**Berryfield Village Hall – AGM 4 Sept 2024 Chairs report for 2022 to Dec 2023**
## **2022**
## **The start**
The construction of the new Berryfield Village Hall was completed September 2022, under the steer of our landlord, Melksham Without Parish Council. In November an inaugural AGM was held to form the Berryfield Village Hall Trust, which began a flurry of hard work.
## **2023**
## **Getting going**
From beginning with a blank sheet, the committee put in place a new booking system, clarified our hire rates and terms, pieced together a schedule of regular hirers and ensured the hall was suitably equipped. We were granted charitable status in January 2023, signed the lease of the building on 21[st] February, then opened our doors to the public the next day. Our thanks go to the Parish Council and its staff for their support to the Trust.
## **Projects**
During our first year in 2023, we organised and completed three projects: Improvement of the planted beds around the car parking area; fitted blinds to main windows and skylights; and installation of purpose-built shelving in a large cupboard space to accommodate our regular groups storage needs.
## **2024**
## **Looking forward**
In March 2024, we marked the hall’s first year of operation with a networking event for our regular hirers. We wanted to thank them for their commitment to the hall and it was a memorable afternoon.
The hall now hosts 20 regular groups and a diverse range of activities for all ages. For example, baby/toddler groups, art & crafts, fitness, dance & wellbeing, and free community events for local families. It is also well used by private hirers for parties, celebrations, meetings and training sessions.
## **Projects**
Early in 2024, we submitted and were successful with three funding bids towards the cost of two capital projects to improve the accessibility and comfort of hall users. All work has been completed during July and August.
- 1) **Installation of acoustic ceiling rafts** to improve sound resonance in the hall. We received grant funding of £4,800 from Melksham Without Parish Council towards the total cost of £5,100. We have since received positive feedback from people using the hall, including those with hearing impairments. We are confident that this has improved the acoustics for larger group events and musical activities.
- 2) **Installation of air conditioning** . In warmer weather, because the main hall windows are sealed (due to planning conditions) the heat soars. On some occasions, the room temperature has reached in excess of 30+ degrees and booked activities were unable to run. With a total project cost of about £14,800, we were successful in securing a
grant of £3,725 from Melksham Area Board, and £10,000 from the Suez Community Fund. The air conditioning units will greatly improve usage of the hall in all seasons.
## **Volunteers**
While the committee oversees the day-to-day running of the facility and all project development, the hall cannot run without volunteers. I thank my fellow trustees and committee members, past and present for all of their time and commitment to help make the hall a success. Our committee also includes a couple of regular hirer representatives, who are invaluable for first-hand feedback. Of our original band of nine, we have said farewell (for now) to Leanne and Win; meanwhile, we have welcomed Jacqui to the role of Secretary.
## **Can you help us?**
We always welcome volunteers to help with opening/closing the hall for one-off bookings and our moveable partition. This is subject to the variable needs of a weekly rota, your availability and there is no regular commitment required. If you are interested then please contact us.
## **Get in touch:**
Website www.hallbookingonline.com/berryfield Facebook www.facebook.com/BerryfieldVillageHall Email BerryfieldVillageHall@outlook.com Phone 07566 746788
Shona Holt, Chair of Berryfield Village Hall Trust September 2024
_______________________________________
## **Berryfield Village Hall Accounts to 31st December 2023**
## Income & Expenditure
|**Income**
Hirers fees - regular
Hirers fees - ad hoc
Donation
Grants
**Expenditure**
Electricity
Water
Rent
Telephone / internet
Insurance
Set up costs
Maintenance
Gardening
Cleaning
Subscriptions
Surplus / (Deficit)
Balance sheet
**Assets**
Bank
Net Assets
**Reserves**
Unrestricted
Restricted
**Total reserves**|**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**2023**
10019
10019
4416
4416
300
300
7000
7000
21735
0
21735
2396
2396
118
118
10
10
393
393
1006
1006
3129
2233
5362
1500
1500
1793
1793
1230
1230
410
410
11985
2233
14218
9750
-2233
7517
**2023**
**2022**
10355
2837
10355
2837
10355
605
0
2233
**10355**
**2837**|
|---|---|