## **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. 

1. 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. 

2. 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:
CAP￿AL 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￿ A￿1vIT
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
ExPEND￿URE
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