Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 1[st] April 2025 To 31[st] March 2026
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. All members of the Management Committee have been selected based on 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.
A focus of the Chairty’s activities for this last year has been the required repairs to the roof, outer and interior walls, and windows of the building to ensure that this historic building remains a hub for our vibrant community. The building is owned by the Parish Council which is leading on securing the required funds for the works. However, the Management Committee have been focused on how it can contribute a proportion of the match funding required, working in partnership with the Parish Council.
With particular thanks to the Yorkshire Dales National Parks Authority who have provided a grant, and the Parish Council, replacement of the main roof started in early 2026. Work to
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generate the remaining amounts required are ongoing and our friends and neighbours in and around Ravenstonedale have been generously contributing to our fund-raising efforts:
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RCHC has hosted a series of discos, taking us through some iconic decades as well as a spooky Halloween themed dance.
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The community has also had its knowledge put to the test with several quiz nights throughout the year, vying for the glory of taking home the winners’ trophy.
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There was a huge turnout for the Centre’s VE Day celebrations – afternoon tea and music from members of the Vagabonds, our village amateur dramatics club, who rounded off the afternoon leading a community sing-along.
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The Christmas Craft Fair offered a full hall of locally produced arts and crafts, a raffle and tombola, as well as homemade mince pies and mulled wine. It is our annual opportunity to celebrate the talent we have in the community as well as welcome old and new friends to the Centre.
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RCHC continued to benefit from the generous support of the Howgill Harriers, hosting their annual Ravenstonedale 10K run, offering refreshments to runners and their supporters.
These have been specific fund-raising activities for our renovations. We still have a long way to go to be able to complete the necessary renovations, and we will continue to work with the Parish Council on grant applications as well as our own fund-raising initiatives.
In the meantime, the RCHC continues to be a community hub and a hive of activity throughout the year, hosting both regular and ad-hoc activities such as:
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Weekly circuits, Pilates and yoga classes
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Sound baths
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The History Group weekly meetings and regular events/talks
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Annual Craft Fair
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Monthly sewing group and a regular basket weaving class
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Monthly coffee mornings
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Annual Howgill 10K run
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Discos
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Village quizes
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Poetry and music evenings
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Talks and lectures
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Parish Council meetings
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Other ad-hoc hire occasions
A local venue for such activities is a key benefit in our rural community, particularly to our elderly residents.
Check out our website: ravo.uk . Our gallery includes images from many of the events that have been mentioned in this report. Follow us on Facebook and/or Instagram.
Financial Review
A summary of the charity’s accounts for 2025/26 has been submitted along with this report. The Charity does not normally hold reserves as such but does aim to generate surplus that can
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be used for general maintenance and will contribute some of the match funding for the necessary repair works referred to above. Due to the expected expenditure in support of the renovation work, an agreed reserve of XX will be held to ensure that operational activities can continue alongside necessary building maintenance.
The Centre at times is fortunate to receive donations from members of the public and other groups. Most significantly we received this year a generous donation a member of our community, which is intended for the renovation of the building’ walls. In addition some smaller donations generated through RCHC hosted events, have been received specifically as a contribution to the roof and wall repairs.
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
Dates acted if not for
Trustee name Office (if any) body) entitled to appoint
whole year
trustee (if any)
1 Helen Shields Chair
2 Emma Lewis Vice Chair
2 Clara Allinson Secretary
3 Hilary Law
4 Jan Hardcastle
5 Anne Wappett
6 Emma Rose Treasurer Management Committee
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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) Emma Rose Position (eg Secretary, Treasurer Chair, etc) Date
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