Charity registration number: 304566
J N FEAR'S INSTITUTE AND ENDOWMENT TRUSTEES' REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025
Tony Dicker Ltd
J N Fear's Institute and Endowment Contents
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Trustees' Report | 1—5 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 6 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 7 |
| Statement of Financial Position | 8 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 9—11 |
| The following pages do not form part of the statutory accounts: | |
| Detailed Statement of Financial Activities | 12 |
J N Fear's Institute and Endowment Trustees' Report For The Year Ended 30 June 2025
The trustees present their report and the financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2025.
Objectives and Activities
Aims and Objectives
The Will under which the charity was set up requires that the Hall be used to benefit local people. It is let to a wide variety of organizations and groups with preference being given to community organizations and societies, who can apply to become Affiliated Members and receive discounted hire rates and the opportunity to take part in the management of the premises. Public sector and charities are regular hirers as are small businesses such as dance schools. The Will explicitly precludes letting to political organizations and it is the policy of the trustees not to let to users whose activities might be in direct competition with local businesses having premises nearby.
Operation
The Institute operates under the name "Fear Hall" for day-to-day purposes and is a well-known venue within the town of Keynsham. Although there are several other halls and sets of rooms for hire nearby, many affiliated organizations and other users have been customers for many years and there is no difficulty in attracting a sufficient number of hirers. Other than maintaining the web-site, no marketing is necessary and the main operational activities are managing bookings and associated income, and cleaning & caretaking activities.
Physical activities, ie cleaning, repairs and maintenance, are carried out by paid professionals but all the administrative, management and finance roles involved in running the Hall are undertaken by volunteers, without whom we could not operate. The key roles are Booking Secretary, Treasurer and Payroll Administrator.
Volunteers
The charity is dependent on volunteers. The Trustees wish to record their appreciation of all the work put in by the members of the Management Committee, some of whom contribute substantial amounts of time and effort, particularly in respect of managing the bookings, income, payments & purchases, payroll and the planning of improvement works.
Public Benefit
During the report year the Fear Hall provided accommodation for a total of 1,599 activity sessions (previous year - 1,580) – probably the highest number ever. There were 32 bookings for private parties and some to private groups but the great majority of bookings were for exercise, health, indoor sports and dance classes open to the public through the various organising groups, both affiliated and independent. Regular use by a local church group continued and contributed a significant number of weekend bookings. The public benefit provided by the Fear Hall to the local population was therefore substantial.
The trustees confirm that they have complied with the requirements of Section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit.
Achievements and Performance
Main Achievements
Overall Review of the Year
The year 2024/25 saw the hall utilized at a slightly higher level than the previous year, possibly busier than ever before. It was not necessary to increase hire rates again, so our rates are competitive with other nearby venues.
Day-to-day operation and management has continued without any changes to personnel and is efficient, giving a good service to our member organizations and other users.
During the year the major project to replace the tiling of the main hall roof with associated works was successfully completed. With a total cost of some £60,000 this meant that for a second year the charity’s overall finances were in deficit.
Financial Review
Page 1
J N Fear's Institute and Endowment Trustees' Report (continued) For The Year Ended 30 June 2025
Financial Position
The charity obtains all its income from hire fees (apart from occasional restricted grants) so is not involved in any fundraising activities. It does not initiate or run any activities but merely provides a venue for others; the only expenditure incurred is therefore that associated with running, maintaining and improving the premises.
Besides its ownership of the Hall the only assets of the Charity are the funds held in current and savings accounts and one financial investment comprising 3,192 Income Units with the COIF Charities Investment Fund. This investment generates income, received quarterly, and paid into the current account. The charity continued to hold a prudent amount of savings in a notice account with Redwood Bank.
The Charity does not have a formal Reserves Policy but aims to have a total financial reserve of about £50,000 to provide a contingency to cover an unforeseen problem of significant scale with the building – as has happened with the major roof repair. It is the trustees’ intention to retain surpluses to return this reserve to a healthy figure.
Review of the Year
The balance of general income and running costs of the hall during the hall has been satisfactory. Income from lettings increased by 5.6% to a new high of £45,005, although costs – excluding improvement works – increased by about 25% to £22,522. This increase was due largely to a doubling of Repair & Maintenance expenditure to £7,341 (details below). Expenditure of £1,124 on legal costs was incurred in the appointment of the new trustee and transfer of ownership of the hall to the Official Custodian to reduce future fees. This latter work had not been completed at the year end.
