HETHERSETT MEMORIAL PLAYING FIELD TRUST
Charity Number 303972
Report for the Annual Meeting of the Parish Wednesday 23[rd] April 2025
Hethersett Memorial Playing Field was established by the people of Hethersett in 1959 in memory of local men who gave their lives in World War Two. It was incorporated by the Charity Commission in1991 as a Charitable Trust with the Parish Council being the Custodian Trustees. There is a committee of Management Trustees, whose role, according to the Charity Commission registration document, is to manage the amenity for “The benefit of all the inhabitants of the Parish of Hethersett without distinction of political, religious or other opinions with the object of improving the conditions of life for the said inhabitants.”
During the past year the Management Trustees have been Mel Perkins (appointed 2011), Stephen Slack (appointed 2015), Ian Fieldhouse(appt 2017), Tim Hudson-Church (appt 2017), Mike Stark (appt 2018), Steve Irvine (appt. 2020)) and Amanda Lockhart (appt. 2024). Messrs Fieldhouse, Irvine and Hudson-Church are not available to serve as trustees this year and are sincerely thanked for their past service. Their departure creates an urgent need for fresh volunteers.
The playing field is a popular venue for a wide range of recreational activities, both formal and informal. There are club activities for football, cycle speedway, Bowls, Croquet and cricket (featuring cricketers of senior years). The cricket facilities are also hired out for one-off matches. There are many casual visitors to the park of all ages, amusing themselves with children, pets and friends. The excellent function room in The Hub is a regular base for a variety of groups and one- off venue for all sorts of events.
The management of the Memorial Playing Field falls into two quite distinct areas, which is reflected in the way accounts are kept. The Treasurer’s Report follows this introduction. The field and Hub are managed as separate, but linked, responsibilities. The routine tasks associated with the management of the playing field continue in much the same way as always, including maintaining the playground, keeping the grass in good order, inspecting and controlling the trees and trimming the perimeter hedges.
Safety of users of the playing field is always a priority and inspections of play equipment, trees and electrical testing are established routines. Sadly, some funds have to be devoted to clearing up problems caused by anti-social behaviour. The trustees accept that a public park is always likely be an attractive place for youngsters to meet and most do so in much the same harmless way as previous generations. Sadly there is a minority that do present problems and criminal damage is always reported to the police. As a matter of principle trustees try to put any damage right as quickly as possible.
The park is a popular place for people to exercise their dogs and signs around the playing field advise dog owners about how they can both enjoy the facilities and make good and responsible use of the park. Trustees continue to ask for help and co-operation in dealing with the nuisance and health risk presented by a minority of dog owners who fail to clear up after their pets. The heavy use of the six dog bins spread around the playing field demonstrates that the vast majority of dog owners are responsible people, but that is small comfort for anybody that encounters the mess left by an irresponsible minority.
As the Treasurer’s Report shows, managing The Hub is the more problematic responsibility. When the trustees first took charge of the building they predicted that it would be at least two years before the costs of maintaining the building became less than the income earned from letting out the spaces. In practice some of those costs have greatly exceeded expectations. Nevertheless the number of bookings is growing and a year after beginning to manage The Hub the trustees maintain a confident outlook. The Hub is a wonderful amenity and those that use it give very positive feedback.
The trustees are grateful for the friendly and co-operative way the various clubs and facility hirers collaborate with them and are grateful to the Parish Council for their committed support. The HEAT group have given invaluable assistance with planting around the field, particularly around the Swale, which is the large square shaped hollow that soaks away the rainwater from the roof of The Hub. The Trustees are also grateful to the villagers that support their work, by helping to keep the playing field tidy and attractive through both small and sustained voluntary actions. They are aware that several people clear up mess and litter left by less caring neighbours. Their wonderful community spirit is appreciated and valued. Trustees also thank Norfolk Police for their vigilant support in dealing with anti-social behaviour.
We are pleased and grateful that the playing field is enjoyed by so many of our village community and ask that any of the neighbours or visitors to
the park that witness vandalism or behaviour that spoils enjoyment of the amenities for the majority of the public to report the matter promptly. The police have advised that a 999 call is appropriate for any offence witnessed while in progress. The “Memorial” was provided back in 1959 for the enjoyment of all inhabitants and everybody wants to see it continue to be a lovely venue that improves “the conditions of life for the said inhabitants “.
Mike Stark Stephen Slack
Chairman Secretary
Treasurer’s Report
The Memorial Playing Field’s operations have presented the Trustees with another financially challenging year. While management of the field and playground was almost completely funded by hiring fees from its resident clubs and regular users, there remains the need to replace much of the wooden playground equipment in the coming years. The Parish Council have given funds to cover costs already committed to and are setting aside funds to help with the future playground needs.
