Shaw Playing Fields and Village Hall Trust
2024 Annual Report to Charity Commission
Address: The Beeches, Shaw, Melksham SN12 8EP E-mail: SecretaryofShawVillageHall@gmail.com Dated: 15th September 2024 Version 1.0
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Shaw Hill Playing Field and Village Hall Trust Management Committee (Registered Charity No. 305550) Established and supporting the community in Shaw since 1962
Introduction
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Shaw Playing Fields and Village Hall is a key facility in the village of Shaw but adds value to the George Ward Estate in Melksham and the adjacent village of Whitely with high usage by football teams, community groups, organisations and private hire. It has a wide variety of facilities and is nestled within the heart of Shaw near Melksham, Wiltshire. The aim is to provide a warm, safe, welcoming and well-equipped village hall which is available at reasonable rates to anyone who wishes to hire it and playing fields that are in regular use.
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The trust supporting the Shaw Playing Fields and Village Hall has been in existence since the closure of the Beltane School over 50 years ago with the trust established to run the facilities since 1962.
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The ongoing challenge for the trust is continually maintain and improve the facilities so that they remain inclusive to the community providing as widespread as possible usage of the facilities and support the community with recreational facilities. The hall and playing fields continue to have a high volume of usage and utilisation has improved since a new booking system has been setup.
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Since the last report, there has been an uplift in resources in support of the hall. In particular the following changes have been made since the last report:
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a. Painting . The hall is currently being repainted with the bulk already complete.
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b. Kitchen Upgrade . This is in progress and will be completed by the end of the year.
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c. CCTV . This has been installed due to security issues but the coverage needs to be increased with more cameras.
d. New Maintenance Manager . This has been a key gap for the last 4 years and a retired local maintenance manager has been an energetic and valued addition to the committee.
e. New Field Ops Coordinator . The manager of a local football team has become our new field ops co-ordinator; which has been a big change and as a user has a different perspective which is ideal for the committee. Recent changes have included a part Football Association funded upgrade of the goalposts, which are now mobile and can be moved off the pitch and used for training is different locations on the playing fields, which will reduce wear in the goal mouths.
f. Lunch Club . Unfortunately, the Lunch Club on Wednesday has ceased due to lack of support but will be replaced an extra set of classes for the pre-school, which means that all week the hall is busy both during the day and in the evening.
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Unless specified, in the main works to the hall are in part funded through grants from Melksham Without Parish Council, who have been generous in support of the hall or through user generated income. Until the lease is renewed it is hard to get additional funding from many bodies.
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During 2024 the trust was run by 6 trustees, 3 volunteers and 1 Melksham Without Parish Council (MWPC) representative. This will increase because two of the new committee members have agreed to become trustees.
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Shaw Hill Playing Field and Village Hall Trust Management Committee (Registered Charity No. 305550) Established and supporting the community in Shaw since 1962
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The trusts finances continue to remain strong with strong community usage ensuring the trust and the facilities remain viable.
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The key short-term challenge for the trust is the extension of the lease for the hall that runs out in 2025. The length of the next lease being negotiated is 100 years. The challenge ahead is meeting the reduction of emissions that the UK government has committed to and the hall was not built to modern standards such as Berryfield Village Hall, south of Melksham. This will mean changes for the hall and the playing fields where we will need significant investment over the next 20 years meet the aspirations of government and still meet the aspirations for the people of Shaw and Whitley. With this in mind prior to signing the lease a full survey has been completed so the committee are taking on the facility with a known baseline; it is hoped the new lease will be signed before the end of the year.
