## **Old Town Youth Club** ## **AN INDEPENDENT CLUB** AFFILIATED TO: COMMUNITY TRANSPORT ASSOCIATION SPORTED CROYDON VOLUNTARY ACTION REGISTERED WITH CROYDON COUNCIL **CHARLES MAJOR CENTRE DUPPAS HILL TERRACE, CROYDON, SURREY. CR0 4BA Telephone: 020 8688 9921** ## **ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS** ## **FOR THE PERIOD** ## **1APRIL2m4T031MARCH2m5** **MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE** Hon. Chairman: Andrew Patten **OFFICERS** Hon. Vice Chairman: Tim Patten Hon. Treasurer: Helen Jones **MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE** Ray Edwards, Veronica Anglin, Olivia Clarke, Ronnie Leow, **MEMBERS** Dave Lawrence, Karen Barnes, Delroy Anglin **ADVISOR TO THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE** Tony Harris, Tracy Shirley **BANKERS:** Lloyds Bank, North End, Croydon ## **HON. SOLICITOR:** > **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER** David Weeden, FCA, Hamilton Eddy and Co. **CUSTODIAN TRUSTEES:** National Association of Clubs for Young People **PART TIME YOUTH and COMMUNITY WORKER** Tony Harris > **PART TIME STEW ARD:** Tracy Shirley Chairman Andrew Patten - Treasurer Helen Jones - Youth and Community Worker Tony Harris Registered Charity Number 286889 Page 1 of 13 **Profile of Trustees/Management Committee Members during 2024/25** f" **Chairman** Andrew Patten Joined Club 1983 (54) Joined _MIC_ 30 September 2020 Elected Chairman 28[th ] February 2025 **Vice Chairman** Tim Patten (60) Joined Club 1976 Joined _MIC_ 28 October 2025 Elected Vice Chairman 28[th ] February 2025 **Treasurer:** Helen Jones Joined Club 1981 Ex Members Committee (57) Joined _MIC_ 10 January 2005 Elected Treasurer 10 April 2019 Dave Lawrence Joined Club 1971 (69) Member of _MIC_ 1997 to 2006 Re-Joined _MIC_ 25 February 2015 Karen Barnes Joined _MIC_ 25 May 2016 (57) Local Resident Veronica Anglin Joined Club 1977 (60) Joined _MIC_ 20 October 2021 Ronny Leow Joined Club 1969 (75) Joined _MIC_ 17 October 2022 Olivia Clarke (24) Joined _MIC_ 27 January 2025 Delroy Anglin Joined Club 1977 (63) Joined _MIC_ 24 February 2025 **Advisor** Tony Harris Full Time Youth and Community Worker (86) Old Town Youth Club July 1964 to March 1998 Joined _MIC_ 23 April 1998 to 25 February 2004 Part Time Voluntary Youth and Community Worker April 1998 to date **Steward** Tracy Shirley Joined Club 1981 (57) Appointed Steward September 2008 to date Page 2 of 13 ## **Old Town Youth Club** **AN INDEPENDENT CLUB** AFFILIATED TO: f' SPORTED REGISTERED WITH CROYDON COUNCIL, CROYDON VOLUNTARY ACTION **CHARLES MAJOR CENTRE DUPPAS HILL TERRACE, CROYDON, SURREY. CR0 48A Telephone: 020 8688 9921** ## Chairmans Report ## Croydon Old Town Croydon continues to be used by many organisations in the community for Young People and Youth work. Hopefully we can build on this as it would seem that facilities such as Old Town seem to be closing down and disappearing in the current social climate but are desperately needed for all kinds of Youth and Community work. ## Storrington The Nature Study site and outdoor pursuits site located near Storrington in West Sussex has been closed since February 2022 due to Ash Die back affecting many of the trees on site. I am very pleased to say that due to a huge effort by volunteers that all the most dangerous trees have now been felled or made safe through an ongoing maintenance project. The Woodland Trust have also carried out a site survey and confirmed approximately 50% of the site to be ancient woodland. The woodland trust, have now started project to clear evasive species in order to restore the ancient woodland as part of the Lost Woods Project and have drawn up a long-term Management Plan for the site. The storage shed at Storrington that is used for storage of canoes, kayaks, safety equipment and essential tools to maintain the site has been leaking over the last few years and causing issues with water damage to the electrics in the building and its contents. Special thanks the Dave Lawrence and his company DCL contracts who donated all the materials and his time to get this resolved. Due to concerns raised by the Management Committee and Trustees regarding Fire Safety. Fire Safety Assessments were carried out on both sites in November 2024 , both the reports raised issues with both sites regarding fire safety and I am pleased to say the actions highlighted have been addressed and have either