Cumbria Westmorland Federation of WIs Annual Report 2024-25
Confirmation of CWFWI Board of Trustees for period 1 October 2024 – 30 September 2025
Name/Role Date of Appointment Date of Resignation (if applicable) Chairman: Karen Hanks-Maclean 5 September 2017 Hon. Treasurer: Sarah Middleton 2 June 2020 Trustees: Joy Barrand Co-opted 2 July 2025 Margaret Cumming 1 December 2022 Rachael Edmondson 3 July 2018 Ruth Helen Rigg 5 April 2023 Lesley Sandra Singleton 2 June 2020 Linda Stretton 1 December 2022 2 July 2025 Gillian Audrey Sykes 4 October 2023 Julie Wright 1 November 2023
The Board of Trustees and their roles
The Board of Trustees continues to oversee the strategic direction of the Federation and offers a programme of training and education, supports WIs wishing to put forward a resolution and upholds the pledges and vision statements put forward by the national body.
All the Trustees have a specific responsibility and we co-opted a new member to explore the changes to legislation around Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.
Support for Board work continues to come from our Federation Administrator and
Communications Officer who manage the flow of communication to members and ensure all news is accessible.
The new Federation office is a boon but the Trustees were aware that access via stairs was a challenge to some and so we took the decision to hire the ground training floor room for a period of twelve month so that we can to welcome all members. This is a heavy financial constraint and our Honorary Treasurer continues to manage funds with care and consideration. We thank all members who have supported our grand raffle as this money is helping ensure everyone is able to use our office and training room. Thanks go to our Honorary Treasurer who scrutinised contracts and ensured we had deal that did not damage our financial stability and safeguarded our assets. During the year 2024-25, the Treasurer prepared fully audited statements and accounts for the financial period and continued to advise the Trustees and Finance Committee on finding the best accounts with improved interest in tight times. We were, once again, able to offer members three individual bursaries from the Memorial Fund and thirty small bursaries from the Federation Bursary Fund for training and development.
Honorary Life President
Trustees and members were delighted to appoint Mrs Ruth Rigg as our Honorary Life President. It was universally felt to be a very appropriate appointment and we are certain that she will be a fitting successor to Mrs Olive Clarke.
Health & Safety and Fire Procedures
Our nominated Health and Safety Trustee continues to oversee policies and procedures and is in regular communication with WIs over matters such as writing risk assessments, checking first aid kits and answering questions on GDPR. This means that our WIs have access to adaptable
paperwork such as Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans and venue safety checklists and can be reassured that they are complying with safety procedures.
The Board negotiated a Public Liability Insurance for Federation and WI events which covers all needs and represents good value for money.
Working practices for Federation employees are regularly reviewed and computer equipment and office furniture are upgraded when necessary.
Membership and training
The Membership team is mindful of statutory requirements from the Charities Commission and scrutinises WI Financial Statements and Annual Reports. Early intervention for WIs experiencing problems in managing funds or appointing officers is available via our Advisory Team (who have all completed training updates) and officers have open lines of communication with our Advisers. Our WI Treasurers and have a WhatsApp group for their sole use and plans are underway to build a team of Independent Financial Examiners.
Presidents and Secretaries also had a day with the theme of “succession planning”.
Shows & Exhibitions, Craft, Food & Gardens and Events
The Federation committees continue to offer a rich variety of activities. Alongside the regular events of a quiz, Literary Lunch, Reading Aloud, Speakers Afternoon, Carol Concerts and our Harvest Supper and Trophy Presentation Night, we were able to offer a holiday to the Great Tapestry of Scotland and Dumfries House. A trip was organised to Hexham to see both the ‘Threads Through Creation’ tapestry and the Herdwick photographic exhibition at Rheged. Members also enjoyed an autumnal visit to Thorp Perrow Arboretum.
Our partnership with the Kendal College Performing Arts Faculty goes from strength to strength and this year the students put on two concerts, one exclusively for the WI.
We followed the WI theme of ‘Inspiring Women’ by organising three talks given by Cumbrian women in a variety of fields from local politics to the Lord Lieutenancy.
As part of our Federation work to strengthen links with the farming community, we held a day with local farmers to celebrate the three iconic Lakeland sheep breeds. The debate was lively and members gained a true insight into the constraints of land management and food production today. Our partnership with the Westmorland County Agricultural Society is growing and our presence at Country Fest and the County Show continues to showcase our talents. This year we followed through with our work on Lakeland sheep breeds and created garments from each to exhibit at both shows. We are fortunate in having two dynamic teams – Shows & Exhibitions who put together an exciting schedule for entries and who present our marquees to astonishing standards and the Craft committee which offers courses to support entries and this year we had a focus on finishing techniques in crochet and knitting.
NFWI Annual Meeting
Delegates and members enjoyed watching the event through a live screening organised by CWFWI at Selside Village Hall.
CWFWI Annual Meeting
This year we changed venue and met in Kendal Rugby Club – which was considered to have much better access. We welcomed delegates and visitors from partner organisations and other Federations and after statutory business, enjoyed a lively speaker.
And fond farewells to
Many of our WIs experienced the death of much-loved members but we’d like to mark the passing of Dorrie Galbraith, Mary Shankley and Lenore Knowles. Loyal and faithful servants all.