Patrick Hunt Secretary 30 Oct 2024
Annexes
A. Background to Shaw Hill Village Hall B. AGM Treasurers Report for 2023 C. AGM Accounts for 2023
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Shaw Hill Playing Field and Village Hall Trust Management Committee (Registered Charity No. 305550) Established and supporting the community in Shaw since 1962
Annex A to SVH Annual Report Dated 30 Oct 24
BACKGROUND TO SHAW VILLAGE HALL TRUST AND FUTURE VISION
LOCATION
Figure 1 – location of Shaw within Melksham Without Parish
History
- Shaw is a village located outside of Melksham, Wiltshire and sits within the Melksham Without Parish Council; with Whitley being a separate but close village, which has no facility like Shaw’s Village Hall and Playing Fields. Shaw and Whitely are separated by the South Brook stream and farm land. In 1952 the property known as the Shaw Hill Playing Field and Village Hall was part of Beltane School grounds. In January 1953 the
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Shaw Hill Playing Field and Village Hall Trust Management Committee (Registered Charity No. 305550) Established and supporting the community in Shaw since 1962
property was a conveyed from Beltane School Ltd to the Melksham without Parish Council for the use and benefit of all in the Melksham Without Parish that includes both villages at Shaw and Whitley.
- The Shaw Hill playing field sold by Beltane School to Melksham Without Parish Council 20[th] September 1952 and the Shaw Hill Playing Field and Village Hall demised to the Trustees (30-year lease) on 20[th] June 1958. The trust’s governing document is the ‘Deed of Declaration’ dated 31 December 1962 and the trust obtained Registered Charity status in 1967. The present building was completed in 1976 and replaced the old school pavilion, which was a wooden structure.
The Current Charity 3. The Shaw Playing Fields and Village Hall Trust is a registered charity (no. 305550) with the Charity Commission and is run in lines with their guidance. The village hall and playing fields are already busy and provide varied support to the community starting from pre-school children to those that are retired. 4. The vision for Shaw Playing Field and Village Hall trust as laid out in the strategic YQ » plan is to:
Provide an inclusive set of recreational and exercise facilities that help maintain and improve the mental and physical wellbeing of the Shaw and Whitley community.
- In terms of facilities, these will need to evolve as the communities’ interests and needs evolve.
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Shaw Hill Playing Field and Village Hall Trust Management Committee (Registered Charity No. 305550) Established and supporting the community in Shaw since 1962
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Hall . The hall has one large room with storage at one end. The main user of the hall is the pre-school that also uses the dedicate outside play area to the east of the hall. The main room is used by a variety of clubs and societies along with children’s parties. The small kitchen is fully fitted with storage taken up by regular users. The usage of the changing room will need to be reviewed and over time both the changing rooms and toilets will need to be made gender neutral. A modern and clean kitchen is an essential part of the hall.
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Playing Field . The playing field is in regular use by local football teams and there is a children’s play area, seating, multi-activity facility and a fitness frame.
Current Circumstances
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The village hall and playing fields are already busy and provide varied support to the community starting from pre-school children to those that are retired. However, the hall is now over 50 years of age and starting to show that age; moreover, the building was not designed for a net zero carbon future. In addition, due to the local nature of users, we need to consider the usage of the showers, changing rooms and whether they are still needed. At some stage the changing rooms and toilets, will need to become gender neutral to ensure the hall is inclusive of all potential users. The hall is already accessible to disabled users but there are changes that could be taken to improve the facility for those with differing disabilities.
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The carbon reduction target of the government is to reduce carbon emissions by 78% by 2035 and net zero by 2050. The hall will need to be consistent with these government aspirations and make changes over the next 20 years that will mean that the village hall remains a viable facility for the local community. The visit for the future has been set out in the Melksham Neighbourhood Plan[1] and the new development at Middle Farm increases the number of people likely to use the hall and playing fields. This is in addition to the people who live in the George Ward housing development, building started in 2016, which whilst in Melksham Council area, with Shaw Village Hall being their closest facility of it’s type.
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The initial lease was for 30 years and has been gradual extended until 14 Apr 2025 with the last extension completed in April 2011. It is the aim of the committee to work with Melksham Without Parish Council to extended this significantly to 100 years as had been completed for other local village halls.
2. Future Vision
What does good look like in the future
- The vision for Shaw Playing Field and Village Hall trust is to:
Provide an inclusive set of recreational and exercise facilities that help maintain and improve the mental and physical wellbeing of the Shaw and Whitley community.