been resolved or are in the process to be completed in order to make both sites complaint with current Fire Safety regulations and have also been approved by West Sussex Fire Services and also Horsham District Council. The last year has thrown some rather serious challenges for the organisation to deal with, but I am pleased to confirm with the ongoing support of the Management Committee, Trustees and all the volunteers and persons who have stepped in to offer professional advice, practical help and support we have achieved what needed to be done in order to secure the long-term future of the organisation. Chairman Andrew Patten, Treasurer Helen Jones - Youth and Community Worker Tony Harris Registered Charity Number 286889 Page 3 of 13 ## **Old Town Youth Club** **AN INDEPENDENT CLUB** AFFILIATED TO: f SPORTED REGISTERED WITH CROYDON COUNCIL, CROYDON VOLUNTARY ACTION **CHARLES MAJOR CENTRE DUPPAS HILL TERRACE, CROYDON, SURREY. CR0 4BA Telephone: 020 8688 9921** r feel it only right to mention Tracy Shirley, who not only Manages the day to day running of the organisation, but has also taken on further responsibilities and has played a very important role, not only in her normal role but resolving other issues that have arisen. Finally on behalf of the Management Committee and Trustees f would like to thank all the Individuals and their businesses and organisations for their continued support. Norvin Simpson and his company Four Seasons Tool Hire. Ruth and Tom Simmonds and Allsaved for their continued support over the years and especially recently regarding the Fire Safety issues for both sites. Will Fox of Fox's Forestry who has been instrumental in dealing with the Ash die back issues. Also, a very special thank you to Mr Tony Backshaw and Mr Lee Rose and to all the people that attended OTYC years ago as young people but still many years later still offer their support and work to the organisation especially to help Tracy out with maintenance and the upkeep of Croydon. Due to changes in social behaviour, and also ongoing changes to many regulations that need to be adhered to it is becoming increasingly difficult to run an organisation like Old Town Youth Centre. I'm pleased to say that as an organisation which is completely self-funded and now with the added support of The Woodland Trust, The Lost Woods Project, Action in Rural Sussex, Sandgate Conservation Society and the West Sussex River Trust who over the past two years have played a key role in ongoing Woodland Restoration and Conservation projects to ensure the long-term future of this special facility. We are addressing these issues in order to ensure the long-term future success of the organisation. Hopefully in the coming year the organisation can concentrate on improving, utilising and ensuring both sites are used to their full potential for the purpose that they are intended for. Andrew Patten Chairman Chairman Andrew Patten, Treasurer Helen Jones - Youth and Community Worker Tony Harris Registered Charity Number 286889 Page 4 of 13 ## **Old Town Youth Club AN INDEPENDENT CLUB** AFFILIATED TO: � SPORTED REGISTERED WITH CROYDON COUNCIL, CROYDON VOLUNTARY ACTION **CHARLES MAJOR CENTRE DUPPAS HILL TERRACE, CROYDON, SURREY. CR0 48A Telephone: 020 8688 9921** ## **TREASURERS REPORT Croydon and Storrington** - The Accounts are for the financial year I st April 2024 31st March 2025 and show a deficit of (6177.88), with a closing bank balance of £59,067.40. The reason for this deficit is down to the fact that we have had a Fire risk assessment done for both our premises at Croydon and Storrington, and unfortunately, we still cannot have any lettings down at our Hareswith Pond Nature Study and Outdoor Pursuits Centre, because it is still closed, due to Ash die back trees being deceased and the cost of dealing with it. **General Fund** - shows that there is a (£3445.74) against the surplus of £3546.72 of the previous year. This is paitly due to the afterschool Club closing down, we also had to do some repairs to our big outdoor basket boards, our Canoe Trailer and also our pathway ramp boards were all rotten the wood was just falling to bits, so we brought heavy-duty weather-proof boards, which were very expensive. We had a Fire risk assessment done on the 28/11 /24, so we are buying bits and pieces to correct some of the findings. Although we have had some lettings in, it only just covered the running costs. Ace Van Hire, based a few hundred yards from the club, continued to hire the carpark when it is not needed for club use, and has been a good regular source of income. - **Storrington Fund** Showed a deficit of (2732. 