BETCHWORTH VILLAGE WAR MEMORIAL HALL ANNUAL REPORT FOR YEAR ENDING 30 JUNE 2025
Part 1: Chairman’s Report on the year
I am pleased to report that the Betchworth Village Hall has had a packed programme of activity this last year. The regularity of these bookings shows that year after year, the hall has been the venue of choice for a wide variety of events, for example, The Arts Society, BODS (Betchworth Operatic and Drama Society), antique fairs, art exhibitions and courses, flower arranging, TaiChi and yoga classes to name just a few. Those of you lucky enough to see the recent “Lucky Stiff” production from BODS were treated to a show ‘in the round’ and very good it was too.
The Betchworth Applefest returned to the hall again this year with even more people bringing their apples for juicing than in previous years. Nearly 600 people attended and plans are already afoot to build on this success for 2026.
The Repair Shop also made a welcome return to the hall and looks set to be a firm fixture in the Betchworth calendar of events.
Each year, the trustees tread a careful line between maintaining the fabric of the hall and making improvements. With a relatively old building, the committee is conscious of the need to keep the building fit for purpose, especially given the extremes of weather we are all having to get used to. Luckily this year, we haven’t had to pay out for large maintenance repairs, however our reserves need to be healthy in order to fund surprises which all older buildings throw up.
This last year has allowed the committee to consider several projects to make the hall more efficient. Cavity wall insulation has been carried out to minimise heat loss and we will consider roof insulation in the coming year. The sound system has been simplified to make it more userfriendly for hirers, and whilst this was expensive, it was a very necessary upgrade.
On the improvement front, the decision was taken to refurbish the main hall floor and at the same time mark out a Pickleball court. This new sport is growing quickly in popularity and the ability to have an indoor facility for the villagers has really caught on with two regular sessions in the week. Hopefully this will continue to grow.
The space we have is often cited as one of the key benefits of the hall and we intend to keep it looking as best we can. Consequently, we have recently decided to ‘refresh’ the look of the main hall and GB Room, and this work will be carried out over the Christmas period in order to minimise the impact to our regular hirers.
So, whilst it’s been a hectic year, we have managed to push ahead with some improvements. These have been costly, but we are always mindful of trying to improve the facility and ensure the hall remains a key asset for the village and retains its competitive edge.
I’d like to close by thanking the hall committee members for their time and dedication over the year. The time given by the trustees is entirely voluntary and I’m extremely grateful for their support in running the hall. We are always looking to add new talent to our committee, and in particular, we have a vacancy for a committee secretary and an additional committee member. My contact details are given below so please contact me should you know anyone willing to help out.
Finally, a BIG THANKYOU to all our hirers for their on-going support for the hall and all the very best for 2026.
Part 2: The Hall and the Charity
This section of the Report has been produced to comply with the requirements of the Charity Commission for annual reports by Trustees .
Reference and administrative details
The Charity’s name is Betchworth Village War Memorial Hall. Its Charity Commission registration number is 200983.
The names and addresses of the Trustees are as shown in Appendix A.
The postal address of the Hall is Station Road, Betchworth, Surrey, RH3 7DF. However, for practical purposes, contact should be made with the Chairman or Treasurer at their addresses as shown in Appendix A.
Structure, governance and management
The Charity operates under the Scheme dated 5 November 1991 which superseded a conveyance and declaration of trust dated 31 March 1923. Its provisions include:
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The object, namely the provision and maintenance of a village hall for the use of the inhabitants of the Parish of Betchworth and its neighbourhood, the land and buildings being held upon trust for that purpose.
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That the Committee of Management should act as Trustees, and should consist of nine members:
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Six Elected Members to be appointed at Annual General Meetings
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Two Representative Members, one to be appointed by the Parish Council of Betchworth, the other by the Parochial Church Council of St. Michael Betchworth
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The Vicar of St. Michael Betchworth as an Ex Officio Member
Casual vacancies for Elected Members may be filled at a meeting of the Committee. Up to two members may also be co-opted by the Committee.
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All inhabitants of the area of benefit of 18 years of age and upward are entitled to attend and vote at the Annual General Meeting. The report and accounts of the Charity for the preceding year must be presented at the Annual General Meeting.