1 htps://www.melkshamneighbourhoodplan.org/_fles/ugd/fcc864_d62a247950cc423abaa28eedd803eba4.pdf A - 3
Shaw Hill Playing Field and Village Hall Trust Management Committee (Registered Charity No. 305550) Established and supporting the community in Shaw since 1962
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Safety First. As a facility that is used by young children and the older generation, safety must be a key consideration at every stage; health and safety must be a priority of trustees.
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Facilities . In terms of facilities, these will need to evolve as the communities’ interests and needs evolve.
a. Hall . The hall has one large room with storage at one end. The main user of the hall is the pre-school that also uses the dedicate outside play area to the east of the hall. The main room is used by a variety of clubs and societies along with children’s parties. The small kitchen is fully fitted with storage taken up by regular users. The usage of the changing room will need to be reviewed and over time both the changing rooms and toilets will need to be made gender neutral. A modern and clean kitchen is an essential part of the hall.
b. Playing Field . The playing field is in regular use by local football teams and there is a children’s play area, seating, multi-activity facility and a fitness frame. More could be made of the area maybe to including some garden beds with pond, additional fitness facilities (eg running path) and outside exercise equipment. In particular the pond would improve the bio-diversity.
c. Boundaries . An ideal location for hedgerows to improve bio-diversity and encourage wildlife.
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Services . By 2035, the stretch target will be for all services [2] provided to the hall to be carbon zero and over the next decade the hall will use its usage to create an early demand signal to encourage providers to make the necessary changes sooner rather than later. It is to be a consideration when signing all future contracts and purchases.
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Reduced Carbon Signature. Aside from pushing our existing supplier to become carbon neutral, the hall will need to have systems fitted that will allow us to reduce our demand for services such as water and power whilst also reducing our waste. See Annex A.
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Events . The site will continue to be available for events and this includes the use of the playing field over the summer months for other activities aside from football. At present, the site does not have a licence to serve alcohol or allows parties for older teenagers; this defacto policy has been in place for good reason but if the hall usage is to be truly inclusive then as an organisation then there needs to be consider making the hall a useful facility for all age groups. This includes clubs or events focused for teenagers.
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Physical Exercise . As nation, the British are increasingly becoming overweight[3] and subsequently in poorer physical health. As a charity that seeks to provide facilities to improve the physical health of the local community, this will need to continue to provide and expand ‘free to use or low cost’ facilities for the community. This could include licencing use of the site for outdoor exercise classes or additional facilities.
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User groups . There are a wide variety of groups that use the site. The site must remain fit for use for those group including those that are disabled, hard of hearing and in pre-school.
2 This includes gas, electricity, water , waste disposal and ground maintenance.
3 htps://www.bbc.co.uk/food/artcles/britain_diet#:~:text=The%20UK%20is%20one%20of,14%20percent%20of%20Britsh%20adults
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Shaw Hill Playing Field and Village Hall Trust Management Committee (Registered Charity No. 305550) Established and supporting the community in Shaw since 1962
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Dog Walking/Ramblers. Many dog walkers continue to use the playing fields both to walk their dogs and to access the fields beyond which contain public footpaths[4] that are part of the existing walking routes. This is entirely within the philosophical direction of the trust but this only remains whilst fouling by dogs continues to be cleared by their owners. Signage could be improved to allow the car park to be a base for those taking their dog for a walk or going on a walk within the locality.
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Security . Along with safety, ensuring the site’s security is an important consideration to ensure facilities are not wilfully damaged and the investments are protected.
4 htps://www.melkshamneighbourhoodplan.org/_fles/ugd/fcc864_0a64ada2cf7d47209ae1e75e3b8d6fc9.pdf A - 5
Shaw Hill Playing Field and Village Hall Trust Management Committee (Registered Charity No. 305550) Established and supporting the community in Shaw since 1962
Annex B to SVH Annual Report Dated 30 Oct 24
’ Treasurer s Report to Shaw Village Hall AGM for period 1 Jan - 31 Dec 2023
1. Introduction
I present the accounts for Shaw Village Hall and Playing Field Management Committee for the year 2023. The accounts show by way of comparison, the corresponding figures for the previous accounting period.
