ERIDGE VILLAGE HALL | Trustees’ Annual Report | Year ended 31 December 2025
ERIDGE VILLAGE HALL
Trustees’ Annual Report
For the year ended 31 December 2025
Charity Registration No. 305230
1. Reference and Administrative Information
Charity details
| Charity details | |
|---|---|
| Full name | Eridge Village Hall |
| Registered charity no. | 305230 |
| Registered address | Old Eridge Road, Eridge Green, Tunbridge Wells, TN3 9JF |
| Financial year | 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2025 |
| Independent examiner | Robert Park FCCA, Nettlestead House, Eridge Green, Tunbridge Wells, TN3 |
| 9JR | |
| Bank | Barclays Bank / Virgin Money |
Trustees
The following trustees served during the year ended 31 December 2025. All trustees serve in a voluntary capacity. No trustee received any remuneration or other benefit in respect of their trustee role.
| Name | Role | Appointed |
|---|---|---|
| David Smith | Chair | Trustee throughout the year |
| Jonathan Lynn | Treasurer | Trustee throughout the year |
| Ruth Wilkey | Vice Chair / Secretary / Website |
Trustee throughout the year |
| Allison Holton | Publicity | Trustee throughout the year |
| Sue Hawkes | Hall Inspector & Notice Boards |
Trustee throughout the year |
| Julian Lloyd | Projects & Maintenance | Trustee throughout the year |
| Alex Shorter | Projects & Maintenance | Trustee throughout the year |
| Lizzie Shorter | Trustee | Joined during 2025 |
| Tracy Bryant | Trustee | Joined during 2025 |
The trustees also wish to record their sincere gratitude to Gail Clarkson, who retired as Bookings Manager during 2025 after many years of exceptional service to the hall in numerous roles including Trustee, Chair and Bookings Manager.
Charity Registration No. 305230 | Eridge Village Hall, Old Eridge Road, Eridge Green, TN3 9JF | Page 1
ERIDGE VILLAGE HALL | Trustees’ Annual Report | Year ended 31 December 2025
2. Structure, Governance and Management
Governing document
Eridge Village Hall is an unincorporated charity registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (registration number 305230) and is governed by its Trust Deed. The charity operates for the benefit of the inhabitants of Eridge and the surrounding area.
Note: The conversion of the charity to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) is in progress and is expected to be completed during 2026.
Recruitment and appointment of trustees
Trustees are recruited and appointed in accordance with the governing document. New trustees are identified through the local community and approved by the existing committee. All trustees confirm their eligibility to serve at the Annual General Meeting by signing the trustees’ register (the “Pink Book”). Induction information covering the charity’s objects, governance obligations and financial position is provided to all incoming trustees.
Organisational structure
The charity is governed by its board of trustees, which met formally on six occasions during the year, all in person at the hall. Operational matters are delegated to the Chair, Treasurer and Secretary, with specialist responsibilities allocated to individual trustees as set out in the table above. The charity has no paid employees. Day-to-day cleaning and maintenance is carried out by contracted service providers.
Risk management
The trustees regularly review the principal risks facing the charity. Key risks identified include: reliance on voluntary capacity; the need for ongoing capital investment in the hall’s fabric; fluctuations in booking income; and rising utility and service costs. Mitigating measures include maintaining healthy reserves, maintaining comprehensive insurance cover, ensuring regular maintenance inspections, and monitoring bookings closely. The trustees are satisfied that appropriate controls are in place.
3. Objectives and Activities
Charitable purposes
The objects of the charity are to provide and maintain a village hall for use by the inhabitants of Eridge and the neighbourhood without distinction of political, religious or other opinions, for meetings, lectures and classes, and for other forms of recreation and leisure-time occupation, with the object of improving the conditions of life for the said inhabitants.
Public benefit
The trustees confirm that they have had due regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit. The hall is made available to a wide range of community groups, clubs and individuals, and is a focal point for community life in the village. Groups supported on a concessionary or free basis include the Eridge Garden Society, Eridge Arts Club, and the Parish and Church. The hall also supports local electoral activities and community events.
Charity Registration No. 305230 | Eridge Village Hall, Old Eridge Road, Eridge Green, TN3 9JF | Page 2
ERIDGE VILLAGE HALL | Trustees’ Annual Report | Year ended 31 December 2025
Activities undertaken
The hall is available for hire seven days a week for a wide range of activities including:
-
Regular club and society meetings (including arts, fitness and social groups)
-
Private events including weddings, birthday parties and celebrations
-
Community events including the annual Harvest Supper and the inaugural Family Fun Day
-
Electoral use in support of local democracy
-
One-off and occasional hirers from the local area
4. Achievements and Performance
Overview
2025 was a productive and busy year for Eridge Village Hall. The hall continued to serve as a vibrant hub for the local community, with bookings remaining strong throughout the year. The committee undertook a substantial programme of capital investment to improve and modernise the hall’s facilities, which is reflected in the financial results for the year.