The Hub building has just finished its first full year of operation and it continues to be a steep learning curve for the Trustees. We have half a dozen regular bookings which are well established and with whom we have good working relationships. Ideally, we need more daytime classes and, hopefully, better publicity going forward can attract these, but we suspect that the economic climate is not conducive to starting new ventures.
We continue to be a preferred venue for children’s parties and, as more people attend these, follow-up bookings increase. We have also had some high-profile events such as the Norfolk Federation of Wis lunch.
The running costs of the Hub are proving to be much higher than expected, notably electricity for the under-floor heat-pump heating. Despite engaging the services of Utility Aid, the trustees have seen little benefit from switching providers. The establishing of regular inspections and maintenance agreements continues to add to expenditure.
The biggest concern affecting income has been the lack of use of the changing room area by the football club. Only one team has been hiring the area, at best, a once a booking. This is not sustainable given the investment the Football Association has put into the project. So, from
April 2025 any team hiring the main pitch adjacent to the Hub will also be charged for the changing rooms whether they use them or not.
We will again be grateful for a Parish Council precept grant to subsidise the building as a valuable community asset, as we strive to raise sufficient income to cover our costs. We recently closed the Pavilion Development Fund set up with grants to furnish and get the Hub up and running. The balance of the Fund (just under £5k) has been set against the operating losses for the first two financial years.
We have increased hiring charges by 5% across the board to offset increasing costs (10% for football hiring of the field) but we are conscious of the need to remain competitive to attract new business.
Mel Perkins MBE
Treasurer 6[th] April 2025
HETHERSETT MEMORIAL PLAYING FIELD TRUST ANNUAL SUMMARISED ACCOUNTS YEAR ENDING 31ST MARCH 2025
FIELD RUNNING COSTS
| INCOME | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Lettings | 6359 | ||
| Parish Council Grant - Precept | 4000 | ||
| 10359 | |||
| EXPENDITURE | |||
| Grass & Hedge Maintenance | 3672 | ||
| Insurance | 1221 | ||
| Anti-Social Behaviour Maintenance | 678 | ||
| Tree Survey | 528 | ||
| Play Equipment Inspection | 213 | ||
| Water | 16 | ||
| Administration | 12 | ||
| Electricity | # | -31 | |
| 6309 |
| NET INCOME LESS EXPENDITURE | 4050 |
|---|---|
| BALANCE BROUGHT FORWARD | 908 |
| BALANCE CARRIED FORWARD | 3142 |
currently 112 in credit
Note - Budgeted items for Tree Surgery and Playground Maintenance awaiting spend
THE HUB RUNNING COSTS
| INCOME | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Lettings | 11187 | ||
| Parish Council Grant - Precept | 5000 | ||
| Hub Café | 47 | ||
| 16234 | |||
| EXPENDITURE | |||
| Electricity | # | 11609 | |
| Insurance | 5401 | ||
| Cleaning | 4106 | ||
| Routine Maintenance & Servicing | 1242 | ||
| Toilet & Kitchen Paper Supplies | 355 | ||
| Wif | 272 | ||
| General Maintenance | 148 | ||
| Publicity | 75 | ||
| Administration | 22 | ||
| 23230 | |||
| NET INCOME LESS EXPENDITURE | -6996 | ||
| BALANCE BROUGHT FORWARD | -1540 | ||
| TRANSFER FROM HUB RESERVED | |||
| FUNDS | 4979 | ||
| BALANCE CARRIED FORWARD | -3557 |
includes Advanced Energy Cost of 889
Note - we have yet to receive any invoice for water
| PROJECTS FUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| INCOME | |||
| Parish Council Grant | 1350 | ||
| 1350 | |||
| EXPENDITURE | |||
| Playground Hip-Hop Repair | 1350 | ||
| Cricket Equipment | 28 | ||
| Swale | 18 | ||
| 1396 | |||
| NET INCOME LESS EXPENDITURE | -46 | ||
| BALANCE BROUGHT FORWARD | 4794 | ||
| BALANCE CARRIED FORWARD | 4748 | ||
| THE HUB RESERVED FUNDS | |||
| INCOME | |||
| 0 | |||
| EXPENDITURE | |||
| Car Park Fencing | 1502 | ||
| Equiopment | 783 | ||
| Legionnaires Check | 354 | ||
| Kitchen Workshop Change | 100 | ||
| Car Park Barrier | 25 | ||
| 2764 | |||
| NET INCOME LESS EXPENDITURE | -2764 |
1
| BALANCE BROUGHT FORWARD | 7743 |