2. Income from Hall Hire. Income from regular hall hire such as Pre-school remains constant. Unfortunately after over 40 years, Friendship Club has now folded. Ad Hoc bookings continue to increase through our online booking system.
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4. Income from Pitch Hire. As well as normal income, we also had hire of the field for 6 weeks for a summer club.
5. Playing Field Maintenance. Slight increase due to having spiking and other maintenance work done.
6. Building Work. Our major expenditure was the work required on the damaged wall. Fortunately this was compensated by the insurance company as well as a grant from MWPC.
7. Hall Insurance. Slight increase in premiums between years(noting that this will increase by £23 in 2024).
8. Utilities. Being a registered charity the energy companies reviewed the tariffs we were paying a couple of years ago. They concluded that we were on the best plan for electricity, but British Gas found a better rate for both the standing and unit charges. This was then fixed until January 2024 so we have been protected from the recent rises.
9. BT/Telecoms World. The cost for BT includes the hall Broadband. After an initial cost of £120 for setting up the new hall booking system, we pay a monthly charge of £11.99
10. Conclusion. Despite major expenditure, I conclude the accounts are robust.
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Shaw Hill Playing Field and Village Hall Trust Management Committee (Registered Charity No. 305550) Established and supporting the community in Shaw since 1962
Annex C to SVH Annual Report Dated 30 Oct 24
Shaw Village Hall and Playing Field Statement of Income and Expenditure - 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2023
| Balance at start of the year Treasurer's Account Business Account Receipts Regular Hall Hire Ad-Hoc Hall Hire Ad-Hoc Hall Hire Business A/c Field hire Equipment Hire Fundraising/Summer Fete Insurance Grants Current Acct Grants Savings Acct Donations Bank Interest |
2023 £ 306.37 16,514.03 16,820.40 9,057.00 3,302.50 70.00 2,305.00 0.00 0.00 9,610.88 8,000.00 0.00 0.00 183.30 32,528.68 |
2022 £ 1,051.28 14,186.12 15,237.40 9,406.00 2,547.50 50.00 1,000.00 0.00 51.30 0.00 7,000.00 6,000.00 500.00 7.91 26,562.71 |
Expenses Hall Maintenanc e Pitch Maintenance Building work Electricity Gas Water Aquasafe B.T. Telecoms World Waste Disposal Wilts Council (Tax) Cleaner Cleaning/minor maint costs Insurance MWPC Rent Accountant CAWS donation Stationery/Postage Balance at 31st December Current Account Savings Account |
2023 £ 833.62 5,243.64 10,790.40 876.00 891.42 324.50 1,410.00 444.00 143.88 807.62 0.00 2,959.50 280.82 1,194.14 10.00 90.00 0.00 15.00 26,314.54 677.21 22,357.33 23,034.54 |
2022 £ 3,757.80 4,290.49 7,411.20 836.00 1,290.72 194.00 1,506.00 444.00 18.56 912.59 0.00 2,892.00 207.18 1,049.18 10.00 90.00 0.00 62.99 24,972.71 306.37 16,514.03 16,820.40 |
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Shaw Hill Playing Field and Village Hall Trust Management Committee (Registered Charity No. 305550) Established and supporting the community in Shaw since 1962
Receipts
| Receipts | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Field Hire | Pymt FPI | Pre- school |
Pmt Type |
Friendship Club |
Sheet No |
Whist | Pmt Type |
J Giles Pilates |
Shee t No |
K Veakin s Pilates |
Sheet No |
In2Dance | Shee t No |
Yoga | Ad-Hoc Hall Hire |
|||||||||||
| Football Bradshaw |
50.00 03/02/2023 |
