NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF WOMEN’S CLUBS Head Office: ARC Centre, 312 London Road, Romford, Essex RM7 9NH
www.nawc.org.uk email: nawc@btconnect.com Tel: 07701 394320
Registered Charity Number: 273397 Patrons: None acting at present
NAWC
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Is a Registered Charity with member clubs nationwide
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Acts as an intermediary with Government Departments regarding resolutions debated
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at the Annual Conference.
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Issues information regularly to member clubs
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Provides an advisory service to its members.
OBJECTS OF NAWC
The objects of the Association shall be to advance education and to provide facilities for recreation or other leisure time occupation in the interests of social welfare with the object of improving the conditions of life for women without distinction of political, religious or other opinions.
These objects are achieved by;
ACTIVITIES carried on within the clubs, from the practice of various crafts or taking part in choirs, drama, listening to speakers on a wide range of subjects in order to broaden interests and to stimulate women to take up further education. Outings are arranged to theatres, exhibitions and local industries, social events are also organized to suit all tastes.
REGIONAL ASSOCIATIONS of clubs hold regular meetings which give local support and also provide each member with further social contacts.
AN ANNUAL CONFERENCE is held at which resolutions put by member Associations and Single Clubs are debated. Resolutions are of national importance, and many pieces of legislation have been passed over the years in which NAWC feels its voice has been instrumental.
MEMBERS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY to attend
one Day Workshops run or financed by the organization and held in various parts of the country.
COMMUNITY AND CHARITY WORK within the scope of the Association’s Aims and Objects, is encouraged and there is a real growth of friendship between club members, which results in the development of community spirit.
The CONSTITUTION is the Governing Document of the organisation, which each club must agree to abide by before being accepted in Membership
NATIONAL OFFICERS 2024/25
*** Elected Positions**
*** CHAIRMAN:**
Mrs Chris Burton (from September 2018)
HON-TREASURER: 2022)
Mrs Maureen Harwood (from September
*** VICE CHAIRMEN:**
Mrs Joan Bramley Mrs Linda Starkey
ACCOUNTS EXAMINER:
Daniel Breen: 68 The Drive, Chase Cross, Romford, Essex RM5 3TR
BANKERS; National Westminster Bank plc, Tavistock Square (A), PO Box 83 Tavistock House, Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9JA
Barclays Bank plc Business Direct, Leicester LE87 2BB
THE TRUSTEES are appointed annually from the members of the Finance and General Purposes Committee:
Mrs Chris Burton (from September 2015) Mrs Mary Bird (from December 2013) Mrs Joan Bramley (from January 2013) Mrs Maureen Harwood (from September 2002) Mrs Linda Starkey (from September 2017)
Dear Members
It is with a very heavy heart I have to confirm that The National Association of Women’s Clubs closed as of 31[st] July 2025.
This was a very difficult decision to make and although the F&GP Committee knew,at Conference last year, that it might happen we kept hoping that we could weather the storm. However, the finances were telling another story and you cannot keep losing £12,000 a year without something drastic happening.
We lost a lot of clubs though Covid, other clubs were closing due to the age of the membership and the worst thing was that clubs were withdrawing from the Association, we were obviously not fullfilling their expectations.
We did not want to go bankrupt which would have happened if we didn’t do something about it, and we did have our staff to consider so the decision was made and in February 2025 we held an extra-ordinary meeting on zoom where the position was put to the clubs that joined us and the vote was taken that the Association would be closed.
The Associaion was started in 1935 and it was closing in 2025 our 90[th] Year! So the decision was made that we would hold lunches across the country at a subsidised cost of £20 to celebrate. I am very glad to say all those who wanted to go, came, and 4 delightful lunches were held. My thanks to Linda Starkey, Claire Donnelly, Jaquie Clark and Janice Bayliss who worked so hard to make these lunches a success and a fitting tribute to 90 glorious years.
It was also decided that each member would pay a £5 fee in March to cover from April to June and insurance for the club would be provided by the Association. Once all debts were honoured any remaining funds would be distributed to the clubs, prorated by their members who had paid the £5.
I have had a wonderful time as your Chairman and I know the others on the Committee will say the same, I hope your clubs will continue and you remain together and keep your friendships up.
Chris
EXECUTIVE COMMITEE
The Executive Committee is the governing body of NAWC on which every local Association has an elected representative and the Single Clubs have four appointed representatives.
CHAIRMAN Chris Burton
Following previous Association closures, the two remaining Association delegates and the single club reps for the period 1[st] April 2024-31[st] March 2025 were as follows:
EXECUTIVE DELEGATES
HERTS LEA VALLEY ASSOC
Sandra Batty
SELNEC ASSOC Barbara Hampson
Also in attendance at such meetings on line would be: NATIONAL VICE-CHAIRMAN HEAD OFFICE STAFF HON TREASURER SINGLE CLUB REPS AND ANY OBSERVERS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME.