CUMBRIA WESTMORLAND
FEDERATION OF WOMEN'S INSTITUTES
Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 September 2025
Prepared by Brown & Co Chartered Accountants
CUMBRIA WESTMORLAND
FEDERATION OF WOMEN'S INSTITUTES
Index to the Financial Statements 30 September 2025
Page
| Accumulated Fund | |
|---|---|
| - Income | 1 |
| - Expenditure | 2 |
| Balance Sheet | 3 |
| Designated Funds | 4 |
| Fixed Assets | 5 |
CUMBRIA WESTMORLAND FEDERATION OF WOMEN'S INSTITUTES
Accumulated Fund
Income and Expenditure Account Year ended 30 September 2025
INCOME
| Federation Income Subscriptions Goods Sold to Members Sales Less: cost of sales Sub Committees Crafts, food and gardens Federation events Shows & exhibitions AGM Membership Other Income Insurance Building Society interest Suspended WIs Sundries |
£ £ 22,862 20,456 8,333) ( 12,123 253 7,530 2,194 - 66) ( 9,911 1,188 3,272 2,337 371 7,168 52,064 2025 |
£ £ 20,869 21,882 10,057) ( 11,825 409 6,928 1,122 269 1,593) ( 7,135 1,034 3,164 - 189 4,387 44,216 2024 |
|---|---|---|
Page 1
CUMBRIA WESTMORLAND FEDERATION OF WOMEN'S INSTITUTES
Accumulated Fund
Income and Expenditure Account Year ended 30 September 2025
EXPENDITURE
| Premises Rent & rates Light & heat Repairs & office sundries Insurance Depreciation Administration & Other Expenses Staff costs Office costs Accountancy Sundries INCOME EXPENDITURE DEFICIT TO ACCUMULATED FUND |
£ £ £ £ 13,034 10,402 540 - 5,675 591 3,208 2,841 1,024 380 23,481 14,214 26,735 25,253 7,105 9,054 3,107 1,680 1,016 75 37,963 36,062 61,444 50,276 52,064 44,216 61,444 50,276 9,380) ( 6,060) ( 2024 2025 |
|---|---|
Page 2
CUMBRIA WESTMORLAND FEDERATION OF WOMEN'S INSTITUTES
Balance Sheet 30 September 2025
| FIXED ASSETS: Fixtures & fittings CURRENT ASSETS: Stock Debtors & prepayments Petty cash floats Current bank account Bank deposit account Investment & Bursary Accounts Memorial Bursary Federation Bursary CURRENT LIABILITIES: Creditors and accruals FINANCED BY: ACCUMULATED FUND Balance brought forward Deficit for the year DESIGNATED FUNDS See Page 4 |
£ £ 1,123 5,395 2,321 120 23,815 75,697 6,185 7,860 121,393 11,895 109,498 110,621 96,676 9,380) ( 87,296 23,325 110,621 2025 |
£ £ 2,147 3,491 399 - 41,409 87,450 5,536 6,473 144,758 29,381 115,377 117,524 102,736 6,060) ( 96,676 20,848 117,524 2024 |
|---|---|---|
Page 3
CUMBRIA WESTMORLAND FEDERATION OF WOMEN'S INSTITUTES
Designated Funds 30 September 2025
| Memorial Bursary Balance b/f Add Donations Less Bursaries Add Interest for year Federation Bursary Balance b/f Add Donations Less Bursaries Add Interest for year Agnes Salter Bursary Balance b/f Add Interest Account closed 200+ Club Balance b/f Receipts Less Draws |
£ £ 6,472 240 725) ( 198 6,185 5,536 2,123 - 201 7,860 - - - - 8,840 1,645 1,205) ( 9,280 23,325 2025 |
£ £ 6,258 - 214 6,472 5,352 - 184 5,536 1,007 1 1,008) ( - 8,164 2,001 1,325) ( 8,840 20,848 2024 |
|---|---|---|
Page 4
CUMBRIA WESTMORLAND FEDERATION OF WOMEN'S INSTITUTES
| Tangible Fixed Assets Schedule | |
|---|---|
| 30 September 2025 | |
| Fixtures and Fittings | |
| £ | |
| COST: | |
| At 1 October 2024 | 3,800 |
| Additions | - |
| Disposals | - |
| At 30 September 2025 | 3,800 |
| DEPRECIATION: | |
| At 1 October 2024 | 1,653 |
| Charge for year | 1,024 |
| Eliminated on disposals | - |
| At 30 September 2025 | 2,677 |
| NET BOOK VALUE: | |
| At 30 September 2025 | 1,123 |
| At 30 September 2024 | 2,147 |
Page 5
CUMBRIA WESTMORLAND FEDERATION OF WOMEN'S INSTITUTES Year ended 30 September 2025
| Debtors Events 25/26 PAYE/NI Other debtors Creditors Suspended WIs PAYE/NI Accountancy Bursary accounts Events 25/26 |
2025 £ 828 - 1,493 2,321 1,592 281 1,980 798 7,244 11,895 |
2024 £ 346 53 399 3,930 - 1,519 2,618 21,314 29,381 |
|---|---|---|
CUMBRIA-WESTMORLAND FEDERATION OF WOMEN'S INSTITUTES Charity number 240758
Independent examiner's report to the trustees on the unaudited financial statements.
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity ("the Trust") for the year ended 30 September 2025
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ("the Act").
I report 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 followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission.
Basis of independent examiner's statement
My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.
Independent examiner's statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
-
the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or
-
- the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or
-
the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair' view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Gemma Walshaw FMAAT
Independent examiner
Brown&Co (Kendal) Ltd Murley Moss Business Park Oxenholme Road Kendal LA9 7RL
17/04/2026