ||||
| Miscellaneous Income | 189 | - | - | 189 | 136 | ||||
| Rebates | - | - | - | - | 1,462 | ||||
| Other Income | - | - | - | 51,720 | |||||
| Restrictedgrants | - | - | - | 1,800 | |||||
| Sub total(Gross income for AR) | 46,248 | - | - | 46,248 | 106,869 | ||||
| A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table). |
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| - | |||||||||
| - | - | ||||||||
| Sub total | - | - | |||||||
| Total receipts A3 Payments |
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| 106,869 | |||||||||
Bar |
12,515 | 15,099 | |||||||
| Catering | 3,505 | 2,779 | |||||||
| Subscriptions | 14 | - | |||||||
| Fundraising | 650 | 601 | |||||||
| Rates | - | 217 | |||||||
| Water & Refuse Collection | 1,042 | 952 | |||||||
| Utilities | 5,276 | 6,745 | |||||||
| Independent Examiner's Fee | 600 | - | |||||||
| Insurance & Licences | 2,359 | 2,227 | |||||||
| Telephone & IT | 1,378 | 837 | |||||||
| Security& Fire Alarm | 1,064 | 470 | |||||||
| Ground Costs & Maintenance | 7,417 | 6,774 | |||||||
| BuildingRepairs & Maintenance | 4,659 | 7,454 | |||||||
| MachineryPurchases | 260 | 541 | |||||||
| Players Kit & Workwear | 628 | 669 | |||||||
| Affiliation EntryFees etc. | 3,806 | 3,699 | |||||||
| Printing& Stationery | 220 | 667 | |||||||
| Professional Fees | 1,226 | 2,575 | |||||||
| Miscellaneous Expenses | 756 | 540 | |||||||
| Restrictedgrants | - | ||||||||
| **Sub total ** | |||||||||
| 52,847 | |||||||||
| A4 Asset and investment purchases, (see table) |
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| - | |||||||||
| - | |||||||||
| **Sub total ** | - | - | |||||||
| CCXX R1 accounts (SS) Total payments Net of receipts/(payments) A5 Transfers between funds A6 Cash funds last year end Cash funds this year end |
|||||||||
| 52,847 | |||||||||
| - 1,128 | 54,022 | ||||||||
| - | - | ||||||||
| 52,222 | - | ||||||||
| 51,094 | 10/12/2024 54,022 |
AGM 24(3)
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
Categories Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees B5 Liabilities B3 Investment assets B2 Other monetary assets B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use B1 Cash funds |
Cash Details Details Total cash funds (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) Lioyds Treasurers Sections Bank Accounts Sections Cash Details Details Bar Plant & Machinery Kitchen Plant & Machinery Indoor Fixtures & Fittings Outdoor Fixtures & Fittings Bowls Equipment Green Plant & Machinery Telephone Utilities Details Bar Purchases Water YRBSC Lioyds Signature MO'DONNELL |
Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ 1,139 41,288 12 727 7,312 627 51,094 12 OK OK Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ - - - - - - - - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) - - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) Unrestricted - Unrestricted - Unrestricted - Unrestricted - Unrestricted - Unrestricted - - - - Fund to which liability relates Amount due (optional) Unrestricted - Unrestricted - Unrestricted - Unrestricted - - Print Name MR MICHAELO'DONNELL |
Endowment funds to nearest £ |
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| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| OK | |||
| Endowment funds to nearest £ |
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| Current value (optional) |
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| When due (optional) |
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| Date of approval | |||
| MO'DONNELL | MR MICHAELO'DONNELL | 27/10/2024 | |
CCXX R2 accounts (SS)
~~10/12/2024~~
~~2~~
YORK RAILWAY 80WLS & SOCIAL CLUB INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF YORK RAILWAY BOWLS & SOCIAL CLUB I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of York Railway Bowls & Social Club (the charity) for the year ended 31st March 2024 which are set out on pages I to 2. Responsibilities and basis of report As the charity trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparatlon of the accounts In accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 20111'The Act'l. I report in respect of my examination of the Trustee's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the charity Commissioner under Section 145lSllbl of the 2011 Act. Independent examiner's statement I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect- 111 accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 01 the Act,. or 121 the accounts do not accord with those records,. or I have no cor)cerns and have come acr055 110 other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. verard BA FCA r Gee Holroyd Club Chambers Museum Street York YOI 7DN 22nd November 2024