SINGLE CLUB REPRESENTATIVES :
REGION 1 REGION 2
Joan Bramley POSITION VACANT
REGION 3 REGION 4 POSITION VACANT Janice Bayliss
MEMBERSHIP
Following the Covid pandemic we did loose around 750 members. One new club opened in January 2024. At present we have approx.1208 fully paid up members in 37 clubs
INSURANCE SCHEME
All current clubs belong to the NAWC scheme. There have been no claims within the past 12 months. Each year we look around and negotiate to get the best renewal price.
STAFF FOR 2024/25
Part-Time Staff at Head Office:
CLAIRE DONNELLY Tuesday to Thursday (Flexible working) National Secretary
JACKIE CLARK (Tuesday & Wednesday) Admin officer
PAULINE CHITTICK - Accounts Thursday only
Honorary Promotional and Information Officer for the North West
Pat Blair, MBE, JP (based in Liverpool – however health issues have meant that Janice Bayliss has supported Pat)
Promotional Officer for the South:
Chris Burton – Copperbeech Club
FINANCE AND GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE
The Committee act as Trustees to the Association and met regularly during the past year to examine the income and expenditure of NAWC together with estimates for the future.
Meetings in 2024/2025 were held via ZOOM and also at Head Office.
CHAIRMAN Chris Burton
HON TREASURER Maureen Harwood
VICE-CHAIRMEN: Joan Bramley Linda Starkey
REPRESENTATIVES OF NAWC AT MEETINGS OR OTHER ORGANISATIONS 2022/23
No meetings for any other organisations or charities have took place over the last 12 months.
STANDING ORDERS COMMITTEE COMPRISING OF THE NAWC OFFICERS
The committee usually meet in April to consider and decide upon resolutions submitted according to the guidelines laid down concerning acceptability. As the Association was closing no resolutions were accepted
NO CONSTITUTION CHANGES WERE NECCESSARY
EDUCATION COMMITTEE
No national weekend away was held in 2024.
The summer 2024 competitions were agreed as:
Individual Craft – “A handmade or decorated lady’s scarf”
Individual literary – “A story or poem about a woman that has inspired you ” (no more than 2000 words)
Club Entry – .Six handmade birthday cards.
Head office helped to fund workshops
Two were held
On 26[th] April Herts Lea Valley held another successful workshop at Capel Manor, ladies from Essex, The Chilterns and Hertfordshire came together and had a very enjoyable time. Four classes were on offer, Flower arranging, Learn to Crochet, Pebble Art and Decorated flower pot. New skills in a very sociable atmosphere.
Janice Bayliss organized a Day School in the North West on Saturday 12[th] October 2024 at the Cross Lane United Reform Church. A session of Strength & Balance Exercises and Craft in the morning, then a buffet lunch followed by entertainment from The Spectrum Singers
FUND-RAISING & PROMOTIONAL COMMITTEE MEETING
FUND RAISING:
Most branches of NAWC raise money for many good causes but NAWC as a registered Charity in its own right, relies heavily on the goodwill of members to raise funds to keep the organization viable.
The total of monies raised in the Grand Draw after payment of prizes, cost of printing and lottery registration was £638.80 for 2023/2024.
The Home Counties Festival of Carols and Christmas Songs took place in December, and made a profit of £500.00 for 2023/2024.
The Autumn Fund-Raising Appeal
There was no Autumn Fundraising this year
Monies raised at NAWC Meetings : through raffles, etc. at NAWC events including conference, executive meetings, weekends away, lunches etc. and total approx. £528.00 for 2023/2024
PROMOTIONAL
- . At the last zoom executive meeting it was agreed that we must make promoting ourselves a priority.
79[th] ANNUAL CONFERENCE
The Conference was held in September 2024 at the Waltham Abbey
Conference started on Friday evening with a welcome by our Chairman, and a lovely dinner. Claire then hosted chocolate bingo with novelty bingo cards.
There were many stalls and craft items for sale. All our usual raffles and the guess the weight of the cake and contents in the jar went down well.
The conference itself started with our banner parade and a morning reading, the resolutions from Head Office then followed. All passed.
The conference Competition was any handmade craft item to encourage more entries.
The afternoon session was our AGM, and then after the coffee break we had a local entertaining speaker.
CAROL CONCERTS – 2024
Two concerts were held in December.
The first in London at The Salvation Army Hall in Oxford street, again it was held on a Saturday afternoon. A wonderful concert, with the band and readers and choir.
