ARROW RIDING CENTRE Darenth Park Avenue Dartford Kent DA2 6LZ Tel: 01322 294390 Email: arc@arrowridingcentre.com Web: www.arrowridingcentre.com ## **ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MARCH 2024** |Pages|1|Trustees Report for the year ended 31stMarch 2024| |---|---|---| |Pages|2-11|Accounts and notes thereon for the year ended 31stMarch 2024| |Page|12|Independent Examiner`s Report on the accounts for the year ended 31stMarch 2024| Arrow Riding Centre for the Disabled Registered Charity No: 291623 Member of the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) **ARROW RIDING CENTRE FOR THE DISABLED** Page 1 ## **TRUSTEES REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] MARCH 2024** During the year we increased our therapy and riding lessons. Enrolled a number of new riders and started to reduce our waiting list. However we have not as yet managed to get back to the amount of lessons we provided prior to Covid. This is due to a number of volunteers not returning since that time and our not being to recruit and train sufficient replacements. Initially for the safety of an individual rider we need the help of three volunteers. One to lead the pony/horse with the two further people - one on each side of the rider. Prior to new volunteers assisting with lessons they have to successfully complete a training course. It can therefore be appreciated that our continuous progress is dependent our enrolling and training further volunteers – which is our priority task. Like everyone we have the burden of increases in the price of almost all goods and services. In our case particularly that of horse feed, bedding, salaries and utilities. Although we have increased the price of a number of our services we have not increased the price we charge for therapy and lessons. We are of course a non-profit organization and compared with a commercial riding establishment we clearly subsidise our charges. Our raison d`etre is that we want everyone with a disability to be able to benefit from our services whilst being mindful of the strain on many families finances particularly when they have to support those with disabilities. As will be seen from our accounts – since covid we have not been able to recover our costs and this year we have incurred a deficit of £19,130. Fortunately we had built up reserves to cover these shortfalls. However this is clearly a situation that cannot continue indefinitely and our best efforts will be made to turn things around. In addition to the very generous donation from the Mark Masons Benevolent fund for the purchase of “Rosa” we were honoured to be chosen as one of the Mayor of Dartford`s charities (Cllr Paul Cutler) and benefitted in the sum of £3,325. A long time supporter Peter Long and his family raised the magnificent sum of £7,745 for us. Our thanks to all the other kind people and organizations that made donations to us. Not forgetting Dartford Borough Council who through grants allow us to occupy our premises rent free, A thank you to our staff and volunteers for their enthusiasm which has gone into creating a professional and happy workplace for our riders and visitors to enjoy. On a sad note we recently lost William, the long time leader of our equine team. Ken Blake honorary chairman/treasurer **ARROW RIDING CENTRE FOR THE DISABLED** Page 2 **Establishment and property 2023/24** The Centre was founded in 1982 by the Dartford Lions. This following permission being given by the Local Health Authority for Arrow to use for riding for the disabled, free of charge, the old farm buildings and land which formed part of the original Darenth Park hospital complex. During the 1990`s a Public Finance Scheme was established whereby the District Health Authority agreed to release land for housing in exchange for the construction of a new hospital – Darent Valley The grounds and buildings which we had been using being transferred to Dartford Borough Council (DBC) under a 99 year lease from the Secretary of State for Health. This document stipulating that the property can only be used as public open space/country park and associated uses with the exception of the existing cemeteries and riding school or for agricultural use. No rental sum being charged. With grants DBC obtained from English Countryside and the Millennium Fund, together with not insignificant sums raised by ourselves through the Bluewater contractors golf day, a loan, other donations and matched funding , DBC has upgraded the parkland areas, our indoor arena, main building and barn To remain in occupation, however, DBC required us to enter into a lease to include the reconstructed main building, indoor riding arena, barn, some grazing together with two stable wings originally built in 1875 We now hold the property under a lease from DBC for a term of 30 years from 1[st] April 2007. The current rent is £3,000 a year subject to five yearly rent reviews. We are responsible for insurance of the buildings and