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The Committee must hold at least two meetings each year – in practice it normally holds at least four meetings.
Financial Review
The Accounts for the year are attached as Appendix B. They show income of £26,113, mainly from bookings, which increased by 7% over the previous year. Excluding Hall improvement projects, expenditure of £15,214 was 5% lower than in the previous year. A number of major Hall improvement projects came to fruition in the year just ended, including an improved sound system, sanding and re-sealing the Hall floor, cavity wall insulation and provision of a Pickleball net and court markings. Their total cost was £18,077, leading to a deficit of £7,178 for the year to 30 June 2025, compared with a surplus of £4,708 in the previous year.
Net assets of £45,794 provide a reserve to enable the Committee to undertake any reasonably foreseeable repairs to the structure of the Hall and also provide a cushion against the risk of a downturn in income from bookings.
In addition to these financial assets, the Hall and the land on which it stands are vested in the Official Custodian for Charities on behalf of the Trustees, who also own the fixtures, fittings and contents of the Hall. All asset purchases are treated as expenditure when incurred, and no specific values are thereafter attributed to such assets.
No funds are held as custodian trustee on behalf of others.
The Charity does not undertake fundraising, though from time to time it accepts donations from local individuals or organisations, usually linked to Hall improvements which are likely to be of benefit to the donors.
The Accounts have been examined by the Independent Examiner, Mrs Pat Frankland, whose Report is attached as Appendix C.
Objectives, activities and public benefit
During its last financial year, the Charity has maintained and operated the Hall in accordance with the object described above, as illustrated in more detail in the Chairman’s Report. They do not propose to deviate from this object or the activities linked to it.
The Trustees believe they have had due regard to the guidance on public benefit published by the Charity Commission.
Approved by the Trustees on 18 November 2025.
Appendix A: Trustees
The Trustees during the year ending on 30 June 2025 and as at 17 November 2025 are as follows:
Mr Paul Ellison (Chairman) Crofton Cottage, 33 The Borough, Brockham, Surrey RH3 7NB
Mr Richard Cobbold Quarryhill Cottage, Station Road, Betchworth, Surrey RH3 7BZ
Mrs Jean Hurman
1 Morden Grange Cottages, The Street, Betchworth, Surrey RH3 7DJ
Mr John Maud (Treasurer) Tarrants Hill, Old Road, Betchworth, Surrey RH3 7DS
Mr Richard Savill
The Beeches, Station Road, Betchworth, Surrey RH3 7BZ
Mrs Linda Slater
10 Lazell Gardens, Betchworth, Surrey RH3 7BF
Mr Ian Wilson
3 More Place Cottages, Wonham Lane, Betchworth, Surrey RH3 7AD
In addition, Mrs Caroline Gavigan served as a Trustee from 3 December 2024 until 12 July 2025.
Appendix B: Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2025
1. Income and Expenditure Account
| 1. Income and Expenditure Account | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Income Hire Income - regular bookings Hire Income - other bookings Donation Interest less: Expenditure Maintenance & Repairs Heating Electricity Cleaning & Caretaking Insurance Rates Water Broadband Performing Rights Society Hall Improvements Software Annual Licence Total Expenditure Surplus (deficit) for period 2. Statement of Accumulated Funds Opening Balances 1 July 2024 Current Account Shawbrook (CAF) Account Virgin Money Account Debtors less: Deposits held Other creditors Total Opening Balance Operating deficit for year to 30 June 2025 Closing Balance 30 June 2025 Represented by: Current account Shawbrook (CAF) Account Virgin Money Account Debtors _less:_Deposits held Other creditors Total |
2024/2025 2023/2024 £ £ £ £ 19,863 18,259 3,883 3,867 750 0 1,617 1,167 26,113 23,293 1,420 2,243 3,291 4,109 1,960 1,905 4,149 3,541 2,090 2,106 264 88 676 736 834 733 265 253 18,077 2,606 265 265 33,291 18,585 (7,178) 4,708 £ £ 8,713 6,218 38,026 1,681 54,638 0 (1,666) 52,972 (7,178) 45,794 9,817 10,447 29,414 288 49,966 (200) (3,972) (4,172) 45,794 |
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| 4,708 | |||
| 9,817 10,447 29,414 288 |
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| (200) (3,972) |
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