2023-09-30-accounts

YDSWG AGM

Trustees Report

Saturday 28[th] October 2022

1. Attendees and absentees

Present. J Pridmore, S Wright, E Hopkins, Meggan Jefferey, Steve Bostock, Paula Gittings, M Booth, J Garwell, A Bailey, C Bailey, B Wood, D Leedale, B Cowling, A Gudgeon

Apologies. K Ledger, Derrick Garbutt, S Crane, Brain Wood, G Selby, G Brown, M Dalton

2. Minutes of the 2020 AGM

These were reviewed by the Chairman. Steve Bostock proposed and Andy Gudgeon seconded these were accurate.

3. MATTERS ARISING

There were no matter arising and the minutes were unanimously passed.

4. PRESIDENTS COMMENTS

Bill Cowling congratulated the Guild on their continued progress. He congratulated the Guild on their successful Charity application and thanked them for the continued work in promoting the craft and improving the countryside.

5. COURSE COORDINATORS REPORT

You will all know by now that Graham resigned from the Guild in the middle of the year. Graham was both Chairperson and course co-ordinator.

We must thank John, who took over as the acting chairperson, and Sarah who between them managed the courses also. I considered that without their exceptional input, the guild might fold without more help, and not wanting that, responded to the plea for a course coordinator. I have worked blindly since and apologise if you find me speaking in braille. Graham used to say that the job did not take long to do…I presume it doesn’t when you have done the job for a long time. I will try my best to get things done but please understand I may make the odd mistake to please be patient.

Most of the courses this year have been a sell-out. Analytics show 217 places were sold which is 25% up on last year. The website showed this but as people cancelled or requested transfers to 2024, it was necessary to add places and this happened almost up to the last minute on occasion. John bailed me out more than once. A number of people dropped stating injury or changes to their availability. Refunds were made and Paula told John and me off for that.

Perhaps the course of most concern was Hadrian’s Wall managed by Dick and Keith. With a

small number of attendees set for this, drop-outs ended up halving this. As the wall was not easily accessible, with no spare stone and only about two-feet tall, it is one that will be reconsidered as a location for 2024.

Andrew and Mary have offered a second course at Winsbury House and this needs to be arranged with them.

Courses for 2024 are now being confirmed. There are some hosts who have not yet responded, and two how have asked for date changes. These changes of course dates will overlap presently on practice meet dates which will most likely need changing. Course number ratio will remain 1:4 (instructor/student) with some courses increasing attendee numbers where possible. I ask that if you advise of your commitment to a course, and cannot make it, we expect you to make arrangements for a replacement, not John and me. This is something we can discuss more at the breakfast meeting

As before, we expect instructors to attend at least 3 practice meetings or shows in a season. It is important we attend shows as this is where we can promote the Guild and generate interest in our courses.

6. SECRETARY REPORT

Well 2023 has been quite an eventful year.

Firstly the reason I’m sat here is Graham had to withdraw from all duties on 10th June. He was planning to hand over at the end of the year but for personal reasons had to withdraw earlier. Id like to take this opportunity to thank Grahan for all his hard work as Course Coordinator and Chair. He has developed our courses into the successful offering we are able to provide today. Also as chair was the driving force behind converting the Guild into a charity. I know it was quite an onerous task but Graham worked through it and delivered the end result. He is not ill and does hope to return to walling in the future.

Whilst I’m talking about changes to key positions Paula has decided to hand over the role of treasurer after many years crunching the numbers. She has also done a brilliant job over the years producing monthly and annual accounts along with keeping me in check usually when I have forgotten to tell her something I should have. She has kindly offered to support the transition over the next 12 months to ensure a new hand over. Ill cover off other trustee matters later in the report. Looking back over the year its been a busy and successful one. We started the year in March when we were finally granted Charitable status and transferred over from operating under the limited company. The limited company has since been dissolved as part of the transition requirements. This now eliminates the risk of the revenue claiming corporation tax on our profits. We have also had another benefit on the PL insurance which has gone from £600 to £250 which also includes a level of injury loss of earnings which we haven’t had before.

Courses were successful again and a major source of income. We tried out a new venue in conjunction with English Heritage near Hadrians Wall. The weekend went well although the conclusion was that the site is probably not the best location for courses. We will check with English Heritage to see if they have any other locations that might be suitable. We had a new location at East Hauxwell courtesy of Andrew which was successful and a nice wall built with challenging stone. Practice meets had varying levels of success. We started at Full Sutton on the boundary wall with a decent turn out including some of the stone masons having a go. There are plans to turn this site into a stone heritage centre so hopefully some future collaborations may come up. From there we visited Meggans for our usual spring meet and were well looked after as usual. Back to Daggerstons next, a venue resurrected from the past. Unfortunately, not a great turn out. Winsbury House followed with Andrew taking the mantle over from Cliff. Keeping it in the family. Low Belford next where Gordon Milne completed his basic walling test (thanks to Steve for judging). Nab Farm in

Kepwick followed. This was another return to a venue from the past where we repaired 3 sections of derelict walls although the afternoon session was a bit slow following a generous supply of scotch eggs. Unfortunately, we had to cancel our visit to West Bolton Farm due to a lack of instructors. This was disappointing as the dates are agreed at the breakfast meeting. Over to Steves at Homefield

next where we had an amazing turnout with 16 people walling. Steve managed to repair a gap that had been down since he was a lad…..so quite some time.. We have one more meet at Meggans next Sunday which will complete this year’s activity.

