Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 3rd November 2024 Period start date To 2nd November 2025 Period end date
Charity name: JOHN HODGES' TRUST FOR HARPSDEN HALL Charity registration number: 304312
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | As set out in clause 4 of the 2005 Scheme: (a) in the interests of social welfare, to improve the conditions of life of the inhabitants of the area of benefit, in particular but not exclusively the poorer inhabitants, by (i) the provision and maintenance of a hall for meetings, lectures, classes and other forms of recreation, education and leisure-time occupation, and a Sunday School for instruction in the Christian faith or religious services on Sundays, Ascension Day, Christmas Day and Good Friday (but on no other day); and (ii) the provision and maintenance of playing fields for use by the inhabitants; and (b) the relief of financial hardship, either generally or individually, of people living in the parish by making grants of money for providing or paying for items, services or facilities, and the relief of the sick-poor living in the parish and its surrounding neighbourhood, either generally or individually, through the provision of grants, goods or services. "The area of benefit" means the ecclesiastical parish of St Margaret, Harpsden, Henley-on-Thames and its surrounding neighbourhood. In July 2025 the Trustees agreed that, given the imprecision of this wording in the Scheme, the Good Causes Committee may use the RG9 postcode area as a working proxy for the area of benefit. |
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| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
•Operation and maintenance of Harpsden Village Hall and Studio for community use, with strong bookings during the year across regular and ad-hoc users including weddings. •Provision and maintenance of playing fields used by Harpsden Cricket Club, AFC Henley and Henley Golf Club. •Grant-making to local good causes in the parish and the wider RG9 area. •Provision of subsidised premises and direct grants to Harpsden Pre-School, a major beneficiary of the Trust. |
|---|---|---|
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | The Trustees confirm that they have complied with the duty in section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit in exercising their powers and duties. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Policy on grant making | Para 1.38 | The Good Causes Committee, comprising Mr Jeroen Huysinga as Trustee with Mrs Sally Birkett (non-trustee), considers grant applications principally from previously supported beneficiaries within the area of benefit (taken as the RG9 postcode area). New beneficiaries are added where consistent with the Scheme's objects, in particular the relief of financial hardship or the sick-poor. The Committee may also consider unsolicited proposals. |
| Policy on social investment including program related investment |
Para 1.38 | |
| Contribution made by volunteers |
Para 1.38 | |
| Other |
JOHN HODGES’ TRUST FOR HARPSDEN HALL - Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts
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Achievements and Performance
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. |
Para 1.20 | Harpsden Village Hall continued to play an important role at the heart of the local community. Bookings at the Hall continue to remain strong, both by regular and ad-hoc users. Harpsden Pre-School is a core hall user, with their 2- to 5-year-olds enjoying the benefits of a spacious room and an enviable outdoor area, enhanced by regular Forest School sessions. Other young users of the Hall included 1st and 3rd Henley Brownies and the Berkshire and Henley School of Dance. Adult users included the Henley Players and the WI. Events were held at the Hall which included the ‘Harpsden Hoo-Ha’ – an annual celebration of local talent in the form of a mini music festival. The Hall also continued to be a popular venue for both adults’ and children’s parties. The three Playing Fields are actively used by local inhabitants, Harpsden Cricket Club, AFC Henley, and Henley Golf Club. The Trust has maintained its focus on the relief of financial hardship by donating £26,738 to Good Causes in the local community. As in previous years, the grants to Harpsden Pre-School are the most significant in terms of scale. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
Achievements against Para 1.41 objectives set Performance of fundraising Para 1.41 activities against objectives set Investment performance Para 1.41 against objectives Other
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Financial Review