14 ), against the deficit of (2254.81) This being the result of Hareswith lettings still being canceHed and closed due to dangerous Ash die back deceased trees, making the site unsafe to let, and the cost of tree surgery to remove the most dangerous trees. We also had a Fire risk assessment done and some new electrics installed, down at our premises in Storrington, and that has been quite costly, we have had regular voluntary Working Parties down at the site, and Will Fox, a qualified tree surgeon assisted by Norvin, directs the work program, but there is still around 30 or more trees still to be cut down and cleared. The voluntary work by all the Volunteers would not be taking place without their dedication to get the site safe for young people to use again. We give many thanks to the various parties who donated tools, materials, time and labour, these persons and companies being highlighted in both the Chairman's and Leaders reports. We are thankful to both Croydon and Horsham Councils for some Rate Relief resulting in some Business Rates being paid for the Croydon Old Town premises and very little for the Hareswith premises. Our big thanks to our volunteer Tony Backshall, an old member from the seventies, who comes in almost every week to assist Tracy with things that need to be done manually. We would also like to thank Tom Simmonds, owner of Allsaved, who has provided the servicing and replacement of fire extinguishers at both Croydon and Storrington for the many years free of charge. We really do appreciate and thank David Weeden of Hamilton Eddy and Co for their continued support in providing Payroll services and Independent Examination of the Accounts and this Report. Helen Jones Hon. Treasurer Chairman Andrew Patten, Treasurer Helen Jones - Youth and Community Worker Tony Harris Registered Charity Number 286889 Page 5 of 13 ## **Old Town Youth Club** ## **AN INDEPENDENT CLUB** AFFILIATED TO: f SPORTED REGISTERED WITH CROYDON COUNCIL, CROYDON VOLUNTARY ACTION **CHARLES MAJOR CENTRE DUPPAS HILL TERRACE, CROYDON, SURREY. CR0 4BA Telephone: 020 8688 9921** ## **YOUTH AND COMMUNITY REPORT For 2024 - 2025** ## **Croydon** We have had a good year with lots of Children using the premises, the Baby Ballet children coming in from around the borough, are as young as 2 years up to 4 years old, they love the classes, and the mums have made up friendship groups and after the class they all go down to the park together. We now have a Youth Group coming in on Friday's afterschool, to come in and let some steam off, have some social time, play with the sports equipment and get a snack, they love our outside space for football and basketball, the last place they were based at in Croydon, only had indoor space and just some rooms. Its great seeing the club being used by so many different age groups, bringing the community together is something we so need in today's society and it's great to see, lets hope it continues. **HARESWITH STORRINGTON** We found ourselves restricted by ash die back again this year. Ash die back is when the ash trees die back from the tips of their branches and the branches drop off, particularly in the wind when they knock against each other. This is of course very dangerous and we were advised to close the site after a survey showed that over 100 ash trees were on the site, we have had 12 Working Parties this year, with volunteers either on Saturdays or Sundays, led by Andrew Patten (Vice Chairman) and Norvin who also supplied Allseasons Hire Shop equipment free of charge. We have had a lot of volunteers helping out this year, committee members some from the 1980s, who are on the committee or who have just joined the committee, going down to help, to get the site up and running again, about 60 diseased Ash trees have been cut down so far this year, these were long hard­ working days at the weekends. Our big thanks to all of those that have come down, hopefully we can get the site re-opened soon. Our thanks to local's Ruth and Allsaved Fire Extinguishers for providing free equipment and servicing. Andrew our Vice Chairman has got the Woodland Trust involved and we have had their report on our Ancient Woodland Status and a Woodland