The Liverpool concert took place at Newton le-Willows, A lovely afternoon was had, with Jay and the choir
NAWC Circulation and News & Views
We are still producing News & Views
Various email newsletters have been sent to our contacts, we continue to do as much by email as possible now, and only post to those club secretaries etc that are not on email.
Twice a year there will be a post mail out to all, which will contain the printed news & views and various other NAWC information, and a Christmas card to all clubs in the winter season.
FINANCIAL REPORT YEAR ENDING MARCH 31" 2025
Independent Examiner's Report R•port k> the tru•to881 m•mb•rn of National Association of Women's Clubs On a¢¢otsnt8 for th• year •nd•d 30th March 2025 Respectlv• r8sponslbllltl8• Tr eharity's trustÈs responsib lorth8 wepwalion of the Krnunts. of truste and •xamlner charrty's trustees wnsi($8r that an audit is r¥)t required for thi¥ year under ¥cb 144 ofthe Charits kt 2011 (th& chari1 Art) and Ihai an ind¢kwndent examinatson ss needed. 116s my respwsits.lrty to.. &xamine the acc4xffits under sectKx1 145 of the Charilitss Art to f¢41th¥ the PTttÈdure8 L4d ift the rA'r118 gbven by Ihe Charity cormilOn (under s•ction 145(Sllbl of th• Chants Act, ¥ThJ to state whathar pwb'cul8r matt•rs have to my attention, oflnd•p•nd•nt My was carned oul kn w)rdan¢¢ wth ra1 04r•cthxg giw by th• •x•mln•f$ 8tat•m¢nt Charity Cornmissjn. An ewinatlon irlUdeS ¥ T•¥ of the aCntIng rwds kept by the ¢harity a ¢PariSOn ol Ihe aoKounts wesented th088 record$. It dso in¢IleS considernts.on of any unusual rtems dtsclosures in the account4 and se8king explanatK)ns from th& trust8es corKerniny any matters. The prc¢edure5 uThJertaken do not pro ¥1 the evkjer that Trhfjuky tr reqLttréd in audit, and conseqithty QF4nioTr is 9Nen as to whether the ¥countS PTesent A Irue arKI tsir, eW 1 thè reFth Is thled to matters set c¥Jt in the 81thftl Ind•pdentX•MIn•8 In conthn 7Mth my einalK, rnattor has to rny attenlvm lotlw th•) •tstsm•nt that disctsed tkN4"1 1. which gives me reasonat4 Ca to belth Ihat , any matèrial r•sFecL Ihtr eqUIremtS.. to keep #Cllng r&)yds In rdance vrtth eeticm 130 of Charilies Act,. and to pr•w accounts whh accord wth couni1 rec4d$ and comFty th the accounting YIrementS of the Clwti8s Act 2. to in my op'nion, tan11 Sh*1 drawn in order lo enatle a pryr understandin9 of lh• COunts to b• rwhed. 3C¥CPJ2025 Danid Breen Addr•M: 68 Tr Driv•. C(thr Row, Rtynford ,Ex. RM5 3TR 2024 RECEIPTS
| £ | |
|---|---|
| Donatons | 1,585.03 |
| Monies raised | 15,386 |
| Fees | 26,886 |
| Bank and reserve account interest | 970 |
| Net Vat | 2,037 |
| Refunds | 2,167 |
| Stock sales | 122 |
| Other | 7 |
| Total receipts | 49,159 |
| PAYMENTS | |
| Wages | 30,290 |
| Advertsing | 368 |
| Events | 14,231 |
| IT costs | 945 |
| Rent,rates,Water | 8,203 |
| Postage,(Phone now on BT)Telephone, | 1,620 |
| General Fundraising | 456 |
| Insurance | 591 |
| Statonary etc | 777 |
| Gifs | 290 |
| Stock Purchases | 410 |
| Net Vat | 2,144 |
| Other | 1,586 |
| Total payments | 61,911 |
2024/25
STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
£
Monetary Assets
| Current account Reserve account Barclays Premium Savings Pety Cash |
500 7039 42003 161 |
|---|---|
| 49702 |
Other Assets
| Furnishings and equipment | nil |
|---|---|
| Stock | 798 |
| Income 2024-25 | |
|---|---|
| Grand Total | |
| Membership fees/Friends Of | 25,595.00 |
| Insurance Fees | 1,110.00 |
| Publications | 793.50 |
| Stock Sales | 122.00 |
| F&GP | 30.00 |
| General donations# | 56.00 |
| Personal Donations | 20.00 |
| General fundraising** | - |
| NAWC Event | 559.11 |
| Guide Dogs | 654.62 |
| Quiz donations | 30.00 |
