WOODCROFT CHRISTIAN CENTRE
ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR YEAR ENDED 31[ST ] DECEMBER 2023
Registered Charity Number 237401
## WOODCROFT CHRISTIAN CENTRE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
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Contents
Page
Trustees’ annual report 1-5
Independent examiner’s report 6
Statement of accounts 7
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Page 1
Annual Report for the year ending 31[st] December 2023
## TRUSTEES’ REPORT
## **1. Reference and Administration Details**
Woodcroft Christian Centre, Woodcroft Lane, Woodcroft, Chepstow, Monmouthshire, NP16 7PZ. Is registered with the Charity Commissions (reg.no.237401) and constituted by a deed of Trust dated 23[rd] August 1890.
The charity trustees are:
Chairman: Mr K. Bounds. Other Members: Mr L Weller Mr A H Samuel Mr M W Townsend Mr. P Bellingham
Nature and period of appointment: Appointment at the invitation of other trustees and no fixed period of time.
No remuneration or expenses have been paid to charity trustees during the year
The Management Committee is responsible for the management and organisation of the centre and reports to the trustees on an annual basis.
The members are: Chairman: Mr James Marshall Re-elected 26[th] March 2023 Treasurer: Mr M W Townsend Re-elected 28[th] March 2021
Other members: Keith Bounds Les Weller Lily Hall James Townsend Richard Nicholas Tom Allen Josh Bounds Roz Bounds Nikki Allen Jo Thrower
Secretary to the Committee: Mrs Roz Bounds Elected 3[rd] April 2022
Nature and Period of appointments: Invitation by committee must be raised and agreed at 2 consecutive meetings prior to invitation. No fixed term for members. Chairman serves for 1 year, Treasurer 2 years and Secretary 3 years. Any of the officers can stand for re-election. No remuneration or expenses have been paid to committee members during the year.
Page 2
TRUSTEES’ REPORT (continued)
Other main Agents:
Bankers: Barclays Bank UK P.L.C 121 Queen Street Cardiff CF10 2BJ National Westminster Bank P.L.C. 21 Eastgate Street Gloucester GL1 1NH Solicitors: Everett, Tomlin, Lloyd and Pratt 19-20 Gold Tops Newport NP20 4PH Honorary Auditor: Christopher Wathen 31 Birchwood Road Woolaston Gloucestershire GL15 6PE Manager of Centre: Mr. Gareth Birt Sunnydene Woodcroft, Chepstow, Mon NP16 7PZ
The charity employs a full-time manager together with a part-time assistant and part-time house keepers, with Student Workers providing part –time help, assisting with housekeeping and ground maintenance as and when required. A considerable amount of voluntary help is also utilised at the centre.
TRUSTEES’ REPORT (continued)
Page 3
## **2. Objectives and Review of Activities:**
Woodcroft Christian Centre’s aim is to encourage the commitment of peoples lives to the Lord Jesus Christ and spiritual development in individuals of all ages, families, churches and groups, through the provision of Woodcroft Christian Centre, it’s leisure facilities and grounds. We aim to keep the cost of staying at Woodcroft Christian Centre as low as practically possible thus enabling those who may otherwise not afford the opportunity to experience a retreat and to be influenced by the Gospel.
The Trustees have paid due regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on Public Benefit and also the guidance on “The Advancement of Religion for Public Benefit” published in December 2008, in assessing which activities it undertakes.
We intend to provide benefit by:
- Provision of property for group retreats.
- Providing good ethical and moral codes through following the teaching of Jesus.
- Contributing to people’s good mental and physical health by offering retreats in a Christian atmosphere.
- Providing opportunities for worship.
- Contributing to spiritual well-being and development.
- Contributing to the spiritual and moral education of young people.
People can come to Woodcroft Christian Centre where they will be welcomed to a Christian atmosphere and encouraged in their spiritual development. It is hoped that the wider public will also benefit through people returning to their communities keen to practice Jesus’ teaching to love their neighbour as themselves.
The objects of the charity are achieved as follows:
- Christian groups are encouraged to use the site for fellowship and fun in a relaxed Christian atmosphere and to take time to seek spiritual development.
- Members of the surrounding community are invited to use the facilities as part of a number of local ministries and events which are run for their benefit, along with having access to areas of the grounds for contemplation and reflection.
TRUSTEES’ REPORT (continued)
Page 4
The Charity carries out a number of activities with a view of achieving these objectives.
These include:
- Luncheon Club for over 50’s run in partnership with the local Parish Church (monthly) Numbers have returned to that of pre Covid and have had to implement a waiting list as it is at capacity.
- In May 2023 we hosted a Philippa Hanna Concert with folk attending from across the Forest of Dean Churches.
- Our annual Bonfire Night and Firework event for the local community was held on 4[th] November 2023, a great evening was held with approx. 500 joining us from across the community again.
**Residentially** Bookings continue to grow/return to that of previous years and groups rebuild and confidence in going away is resumed. Over the course of the year, we welcomed a total of 43 groups, made up of 1447 people and accounting for 123 nights usage. The duration of stay included 7 days stay, 6 weeks,7 midweek, 31 weekends and 1 one night.
We have sadly lost a number of groups whom numbers have diminished following Covid but have also welcomed quite a few new groups who have grown or discovered Woodcroft Christian Centre for the first time.
We continued to offer our flexible Covid-19 Guarantee to all groups giving groups the confidence to book should another lockdown occur.
The Charity is committed to fulfilling its charitable purpose to further the Christian faith. It is expected that a Christian group will subscribe to the basis of faith published by the Evangelical Alliance. The Charity does not accept bookings for use of its facilities from groups seeking to promote or actively support a faith which is non-Christian, or an ideology, morality or life-style incompatible with its Christian purpose.
TRUSTEES’ REPORT (continued)
Page 5
## **3. Financial Review**
The financial statement for the year end 31[st] December 2023 can be found on page 7 of this report and shows a Surplus of £1498.36.
The income from group lettings has increased slightly on 2022 mainly due to a price increase, group sizes and numbers staying still not quite back to the levels of 2019. Giving has dropped as those who signed up to support during Covid have reached the end of their support period.
Wherever possible improvements have been made to the site, with the continued rise in cost of materials we have ‘cut our cloth’ accordingly making savings when ever we can without compromising on quality or cutting corners.
Deposits for future bookings continue to be allocated as ‘Restricted Funds’ as subject to our flexible Covid-19 Guarantee and refundable.
As with everyone we still face cost of living challenges with increasing costs across the board, however God is faithful, and needs are always met.
Reserves are still held in Unrestricted funds which equates to at least three months unrestricted payments, this is to cover emergency situations that may arise from time to time.
## **4. Plans for the future:**
Currently no plans for any major development, Improvements are being made as they arise and in line with funds being available. Feedback is being sought from groups and suggestions discussed with management team with plans developed as and when needed. We will continue to work tirelessly to make Woodcroft Christian Centre the special place it is and will be for so many people.
Approved by the Trustees on Sunday 11[th] August 2024
…………………………………… Mr K.Bounds Chairman
Page 6
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