Management Plan. With the Lost Woods Grant Application to remove the invasive species of Laurel and Rhododendron being successful, contractors gave us 5 dates in March 2025, their volunteering effort has made a massive difference to the area, we cannot thank them enough. In the meantime, we have much more work to do. CO-OPERATION WITH THE COMMUNITY AND OTHER AGENCIES BALL GAMES AREA is used by some users when on the premises. PUPIL REFERRAL UNITS Coningsby and Moving On continued to use the premises on various days. BABY BALLET classes on Friday mornings has been successful and has 2 sessions every Friday. CHILDRENS BIRTHDAY PARTIES bookings have been taking place though out the year. Chairman Andrew Patten, Treasurer Helen Jones - Youth and Community Worker Tony Harris Registered Charity Number 286889 Page 6 of 13 ## **Old Town Youth Club** ## **AN INDEPENDENT CLUB** AFFILIATED TO f SPORTED REGISTERED WITH CROYDON COUNCIL, CROYDON VOLUNTARY ACTION **CHARLES MAJOR CENTRE DUPPAS HILL TERRACE, CROYDON, SURREY. CR0 48A Telephone: 020 8688 9921** CROYDON DROP IN CONSELLING SERVICE continued their regular staff training sessions, Only had 3 courses this year. A Girls night every Tuesday ran for 8 mouths. TABLE TENNIS COACHING continues on Saturday Mornings SUPREME EDUCATION ran Holiday Play Schemes in Easter, Summer and October. It is good to see so many young people using the premises. LL AFTER SCHOOL CLUB Started in September 2023 and Stopped in November 2024, due to the number of children not using their services. BUDO MARTIAL ARTS continues on every Thursday Nights. PROJECT FOR 4 YOUTH EMPOWERMENT Youth Group moved from Croydon Town Centre, and asked to Use our premises starting from the End of February every Friday term time only. r would just like to say a Special thank you to Andrew who as Acting Chairman has got things moving, particularly at Hareswith. with getting the Woodland Trust and the Arun and River trust giving us a massive help in restoring the woodlands. Last but not least may _**1**_ thank all those individuals and companies that have provided support in so many ways help and advice, materials and equipment, labour to get things done when it was needed most. Tracy Shirley - Youth and Community Worker Chairman Andrew Patten, Treasurer Helen Jones - Youth and Community Worker Tony Harris Registered Charity Number 286889 Page 7 of 13 ## **Old Town Youth Club** ## **AN INDEPENDENT CLUB** AFFILIATED TO �· COMMUNITY TRANSPORT ASSOCIATION SPORTED CROYDON VOLUNTARY ACTION REGISTERED WITH CROYDON COUNCIL ## **CHARLES MAJOR CENTRE** **DUPPAS HILL TERRACE, CROYDON, SURREY. CR0 4BA Telephone: 020 8688 9921** ## **CLUB HOUSE - APPROX. 3750 SO. FT. 2-STOREY, PURPOSE BUILT FREEHOLD - OWNED BY CLUB** ## **GROUND FLOOR** **Coffee Bar/ Games Area:** 38 ft. x 15 ft. includes chairs, coffee tables, table games and catering equipment. Table Tennis Table, Pool Table, Air Hockey and Table Football. **Meetings/Activity Room:** 20 ft. x 15 ft. - contains chairs and tables **Outdoor** 20 ft. x 15 ft. Storage for Camping and Canoeing Equipment. **Pursuits Room/** paddle, spray cover, bouyancy aid, wet suit, helmet and waterproof **Workshop** containers, tent, sleeping bag, bivy bag, karrimat, water-proof anorak and trousers, Mess tents, kitchen equipment. Art and Craft Equipment. Cleaning materials and equipment. Maintenance tools. **Office:** 11 ft. X 8 ft. **Boiler Room Foyer and Staircase Gents' Toilet Ladies Toilet Disabled Toilet** ## **FIRST FLOOR** **Hall:** 55 ft. x 28 ft. 5 Table Tennis Tables. Badminton Court, Unihoc pitch. **Stage:** Storage: l 00 Chairs, 80 ft. Trestle Tables and Benches. Bouncy Castle. ## **EXTERNAL** **Floodlit Games Area** 80 ft. x 40 ft. with storage bunker. **Car Park:** 80 ft. x 40 ft. Canoe Trailer. ## **HARESWITH POND NATURE STUDY AND OUTDOOR PURSUITS CENTRE - STORRINGTON FREEHOLD - OWNED BY THE CLUB** 8.5 acres of mixed woodland with 2 acres oflake and stream. Members built accommodation for 12 persons, 30 ft. x 20 ft. with two bunk bedrooms, kitchen/common room, toilets and hot shower. Brick built, elm board clad with Marley Tile Roof. Mains electricity and water. 