| Closed Club/Association donations | 1,479.03 |
| Grand Draw | 1,244.00 |
| FUNDRAISING - above | 4,042.76 |
| - | |
| Carol concert -London collection 2024 - | 492.75 |
| Carol Concert-London 2024-Mbrs tickets - | 1,080.00 |
| Conference 2023-Mbrspayments- September 2023 | 419.50 |
| Conference 2024 | 5,810.00 |
| Conference 2024 stalls and raffles | 658.12 |
| London Summer Event-Mbrspayments -Mary green Manor 2025 | - |
| 2,990.00 | |
| Afternoon Tea Marygreen Manor hotel | 760.00 |
| Afternoon Tea Marygreen Manor hotel raffle | 60.00 |
| Midlands Lunch-Mbrspayments Wishaw Barnplus raffle | 1,871.70 |
| - | |
| - | |
| EVENTS - above | 14,142.07 |
| Postage/Circ Fees | 14.30 |
| Speakers List Fees | 167.00 |
| Stationery | - |
| Gift Aid Refund | - |
| VAT refund | 2,166.74 |
| PoppyWreaths | - |
| Barclays Savings-yearlyTransfer from NATWEST-January | 30.00 |
| Barclays Savings account interest | 747.87 |
| NatWest Business Reserve interest | 191.94 |
| Sundries | 6.60 |
| - | |
| Spare | - |
| ADMINISTRATION - above | 3,324.45 |
| Grand total | 49,159.78 |
| Less Expenses | 61,911.01 |
| Balance | 12,751.23 - |
| Expenses 2024-25 | |
|---|---|
| Grand | |
| total | |
| Salaries incl wages fee, Pensions, Nat. Ins. | 29515.08 |
| Membership refund | 38 |
| FGP travel | 544.48 |
| Staf | 230 |
| Spare | 0 |
| TRAVEL & EXPENSES - above | 774.48 |
| Carol Concert London Collecton-2023 | 450 |
| Carol concert London -2024 - Dep/Balance/Café | 1352.4 |
| Carol Concert London Collecton-2024 | 0 |
| West Midlands Lunch Wishaw Barn | 2478 |
| Conference transport deposit/balance 2024 | 316 |
| Conference 2024 - | 6852.85 |
| Conference Travel North West | 250 |
| Conference refund | 385 |
| Afernoon Tea 2024-Dep/balance | 755 |
| prosecco, table gifs and rafe | 103.55 |
| Workshops / HLV | 250 |
| London event Marygreen Manor 2025 | 400 |
| Events - above | 13592.8 |
| Marie Curie | 638.5 |
| Fundraising Event 2024/25 Guide Dogs | 0 |
| Grand Draw (incl.LBH Licence) | 456 |
| Fundraising events - above | 1094.5 |
| Accountant | 1000 |
| Christmas Cards & gifs | 0 |
| Equip, repair,rental,maintenance | 64.57 |
| General Ofce Expenses | 100.1 |
| Insurance | 591.31 |
| Nat West Current A/C Bank Charges | 272.34 |
|---|---|
| Poppy wreaths (Britsh Legion) | 0 |
| Postage,Telephone (new mobile), Broadband | 1619.62 |
| Print, Statonery | 777.11 |
| Publicity,promotons News & Views | 368.4 |
| Quiz/Competton Prizes & Judges Gif | 290 |
| Rent | 8138.88 |
| Stock Purchases (incl samples) | 409.5 |
| VAT | 2143.64 |
| Website Domain renewal/lease | 600 |
| New Club Gemini Rent | 80.8 |
| ZOOM | 168.87 |
| Sofware License for VAT | 72 |
| Pety Cash Conference Driver's tp/ Caretaker's tp | 12.05 |
| Virus protector | 103.99 |
| Annual £30 from Nat West to Barclays | 30 |
| Sundries | 52.97 |
| ADMINISTRATION - above | 16896.15 |
| Grand Total | 61911.01 |
Balance sheet 01/04/2024 - 31/03/2025
| Closing | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance at Bank and Petty cash | ||||
| 2024/25 | Balance at 01/04/2025 | |||
| Current Account | 500.00 | Current account | 500 | |
| Reserve account | 10,720.74 | Reserve account | 7038.69 | |
| Petty Cash Balance | 172.62 | Petty Cash | 160.57 | |
| Barclays Premium | ||||
| Barclays Premium Savings | 51,225.15 | Savings | 42003.02 | |
| 49,702.2 | ||||
| Opening Balance at 1st April 2024 | 62,618.51 | - | Total | 8 |
| Income inc. Petty Cash 2024-25 | 49,159.78 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Expenses inc Petty Cash 2024-25 | 61,911.01 | ||
| Plus cleared cheque from 2023/2024 | 165.00 | ||
| 49,702.2 | 49,702.2 | ||
| Balance as at 31st March 2025 | 8 | Total balance | 8 |