Holywood Shared Town
Annual Report
For the year from 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023
Holywood Shared Town is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in Northern Ireland and a registered charity. Its company number is NI 617275, charity reference number NIC 101962 and HMRC charity number NI 00159.
The registered office is[c] /o 3 Bangor Road, Holywood, Co Down, BT18 0NT.
During the year the directors were: Simon Bridge
Helen Dolk Tim Kerr Bill Lockhart Lauren Kendall Nicola Murphy Robin Masefield Fiona Anderson – resigned 22 September 2022 Gordon Crozier – resigned 14 March 2023 John Woods – resigned 14 March 2023 Kim Addis – appointed 10 February 2023
INTRODUCTION
Purpose Vision and Objectives of Holywood Shared Town
Purpose : to forge and grow mutually supportive working relationships between the many organisations, groups, businesses and individuals in the Holywood area; to encourage and enable these groups and individuals to work together, and to undertake initiatives and activities, all of which create a cohesive, shared community which reflects and celebrates the diversity that exists in the Holywood area.
Vision : to build within Holywood and the surrounding area the ‘social capital’ (including the network of contacts providing mutual support, advice, encouragement, information and other forms of assistance) that helps local groups to work better for the benefit of the community of everyone who lives and works in the Holywood area - and thereby achieve our objective.
Objectives : the continuous development of Holywood as a town that:
a) is safe and welcoming for everyone
b) has a strong and thriving community
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- c) has a vibrant cultural scene and pride in its heritage
d) has a prosperous local economy
e) is inclusive and celebrates our community’s increasing diversity
e) promotes sustainable practices that enhance health and wellbeing of individuals living and working in the Holywood area and the environment
Our Methods include:
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Facilitating and participating in initiatives that build relationships with other relevant groups
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Undertaking projects in our own name and also in partnership with other groups that share our vision and objectives
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Acting as an ‘umbrella’ organisation for groups that would otherwise be unable to operate
as described in more detail below
There were a number of changes to the trustees during the year including the resignations of Fiona Anderson, Gordon Crozier and John Woods and the appointment of Kim Addis. In March 2023 we updated our Articles of Association to allow us to limit membership unless renewed.
We continue to strive for gender balance and to look for a more diverse age range and cultural background in our board members. We’d love to hear from anyone who would like to get involved in driving forward our purpose, vision and objectives.
INITIATIVES UNDERTAKEN
The initiatives undertaken and/or supported by Holywood Shared Town during the year to 31 March 2023 fall into two main categories:
- activities 2. projects
• Activity membership . Holywood Shared Town’s ‘activity’ members are groups that come together to undertake a specific activity or purpose under the umbrella of, and supported by, Holywood Shared Town (that would otherwise be too onerous for these groups to organise and/or to seek registration as separate legal entities). In 2022-3 Holywood Men’s Shed , Patchwork (sewing group), the Fencing Club and Holywood Resettlement Group were supported in this way.
• Project Activity . Holywood Shared Town undertakes a number of projects that it believes will enhance the quality of life of everyone that lives and works in the Holywood area and/or will develop and enhance the amenity of the town and surrounding area – particularly cultural and environmental activity.
Cultural activities. The arts and creativity are an important component of Holywood Shared Town’s work. Holywood Shared Town’s aim is to generate high quality artistic and creative works that residents (and others) can enjoy and in which they can participate. During 2022-3, we showcased local talent in combination with work by other renowned artists and we also looked for opportunities to bring artists together, often from different disciplines, to collaborate in making new work. Our Creative Holywood Festival formed the backbone of our cultural calendar.
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Environmental activities. As well as a range of initiatives to encourage the conservation, appreciation and use of Redburn County Park through Holywood Men’s Shed (operating from the old stable yard at Redburn), Holywood Shared Town continued to work on initiatives for the adjoining Dunville Garden, the nearby Fiddle Field and the use of green spaces such as Ballymenoch Park. We also delivered a series of Holywood walk guides, facilitated the walking for health group and various other environmental tasks including Growing Food – Growing Community.
ACTIVITY MEMBER GROUPS: Facilitating Group Activity
Holywood Men’s Shed
During 2022 things continued to get back to normal gradually and we were able to lift many of the Covid restrictions which had inhibited us so much during the previous two years. We were able to reintroduce visits to and from other men’s shed and entertained groups from Millisle and Carrickfergus. It was also great to get back to having a limited programme of trips and events.
A group of members enjoyed a short break to Downings in Donegal and renewed our friendship with Mevagh Men’s Shed. We also appreciated a fishing trip and a visit to Strand Arts Centre organised by our local community police.
Events included an Easter Plant and Share Day for the community which we delivered in partnership with the Conservation Volunteers (TCV). The partnership with TCV has proven most beneficial with a joint Christmas wreath making workshop, plus training courses for our members on topics such as first-aid, fire marshalling, horticulture, and construction site safety.
Several members were able to up-date their certificates for the safe use of the chain saw.
With the aid of funding from the Habinteg T:buc scheme we held a summer ‘Kids Shed’ programme with children from inner city East Belfast in partnership with the Tower Street Community Development Association. It was fantastic to have children from the Tower Street area visit the Enchanted Garden at the men’s shed and take part in a variety of outdoor nature activities, such a bird recognition, forest schools, and bug hunts. In return, a team of our members visited Tower Street to deliver a series of craft workshops, including the creative use of scrap plastic.