A net transfer of £20,000 was made from the savings account to fund the roof project. As a result of this major item of expenditure, the overall financial position for the year 2024/2025 is a net deficit on charitable activities of £11,479 compared to a net deficit of £16,664 the previous year.
Building Maintenance and Improvements
Expenditure on the major work of retiling the main hall roof was spread about equally over the two financial years 2023/2024 and 2024/2025. The work was substantially completed at the end of July 2024 with an outturn cost of £60,071.
Major items of maintenance work during the year comprised the fitting of a new lock to the front door to comply with insurance requirements at a cost of £703, installation of two CCTV cameras at a cost of £1,235, re-sanding and varnishing of all three wooden floors at a total cost of £2,256 and replacement of the lights in the Jubilee Lounge at a cost of £612.
Assets
At 30th June 2025 the assets of the charity comprised:
-
Ownership of the Fear Hall land, building and fittings at 30, High Street, Keynsham
-
Cash held in current and savings bank accounts to a total of £57,859.98.
-
Investment fund COIF valued at £61,970.76.
FUTURE PLANS
In the next financial year it is intended to refresh and upgrade the upstairs dance studio, which has not been redecorated for many years.
Structure, Governance and Management
Governing Document
Governance and trustees
The Charity is based on the trust set up by the will of the late John Nelson Fear who died in 1917. His legacy included an endowment fund to be used to build a hall for the benefit and enjoyment of local people. The Hall was completed in 1937 and has been owned and used for its intended purpose ever since, although the facilities and method of operation have varied to suit changing requirements and circumstances.
The Hall comprises several rooms for use by local organizations who pay hire fees on the basis of usage to cover the running costs, with any surplus retained to cover items of major expenditure and improvements.
The original governing document names five trustees. Successors have been appointed over the years and in 2024/25 these were as listed in this report, with one change during the year. Trustees normally serve until they decide to stand down. Replacements are appointed by the remaining trustees after suitable consideration and checks; they are usually volunteers who have represented one of the affiliated bodies or have already served on the Management Committee.
Management Committee
In accordance with the terms of the Will Trust, the Institute is run by the trustees and representatives of user organizations, so the principal decision-making body is a Management Committee made up of the trustees plus volunteers and representatives of affiliated organizations. This Committee is responsible for the day-to-day running of the Hall, for proposing any improvement projects and for managing the implementation of such projects once approved.
...CONTINUED
Page 2
J N Fear's Institute and Endowment Trustees' Report (continued) For The Year Ended 30 June 2025
Governing Document - continued
Members of the Committee are appointed at the Annual General Meeting. At the end of 2024/2025 the members of the Committee (in addition to trustees) were:
David Johnson – Secretary Tina Woodberry – Treasurer Debbie Harrison – Hall Manager Seth Bland – Bristol Revival Fellowship Pat Bennett - Keynsham Bridge Club Joe Tymkow - Keynsham Photographic Society William Mansfield - Keynsham Sequence Dance Club Mark Tanner – Keynsham Table Tennis Club Sue Halliday - T-Jive Lynne Chichester - Fear Short Mat Bowls Club Jill Greenslade - St Keyna Townswomen's Guild
Affiliated Members
The Constitution of the Fear Hall aims to foster the involvement of user organizations in the management of the premises. Representatives of all Affiliated Groups are invited to the quarterly meetings of the Management Committee and encouraged to take an active part in the practical aspects of running the Hall.
At the end of the year the following organizations had Affiliate status:
Bristol Revival Fellowship Keynsham Bridge Club Keynsham Photographic Society Keynsham Sequence Dance Club Keynsham Table Tennis Club Keynsham & Saltford Local History Society Rotary Club of Keynsham Fear Short Mat Bowls Club St Keyna Townswomen's Guild T-Jive
Risk management
The trustees recognise that they have a duty to identify the risks to which the charity is exposed and to ensure appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance against fraud and error. Risk assessments have been undertaken for the principal operational risks and appropriate control measures implemented. The charity’s Finance Policies and Procedures covering Expenditure Controls and Income Management were reviewed by trustees in April 2025.