January | 510.00 | FPI | 90.00 | FPI | Jan | 96.00 | FPI | 108.00 | 96.00 | 96.00 | 322.50 | |||||||||||||
| Football Harrison |
100.00 | 06/03/2023 | February | 360.00 | FPI | 120.00 | FPI | Feb | 96.00 | FPI | 72.00 | FPI | 48.00 | FPI | 72.00 | 40.00 | ||||||||||
| Football Bradshaw |
50.00 | 11/04/2023 | March | 540.00 | FPI | 150.00 | FPI | Mar | 120.00 | FPI | 108.00 | FPI | 48.00 | 96.00 | 325.00 | |||||||||||
| Football Harrison |
50.00 | 25/04/2023 | April | 240.00 | FPI | 90.00 | FPI | Apr | 72.00 | FPI | 72.00 | FPI | 12.00 | FPI | 135.00 | |||||||||||
| Football Harrison |
50.00 | 02/05/2023 | May | 450.00 | FPI | 150.00 | FPI | May | 96.00 | FPI | 96.00 | FPI | 36.00 | 387.50 | ||||||||||||
| Football Dykes |
60.00 | 23/05/2023 | June | 480.00 | FPI | June | 120.00 | FPI | 96.00 | FPI | 48.00 | FPI | 96.00 | 602.50 | ||||||||||||
| Football Dykes |
60.00 | 24/05/2023 | July | 270.00 | FPI | 120.00 | FPI | July | 96.00 | FPI | 96.00 | FPI | 48.00 | FPI | 48.00 | 160.00 | ||||||||||
| The Cosy Kitchen |
25.00 | 06/06/2023 | August | Aug | 120.00 | FPI | 36.00 | FPI | 330.00 | |||||||||||||||||
| Football Dyer | 120.00 | 07/07/2023 | Sept | 510.00 | FPI | 120.00 | FPI | Sept | 96.00 | FPI | 48.00 | FPI | 96.00 | 160.00 | ||||||||||||
| Football Burbidge |
120.00 | 10/07/2023 | Oct | 360.00 | FPI | 120.00 | FPI | Oct | 96.00 | FPI | 108.00 | FPI | 96.00 | 720.00 | ||||||||||||
| Football Bradshaw |
60.00 | 17/07/2023 | Nov | 510.00 | FPI | 150.00 | FPI | Nov | 120.00 | FPI | 72.00 | FPI | 60.00 | 105.00 | FP I |
85.00 | ||||||||||
| Football Hunter |
60.00 | 18/07/2023 | Dec | 330.00 | FPI | 90.00 | FPI | Dec | 96.00 | FPI | 36.00 | FPI | 24.00 | 35.00 | ||||||||||||
| IMS Summercamp |
640.00 | 27/07/2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Football Hartrey |
120.00 | 01/08/2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Football Bull | 60.00 | 04/08/2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Football Brown |
60.00 | 07/08/2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Football Cooper |
60.00 | 11/08/2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Football Burbidge |
60.00 | 14/08/2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Football Dyer | 120.00 | 17&29/08/2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Football Bradshaw |
60.00 | 31/08/2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Football Cooper |
60.00 | 11/09/2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Cosy Kitchen |
20.00 | 05/10/2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Football Bradshaw |
180.00 | 18/10/2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Football AFC Corsham |
60.00 | 04/12/2023 |
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Shaw Hill Playing Field and Village Hall Trust Management Committee (Registered Charity No. 305550) Established and supporting the community in Shaw since 1962
| 2,305.00 | 4,560.00 | 1,200.00 | 1,224.00 | 948.00 | 336.00 | 684.00 | 105.00 | 3,302.50 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grants and other Receipts |
Date Rec'd | Savings A/c Interest |
Ad-Hoc Hall Hire |
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| MWPC | 8,000.0 0 |
04/04/2023 | Jan | 6.92 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 8,000.00 | Feb | 8.42 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mar | 7.62 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| McLarens Ins Payment |
9,610.8 8 |
30/08/2023 | Apr | 10.51 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 9,610.8 8 |
