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

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