Chairman’s Report 2024 – Ric Ellinger
I am pleased to be able to present my 9th and final Chairman’s Report for the Seend Lye Recreation Field.
I am happy to report that the Right of Way Issue with Mr McDonald was finally resolved in February 2024. The legal dispute was fortunately concluded prior to court action being instigated, with a settlement agreement which extinguished the right of way, included in the original conveyance deed of 1967.
Although this is a very significant victory for the Trust, the costs involved in protecting the Lye Field have been significant and has massively depleted the Trust’s financial reserves. Back in 2017, the Trust held investments that totalled over £195K. Our current investments total just under £100K and we are currently negotiating with our solicitors Wansbroughs over our outstanding account of £96K. With the help of Liam & Nicole we have introduced a Crowdfunding page to try and replenish the lost funds as a result of the legal dispute. We have already received significant donations from both villagers and the Seend Fawlty Players. The Trust is very grateful for all donations.
We held our 2[nd] post Covid fete, during August 2023 and a massive thanks must go to Richard Walker for once again putting his heart & soul into making sure Seend still has a village fete. After 2 years at the helm, Richard has moved aside and Liam & Nicole will once again take over the running of the annual summer fete.
After last year’s upgrading of the pavilion, this year’s major project has been a replacement mower for the field. Fortunately, we received funding from both the Seend Parish Council and the Devizes Area board, so we were able to invest in a new facility to cut the grass on the field. After taking advice, we have invested in a separate tractor and roller mower. Feedback from the volunteers who are cutting the grass is very positive. We have also invested in some more top soil, grass seed and weed spraying to try and improve the quality of the football pitch. During the extremely wet autumn, the Seend pitch was constantly in use, while others around the county were water logged.
A big shout out for all the volunteers who give up their time to keep the field in pristine condition.
Although it will figure in next year’s report, Seend Tennis Club have now accumulated adequate funds to go ahead with the resurfacing of the courts. This will commence late April for completion in May/June 2024.
As always, Steve Vaux, is working hard on accessing further funds to continue the upgrade of the pavilion, but is finding grants are becoming harder and harder to obtain. Fingers crossed he is once again successful with his efforts. Steve was heavily involved in obtaining the area board grant for the mower. Thank you Steve.
The pavilion has been regularly used by playgroup, baby & toddler & many other groups & societies. The playing field was in constant use by both the Seend Utd and Lavis football teams and Melksham CC made full use of our cricket pitch last season. Melksham CC have agreed to use the Lye Facilities for another season.
I would like to thank my fellow Trustees, Committee Members and all the many volunteers (especially the LOTSW group) for all their help & support over the last year in keeping the Lye Field & pavilion facility operational, Thank You.
Seend Lye Recreation Field - 2024/2025 (as at 31/03/2025)
| Income Hall Hire Field Hire COIF Interest Dividends SUEZ Project Fete Marquee Hire Investment Redemption Other |
2024 2025 Expenditure 8,500.00 9,305.00 Cleaning 1,530.00 1,690.00 Waste Bins 2,887.78 1,580.54 Legal 2,573.99 2,677.08 Playground 0.00 0.00 Water 6,543.27 15,495.66 Oil 340.00 0.00 Electricity 49,387.24 10,819.20 Field Maint 12,228.34 2,750.00 Pavilion Maint Insurance Fete SUEZ Project Other 83,990.62 44,317.48 TOTAL |
2024 2025 Expenditure 8,500.00 9,305.00 Cleaning 1,530.00 1,690.00 Waste Bins 2,887.78 1,580.54 Legal 2,573.99 2,677.08 Playground 0.00 0.00 Water 6,543.27 15,495.66 Oil 340.00 0.00 Electricity 49,387.24 10,819.20 Field Maint 12,228.34 2,750.00 Pavilion Maint Insurance Fete SUEZ Project Other 83,990.62 44,317.48 TOTAL |
2024 1,380.00 442.02 55,531.28 106.80 769.46 783.66 793.25 19,834.43 1,519.37 1,982.64 4,890.53 0.00 145.68 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 88,179.12 | |||
| TOTAL | 83,990.62 44,317.48 | ||
| Opening Bank Balance Co Op Income less Expenditure Closing Bank Balance Co Op |
2024 2025 16,499.41 -4,188.50 15,231.24 31,730.65 31,730.65 |
||
| 31,730.65 | |||
| 31,730.65 |
| TOTAL | 83,990.62 44,317.48 | |
|---|---|---|
| Opening Bank Balance | 2024 | 2025 |
| Co Op | 16,499.41 | |
| Income less Expenditure | -4,188.50 | 15,231.24 |
| Closing Bank Balance | 31,730.65 | |
| Co Op | 31,730.65 |
- Includes £2,450 for Pavilion wall insulation
** Field Maint includes £10K donation to STC for Court resurfacing.
2025
1,380.00 535.46 0.00 112.80 389.74 860.44 787.56 13,265.20 ** 3,422.74 * 2,140.70 5,876.60 0.00 315.00 29,086.24
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLANO AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trustees Seend Lye Recreation Field On accounts for the year ended 3181 March 2025 Charity no (if any) 305565 Set out on pages 1to2 I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity ('the Trust.) for the year ended 3110312025 Responsibillties and basls of report As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charrties 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 Garrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination (other than that disclosed below ") which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect: the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act. or the accounts did not accord with the accounting Cords., I have no COnrnS 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. Date: 271h June 2025 Signed: Name: Mr D L Purdy Relevant professlonal qualification(s) or body {if any>: Accountant (Retired) Address: Gemutlich House Rusty Lane, Seend Melksham. Wiltshire SN12 6NS IER Oct 2018
Section B Disclosure Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material matters of concem (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts." directions and guidance for examiners). Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose. The accounts examined are prepared In an historical and cash basls therefore there are no accruals and prepayments recorded in the accounts The finances are in a healthy position to meet any short or long temi expenditure IER Oct 2018