Watchfield Village Hall Annual General Meeting, Monday, 20 October 2025
Present: Keith Whitting, Kevin Watts, Margaret Whitting, Sheelagh Vickery, Jane Watts, Maureen Phillips and Marg Cornish.
Apologies from Philip George and Helen George.
- Chairman’s Report: Good Afternoon everyone and welcome to our Annual General Meeting of Watchfield Village Hall.
The words “Steady as she goes” come to mind as I write this years’ Report. We move slowly but surely toward our goal of a new hall with small but significant progress made.
We have had a successful year, hirings have been steady considering the limitations the hall presents. Bingo, as always, is the mainstay, but a successful Soup and Pudding lunch and Harvest Supper have boosted finances. We reintroduced the Flower Show two years ago after a break of a couple of years. Given the weather conditions this year it all went well. It was well supported with entries and on the day. A small profit was made, a successful event for the local community.
In conclusion we must thank everyone for their support over the year, whether as a Trustee, a committee member, or someone who has come along and supported the events mentioned. Each and every one are essential in keeping the Hall going.
- Financial Report. The Trustees had all read the Audited Accounts which show the Hall is in a sound financial state. The Trustees agreed that the Accounts should be signed by the Chairman and Treasurer. A copy of the accounts is attached to these Minutes.
As the funds we have invested mature we have realised the Interest made and reinvested in Fixed Term Deposits. The New Watchfield Hall account is invested with the Commercial branch of Lloyds Bank as it is a fairly large sum, £100,000. The Deposit Account Fixed Term is also invested with Lloyds and have recently matured and been reinvested.
We continue to experience problems with the billing of the electricity supply. SSE our energy suppliers can no longer read the Smart meter we have had installed, so a meter reading has to be sent to them after each month end.
All the Trustees stood down from their positions as new Proposed and Seconded people were named.
Chairman – Keith Whitting, Proposed- Kevin Watts Seconded – Sheelagh Vickery
Vice- Chairman Kevin Watts Proposed – Keith Whitting- Seconded – Sheelagh Vickery
Treasurer – Maureen Phillips Proposed – Margaret Whitting Seconded – Kevin Watts
All the Charity Trustees agreed to remain for a further year.
Annual Key Check –
Keith and Margaret Whitting
Kevin & Jane Watts
Marg Cornish
Lesley Wall
Philip George
Maureen Phillips – 3 Keys
Total 8 Keys.
Keith and Margaret have been responsible for the bookings but as they have moved and no longer have a landline there was a discussion about a telephone number for booking that could be advertised on the Hall noticeboard and on the website. It was decided that Sheelagh would purchase a simple mobile telephone that could be used as Pay As You Go and would also accept and send text messages. Margaret will hold this phone for use with bookings.
Marg told everyone that there would be a Prize Bingo evening on Friday, 21 November. It will start at 6.30pm for Eyes Down at 7.00pm. All family members and children are welcome. The Christmas Bingo evening with be on Wednesday, 10 December this is for Adults only.
Maureen had attended the Annual Conference of Community Council of Somerset. This organisation has recently changed its name and rebranded as THRIVE.
It was an informative day with various speakers: a lady, Louise Beaton has produced a book about the history of Village Halls. Louise spoke at the Conference and said that our local halls and community centres have always been important meeting
and gathering places for the communities, big and small. She said they were as relevant today as they were when village and towns built them over 100 years ago.
A copy of the book is available for anyone who would like to read it.
Robert Horn and Katherine Armstrong, who have helped us put together a business Plan have both left the Community Council and Maureen met Stephen Grice, who is taking their place. She spoke to Stephen at the conference, and he suggested that we ask the younger members of our community what their opinion was of the Village Hall and how they would like to see and to use a new Village Hall. He thought their opinions would be an extra addition supporting the Business Plan.
We shall ask some of the younger members of our community to join in this conversation.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 2.45pm.
WATCHFIELD VILLAGE HALL Page 7 STATEMENf OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025 2025 2024 Cash at Bank Curr¢nt tkposit New Account Fixed Deposit 13286 8.874 26,145 115.000 13.728 lJ,422 22.503 110.000 163J05 159.653 A¢¢ruals (}} (100) (1> {100) NET CURRENT A&SETS 163 205 159553 FINANCED BY: CAPAL ACCOU BalAnce as at I September 2024 Surplus of income over expenditure 159.553 3.652 145,751 13.802 163 205 159 553
WATCHFIELD VILLAGE HAIL P2g¢ 8 STATEMENT OF FINANC A1vIT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGusf 2025 2023 2024 COME Hall Lettin Events Incom¢ Enty & Flyers Raffle 810 2208 521 809 1,121 2.097 560 803 OTHER INCOME Interest received Grants & t)onations Sundry income 4,051 200 158 3.417 9,183 12,600 TOTAL
WATCHFIELD VILLAGE HALL Page 9 STATEMENf OF FINANCIAL AcfIviTIES FOR THE YKAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025 2025 2024 ExPENDURE Insurance Electricity Water Repairs & Renewals Housekeeping Gardening 763 1746 89 134 240 170 801 512 82 320 280 4,142 2.085 General Miscellaneous Ac¢ounlancy and audit Admin Ev¢nt Expense8 Bank charges 907 100 110 699 54 177 963 1,294 IOTAL