|---|---|
| TRANSFER TO THE HUB RUNNING | |
| COSTS | -4979 |
| BALANCE CARRIED FORWARD | 0 |
| OVERALL SUMMARY | |
| BALANCES | |
| Field Running Costs | 3142 |
| The Hub Running Costs | -3557 |
| Projects Fund | 4748 |
| The Hub Reserved Funds | 0 |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 4333 |
| REPRESENTED BY | |
| Nat West Current Account | 4332 |
| Nat West Deposit Account | |
| TOTAL BALANCES | 4333 |
HETHERSETT MEMORIAL PLAYING FIELD TR ANNUAL SUMMARISED ACCOUNTS YEAR ENDING 31ST MARCH 2025
FIELD RUNNING COSTS
| INCOME | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Lettings | 6359 | ||
| Parish Council Grant - Precept | 4000 | ||
| 10359 | |||
| EXPENDITURE | |||
| Grass & Hedge Maintenance | 3672 | ||
| Insurance | 1221 | ||
| Anti-Social Behaviour Maintenance | 678 | ||
| Tree Survey | 528 | ||
| Play Equipment Inspection | 213 | ||
| Water | 16 | ||
| Administration | 12 | ||
| Electricity | # | -31 | |
| 6309 | |||
| NET INCOME LESS EXPENDITURE | 4050 | ||
| BALANCE BROUGHT FORWARD | -908 | ||
| BALANCE CARRIED FORWARD | 3142 |
currently 112 in credit Note - Budgeted items for Tree Surgery and Playground Mainte
THE HUB RUNNING COSTS
| INCOME | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Lettings | 11187 | ||
| Parish Council Grant - Precept | 5000 | ||
| Hub Café | 47 | ||
| 16234 | |||
| EXPENDITURE | |||
| Electricity | # | 11609 | |
| Insurance | 5401 | ||
| Cleaning | 4106 | ||
| Routine Maintenance & Servicing | 1242 | ||
| Toilet & Kitchen Paper Supplies | 355 | ||
| Wif | 272 | ||
| General Maintenance | 148 | ||
| Publicity | 75 | ||
| Administration | 22 | ||
| 23230 | |||
| NET INCOME LESS EXPENDITURE | -6996 | ||
| BALANCE BROUGHT FORWARD | -1540 | ||
| TRANSFER FROM HUB RESERVED FUNDS | 4979 | ||
| BALANCE CARRIED FORWARD | -3557 | ||
| # includes Advanced Energy Cost of 889 | |||
| Note - we have yet to receive any invoice for | water |
PROJECTS FUND
| INCOME | ||
|---|---|---|
| Parish Council Grant | 1350 | |
| 1350 | ||
| EXPENDITURE | ||
| Playground Hip-Hop Repair | 1350 | |
| Cricket Equipmet | 28 | |
| Swale | 18 | |
| 1396 | ||
| NET INCOME LESS EXPENDITURE | -46 | |
| BALANCE BROUGHT FORWARD | 4794 | |
| BALANCE CARRIED FORWARD | 4748 |
THE HUB RESERVED FUNDS
| INCOME | ||
|---|---|---|
| 0 | ||
| EXPENDITURE | ||
| Car Park Fencing | 1502 | |
| Equiopment | 783 | |
| Legionnaires Check | 354 | |
| Kitchen Workshop Change | 100 | |
| Car Park Barrier | 25 | |
| 2764 | ||
| NET INCOME LESS EXPENDITURE | -2764 | |
| BALANCE BROUGHT FORWARD | 7743 | |
| TRANSFER TO THE HUB RUNNING COSTS | -4979 | |
| BALANCE CARRIED FORWARD | 0 |
OVERALL SUMMARY
| BALANCES | |
|---|---|
| Field Running Costs | 3142 |
| The Hub Running Costs | -3557 |
| Projects Fund | 4748 |
| The Hub Reserved Funds | 0 |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 4333 |
| REPRESENTED BY | |
| Nat West Current Account | 4332 |
| Nat West Deposit Account | 1 |
| TOTAL BALANCES | 4333 |
| Mel Perkins MBE | |
| Treasurer | |
| 4thApril 2025 |
IUST nance awaiting spenc
AOL Mail - RE: Accounts
https://mail.aol.com/d/list/referrer=newMail&folders=1&accountIds=1&...
RE: Accounts
From: adrienne.quin@gmail.com
To: babylon5sp@aol.com Cc: stephen.slack5@btinternet.com; starkm@sky.com Date: Friday, 13 February 2026 at 17:48 GMT
Mel Perkins
I am happy to confirming that I have examined the account of Hethersett Memorial Playing Field Trustees, checking Bank Statements and Invoices against your accounts. As a resident of Hethersett I am happy to except them as a true and accurate record of the accounts of Hethersett Memorial Playing Field for the year ending 31/3/2025
I am sorry for the delay but glad that I have done them as I am going back into hospital this evening
I understand that due to the income received in that year the Charity Commission require the accounts to be independently examined.
Congratulation on the new building and the bookings
I am happy for this email to be forwarded to the Charity Commission, if however they require an email directly from me then please send me the relevant email address along with a reference number
Adrienne Quinlan
Tel: 01603 814379
17/02/2026, 16:04
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