repairs to the reconstructed parts. With the restrictions on the use of the property being reflected by the rental charge. We also hold under licence from DBC around 20 acres of grazing at a rent of £1 a year. With our being responsible for the internal fencing DBC makes small grants to local charities run by volunteers. Since 2000 we have been fortunate enough to benefit from such awards for which we are extremely grateful. The sums having completely off-set any rent due. We only have one area of dispute with DBC. We originally were given occupation of a further building (known as Bailiff`s cottage) with a further cottage that was to be refurbished for a resident warden. Unfortunately through lack of funding the second building was never completed and prior to entering into a lease we were asked by DBC to make Bailiff`s cottage available for the park warden. As after some 20 years the warden retired and DBC decided not to replace him – an empty cottage is left with our not being able to re-obtain possession – where we would like a staff member or volunteer to reside - to **Objects of the Centre 2023/24** **ARROW RIDING CENTRE FOR THE DISABLED** Page 3 To help children and adults with physical or learning difficulties by the following:- Improve head – spine control – eye and hand co-ordination – circulation and muscle relaxation using the pony/horse to provide a unique form of therapy (Hippotherapy).- Teaching to horse or pony ride. With the opportunity to progress in dressage to competing at National and International levels. Increase confidence and self-esteem and for us to see that every one who finds a visit to the Centre to be both physically beneficial and enjoyable. To comply with our health & safety policy and liability insurance – every rider must first have completed an application form. This can be downloaded from our website. ## **Rider`s safety** We are licenced by DBC under the Animal Welfare Regulation 2018. We have been given a 5 star rating. We employ a small team of very capable people who have RDA or British Horse Society teaching qualifications as well as considerable equine experience. Also we have two experienced RDA volunteer instructors who give their time to us. We are also very fortunate to have an extremely talented volunteer Chartered Physiotherapist who gives her services to us and arranges programmes of therapy for both mature and our youngest from 18 months of age. It is necessary in nearly all lessons to have volunteer horse leaders and side helpers. Each has undergone RDA training and both volunteers and staff have been cleared under our Safeguarding Policy. Employer and public liability risks are covered under a group policy implemented by the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) ## **Ponies and horses** Our team have been specially trained for the work we do and are:- Beline Bertie Blue Champ Dolly Jack Mia Truffles Wilma Rosa (purchased from a donation from the Mark Masons Benevolent Fund) and our mechanical horse – Jeremy **Membership 2023/24** ## **ARROW RIDING CENTRE FOR THE DISABLED** Page 4 Membership is made up from people involved with our development. Currently we have 10 members who are entitled to attend and vote at general meetings either in person or by proxy. Of that number we have a committee of six persons (trustees) who are responsible for the day-to-day running of the Centre. Each being a volunteer who is “hands on” assisting with lessons, taking care of our ponies and horses – various tasks on the yard – repairs – administration – fund raising etc. The current members being as follows:- Kenneth Blake FCIS hon chairman/treasurer Marilyn Stapley Valerie Blake BEM hon group organizer Patricia McMillen Noelle Basten hon secretary Christine Luckings During the year none of the committee members received any honorarium, attendance allowance or payment of any kind ## **Insurance** Of buildings based upon valuations made by Chartered Surveyors acting for DBC (Landlords) who currently insure the buildings and our tack and other equipment with Zurich Insurance plc Our ponies and horses are not insured the average cost of each being £4,500 Liability insurance is covered under an RDA group policy. The RDA provides us with support and training including safeguarding where our staff and volunteers have been security cleared. In addition none of our trustees are barred or prevented by legislation from acting in that capacity. During the financial year there were no serious accidents or incidents leading to claims under our policies. ## **Continuance** Our accounts are prepared on the basis that we shall continue to operate in the future despite the present difficulties. In the event of our closure any remaining assets would have to be transferred to another charity with similar objects to our own. **ARROW RIDING CENTRE FOR THE DISABLED** Page 5 ## **INCOME & EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MARCH 2024** |**2022/23**
44,708

