ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2026
CHAIRMAN’S AND TRUSTEES’ REPORT
FOR THE YEAR TO 31 DECEMBER 2025
TRUSTEES:
Mr Simon Cartwright Mr Mark White Mr Ian Sayers
OFFICERS OF THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE:
CHAIRMAN: Mr Will Blunden TREASURER: Mr Stephen Gray BOOKINGS SECRETARY: Mrs Tracy Ely SECRETARY: Mr Rupert Ayton
MEMBERS OF THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE:
Mrs Katherine Alcock Mr Roger Pickett Mrs Janet Smith
Mr Ron Skinner
Mrs Sue Phipps Mrs Sue Blunden) Lindfield Club Mr Paul Turner) Delegates
The King Edward Hall was established as a charity in 1911 and is registered with the Charity Commission, No. 249649. Its full postal address is The King Edward Hall, 24 High Street, Lindfield, West Sussex. RH16 2HH.
OBJECTS, ORGANISATION AND ACTIVITIES
The King Edward Hall was established as a charity to enhance the community life of the inhabitants of Lindfield by providing communal facilities. The Hall is available for hire by any individual or organisation in accordance with the standard hiring agreements and scale of charges adopted for the year. It is intended that the scale of charges is sufficient to generate enough income to meet all the expenditure
incurred in operating the Hall. Major improvement projects are funded by specific appeals, fund-raising and grants. Three Trustees, with a Management Committee comprising elected and nominated members, administer the charity.
REVIEW OF YEAR SPANNING MARCH 2025 TO MARCH 2026
The Hall bookings remain buoyant thanks to our efficient hardworking Booking Secretary, Tracy Ely, her skills in managing and accommodating new and existing bookings means we have had one of our busiest years ever. Stephen Gray our Treasurer continues to look after the Halls finances, under his guidance the Hall is in a very healthy position should any unforeseen occurrence arise. Rupert Ayton is our secretary who continues to provide the committee with all the legal updates on running a community venue as well as his other secretarial duties.
Day to day maintenance has been carried out promptly together with any decoration deemed necessary to keep the Hall in good order. Other maintenance and improvements carried out during the year include, replacing three hardwood window frames and replacing the sills in others. Inside the hall we have installed a stainless-steel water dispenser so that drinking water can be obtained when the kitchens are locked. We have replaced the old fluorescent lights in the library with new LED ones. The annual deep clean of the kitchen and kitchen appliances has taken place and the hearing loop system has been checked and a hearing loop receiver has been purchased so that we can check the system. We are currently investigating how we can improve our Wi-Fi coverage throughout the building. Thanks to Ron Skinner who obtained a lottery grant towards the cost of fitting new stage lighting which will be able to be accessed by all hirers, unfortunately due to the efficiency of our Booking Secretary we are having difficulty in finding time for it to be installed. At long last and in conjunction with the Parish Council we have finally got the exterior clock working thanks to the perseverance of Roger Pickett. Due to the high cost involved with the refurbishment of the Old Fire Station we have decided to pause this project and are currently using it to store our village day equipment. That is the report of the current maintenance but there is future work that will be needed to be carried out in the future. We have produced a list of 23 items that will need to be carried out in the next 10 years at an approximate cost of around £300,000.00 which shows how essential fundraising is.
The Village Run and especially Village Day were a huge success this year beating all records by raising over £22,000 Village Day gets bigger and better each year. These two events are our main fundraisers and without which we would be unable to maintain the Hall to the high standard our Hirers have come to expect. Our grateful thanks to the Village Day subcommittee, many of whom have no other connection with the hall and who devote so much time and energy in organizing these two events. Together with Bonfire Night many villagers consider these to be the highlights of the year. The continuing success of the Hall is due to the commitment of the Trustees, Management Committee, and Officers especially Tracy Ely the Booking Secretary who worked tirelessly throughout the year sorting out the many challenges that go with the position. Also, Katherine Alcock, David Tingley co-Chairs of the Village Day committee, and the rest of the Village Day Committee and all those that help make these events a success. Sincere thanks go to Jennie Powell and her team of helpers who provide the much-appreciated monthly film shows. And Micky Batchelor our Premises Supervisor who makes sure we do not contravene our Premises Licence when Hirers are supplying alcohol. Last, but not least our team of Stewards, Phillip Hughes, Andrei Hadimbu, and Tim Bishop who work tirelessly to keep the Hall running at all times. Unfortunately, due to having to relocate to London we lost Piers Gielgud and we thank him for his service to the Hall. We are so fortunate to have such a dedicated team they all take pride in our Hall and strive to keep it clean, tidy and safe at all times.
Will Blunden
Chairman of the Management Committee
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Ic) Ic) Keyiner Haslam & Co '1-¢1.. 111444 247M71 IpiisJ Stephen Gray Esq The King Edward Hall clo 28 Finches Gardens Lindfield Haywards Healh We51 Sussex RH16 2PA 13 February 2026 Dear Slephen Further lo our email correspondence I have now compleled our examination for the year lo 31 Oecember 2025. In older lo be able lo ¢omply viith the requlrements of our prof8S9ional body we have to record Ih following.. 1 You have confimied the accounting records lo be complele. 2. You have camed out a review of the Trust's Intemal financlal controls in the year. 3. You have assessed lh8 Trust's financial position, consider It lo 8 'going concem. and believe Ihe level ol reserves held to be adequate and In accordance wllh the r88erves pollcy Please can you sn and dale (below) and return the endosed copy of thi8 letter to confirm the abov• three point8. Please let me have a signed sel of the accounts for my files and whalever sets you need for me lo sign In due course. l affl enclosing a note of my fim)'s lees which I trust meets with your approval. With best wishes lan Inglelon For Keymer Haslam & Co Enc The Trustees agree and have addressed the m and have taken aCtn where neces88ry On behalf ol the Ttee5 2026