Spen Shed Trustees Report November 2025
Overall, Spen Shed has experienced a productive year. Although we faced internal challenges mid-year resulting in the departure of most Trustees and several members, membership levels have since demonstrated positive growth. While 18 members left, we have welcomed 6 new members, bringing our current total to 22—comprising 14 males and 8 females, with ages ranging from 21 to 85.
Our fundraising efforts enabled us to secure two grants this year: the first supported the making of picnic benches and a polytunnel, while the second facilitated the purchase of a white toner printer, heat press, and related equipment. The benches are already being utilized by club members, and the polytunnel has provided opportunities for members to cultivate and sell plants to visitors at Ponderosa. We anticipate making effective use of the toner printer next year to produce items for sale.
This year, we also hosted two successful workshops in the Craft Area, focused on creating door roundels for summer and Halloween. These sessions attracted new members and introduced more people to our facilities and activities.
Through the generosity of a local second-hand furniture supplier, we upgraded our premises with refurbished tabletops and storage cupboards at minimal expense, significantly enhancing our environment.
Spen Shed contributed to two community projects during the year. In collaboration with Friends of Batley Library, we created 'post boxes' for a Woggle Hopping Day event in Batley Park, utilizing donated compost bins and wood, which were then artistically painted. Organizers appreciated the contribution and reported a successful, well-received event. Additionally, we produced engraved signposts for a local community garden, further strengthening our presence within the community.
We participated in stalls across three local towns selling goods made by members, yielding varying degrees of success but providing valuable publicity for our group. Looking ahead, we aim to increase our engagement in community initiatives and have joined the ‘Friends of Heckmondwike’ and ‘People Helping People’ networking events to support this objective.
We extend our appreciation to the owners of Ponderosa for providing suitable premises at no rental cost. Although we anticipated responsibility for electricity expenses, billing was delayed for two years; we have now received and settled the bill, just after the year end, which was capped at £6,000 through the generosity of our premises' owners.
Janet McGlynn Treasurer/Trustee Spen Shed 6 January 2026
Spen Shed Accounts YTD - 1/11/24 - 31/10/25
| Income Weekly Subs Annual Membership Member Donations Donations Sales Stalls Community Projects Plant Sales Workshops Xmas Lunch 2024 |
£ £3,309.50 £130.00 £201.80 £812.70 £740.65 £748.32 £300.00 £121.00 £165.00 £69.00 £6,597.97 Summary General |
Expenditure Workshop Craft Room Refreshments Cleaning Admin Stalls Cost Printer Awards Square Fees Heating Community Projects Plant Costs Workshop Costs Xmas Lunch 2024 |
£ £1,060.36 £841.19 £307.97 £43.83 £737.70 £121.50 £65.39 £80.00 £7.79 £15.22 £180.99 £12.64 £81.80 £616.00 |
|---|---|---|---|
| YTD Income Opening Bank Balance OpeningCash |
YTD Expenditure Accounts Closing Bank Balance ClosingCash in Hand |
£4,172.38 £12,632.92 £141.03 |
|
| Opening Balance Income Expenditure |
Closing Balance Bal B/fwd YTD |
£12,773.95 £10,348.36 £2,425.59 |
|
| YTD Grant Income Benches & Garden Printer/Craft |
£12,773.95 £ £2,000.00 £1,763.00 |
||
| £0.00 |