Carnew Rural Society Chairperson's Annual Report rhari*ii niirrhar 1 niinE Financial year from I" April 2022-31St March 2023 Purpose of our charity and principal activities Carnew Rural Society was able to get off to a good start this year with Covid 19 restrictions lifted. We applied to Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Council for a running costs grant which was subsequently approved. This included covering the following- annual hall rent, insurance, heating oil, stationary and Nl Water bill. This grant enables the Society to keep the hall in good repair and to adhere to all legislative and health and safety requirements therefore ensuring that we would be ready to open up Lhe hall to hold events for the public in the incoming year. We also received the Take 500 PB grant from Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Council. With this grant we were able to bring the local community together to run classes. These classes included flower arranging, Line Dancing and Slow Cooker/Healthy Eating Food Demo {took place in March 2023) and Needle Felting (took place in April 2023 but monies were received in March 2023 into Carnew Rural Society account). There also was a part funded grant from Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Council to celebrate the Queens Jubilee where we had a sit-down salad tea for 90 people with music by Carnew Accordion Band and Dance and music provided by the Clover group. In October 2022 we held a community Big Breakfast. We also had the Farm Families Health Check Bus available from 9am-2.30pm to
enable members of the community to access full checks, with all times slots used and positive feedback from all who attended. In February 2023 we were successful in obtaining items from TADA Rural Support under the Electric Safety Fund initiative and distributed these to elderly citizens in the community. We were also invited in February 2023 to Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Officers by the Deputy Lord Mayor to mark the celebration of 20 years since the formation of the Rural Society. With 25 members of the Rural Society attending the Civic Reception to recognise all the volunteering efforts. We were successful in a bid to the Ulster Scots Agency to enable an Ulster Scots celebration for Commonwealth and St Patricks day in Carnew in March 2023 where we had a community dinner followed by a piper, Accordion Band and a Scottish Country Dancing Demonstration by the Royal Scottish Country Society (RSCDS)- Belfast Branch and community dancing led by RSCDS. The grant also enabled us to purchase and plant shrubs in our community garden to commemorate these events. We were also successful in obtaining a grant from Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Council to provide an External Community Defibrillator and training. The Defibrillator was installed in March 2023 together with a community demonstration on how to use a Defibrillator, CPR and initial First Aid. This was provided by Allan Graham Training and was attended by a large number of people who and were made aware of this community device and how to use. We were successful in obtaining a grant from the Arts Council of Nl in February 2023 to create a ceramic/pottery Commemorative plaque for the late Queen Elizabeth11. The classes for this and the installation of same will be held during September/October/November 2023.
During the year 01/04/2022-31/03/2023 we continued to circulate and share useful information and activities through our community rdceoooi< page ana also providing ttie hall for the community to hire for birthday/celebration and other events therefore providing a link for ALL those in the community to find out more and use the hall as a local community venture. We also liaise with the local community via Facebook messages and assist where possible and provide guidance and/or signposting. We were also a hub to sign petitions for local infrastructure issues.
Public Benefits In setting out our objectives and planning for the year the trustees have given careful consideration to the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland's guidance on public benefit. This is to ensure that the activities have helped to achieve the charity's purposes and provide a benefit to the beneficiaries stated. All our activities are related to one or more of the following charitable objectives. The advancement of citizenship and community development The advancement of education The advancement of art, culture and heritage Carnew Rural Society received funding from a number of sources, throughout this financial year which assisted with running costs, community events and ultimately enabled us to provide the opportunity to the local communiry for social inclusion in this rural area. Funders included: Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Council Ulster Scots Agency Arts Council Nl In conclusion, all our events received excellent feedback from those who participated in them. With the help of continued funding Carnew Rural Society would strive to continue to serve the local isolated rural community and improve the quality of life for its residents.
Trustees The trustees who served during the 2022-2023 are as follows: Cynthia Aiken Samuel John Bingham Maurice Weir Coburn Derek Cochrane Myrtle Johnston Audrey Beryl Cowan Robin Kelly Bertie Wallace Joseph Corbett Samuel Martin Rita Rankin Dianne Gault There were no fuiids held by our charity that was in any way deficit at the end of our financial year and we had a closing balance of £6175.71.
&