VERA FLETCHER HALL ASSOCIATION
(Registered with the charity commission no. 294070)
Report of the Council of
The Vera Fletcher Hall Associaton for the Year ending 31 March 2025
Introduction
The Vera Fletcher Hall Association has built on the progress made in the previous year with new key personnel in place, both on the committee and for day to day management and support.
Activities
Theatre
Alice Saywell our Artistic Manager / Theatre Programmer finished her time at the Hall at the end of March 2024, following which this role was largely fulfilled by Hermione Delamere is conjunction with Claire Evans, with Claire having increasing input through the year to March 2025 and beyond.
The regular film nights were a mainstay of the year including 5 films between March and December. 2025 being the 50[th] anniversary of the death of RC Sherriff saw a programme of events to commemorate him starting with film nights showing his best known films.
There were three theatrical productions through the year and the theatre activities received solid support from appreciative audiences.
Hall Letngs and Classes
Our Hall Manager Alison Black has continued to run the day to day lettings, management, cleaning and oneoff hiring of the hall; liaising with regular hirers and arranging maintenance when necessary to ensure the venue maximises it’s income potential and maintains it’s appearance.
Hall lettings have had another strong year and provide the main source of income for the Hall, covering the day to day running costs and all general expenditure. The hall is used by a variety of hirers providing regular activities and classes throughout the year. At weekends the Hall often hosts birthday parties for children and other family celebrations.
Fabric and Equipment
A number of repair and maintenance items were carried out during the year, including repair and renewal of various electrical items. External redecoration to the front bay window with associated timber repairs, internal redecoration of wc areas, including new flooring to the ground floor ladies and disabled wc’s, with floor repair and replacement of paper towel dispensers with hand dryers. The Green Room was also decorated.
A bid was prepared for CIL funding from Elmbridge Council for Solar Panel installation to supplement our electricity use. The bid was only partially successful and the works are being carried forward into the 2025/26 financial year, in order to use those funds awarded.
Annual Officers’ Report and Accounts
Our Honorary Treasurer, Keith McMahon, has prepared the Accounts for the AGM, following circulation to the Committee for any queries prior to their being issued.
Keith will present these accounts to the AGM.
The Officers and Committee wish to thank Penny McMahon, our new Honorary Inspecting Accountant, for checking and reporting on our Accounts.
The Accounts show a loss for the year, mostly attributed to the significant expenditure on repair and maintenance. This loss is offset by a transfer of monies from the sinking fund.
The Officer and Committee would wish to record their appreciation of the ongoing support of the RC Sherriff Trust and their annual grant of £5,000.00
Officers, Committee and Volunteers
For the record, the Officers and Committee serving during the year were myself as Chairman, Tom Rees as Hon. Secretary and Keith McMahon as Hon. Treasurer.
On the Committee were Hermione Delamare, who again has been a great support to the whole operation of the Hall, but particularly in keeping the theatre operations going. Alison Black has been invaluable is organising the running of the Hall, including the ad-hoc lettings and organising the cleaning by our outside cleaning contractors, that is forever changing depending on use. Michael Hunter whose legal and general advice are much valued, and his support is appreciated.
David Huddart, who is not a Committee member but his help with the theatre’s technical equipment is absolutely vital to the running of the various hall lettings. Claire Evans who returned to help with the Theatre from the end of the previous financial year and is now very much part of the team going forward.
Lisa McAuliffe who is our principal hirer provides invaluable insight and feedback regarding the day to day operation of the Hall.
Without these people and the volunteers who help at our events, the Association could not run the Hall for the benefit of the community.
Neil Russell Chairman 19[th] December 2025.