20,907
40,215
27,645
4,362
137,837
**2022/23**
102,644

4,622
11,498
2,994
1,501
1,596
7,631

8,656

4,593

145,735
2,200

147,935
(10,098)|**INCOME**
Donations & sponsorships
(note 1)
Fund raising
(note 2)
Riding lessons
Donations from stabling

Miscellaneous income
(note 3)
**TOTAL INCOME FOR THE YEAR**
**EXPENDITURE**
Salaries & NIC instructors & grooms (note 4)
Buildings & liability insurance

Heat, light & water

Repairs & renewals

Stationery, telephone, broadband

Training, transport & subscriptions

Horse/pony – feed and bedding

Veterinary & farrier services

Tack, hygiene & yard expenses


Special expenditure
(note 5)
**TOTAL EXPENDITURE FOR YEAR **
DEFICIT FOR YEAR
|

**£**













| |---|---|---| **ARROW RIDING CENTRE FOR THE DISABLED** Page 6 ## **BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31[ST] MARCH 2024** |**2022/23**
**CURRENT ASSETS**
127,850
Bank accounts
(note 6)
431
Cash in hand
5,970
Debtors
(note 7)
**34,251** **TOTAL ASSETS**
12,984
Creditors & accruals
(note 8)
100.000Reserves and allocated funds (note 9)
112,984

21,267 **ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES**
4,400Less: long term liability (note 10)
**16,867**
Represented by:-
11,965
Accumulated funds at 31stMarch 2021
(10,098
Deficit for year
1,867
--- Balance of RDA loan waived (note 10)
15,000
Transfer from reserves
(note 7)
**16,867**
|




16,812
80,000









|













**£**|**2023/24**
£ 112,372
50
6,527
**118,949**
96,812
22,137
--------
**£22,137**
16,867
(19,130)
(2,263)
4,400
20,000
**22,137**| |---|---|---|---| ## **ARROW RIDING CENTRE FOR THE DISABLED** ## Page 7 ## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MARCH 2024** ## **NOTE 1 DONATIONS & SPONSORSHIPS OF £25 AND ABOVE** ||||**2023/24**| |---|---|---|---| |Albany|Park Chapter No 7432||35| |Barnes|Ron & Eileen||400| |Blake|Ken & Val||85| |Baden Powell|Lodge 1907||500| |Bramwell|Michael & Henrietta||240| |Bristow|Lynn||120| |Buttress|Alan||50| |Clark|Diane||50| |Coke-Cola|Drinks Company||1,000| |Dartford|The Mayor of Dartford`s|Charity (Cllr Paul Cutler)|3,325| |Dartford|Masonic Fellowship||349| |Fox|Estate Agents - Dartford||300| |Gearly|Martin (for Rosa`s Dentistry)||200| |HASARA|Sutton-at-hone||300| |Harry`s|Maternal grandmother||40| |Honor Oak|Lodge||250| |Hunnisett|Derek and Linda||125| |Jeremy|Our mechanical horse (repairs via Kindlink)||1,310| |Kennedy|Celia||200| |LAMBARA|Longfield||135| |Lock|Jackie||160| |Long|Peter (via Kindlink - London 10 Peak Challenge)||2,910| |Long|Kirsty as above||660| |Loriners
|Worshipful Company|(via Peter Long)|1,725| |Mark Masons|Benevolent Fund (for purchase of Rosa)||7,500| |MacDonald|Lodge||130| |Maison|Maurice Ltd||600| |Mannion|Michael & Mary||7,750
| **ARR0W RIDING CENTRE FOR THE DISABLED NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MARCH 2024 NOTE 1 DONATIONS & SPONSORSHIPS OF £25 AND ABOVE (continued)** Page 8 |Oldcorn
David
Parker
Mrs GM
Priory
Chapter 5819

Radiant
Star Chapter
Redlibbets Golf Club
Rennie
Mrs JM and Miss NL

Residents of Brent Lane
Rosa
towards dental treatment via Kindlink
Saint
Thomas Becket Conclave
Sheldon
Charlotte
Sittingbourne & Milton Regis Ladies Golf Club
Southfleet
Independent Retirement Group
Stapley
Marilyn
Styles
Joan
Sundridge
Park Golf Club (via Peter Long)
Walsingham
Lodge No 2148