Capital projects and improvements
The following significant works and improvements were completed or progressed during the year:
| Project | Detail |
|---|---|
| WC Refurbishment | Full refurbishment of the WC block, commenced December 2025 and completed January 2026. The new facilities represent a significantly improved amenity for all hirers. |
| Hall Floor | Floors sanded and re-oiled as part of the regular three-year maintenance cycle. |
| Village Noticeboards | Two village noticeboards replaced, located outside the hall and the church, funded by the hall as a community project. Thanks are due to Mary Alexander and Michael Stephens for their work curating the boards. |
| New Website | The website was completely rebuilt on the Squarespace platform with integrated online booking, payment processing, virtual tour, policy documents, and a new professional photography suite. Special thanks to Ruth Wilkey for leading this project. |
| Car Park | The car park was extended and the aggregate relaid, providing additional parking capacity and improved accessibility. |
| New Equipment | New tables were purchased to replace the existing stock. A new PA system and other equipment were also acquired for hirers’ use. |
| Decoration | The hall entrance was repainted, creating a more welcoming reception area. |
Community events
The inaugural Family Fun Day in June 2025 was a great success, bringing together residents from across the village and beyond. The annual Harvest Supper in early October continued as a cherished community tradition. The hall also supported the Eridge Garden Society, Eridge Arts Club and Parish and Church activities throughout the year.
Charity Registration No. 305230 | Eridge Village Hall, Old Eridge Road, Eridge Green, TN3 9JF | Page 3
ERIDGE VILLAGE HALL | Trustees’ Annual Report | Year ended 31 December 2025
Bookings and pricing
Bookings remained robust throughout the year across both regular and one-off hirers. A modest price increase was applied to all hire rates from 1 June 2025 to address rising operational costs. The launch of the new website and integrated online booking system has simplified the booking process for hirers and reduced the administrative burden on the committee.
Trustee changes
The trustees welcomed Lizzie Shorter and Tracy Bryant to the committee during 2025. Both have made a valuable contribution since joining.
The trustees placed on record their warmest thanks to Gail Clarkson, who retired as Bookings Manager during 2025 having served the hall with great distinction across many years and in several roles.
Looking ahead
As we move into 2026 the committee’s priorities include:
-
Completion of the WC refurbishment (finished January 2026)
-
Kitchen modernisation and accessibility improvements, subject to a successful grant application
-
Seating upgrades to better serve wedding and formal event hirers
-
Completion of the conversion to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO)
-
Continuing to grow bookings and community use of the hall
5. Financial Review
Results for the year
The accounts for the year ended 31 December 2025 have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis. The following is a summary of income and expenditure for the year with comparative figures for 2024.
| 2025 £ | 2024 £ | |
|---|---|---|
| Income | ||
| Gross booking income | 35,483 | — |
| Less: refunds | (1,500) | — |
| Total booking income | 33,982 | — |
| Interest earned | 1,278 | 672 |
| Total income | 35,260 | — |
| Expenditure | ||
| Recurring expenses | (18,089) | (10,168) |
| Exceptional expenses | (29,788) | (4,404) |
| Total expenditure | (47,877) | (14,572) |
Charity Registration No. 305230 | Eridge Village Hall, Old Eridge Road, Eridge Green, TN3 9JF | Page 4
ERIDGE VILLAGE HALL | Trustees’ Annual Report | Year ended 31 December 2025
Net (deficit) / surplus for the year
(12,617) 16,455
The net deficit of £12,617 for the year (2024: surplus £16,455) reflects the substantial programme of capital investment undertaken during 2025, principally the WC and drainage works (£11,898), landscaping (£5,418), new tables (£3,125), and electrical works (£2,707). These represent planned and necessary investment in the hall’s fabric and facilities rather than ongoing operational costs.
Balance sheet — cash position
| 31 Dec 2025 £ | 31 Dec 2024 £ | |
|---|---|---|
| Barclays Current Account | 1,985 | 4,449 |
| Barclays Deposit Account | 314 | 77,893 |
| Virgin Money Current Account | 11,871 | — |
| Virgin Money 65-Day Account | 35,327 | — |
| Virgin Money 95-Day Account | 20,227 | — |
| Total cash held | 69,725 | 82,342 |
| Less: hirer prepayments | (11,311) | (7,486) |
| Net funds available | 58,414 | 74,856 |
Reserves policy
The trustees’ policy is to maintain sufficient reserves to cover at least six months of recurring operational expenditure and to provide a capital fund for maintenance and improvement of the hall’s fabric. Net funds of £58,414 at 31 December 2025 (2024: £74,856) are considered adequate having regard to the level of planned future expenditure. The reduction in reserves during 2025 was anticipated and represents the planned drawdown of reserves to fund capital projects. No large capital projects are currently anticipated for 2026 beyond those already identified.
Going concern
The trustees are satisfied that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future, with bookings for 2026 already secured and no significant unfunded liabilities. They continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing these accounts.
6. Independent Examiner
Robert Park FCCA of Nettlestead House, Eridge Green, Tunbridge Wells, TN3 9JR has agreed to continue as Independent Examiner for the charity. The Independent Examiner’s Report on the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2025 accompanies these accounts.
Charity Registration No. 305230 | Eridge Village Hall, Old Eridge Road, Eridge Green, TN3 9JF | Page 5
ERIDGE VILLAGE HALL | Trustees’ Annual Report | Year ended 31 December 2025
7. Declaration by the Trustees
The trustees confirm that they have approved this Trustees’ Annual Report and authorise it to be signed on their behalf.
Approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by:
_________ David Smith, Chair
Date: 5th May 2026
Charity Registration No. 305230 | Eridge Village Hall, Old Eridge Road, Eridge Green, TN3 9JF | Page 6