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2025-09-30-accounts

Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From 1 Oct 2024 Period start date To 30 Sep 2025 Period end date

Charity name: John Castlehow Toppin Memorial Hall (Skelton Toppin Memorial Hall)

Charity registration number: 222771

Objectives and Activities

SORP reference
Summary of the purposes of
the charity as set out in its
governing document		 Para 1.17 As a hall or Reading Room and library
for the use and benefit of persons of
both sexes
Summary of the main
activities in relation to those
purposes for the public
benefit, in particular, the
activities, projects or
services identified in the
accounts.		 Para 1.17 and
1.19		 The hall and premises are used for:
meetings, keep fit classes, concerts,
private and business hires, dances,
local primary school gym/sport, a
monthly Pop-up Pub, indoor sports
(pickleball), Christmas Panto, church &
local club activities, a polling station
and general use by all in the local and
nearby community. We actively
continue with refurbishment and
upgrade of the remaining rooms in our
102 year old hall. Charge my Street
Dual, V2X charge point is almost
complete. The Royal Countryside grant
was approved and we are working with
ACTion within Cumbria to help facilitate
our becoming a Community Resilience
Hub.
Statement confirming
whether the trustees have
had regard to the guidance
issued by the Charity
Commission on public
benefit		 Para 1.18 The trustees have read and have regard
to the guidance issued by the Charity
Commission on public benefit.

Additional information (optional)

You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

SORP reference
Policy on grant making Para 1.38 N/A
Policy on social investment
including program related		 Para 1.38 Trustees encourage local startup
groups
investment
Contribution made by
volunteers		 Para 1.38 All trustees are volunteers, we also have
about 14 part time volunteers who
support our monthly Pop UP Pub
fundraiser. This is an extremely
valuable service and continuing
fundraiser.
Other

Achievements and Performance

SORP reference
Summary of the main
achievements of the charity,
identifying the difference the
charity’s work has made to
the circumstances of its
beneficiaries and any wider
benefits to society as a
whole.		 Para 1.20 The hall when built in 1923 was a state
of the art, purpose built, village hall that
instantly became the community hub for
Skelton, Skelton Parish and surrounds.
It had its own electricity (generator and
purpose built stone generator shed), a
modern motion picture projector, large
dance floor, a main meeting
room/library, billiard room, a stage,
modern kitchen and central heating,
with land for an anticipated outdoor
Bowling Green.
While some excellent improvements
have been made through the decades,
the current and recent trustees have
embarked, (in a very difficult grant and
Covid/post Covid business
environment), on an ambitious
refurbishment of the entire building. The
Main Hall was completely gutted,
insulated, rewired, with new, insulated
hardwood sports/dance floor installed
between July 2023 & May 2024.
Since then and with the previous
decision, work and 60% funding from
Lake District Low Carbon Fund, to
install in June 2022, 60 integrated, solar
PV panels, into the Main Hall south
facing roof, new to the market, hybrid
inverters, and Li-ion storage batteries,
the hall can now start to realise the
potential of generating more energy
than it uses. The FAR IR ceiling heaters,
new LED lights, the much improved,
electrics, addition of a hearing loop, and
the hardwood floor add to and
emphasise the warmth & brightness, all
of which is attracting and keeping new
and previous hall users of all ages.
It is again, a state of the art, warm &
pleasing, and now, energy efficient,
meeting and function hall, while

retaining its unique architectural character & heritage. It’s a centre of a very changed village life from 1923, but just as important and to a wider variety and older population. The trustees are working on further grants to refurbish the entire building and understand this may be one room at a time. To further benefit the community, and make best use of our electricity storage capacity, we continue striving to become a resilience hub in local emergencies and now have an electrical panel which automatically switches to battery in a grid failure. The Trustees also embarked on necessary roof, eaves and gutter replacement/painting while clearing the few building snags from the main hall refurbishment.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:


Achievements against
objectives set
Para 1.41
We have attained some funding for
kitchen refurbishment and plan to
insulate/decorate as well as make the
kitchen more functional & appealing,
especially to caterers.
Performance of fundraising
activities against objectives
set		 Para 1.41
Investment performance
against objectives		 Para 1.41 CCLA investment (from previous years)
continues to grow in principle. It has
never been drawn from. It is now
considered our refurbishment reserve to
chip away at for this and subsequent
refurbishment phases if necessary.
This account also provides about a
quarter of our traditional annual income.
Other