May | 12.73 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jun | 14.08 | 70.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fundraising | Jul | 15.51 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Aug | 17.19 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Donatons | Sep | 19.82 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Oct | 20.63 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nov | 24.36 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dec | 25.51 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 183.30 | 70.00 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Expenditure Hall Maintenance Pmt Date Name Service 06/02/2023 J Boorer Pre-school table 13/02/2023 N Fitzgerald Pre-school sensor alarm 23/02/2023 G Williams Downpipe bracket 23/02/2023 Pre-school Drain guard 16/03/2023 B&W Fire and Safety Fire equipment inspecton and PAT 20/03/2023 J Boorer Hire of Shaw School hall for AGM 04/04/2023 M Booth G Williams gif 19/04/2022 G Williams Light Bulbs 01/08/2023 EJD Electrical Smoke alarm supply and ft 24/08/2023 Roundstone Catering Water Boiler service 25/09/2023 EJD Electrical Replace faulty outside foodlight 02/10/2023 M Booth Telephone bateries 16/10/2023 Fenn Street Designs Hall on-line Booking System Building Work 24/08/2023 Rigg Constructon Repair of gable wall 29/08/2023 Rigg Constructon Provision of heras fencing Field Maintenance 2023 Type Name Service FPO JH Jones & Sons Ground maintenance, January |
Waste Disposal (Hills Waste Solutons) 166.38 Jan 12.30 Feb 9.90 Mar 5.43 Apr 92.04 May 33.61 Jun 27.95 Jul 6.59 Aug 19.75 Sep 207.90 Oct 123.77 Nov 8.00 Dec 120.00 833.62 Aquasafe Environment 10190.40 Month 600.00 Contract 2023 - 2024 10790.40 Donaton to CAWS 379.97 Hall Insurance C - 3 |
Cleaner Pmt Type 56.06 FPO 252.00 Jan 42.05 FPO 246.00 Feb 56.06 FPO 168.00 Mar 51.65 FPO 192.00 Apr 86.70 FPO 150.00 May 55.86 FPO 324.00 Jun 71.76 FPO 303.00 Jul 86.70 FPO 300.00 Aug 71.28 FPO 246.00 Sep 86.70 FPO 312.00 Oct 71.52 FPO 25.50 Nov 71.28 FPO 186.00 Nov 807.62 FPO 255.00 Dec 2,959.50 Cleaning/Minor Maint. 1410.00 FPO 0 Jan 1410.00 FPO 89.24 Feb FPO 23.40 Mar FPO 28.65 Apr 1,194.1 FPO 9.55 |
Shaw Hill Playing Field and Village Hall Trust Management Committee (Registered Charity No. 305550) Established and supporting the community in Shaw since 1962
| FPO JH Jones & Sons Ground maintenance, February FPO G Williams Top soil FPO JH Jones & Sons Ground maintenance, March FPO JH Jones & Sons Ground maintenance, April FPO JH Jones & Sons Ground maintenance, May FPO JH Jones & Sons Ground maintenance, June FPO JH Jones & Sons Ground maintenance, July FPO JH Jones & Sons Ground maintenance, August FPO JH Jones & Sons Ground maintenance, September FPO JH Jones & Sons Ground maintenance, October FPO JH Jones & Sons Goal mouth repair FPO JH Jones & Sons Ground maintenance, November FPO JH Jones & Sons Spiking FPO JH Jones & Sons Ground maintenance, December |
379.97 Accountant 12.00 MWPC Rent 379.97 379.97 Statonery/Postage 379.97 Diary/paper 379.97 583.97 379.97 379.97 379.97 288.00 379.97 180.00 379.97 5,243.64 |
4 90.0 0 FPO 10.00 FPO FPO FPO 15.00 FPO 15.00 FPO FPO |
May 28.01 Jun e 31.05 July 5.00 Aug 10.80 Sept 20.30 Oct 0 Nov 34.82 Dec 280.82 |
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Shaw Hill Playing Field and Village Hall Trust Management Committee (Registered Charity No. 305550) Established and supporting the community in Shaw since 1962