30ft x 7ft Storage shed. Chairman Andrew Patten-Treasurer Helen Jones - Youth and Community Worker Tony Harris Registered Charity Number 286889 Page 8 of 13 ## **ACTIVITIES AVAILABLE AT OLD TOWN YOUTH CLUB** ## **ACTIVITIES THAT TAKE PLACE EVERY DAY** Football Ball Games Area Basketball Ball Games Area Pool Games Room Table Tennis Games Room and Hall Air Hockey Games Room Table Football Small Games Room Badminton Hall ## **ACTIVITIES THAT TAKE PLACE SOME DAYS** Chess/Draughts Games Room Four in a Row Games Room Giant Jenga Games Room Unihock Hall Bouncy Castle Hall Football Coaching Hall Birthday Parties Hall Polling Station Ground Floor Training Courses Hall/ Downstairs ## **ACTIVITY EQUIPMENT/FACILITIES AVAILABLE IF REQUIRED** Rounders Field Tug of War Rope Field Football Field Short Tennis Field or Ball Games Area Volleyball Ball Games Area Skittles Hall Table Skittles Games Room Art and Crafts Stocks of various materials and equipment 24 Canoes of various designs/disciplines with all necessary equipment Canoe/Box Trailer to carry 14 Canoes and Equipment Camping Equipment Mess Tents and Camp Catering Equipment Tables, Benches and Chairs Tripod Screen Various Country/Forestry Conservation Tools Various Building Maintenance Tools Page 9 of 13 ## **OLD TOWN YOUTH CLUB STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS** |Date from
Date to
**BANK & CASH BALANCES**
Cash at Bank (General A/C)
Cash at Bank (Business A/C)
Cash in Hand
**Closing Balance**
**RECEIPTS**
**General Funds**
Club Hire
25,427.50
Donations/Grants
12.00
Jack Petchey
900.00
Party/User Deposits Received
1,526.32
Sundry Income
**Storrington**
Storrington Hire
Donations/Grants
Hire Deposits
100.00
Sundry Income
**PAYMENTS**
**General Funds**
Salaries, NIC and Pensions
20,691.46
General Insurance
1,854.34
Utilities
1,972.07
Cleaning
334.04
Maintenance
2,745.44
Stationery
119.74
Telephone/Internet/Post
484.53
Jack Petchey - Table Tennis
900.00
Part/User Deposits Reimbursed
1,906.32
Sundry Expenses
303.62
**Storrington**
Repairs
2,119.05
Utilities
109.93
Hire Deposits Reimbursed
Sundry Expenses
603.16
**SURPLUS/(DEFICIT) FOR THE YEAR**
BANK & CASH BALANCES AT START OF YEAR
**BANK & CASH BALANCES AT END OF YEAR**|25,427.50
12.00
900.00
1,526.32
100.00|Apr-24
Mar-25
58,966.88
0.52
100.00
£
**59,067.40**





27,965.82




34,143.70
6,177.88)
65,245.28
£
**59,067.40**|31,482.62
30.00
900.00
2,340.00
6.39
435.00
90.00
100.00
116.72|Apr-23
Mar-24
65,144.76
0.52
100.00
£**65,245.28**









35,500.73












34,208.82| |---|---|---|---|---| ||||20,600.37
1,583.35
2,060.07
126.97
3,321.73
145.24
406.20
900.00
1,875.00
193.36
1,810.10
407.68
100 00
678.75|| |||||| |||||1,291.91
63,953.37
£**65,245.28**| Page 10 of 13 ## **OLD TOWN YOUTH CLUB GENERAL FUND RECEIPTS & PAYMENTS ACCOUNT** |Date from
Date to
**RECEIPTS**
Club Hire
Donations/Grants
Party/User Deposits Received
Jack Petchey
General Income Sundries
**Total Receipts**
**Payments**
Salaries
General Insurance
Utilities
Cleaning
Maintenance
Stationery
T elephone/I nternet/Post
Jack Petchey - Table Tennis
Party/User Deposits Returned
General Expentiture Sundries
**Total Payments**
**Net (Payments)**
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
**-£**|£
£
£
£
£|Apr-24
Mar-25
25,427.50
12.00
£1,526.32
900.00
**27,865.82**
20,691.46
1,854.34
1,972.07
334.04
2,745.44
119.74
484.53
900.00
1,906.32
303.62
**31,311.56**
**3, 5.74**|£
£
£
£
£
£|April-23
March-24
31,482.62
30.00
2,340.00
900.00
6.39
**34,759.01**
20,600.37
1,583.35
2,060.07
126.97
3,321.73
145.24
406.20
900.00
1,875.00
193.36
**31,212.29**
**3,546.72**| |---|---|---|---|---| ||||£
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
**£**|| Page 11 of 13 Page 12 of 13 ## **� CHARITY COMMISSION �[FOR ENGLAND AND WALES ]** ## **Independent examiner's report on the accounts** # ## **Independent Examiner's Report** **Report to the trustees/ I On accounts for the year** 31 **MARCH 2025 Charity no 286889 ended** �1 --- -- ----�---- ~~�-~~ **1** ~~-~~ ---� **members of OLD TOWN YOUTH CLUB Set out on pages '�1-to_1_2 ________________________ �** I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity ("the Trust") for the year ended 31 March 2024. - **Responsibilities and** As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation **basis of report** 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 the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. ## **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: - accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of - the Act or - the accounts do not accord with the accounting records I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. **Date:** 16 October 2025 **Signed:** ~~_**