Shows were a bit hit and miss this year. We started at Duncombe as usual with the traditional pile of gnarly limestone. This was followed by the GYS where we built a mirrored seat on the opposite entrance to hall 2. We had a great turn out and could have probably built 3 or 4 seats in the time we had. At least everyone had chance to have a look around the show which was great. We had to cancel Ripley due to backwords which again is disappointing but sometimes unavoidable. The final show at Stokesley was cancelled on their request which was a little disappointing following the lovely seat we built them the previous year.

As I’ve mentioned we are now a charity and as such run by trustees. We welcomed some new trustees into the guild this year which was great bringing greater diversity and experience into the managing team. Ed joined the trustees as course coordinator. I can’t thank Ed enough for stepping up to the role when Graham stepped down. He has taken thing up really well from a standing start and got the courses back onto an even keel. May and Andy have both joined the trustees which has been great as they offer a perspective from non-wallers (although Andy helps me and now claims he is a waller) so thanks to both for coming on board. Also, thanks to James for his input as I know it’s been a challenging year for him with work commitments and finally thanks to Sarah for organising me to keep things going.

7. TREASURERS REPORT

This is the report for the 12 months ending September 30th 2023 which covers part of the time as a limited company and part as a charity. I am pleased to report that the Guild has strengthened its financial position from last year, here are some highlights.

Course sales were very strong again over the last year with over £15,000 of income plus £2800 from gift vouchers which is well up from last year along with £160 of re-booking fees. This is down to selling out all places and increasing the cost from £99 to £120 per course. Membership fees contributed over £1200 along with taster sessions which added 18 totalling £80 . These are slightly down on last year but still a reasonable income. Overall income was up over £5000 on last year driven by the strong course sales and price increase.

Bank interest increase from £10 to £256 reflecting the interest rate hikes we have all seen. Costs were up on last year by over £1000. The increase in technical admin includes the new starter booklets that were refreshed this year and we are asking Euan to send out reminder emails to promote our events. (Emailing our comms has reduced our postage bill dramatically and we also don’t have the print costs of the year end newsletter. As we didn’t buy any TCV books this year all the book sales of £620 went straight to profit although we will need to restock next year.

Overall for the year we have made a profit of £3728 which is well up from last year and increasing the overall net worth of the Guild up to £21281.

We are looking to invest some of this money back in buying more flags and signs that can be distributed amongst instructors to help at events.

In summary the Guild has had another strong financial year and is well placed following the move to Charitable status.

8. ELECTION OF OFFICERS

CHAIRMAN- John Pridmore was elected as Chairman

SECRETARY- Sarah Wright was elected as secretary.

TREASURER- Andrew Gudgeon was elected as Treasurer

COURSE COORDINATOR- Ed Hopkin

The above were proposed by Cliff Bailey and seconded by Dave Leedale . All attending voted in favour.

ELECTION OF CHARITY TRUSTEES

The following were elected as trustees of the Charity

Ed Hopkin

Sarah Wright

Paula Gittings

Andrew Gudgeon

John Pridmore

James Garwell

Mary Dalton

All members were voted in ‘in block’ unanimously by all attending

9. AOB

Andrew Bailey mentioned Stuart Grainger as a possible instructor. He will invite him along to the breakfast meet.

Breakfast meet scheduled for Saturday 3[rd] February at Andrew & Marys

John Pridmore mentioned an enquiry from The Yorkshire Wildlife Trust as a possible venue for practice meets and courses. John & Ed to progress with YWT

Steve Bostock mentioned quality and maintaining standards. Suggested this can be discussed at the Breakfast meet.

Meeting Closed at 16.30PM

YORKSHIRE DRY STONE WALLING GUILD (CHARITY) Six Month Accounts 1st April 2023 - 30th September 2023

Balances at 1st April 2023
Current Account				1,079.47
Savings Account				23,880.82
Stripe				265.22
				25,225.51
Income for the period		£
Bank Interest		183.19
Book Sales		680.00
Clothing Sales		110.60
Donations		7.50
Mileage Paid by Customer		100.35
Re-booking fees		60.00
Subscriptions		820.00
Taster Sessions		130.00
Training Courses		7,200.00
Gift Vouchers		840.00
			10,131.64
Expenditure for the period		£		35,357.15
Accommodation & Refreshments		261.55
Advertising		300.00
Bank Charges		30.00
Receiveables		60.00
Course Costs		11,227.58
Euan website & Admin		363.37
Corporate Costs		8.00
Mileage Claims on Guild		192.90
Postage		2.40
Refunds		1,485.00
Stripe Fees		144.81
			14,075.61
Closing Balance for the period Account Balances at 30th September 2023	-3,943.97			21,281.54
Current Account				1,188.38
Savings Account				19,964.01
Stripe				29.15
Uncleared cheques				100.00
				21,281.54