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.

&