Reference and Administrative Details
Trustees
Mrs P Veale Mr D Veale (resigned 03/06/2025) Mr N James Mr I Gambrell Mr R Dyson Mr T Oswald (appointed 03/06/2025)
Charity Number
304566
Principal Address
31 Windrush Road Keynsham Bristol BS31 1QN
Independent Examiner
Mr A R Dicker FCA Chartered Accountant Tony Dicker Ltd
Page 3
J N Fear's Institute and Endowment Trustees' Report (continued) For The Year Ended 30 June 2025
29 Courtenay Road Keynsham Bristol BS31 1JU
Page 4
J N Fear's Institute and Endowment Trustees' Report (continued) For The Year Ended 30 June 2025
Other Information
Additional Note
More information on the Fear Hall including full details of rooms and facilities, hire rates and a live booking diary can be found on our website at http://www.fearhallkeynsham.org.uk Alternatively, the Bookings Secretary can be contacted on 01761 451249 or email bookings@fearhallkeynsham.org.uk General enquiries should be directed to the contact address given above.
The trustees' report was approved by the board of trustees and signed on its behalf by:
Mr R Dyson Trustee 23/02/2026
Page 5
J N Fear's Institute and Endowment Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of J N Fear's Institute and Endowment For The Year Ended 30 June 2025
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of J N Fear's Institute and Endowment (the Trust) for the year ended 30 June 2025.
Responsibilities and Basis of Report
As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation 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 giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
-
accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or
-
the accounts do not accord with those records; or
-
the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and contents of accounts set out 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.
A R Dicker
Mr A R Dicker FCA Chartered Accountant
23/02/2026 29 Courtenay Road Keynsham Bristol BS31 1JU
Page 6
J N Fear's Institute and Endowment Statement of Financial Activities For The Year Ended 30 June 2025
| Notes INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM: Charitable activities: Charitable Activities Investments 3 Other 4 EXPENDITURE ON: Charitable activities: 5 Charitable Activities NET EXPENDITURE NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS: Total funds brought forward TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 10 |
2025 Unrestricted funds £ 46,061 3,412 (2,960) |
2024 Unrestricted funds £ 43,566 1,746 4,969 |
|---|---|---|
| 46,513 | 50,281 | |
| (57,540) | (60,230) | |
| (11,027) | (9,949) | |
| (11,027) 136,357 |
(9,949) 146,306 |
|
| 125,330 | 136,357 |
The notes on pages 9 to 11 form part of these financial statements.
Page 7
J N Fear's Institute and Endowment Statement of Financial Position As At 30 June 2025
| 2025 | 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Total | ||
| funds | funds | ||
| Notes | £ | £ | |
| FIXED ASSETS | |||
| Tangible Assets | 8 | 5,500 | 5,500 |
| 5,500 | 5,500 | ||
| CURRENT ASSETS | |||
| Investments | 9 | 61,971 | 64,931 |
| Cash at bank and in hand | 57,859 | 65,926 | |
| 119,830 | 130,857 | ||
| NET CURRENT ASSETS (LIABILITIES) | 119,830 | 130,857 | |
| TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES | 125,330 | 136,357 | |
| NET ASSETS | 125,330 | 136,357 | |
| FUNDS OF THE CHARITY | |||
| Unrestricted Funds | 125,330 | 136,357 | |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 10 | 125,330 | 136,357 |
| On behalf of the board | |||
| pdunl, Du/ln | |||
| Mr R Dyson | |||
| Trustee | |||
| 23/02/2026 |
The notes on pages 9 to 11 form part of these financial statements.
Page 8
J N Fear's Institute and Endowment Notes to the Financial Statements For The Year Ended 30 June 2025
1. General Information
J N Fear's Institute and Endowment is an unincorporated charity registered with the Charity Commission, registered charity number 304566. The principal address is 31 Windrush Road, Keynsham, Bristol, BS31 1QN.
2. Accounting Policies
2.1. Basis of Preparation of Financial Statements
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)", Financial Reporting Standard 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland" and the Charities Act 2011.
The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
2.2. Incoming Resources
All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has received the funds.
2.3. Tangible Fixed Assets and Depreciation
Tangible fixed assets are measured at cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost of the fixed assets, less their estimated residual value, over their expected useful lives on the following bases:
Freehold
No depreciation is provided , see also note 8
2.4. Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents are basic financial assets and include cash in hand and deposits held at call with banks, other short-term highly liquid investments that mature in no more than three months from the date of acquisition and are readily convertible to a known amount of cash with insignificant risk of change in value, and bank overdrafts.