Financial Review

Financial Review
Review of the charity’s
financial position at the end
of the period		 Para 1.21 At the end of Sept, 2025, our balance
sheet shows a reasonable, but modest
income, that is starting to realise the
potential of the completed
refurbishment efforts of 2022-2024, with
increased usage, a steady income, while
continuing fundraising and grant
applications to continue the
refurbishment.
Statement explaining the
policy for holding reserves
stating why they are held		 Para 1.22
Amount of reserves held Para 1.22
Reasons for holding zero
reserves		 Para 1.22 n/a
Details of fund materially in
deficit		 Para 1.24 n/a
Explanation of any
uncertainties about the
charity continuing as a going
concern		 Para 1.23 none

Additional information (optional)

You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

The charity’s principal sources of funds (including Para 1.47 any fundraising) Investment policy and objectives including any Para 1.46 social investment policy adopted A description of the principal Para 1.46 risks facing the charity Other

Structure, Governance and Management

Description of charity’s
trusts:
Type of governing document
(trust deed, royal charter)		 Para 1.25 Original Trust deed from 11 Sept 1924
How is the charity
constituted?
(e.g unincorporated
association, CIO)		 Para 1.25 Unincorporated, PROPRIETOR: THE
OFFICIAL CUSTODIAN FOR CHARITIES
on behalf of the trustees of The John
Castlehow Toppin Memorial Hall,
Skelton, Penrith CA11 9TE.
Trustee selection methods
including details of any
constitutional provisions e.g.
election to post or name of
any person or body entitled
to appoint one or more
trustees		 Para 1.25 The committee shall be elected annually
at the annual members meeting by show
of hands or ballot. The chair shall be
elected by the members of the
committee at the same annual members
meeting.
New or additional trustees may be
appointed or co-opted by the trustees

Additional information (optional)

You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Trustees induction pack Policies and procedures adopted for the induction Para 1.51 and training of trustees The charity’s organisational structure and any wider Para 1.51 network with which the charity works Relationship with any Para 1.51 related parties Other

Reference and Administrative details

Charity name John Castlehow Toppin Memorial Hall
Other name the charity uses (Skelton Toppin Memorial Hall)
Registered charity number 222771
Charity’s principal address C/O Bob Provoncha Physical address: Skelton
Pinecroft CA11 9TE
Skelton
CA11 9SE

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20		 Trustee name Office (if any) Dates acted if not for whole
year		 Name of person (or body) entitled
to appoint trustee (ifany)
Robert Towers Chair Wholeyear
William Pearson Health & Safety (til
10 Mar 2025)		 Whole year
Christine Sealby Trustee Wholeyear
John Potter Trustee Wholeyear
Robert Provoncha Secretary/
Treasurer/
Safeguarding, (Co-
Treasurer from 10
Mar 2025		 Whole year
Martin Johnston Trustee (Health &
Safety from 10 Mar
2025)		 From 15 Oct 2024
Steven O’keeffe Trustee (Vice
chair/Co -Treasurer
from 10 Mar 2025)		 From 15 Oct 2024

– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved

Director name none

Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity

Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year
none

Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others

Description of the assets none held in this capacity

Name and objects of the n/a charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for n/a safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets

Additional information (optional)

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)

Type of Name Address adviser

Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)

Exemptions from disclosure

Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details

none

Other optional information

Declarations

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature(s)

Robert Provoncha

Full name(s) Robert Towers

Position (eg Secretary, Chair Secretary/Co-Treasurer Chair, etc)