| Financial Review | ||
|---|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | •Total receipts rose by 11.7% on the prior year, driven principally by increased hall hire and stronger cottage rental income. •Total payments fell by 2.6%, with the prior-year Renewals & Improvements spike of £22,886 not recurring; underlying operating costs were broadly stable, with the insurance saving from the switch to NFU Mutual partially offsetting wage growth (including the new General Manager fees from August 2025) and the Henley Glazing window project of £8,644 in Fixtures & Fittings. •The Trust generated a net surplus of £9,978.02 for the year (2024: deficit of £8,474.25). •The £15,000 interest-free benefactor loan was repaid in full on 23 July 2025, funded by a £15,000 transfer from the Expendable Endowment (EE) to the Permanent Endowment. •A further £30,000 was transferred from the Expendable Endowment (EE) to the Extraordinary Repair Fund (ERF) during the year (split across three £10,000 tranches in April, July and October 2025), and invested in the ERF portfolio including a new position in Mercantile Investment Trust. |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | The policy of the Trust is to hold reserves to ensure that it remains able to support its operating costs and beneficiaries during a period of managed adjustment to new circumstances that might include an unexpected drop in income or unanticipated expenditure, or both. In normal circumstances, the Trust targets reserves in the Expendable Endowment of £30,000, equivalent to 9–12 months of operating costs, with surplus Expendable Endowment balances transferred to the Extraordinary Repair Fund. The level of reserves is informed by the Trust's strategic plans and financial forecasts and is reviewed and approved by the Board of Trustees annually. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | At 2 November 2025, the Expendable Endowment cash held at Barclays was £56,109. The Extraordinary Repair Fund stood at £187,370 (£162,404 investments at market value plus £24,966 cash held at Walker Crips), against a long-term operational target of £250,000. |
JOHN HODGES’ TRUST FOR HARPSDEN HALL - Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts
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| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | N/A |
|---|---|---|
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | N/A |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | The Trustees have considered the Trust's financial position and have no material uncertainty over the Trust's ability to continue as a going concern |
| Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |
||
| The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Para 1.47 | Village Hall hire, House rentals (Nos. 1, 2A and 2B Hall Cottages), sports-ground rents, investment income from the ERF portfolio, donations and grants, and occasional fundraising events |
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | The Trust maintains a diversified, defensively-positioned portfolio in the Extraordinary Repair Fund, aiming to provide a useful and growing dividend income together with the potential for long-term capital growth to help protect capital against inflation. During the year a position in Mercantile Investment Trust (UK mid- and small-cap equities) was added using the £30,000 of EE to ERF transfers. The portfolio was approximately 90% invested at the year end |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | The Trustees identify the principal risks facing the Trust as: tenant void and rental- income risk on the three Hall Cottages; maintenance and capital cost inflation on the approx. £3.2m fixed asset base; investment market volatility affecting the Extraordinary Repair Fund; safeguarding; and insurance cost inflation (now mitigated by the switch to NFU Mutual in April 2026) |
| Other |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: | ||
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document | Para 1.25 | Trust Deed: Scheme of the Charity Commissioners for England and Wales, sealed 18 August 2005, which replaces the original Deed of Gift of 15 June 1909 by |
JOHN HODGES’ TRUST FOR HARPSDEN HALL - Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts
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| John Hodges, with the amendment dated 28 July 2020. |
||
|---|---|---|
| How is the charity constituted? |
Para 1.25 | An unincorporated charitable trust administered by a committee of management whose members are the Trustees of the charity. |