3. Investment Income
| Other interest receivable 4. Other Income Change in value of COIF Units |
2025 Unrestricted funds £ 3,412 |
2024 Unrestricted funds £ 1,746 |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 Unrestricted funds £ (2,960) |
2024 Unrestricted funds £ 4,969 |
Page 9
J N Fear's Institute and Endowment Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) For The Year Ended 30 June 2025
| 5. Analysis of Expenditure Charitable Activities Charitable Activities 6. Support Costs Premises expenses General administration Premises expenses General administration 7. Average Number of Employees Average number of employees during the year was: 2 (2024: 2) 8. Tangible Assets Cost As at 1 July 2024 As at 30 June 2025 Net Book Value As at 30 June 2025 As at 1 July 2024 |
2025 Support costs (see note 6 ) £ 57,540 |
|---|---|
| 2024 Support costs (see note 6 ) £ 60,230 |
|
| 2025 Charitable Activities £ 48,246 9,294 |
|
| 57,540 | |
| 2024 Charitable Activities £ 55,943 4,287 |
|
| 60,230 | |
| Land & Property Freehold £ 5,500 |
|
| 5,500 | |
| 5,500 | |
| 5,500 |
Page 10
J N Fear's Institute and Endowment Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) For The Year Ended 30 June 2025
The original cost of the hall as referred to in the Trustee's report was £5,500.
A recent estimate of the rebuild cost of the hall is £1,300,000 in the event of a total loss through fire or other unforeseen circumstances.
The Trustees do not consider the costs of a formal valuation to be justified but estimate the current sale value of the property to be in the region of £800,000 based on similar properties in the High Street.
9. Current Asset Investments
| . Current Asset Investments |
||
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Unlisted investments | 61,971 | 64,931 |
The charity holds 3,192 COIF Income Units which at the year end were valued at £61,971 (2024 £65,931)
10. Movement in Funds
| Unrestricted funds General: General unrestricted fund Total funds Unrestricted funds General: General unrestricted fund Total funds |
As at 1 July 2024 £ 136,357 |
Income £ 46,513 |
Expenditure £ (57,540) |
As at 30 June 2025 £ 125,330 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 136,357 | 46,513 | (57,540) | 125,330 | |
| As at 1 July 2023 £ 146,306 |
Income £ 50,281 |
Expenditure £ (60,230) |
As at 30 June 2024 £ 136,357 |
|
| 146,306 | 50,281 | (60,230) | 136,357 |
11. Transactions with Trustees
None of the trustees received any remuneration or any other benefits from an employment with the charity or a related entity during the current or previous year.
During the year the expenses reimbursed to the trustees or paid directly to third parties were as follows:
| 2025 | 2024 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |||
| Other Expenses | 65 | 61 |
Number of trustees reimbursed for expenses during the year was 1 (2024: 1)
12. Related Party Disclosures
There have been no related party transactions in the reporting period that require disclosure, except for those disclosed in the Transactions with Trustees note.
Page 11
J N Fear's Institute and Endowment Detailed Statement of Financial Activities For The Year Ended 30 June 2025
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM: Charitable Activities: Charitable Activities Hire of Hall Membership fees Cupboard fees Investments COIF Income units and interest received Other Change in value of COIF Units EXPENDITURE ON: Charitable Activities: Charitable Activities Electricity, gas and wifi Water rates Improvement works Cleaning and caretaker Insurance and licences Repairs, renewals and maintenance Printing, postage and stationery Sundry expenses NET EXPENDITURE |
2025 Total funds £ 45,005 484 572 |
2024 Total funds £ 42,642 440 484 |
|---|---|---|
| 46,061 3,412 |
43,566 1,746 |
|
| 3,412 (2,960) |
1,746 4,969 |
|
| (2,960) | 4,969 | |
| 46,513 (4,559) (559) (31,018) (10,075) (2,035) (7,341) (65) (1,888) |
50,281 (5,154) (521) (39,106) (9,489) (1,673) (3,686) (61) (540) |
|
| (57,540) | (60,230) | |
| (57,540) | (60,230) | |
| (11,027) | (9,949) |
Page 12
Issuer
Tony Dicker Ltd
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