Date 26 June 2026

John Castlehow Toppin Memorial Hall Toppin Memorial Hall 222771 222771 CC16a
Receipts and payments accounts
For the period
from		 01-Oct-24 To 30-Sep-25
Section A Receipts and payments
A1 Receipts Unrestricted
funds
to the
nearest £
7,013
198
7,214
-
-
-
-
2,807
105
1,150
18,487
-
-
-
18,487
385
4,372
-
-
-
1,412
416
538
-
328
1,163
2,230
2,536
553
-
13,933
-
-
-		 Restricted
funds
to the
nearest £
-
-
-
38,763
-
-
-
-
-
-
38,763
-
-
-
38,763
-
-
31,530
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
31,530
-
-
-
1		 Endowment
funds
to the nearest
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 Total funds
to the
nearest £
7,013
198
7,214
38,763
-
-
-
2,807
105
1,150
57,250
-
-
-
57,250
385
4,372
31,530
-
-
1,412
416
538
-
328
1,163
2,230
2,536
553
-
45,463
-
-
-		 Last year
to the
nearest £
Hall Hire,events and subscriptions 7,013 1,778
Donations 198 1,582
Fundraising 7,214 4,472
Village hall developmentgrants - 90,991
Other Grants - -
Loan - -
Bank interest - -
Investment income 2,807 2,791
Recyclingcredits 105 117
Solar electric credits/sundries 1,150 600
Sub total(Gross income for AR) 18,487 102,331
A2 Asset and investment sales, (see
table).
- -
- -
Sub total - -
Total receipts
A3 Payments
102,331
Exercise tuition and trainingfees 385 -
Fundraisingexpenses 4,372 6,920
Village hall development costs - 165,929
Loan -capital - 40,000
Loan - interest - 1,778
Cleaning 1,412 1,209
Licenses 416 424
Internet 538 379
Printing, postage and stationery - -
Water rates 328 202
Maintenance/grounds 1,163 1,714
Insurance 2,230 2,030
Electric 2,536 330
Oil 553 621
Other legal and sundries - -
**Sub total ** 13,933 221,536
A4 Asset and investment purchases,
(see table)
- - - - -
- - - - -
Sub total
CCXX R1 accounts (SS)		 - -
1		 - - -
16/06/2026
**Total payments ** 13,933 31,530 - 45,463 221,536
Net of receipts/(payments) 4,554 7,233 - 11,787 - 119,205
A5 Transfers between funds
- - - - -
A6 Cash funds last year end 19,134 - - 19,134 138,339
Cash funds this year end 23,688 7,233 - 30,921 19,134

CCXX R2 accounts (SS)

16/06/2026

2

Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period

Categories
B5 Liabilities
B3 Investment assets
B2 Other monetary assets
B4 Assets retained for the charity’s
own use
B1 Cash funds		 Details
COIF Charities Ethical
Investment Fund - Income
Units
Details
Total cash funds
(agree balances with receipts
BuildingSociety
Details
Details
Details		 Unrestricted
funds
to nearest £		 Unrestricted
funds
to nearest £		 Restricted
funds
to nearest £		 Restricted
funds
to nearest £		 Endowment
funds
to nearest £
23,688 7,233 -
- -
- - -
23,688 7,233 -
OK
Endowment
funds
to nearest £
-
-
-
-
-
-
Current
value
(optional)
93,892
-
-
-
-
Current
value
(optional)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
When due
(optional)

Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees CCXX R3 accounts (SS)

Date of approval16/06/2026

Signature

Print Name

3

Mr R Towers - Chairman 10-Jun-26
Mr R Provoncha - Co-Treasurer 10-Jun-26

CCXX R4 accounts (SS)

16/06/2026

4

CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trustees JOHN CASTLEHOW TOPPIN MEMORIAL HALL On ac¢ounts for the year ended 301h SEPTEMBER 2025 Charity no (rf any) 222771 Set out on pages TWO TO THREE I report to.the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the atrf)ve charity (Ihe Trusl") for the year ended 3010912025. Responsibilities and basis of report As the charrty's trustees. you are responSi￿e for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charilies Act 2011 (Ihe Acr). I rewt in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination. I have fdlowed all the applicatAe Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145{5)(b) of the Act. Independent I have com￿ted my examination. I confimi that no material matters have examinerfs Statement come lo my attenth)n in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe thal in. any material respect.. the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act., or the accounts not accord wilh the accounling records., or the accounts did rK)t comply with the applicable requirements concemiro the fomi and content of accounts set out in the Charits'es (Accounts and RetK)rts} Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair. view which is r￿t a matter considered as part of an lndeperKl￿t examination. I have no concerns and have come across other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report to ena￿e a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. ' Please delete the ￿S in the brackets rfthey do not apply. Signed: Date: 1810312026 Name: CHARLES RONCOLI Relevant professional qualification{s) or body (if any): MA Address: INGLENOOK. STAINTON, PENRITH. CUMBRIA, CA11 OES IER Oct 2018

Section B Disclosure Only complete rf the examiner needs lo highlight material rnatters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charty accounts.. directions and guidance for examiners). Glve here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose. IER Oct 2018