Wanstall
Mike & Sally
Ward
Trina
Whelan
Mrs Elizabeth

Wilmington
Retirement Group
Woodward
Ian & Emma
Write
Trak Ltd
Other Donations via Kindlink - towards hay, raffles etc
Small sums
In Memory of Aunt Zoe (Felix – via Kindlink - London 10 Peak Challenge )
Emily Campbell
Mrs Ann Harris
Misc donations Lewis Solomon Funeral Service
TOTAL DONATIONS|**2023/24**
60
50
300
500
800
1,000
291
670
400
62
50
198
270
40
3,450
335
500
40
300
206
1,000
5,200
389
40
1,525
10
20
71
£48,226| |---|---| ## **ARROW RIDING CENTRE FOR THE DISABLED** Page 9 **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MARCH 2024** ## **NOTE 1 DONATIONS & SPONSORSHIP CONTINUED** ||**2022/23**|**2023/24**| |---|---|---| |Total Donations
|£44,708|£48,226| |-||| |**NOTE 2 FUNDRAISING**||| |Carol concert, dressage, shows, events etc £ 4,733||£ 5,158| |Hiring – out our facilities|16,468|19,632| |Collection boxes/collections|1,690|346| ||22,891|25,136| |Less: cost of fund raising
|1,984
|1,671| ||20,907|23,465| |**NOTE 3 MISCELLANEOUS INCOME**||| |Gift aid recovery
|£ 4,054|£4,163| |Bank interest (net of chgs)|154|2,859| |Sale of sundry items
|154|- -| ||4,362|7,022| |**NOTE 4 SALARIES & NIC**
||| |Salaries
|£ 100,632|£ 112,601| |Employers NIC
|1,407|3,200| |Work place pension
|605
|605| ||102.644|116,406| During the year we employed an average of three full-time and three part-time instructors/horse carerers Employers NIC was only payable on sums due to HMRC above £5,000 in the 2023/24 tax year. All employees are paid above the National Living Wage. |**ARROW RIDING CENTRE FOR THE DISABLED**|**ARROW RIDING CENTRE FOR THE DISABLED**|||Page 10| |---|---|---|---|---| |**NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST**|||**MARCH 2024**|| |||**2022/23**||**2023/24**| |**NOTE 5 SPECIAL EXPENDITURE**||||| |Purchase of Rosa ( Bertie 22/23)||£2,200||£7,950| |**NOTE 6 BANKING**||||| |Current account with CAF Bank Ltd|£47,850||
|£32,372| |Charity Deposit account||80,000||80,000| ||127,850|||112,732| |**NOTE 7 DEBTORS & REPAYMENTS**|||**NOTE 8 CREDITORS & ACCRUALS**|| |Gift Aid||735|HM Revenue & Customs 1,991|| |Hire of Facilities||1,320|Nest pension scheme|118| |Fund raising||280|Marjorie Mc Clure lessons 2,053|| |Electricity deposit||1,287|Shenstone School lessons 2,115|| |Building insurance||1,655|Feed & Bedding|2,581| |Interest on deposit account||1,250|Stabling in advance|500| ||||Veterinary fees
|342| ||£6,527||Electricity
|1,237| ||||DBC
|5,875| |||||£16,812| |**NOTE 9 CHANGE IN RESERVES**||||| ||||Transfer from reserve|(20,000)| |Building fund
|20,000||Building fund
|20,000| |General Reserve|80,000||General Reserve
|80,000| ||£100,000|||£80,000| ## **ARROW RIDING CENTRE FOR THE DISABLED** Page 11 **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MARCH 2024** ## **NOTE 10 LONG TERM LIABILITY** The RDA have very kindly agreed to write-off £4,400. Being the balance of the long term loan ## **OUR FINANCIAL SITUATION SINCE COVID** Deficit 2020/21 £23,603 21/22 23,946 22/23 10,098 23/24 19,130 76,777 Covid reserve created 20/21 45,243 Balance of deficit to date £ 31,534 ## **ASSETS** Ponies & Horses at cost £29,796 (2022/23 £25,346) Saddles at yard manager`s valuation 6,000 (2022/23 £ 8,000) New Holland Tractor purchased 2014/15 18,995 ( Major part of funding donation from QBE European Insurance Group UK) Mechanical horse at cost 2018/19 -including Mounting blocks and installation 47,194 ( purchased from various donations) Other assets – mainly s/h furniture and tack All of the above assets have been purchased from donations and gifts. With our charitable status the Trustees do not see any purpose in their inclusion within the balance sheet and having to provide provision for depreciation. In the case of our ponies and horses – this would necessitate write-offs in the event of retirement or the death of an animal. -11- **ARROW RIDING CENTRE FOR THE DISABLED** Page 12 ## **ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR 1[ST] APRIL 2023 TO 31[ST] MARCH 2024** ## **TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE ARROW RIDING CENTRE FOR THE DISABLED:** The charity trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (the Act). Under Section 145(1) (a) of the Act the trustees have elected for the accounts to be examined by an independent examiner. I have been appointed by the trustees to undertake that task. I report in respect of my examination of the Trust`s accounts carried out under Section 145 of the 2011 Act and In carrying our my examination I have followed all 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 giving me cause to believe that in any material respect :- - 1 accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by Section 130 of the Act; or - 2 the accounts do not accord with those records; or - 3 the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set our 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. Signed Alan Buttress 20[th] May 2024 109 Coombfield Drive Darenth