Carnew Rural Society Chairperson's Annual Report Charity number 101105 Financial year from I" April 2023-31St March 2024 Purpose of our charity and principal activities Carnew Rural Society were able to continue to provide classes and events throughout the year. We completed the Take 500 grant with a needle felting class in April 2023 taken East Coast Craft each student created a felting picture to take home. We applied to Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Council for a running cost grant which was subsequently approved. This included covering the following- annual rent, insurance, heating oil, stationary and Nl Water bill. In June 2023 we held a community Treasure Hunt and BBQ with an evening of music by the Grousebeaters. This was not funded and was by paid admission to cover costs. We applied to Awards For All- The National Lottery Community Fund for a grant of £10,000 which was subsequently approved. Over the year from October 2023
we ran several classes and events. The first of which was our Big community breakfast on 7th October 2023 where we served 200 plus people. We had PCSP there to provide crime prevention advice to enable members of the community this valuable knowledge and items to prevent and deter crime. Our next class on Saturday 14th October was an accredited First Aid class where each of the students received a certificate on completion of course. In October 2023 we ran an accredited Food Hygiene class over 2 nights and on completion the students received a certificate after a test and attendance at both course nights. In October Patrica McNeill took a class to make felt remembrance day poppies which was attended by 15 students and donations of £180 were raised which was passed onto the Dromore Branch of The Royal British Legion. This was not grant funded but once again brought the community together. In October 2023 we purchased a bainmarie and a food trolley this was funded from the Awards For All grant to enable the community hall to be able to safely and efficiently provide the ability to cater safely. In September/October 2023 using the grant from the Arts council we create a pottery wall hanging in remembrance of
the late Queen Elizabeth 11, also each student was able to make and design individual tiles and paint them as well as being involved in the making of the tiles for the wall hanging. th On 10 November we held a Memories evening to commemorate and celebrate 20 years of Carnew Rural Society (we were established in May 2023)and to bring the community together in an evening of speakers, invited guests, food, slideshows and craft items made over the years. Donations were given with £400 pounds raised and donated to the Alzheimer's Society (Nl). This was not grant funded but was a beneficial community event. We also unveiled the Queen Elizabeth11 Commemorative Plaque, the plaque had been funded via the Arts Council grant. In November/December 2023 we held two nights of Christmas floral arrangements this was attended by 16 students on each evening who enjoyed learning how to arrange flowers and Holly wreaths. In February 2024 we ran a table quiz to raise funds for to help with over all costs Carnew Rural Society has to cover ie: entertainment licence, electrical checks, fire risk assessment, ongoing maintenance and general bills and general upkeep of hall etc.
In March 2024 we held a Reflexolgy class for 12 people lead by Sarah Vaughn of House of Reflexology Magheraline where she gave a talk on her work and the benefits and background of reflexology and carried out some Reflexolgy demonstrations on those attending the class. This was funded by Awards For All grant. In March Patrica Mc Neill led two spring flower arranging classes with 16 students attending each and taking home their arrangements each night. This was funded by Awards For All Awards For All also covered the cost of Hall hire for all the events covered by their grant. During the year 01/04/2023-31/03/2024 we continued to circulate and share useful information and activities through our community Facebook page and also providing the hall for the community to hire for birthday/celebration/ funeral teas 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 and facility. We also liaise with the local community via Facebook messages and assist where possible
and provide guidance. We were also a hub to sign petitions for local infrastructure and local issues.
Public Benefits In setting out our objectives and planning for the year the 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 citizens 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 community for social inclusion in this rural area. Funders included Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Council Awards For All Arts Council
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.
Trustee3 The trustees who 8orvod durlng the 2023-2024 •ro •8 follow8: Cynthla Aibn Samuel John Bingham Maurice Weir Coburn Derek Cochrane Myrtle Johnston Audrey Beryl Cowan Robin Kelly Bertie Wallace Joseph Corbett Samuel Martin Rita Rankin There were no funds held by our charltythatwas in any way deficit at the end of our fin8ncialy8ar andwe had a closing balance of £8,011.54
4 111 I li