Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 1[st] April 2023 To 31[st] March 2024
Charity name: Ravenstonedale Community and Heritage Centre
Charity registration number: 1199656
Objectives and Activities
The charity’s mission is to preserve and maintain a community centre for the benefits of the inhabitants of the civil parish of Ravenstonedale and the surrounding area, without distinction of political, religious or other opinions.
Ravenstonedale Parish, at 25-30 square miles, fewer than 500 electors in the parish, and circa 125 residences in the actual village, is extremely rural and one of the most sparsely populated parishes in England. The Centre is therefore a critical facility within our community. The importance of our Centre is emphasised when understanding that it is the parishioners who are maintaining and managing our 1735 Grade II listed building for the benefit of our friends, family and community.
The Centre is a place for meetings, lectures and classes, and other forms of recreation and leisure time occupation, with the object of improving the conditions of life for the residents and visitors to Ravenstonedale and providing a vibrant hub for local activities. The Trustees’ focus is on ensuring that the public are the beneficiaries of the Centre by ensuring that activities are designed for and promoted to the local community.
Our Charity is constituted as a CIO and managed through a group of Trustees, the majority of which sit on our Management Committee. Trustee names and details are provided on the Charity Commission website. Not relevant to the period of this return but more recently (Oct 24) and to demonstrate considerations when appointing new Trustees, new Trustees have been appointed to the Management Committee. They have been selected on the basis of their care and concern for the community and the centre, knowledge of the local community and their knowledge, skills and experience, as well as contribution to events and activities in the Centre.
Achievements and Performance
The Centre has been used during this past year to host both regular and ad-hoc activities such as:
-
Weekly circuits, pilates and yoga classes
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The History Group weekly meetings and regular events/talks
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Annual Craft Fair
-
Monthly sewing group
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Weekly coffee mornings
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Annual Howgill 10K run
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Discos
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Poetry and music evenings
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Talks and lectures
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Parish Council meetings
A local venue for such activities is a key benefit in our rural community, particularly to our elderly residents.
Financial Review
A summary of the charity’s accounts for 2023/24 have been submitted along with this report. The Charity does not hold reserves as such but does aim to generate surplus that can be used for general maintenance.
Primarily any surplus generated through the Centre’s activities contributes to the operation and maintenance of the building (e.g. heating, insurances, etc). The Centre at times is fortunate to receive donations from members of the public and this last year benefited from a small contribution for new curtains, which will be made by our Sewing Group once some critical maintenance has been completed to the roof and walls.
Reference and Administrative details
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Charity name Ravenstonedale Community and Heritage Centre
Registered charity number 1199656
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Charity’s principal address Ravenstonedale C&HC Ravenstonedale Kirkby Stephen Cumbria CA17 4NG
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
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Name of person (or body)
Dates acted if not for whole
Trustee name Office (if any) entitled to appoint
year
trustee (if any)
1 Helen Shields Chair
2 Clara Allinson
3 Hilary Law
4 Jan Hardcastle
5 Anne Wappett
6 Chris Elphick Treasurer
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The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
| Signature(s) Full name(s) Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc) Date |
|
|---|---|
| Emma Rose | |
Treasurer * |
|
| 9 January 2025 | |
| 9 January 2025 |
*Recently appointed as Treasurer but not in the role during the period of this report.
Ravenstonedale communty Heritage Centre Accounts 2023-2024
RCHC Account Summary: 1/4/23 to 31/3/24
Income
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|---|---|
|Cash Receipts|1,574.50|
|Circuits|600.00|
|Compliance|39.90|
|Donations|1,600.00|
|Hall hire|3,581.00|
|Pilates subscriptions|3,102.00|
|History Group|300.00|
|10,797.40|
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|---|---|
|Expenditure|
|Sundries|379.88|
|Pilates|2,400.00|
|Bank|81.90|
|Cleaning|747.97|
|Licences & certification & insuranc|305.79|
|Website|120.00|
|Supplies and maintenance|1,000.00|
|Rent|100.00|
|5,135.54|
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|---|---|
|Reconciliation|
|Opening balance 01/04/23|9851.01|
|Income|10,797.40|
|Expenditure|5,135.54|
|Closing balance 31/04/24|15,512.87|
|Represented by|
|HSBC Account|15,512.87|
|Cash in hand|0|
|Unpresented cheques|0|
|Balance Carried forward|15,512.87|
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RCHC Treasurers' Report
RCHC has continued to be a focus for local community activity over this last year with an increasing variety of events and classes being held, both hosted by the trustees but also through hall hires. Accounts demonstrate a surplus having been generated year on year. However, the Hall requires some significant maintenance - roof, guttering, render and repair to the internal damage water ingress is creating. Trustees are working with Parish Council to identify grants and other income opportunities to cover the costs, as well as starting some small scale fund raising events within the local community to demonstrate the Parish's commitment to maintaining our community centre.
Submitted by Helen Shields Chair and on behalf Emma Rose Treasurer of Clara Allinson Treasurer