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Para 1.25 | Under the Scheme the Committee consists of (i) three ex-officio members, being the Rector and the two Churchwardens of the parish of St Margaret, Harpsden, subject to signing a declaration in the register of members; (ii) four elected members, appointed at the AGM, with terms ending at the following AGM and eligible for re- election; (iii) one appointed member nominated by each of: Harpsden Cricket Club, Harpsden Football Club, the Parochial Church Council of the parish, and Harpsden Parish Council; and (iv) up to two co-opted members appointed by the committee at a special meeting, with terms ending at the following AGM. Every new and re-appointed member signs a declaration of acceptance in the register of members before acting. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees |
Para 1.51 | New trustees receive a copy of the Scheme (and any amendments) and the latest report and accounts on first appointment, and sign the register of members as required by the Scheme. Conflicts of interest are declared at every meeting and recorded; new trustees' standing interests were recorded at the July 2025 AGM (Mr Brockington – Henley Golf Club, Ms Eldridge – Harpsden Pre-School, Mr Greenwood – Harpsden Cricket Club). |
|---|---|---|
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | Following the restructure approved at the AGM on 8 July 2025, day-to-day operations are managed by a part-time General Manager (Mr Michael Heinrich, on a one- year trial from 8 July 2025) supporting the Hall Manager (Ms Molly Solanke, appointed 29 March 2025). The committee structure was simplified at the same meeting to three standing committees: Finance & Investment (Mr Richard Wilson as Chair, with Mr Jeroen Huysinga, Mr Rod Birkett and Mr David Price), Good Causes (Mr Jeroen Huysinga with Mrs Sally Birkett) and Personnel/HR (Mr Rod Birkett with Ms Catherine Rubinstein). The previous Community, Communication, Sustainability, Infrastructure, Health & |
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| Safety, Lettings, Sports, and Trees & Hedges committees were disbanded and their work absorbed into the General Manager role. The General Manager also includes all book-keeping and budgeting responsibilities. |
||
|---|---|---|
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | The Trust works closely with its four nominating partners — Harpsden Cricket Club, AFC Henley, the Parochial Church Council of the parish, and Harpsden Parish Council — each entitled under the Scheme to appoint a Trustee. Harpsden Pre-School and Henley Golf Club, although not nominating bodies under the Scheme, lease facilities from the Trust and are now also represented on the Board following Mrs. Elizabeth Eldridge’s and Mr James Brockington's appointments as Co-opted Members on 8 July 2025. |
| Other |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | John Hodges' Trust for Harpsden Hall |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | Formerly known as Harpsden Hall Trust |
| Registered charity number | 304312 |
| Charity’s principal address | The Studio, Harpsden Village Hall Harpsden Henley-on-Thames Oxfordshire RG9 4HH |
JOHN HODGES’ TRUST FOR HARPSDEN HALL - Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts Page 7 of 16
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mr Rod Birkett | Joint Chair, Appointed member (to 8 Jul 2025); thereafter continued as Elected member and Chair |
Whole year | AFC Henley (to 8 Jul 2025), AGM (elected) thereafter |
|
| Dr Michael Heinrich | Joint Chair; Elected member |
Stood down as Trustee at AGM 8 Jul 2025 |
AGM (elected) | |
| Mr Richard Wilson | Elected member | Wholeyear | AGM(elected) | |
| Mr Jeroen Huysinga | Appointed member (to 8 Jul 2025); thereafter continued as Elected member |
Whole year | Harpsden Cricket Club (to 8 Jul 2025) |
|
| Mrs Katherine Rees | Elected member | Stood down at AGM 8 Jul 2025 |
AGM (elected) | |
| Mr Clive Rose | Co-opted member | Stood down at AGM 8 Jul 2025 |
Committee (co-opted) | |
| Ms Catherine Rubinstein | Appointed member | Whole year | Harpsden Parish Council |
|
| Mr David Price | Elected member | Wholeyear | AGM(elected) | |
| Mr Sam Tomkins | Appointed member | From 23 April 2025 | AFC Henley | |
| Mr Mick Greenwood | Appointed member | From 8 July 2025 | Harpsden Cricket Club |
|
| Ms Elizabeth Eldridge | Co-opted member (for Harpsden Pre- School) |
From 8 July 2025 | Committee (co-opted) | |
| Mr James Brockington | Co-opted member (for Henley Golf Club) |
From 8 July 2025 | Committee (co-opted) | |
There were no ex-officio Trustees serving during the year; the Rector position remained vacant following the departure of Rev'd Robert Thewsey in July 2024.
– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved Director name N/A
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
| Trustee name | Dates acted if not for whole year | |
|---|---|---|
| N/A | ||
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Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
| Description of the assets held in this capacity |
N/A |
|---|---|
| Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects |
N/A |
| Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets |
N/A |
Additional information (optional)
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
| Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) | Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) | Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) |
|---|---|---|
| Type of adviser Name Address |
||
| Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information) | ||
| Dr Michael Heinrich (General Manager, from 8 July 2025) |
Dr Michael Heinrich (General Manager, from 8 July 2025)
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
Other optional information
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Declarations The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees. report above. Signed on behalf of the charty's trustees Slgnature(s Full namels Posltlon (eg Secretary. Chalr. etc) Rod Birkett Michael Helnrlch Chalr General Manager Date 07 July 2026 07 July 2026 JOHN HODGES. TRUST FOR HARPSDEN HALL- Trustees. Annual Report and Accounts Page 10 of 16
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Receipts & Payments Account
| RECEIPTS Hire of Village Hall Sports Grounds Rents - Cottages and Flat Donations & Grants Investment Income Other Receipts Sub-Total ASSETS & INVESTMENT SALES Share Sales Sub-Total TOTAL RECEIPTS PAYMENTS Wages Light & Heating Water & Sewerage Renewals & Improvements Repairs & Maintenance Cleaning Telephone Professional Fees Insurance Fixtures & Fittings Running Expenses Sundry Marketing Donations Bank Charges 2A & 2B Hall Cottages Project 1 Hall Cottages Project Loan Repayments Sub-Total ASSET & INVESTMENT PURCHASES Share Purchases Cricket Ground Sub-Total TOTAL PAYMENTS |
Unrestricted Restricted & Endowment TOTAL 2025 TOTAL 2024 Funds Designated Funds Funds £ £ £ £ £ |
|---|---|
| 54,265.08 54,265.08 45,213.67 14,748.40 14,748.40 12,977.82 65,454.14 65,454.14 50,619.14 2,970.48 0.00 2,970.48 10,895.00 4,940.68 4,940.68 5,548.07 0.00 0.00 2,192.05 142,378.78 0.00 0.00 142,378.78 127,445.75 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 142,378.78 0.00 0.00 142,378.78 127,445.75 -18,378.45 -18,378.45 -15,696.29 -8,684.31 -8,684.31 -8,031.15 -376.73 -376.73 -222.20 0.00 0.00 -22,886.11 -7,167.98 -1,898.96 -9,066.94 -8,555.00 -1,978.74 -1,978.74 -1,059.10 -217.84 -217.84 -1,522.90 -1,254.90 -1,254.90 0.00 -8,584.65 -8,584.65 -3,847.65 -8,644.22 -8,644.22 -398.38 -3,332.90 -3,332.90 -5,827.71 -126.00 -126.00 -797.67 0.00 0.00 -167.98 -26,738.08 -26,738.08 -28,600.86 -17.00 -17.00 -102.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 -420.00 0.00 -15,000.00 -15,000.00 -10,000.00 -85,501.80 -1,898.96 -15,000.00 -102,400.76 -108,135.00 -30,000.00 -30,000.00 -20,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 -7,785.00 0.00 -30,000.00 0.00 -30,000.00 -27,785.00 -85,501.80 -31,898.96 -15,000.00 -132,400.76 -135,920.00 |
|
| TOTAL NET RECEIPTS /(PAYMENTS) | 56,876.98 -31,898.96 -15,000.00 9,978.02 -8,474.25 |
| Transfer from EE to ERF Transfer from EE to PE |
-30,000.00 30,000.00 -15,000.00 15,000.00 |
| SURPLUS /(DEFICIT) NET OF TRANSFERS 11,876.98 -1,898.96 0.00 9,978.02 -8,474.25 |
|
| Cash at Barclays Bank 03.11.2024 44,231.60 1,898.96 0.00 46,130.56 Cash at Barclays Bank 02.11.2025 56,108.58 0.00 0.00 56,108.58 |
JOHN HODGES’ TRUST FOR HARPSDEN HALL - Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts
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NCIAL STA f Assèts & Uabll Unrestrictad Funds R88thcted & Endowmènt 2025 DBslgrtai8d Fund5 Funds 2024 CASH FUNDS Barday$ Cash at Walker Crips rotsli Cash Funds 56.109 56,109 24,966 81,075 46.131 13.360 59.491 24. 34,906 56,109 INVESTMENT ASSETS JPMorgan Global Emetgng Maets Incoff Allianc Tfu81 Aberdeen Diversffied I&G obal Opportunffje$ Trnst HICL 31,535 27.8 15.725 29.970 30.LXJO 31,535 27.OC6 15.725 29.970 30.0 25.285 25.536 14,280 12,890 24,684 26.795 Keystone Positive Char Merfantile Inveslmenl Tol•llnvestrn6ntA8s0ts 28.168 1614 28.168 I404 129,270 ASSETS RETAINEO FOR CHARrrYs USE village Hall and Sludio" Footbal Farylil~ Cricket Faulilies No 1 Hall Cottage5 No 2A Hall Cottage5 No 2B Hall Cottages Tgt•lAssets Reialned 1.520.126 1.520,126 1.520.126 193.404 193,404 193.404 517.146 517,146 517.146 369.536 9,538 369.538 285.991 285.991 285.991 285.991 285,991 285.991 1171196 3.172.196 3.172,196 LIAPIUT]ES Benefactor Loan luiierestfreel Totsl Li8bilitr85 -15,rrtJO -15.000 AL NET ASSETS 5Q109 187A70 .171196 3A15.675 3.345,957 'Village Hall aThJ StL¥1io indLk5 Harp VitsJe Hal. a Studio llat abo Vilaye Hau 8TrJ a fEkJ betu.tbj No. l Hall ColtagES 8s well as separate swe sheds. arNI fuMitU eqpnI Ltsed in fv Wdbge Hall. Footbal Faryli15 indude Football Fk1 and Pavlion Cricket Faalilies indude Cncet Grol. Pavthorts, SW aThl prxtKt rets. Approved by ts Tnolee$ tyi.. 07J 2026 IDatel &'gned on behaifolts Tpjstees by. R(#J Birkett (Print Na) - IS¥nolurel (Pml Na) JOHN FW)DGES' TRUST FOR FL4RPSDEN HALL.Tn¢iees' Arr P*120116
Bank Reconciliation
Barclays Current Account
| Balance Brought Forward (as of 3rd Nov 2024) Bank Receipts Bank Payments Balance Carried Forward (as of 2nd Nov 2025) |
£46,130.56 £142,378.78 |
£132,400.76 £56,108.58 |
|---|---|---|
| £188,509.34 = |
£188,509.34 |
JOHN HODGES’ TRUST FOR HARPSDEN HALL - Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts
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Notes to the Accounts
1 . Accoun�ng Policies
The accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis and follow the recommenda,ons in Statement of Recommended Prac,ce: Accoun,ng by Chari,es (SORP 2005).
2. Trustees’ Remunera�on and Expenses
The trustees received no remunera,on during the year.
3. Endowments and Funds
The Unrestricted Funds comprise what the 2005 Scheme refers to as the Expendable Endowment. The Restricted and Designated Funds comprise the Extraordinary Repair Fund and the Cricket Ground Project Fund:
-
The Extraordinary Repair Fund is a Restricted Fund for the extraordinary repair, improvement or rebuilding of the property of the charity;
-
The Cricket Ground Project Fund is a Restricted Fund for land, building and related projects specifically for Harpsden Cricket Club;
The Endowment Funds comprise what the 2005 Scheme refers to as the Permanent Endowment. These hold the opera,onal fixed assets of the charity and provide ongoing income (receipts) to support the charity’s ac,vi,es.
4. Surplus Receipts
In this financial year, surplus receipts of £9,978.02 were produced. Those will be used to further the objects of the Trust.
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CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trusteesl members of harily N3me JOHN HODGES TRUST FOR HARPSDEN HALL On accounts for the year ended NOVEMBER 2025 Charity no (if any) 304312 Set out on pages 11 to 14 IrEwember lo Include the pagè numbers of a¢dilional sfriEeli. I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of th8 above charity ('the Trusf) for the year ended 0211112025. Responslbllltles and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basis of report of the accounts in accordan with the requirements of the Charities Acl 2011 ('the Acr). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carying out my examination, I have followèd the applicable Directions giv8n by the Charity Cornmission under section 145(51{bl of the Act. I have completed my examination. I confirrn that no material matters have come to my attention (other than that disclosed below ") in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect: acmunting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records Independent examiner's statement I have no concems 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. Please delete the words in the brackets rf they do not apply. Signed: Date: Y1711ts Name: LUCY APLIN Relevant professional qualifi¢ation(s) or body lif any): ACA {ICAEI Address: HIGHFIELD, 11 ROTHERFIELD ROAD HENLEY-ON-THAMES OXFORDSHIRE RG9 1 NR IER October 2018
Section B Disclosure Only complete ifthe examiner needs to highlight matters of Concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity acccmjnts: directions and guidance for examiners). Glve here brlef detalls of any items that the examlner wishes to dlsclose. IER October 2018