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Some members undertaking a horticulture training course with TCV
During 2021/22 we experienced a couple of incidents of vandalism in the Enchanted Garden. This was very upsetting and disheartening to the members who put so much time and effort into making the garden an exciting and safe area for everyone, but especially young children. When our neighbours in Redburn and Loughview learned what had happened they rallied round in support and raised a substantial sum of money to pay for a CCTV system to help protect the Enchanted Garden and make it a safer place. This was followed by a very generous cheque from Redburn Youth Group to help repair the damage and restore the garden. After consultation with parents of children who use the garden, we installed the CCTV. It was really encouraging for the shed members and they were overwhelmed by the community’s support for their work.
Presentation of a generous cheque from Redburn Youth Group to Holywood Men’s Shed
During 2022 we learned from the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) that it intended to repair the damage to the south wall of the Stable Yard. This turned out to be a substantial piece of work. At first, we thought that we may need to vacate the yard for health and safety reasons while the reconstruction work was being undertaken. However, after detailed planning discussions with NIEA and the contractors, we were able to come up with a plan which allowed us to stay in the yard. It entailed a big clear out of many surplus materials and a reconfiguring of some of our sheds. Members embraced this challenge and an enormous ‘spring clean’ took place which will stand us in good stead for the future. Our thanks must go to the NIEA and the
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contractors who worked with us in managing what could have been a very disruptive undertaking.
Members showing their expertise in moving a shed in preparation for wall repair
In October 22 we elected officers for the year head. Glen Livingstone, after undertaking the role of chairperson during the challenging Covid period, indicated that he wished to stand down as chairperson but was willing to undertake the role as deputy chairperson and retain the management of the Enchanted Garden. We would like to thank Glen for all the hard work and responsibility he undertook chairing the Shed. We welcomed Sam Budde as our new chairperson after several years as deputy.
It is with great sadness we have to record the death of two of our founder members: Andy Moore and Monty Budde who died within a week of each other in September 22. Both made outstanding contributions to the life of the shed and will be greatly missed.
Holywood Resettlement Group
Holywood Resettlement Group, a group of 15 Holywood residents, was formed in October 2021 in response to the Afghan refugee crisis. The group aimed to work through the Home Office’s ‘Community Sponsorship’ scheme, where community groups can organise to welcome a refugee family to their community. The scheme operates across the UK, but we were only the second group in Northern Ireland to do this. The refugee family is identified by the Home Office and UNHCR, having been given the right to remain in UK and to work and receive benefits. The scheme involves fundraising, finding a house to rent for 2 years, providing interpreters, and helping with resettlement including with English language, schools, employment, and transport. Training and support for community sponsorship groups is given by the charity RESET, and we availed of this throughout 2022-23.
During the spring and summer of 2022, the group raised the funds required under the scheme (a minimum of £9,000) through a variety of fundraising activities, the main one being a sponsored “ Holywood to Kabul ” walk, where group members collectively walked the equivalent of the distance from Holywood to Kabul. Community members both within and outside Holywood have been extremely generous in their donations.
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“Holywood to Kabul ” sponsored walk
We also were fortunate to find a benevolent landlord, who was willing to rent out a 3 bedroom house at housing allowance rates to the refugee family for the minimum of 2 years.
Having met the requirements, the final application, with Holywood Shared Town as “lead sponsor”, supported by the NI Executive Office, was approved by the Home Office in September 2022 and the contract signed in October 2022. In February 2023, we were delighted to be referred a family of five, an Afghan family residing in Iran, and told that the likely arrival date would be May/June.
The idea of Community Sponsorship also encompasses more general awareness raising in the community. In this regard, we were delighted to instigate ‘Small World Workshops’ in two of the local primary schools for P7 children, where children met with asylum seekers and refugees and heard their stories. In total 89 young people attended these workshops and a selection of the many comments included:
‘extremely interesting and touching stories and cultures. It really made me respect people from all around the world especially those who have been attacked, harassed or vandalised’
‘the things that people go through daily is hard to think about and we are so lucky’
‘empathy for asylum seekers. Horror at injustice in the world’
‘I learned not to take things for granted and to accept everyone’
Financial support was given by Habinteg and Ards and North Down Borough Council. The workshops were provided by the Belfast Friendship Club.
In March 2023, we collaborated with the Creative Holywood Festival and Beyond Skin, a charity which works with refugee musicians, to put on a concert in Holywood which was very well attended.
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Our affiliation with Holywood Shared Town is important, and we have worked together with them on activities with the Youth Forum, the Creative Holywood arts activity, and their Green Spaces initiative.
Fencing Club
Redburn Fencing Club continued to run during the school holidays and term time when the local school hall was not available throughout the year. The extra practice by the fencers culminated with four Redburn fencers selected to represent Northern Ireland in the 2022 Commonwealth Fencing Championships held at the University of East London in August. All four took part in individual and team events at the U17 and U20 levels, competing against fencers from 29 other nations of the Commonwealth.
The fencing club has been growing in popularity, this has been reflected in the increase in numbers attending.
Fencing Club member Victoria Morris in action
Patchwork
Redburn Patchwork class continued to meet throughout the year every Thursday between September and May. There are currently seven fulltime members who enjoyed undertaking a variety of sewing projects under guidance.
Holywood Shared Town’s on-going facilitation of these classes is hugely important in combatting isolation and loneliness felt by more elderly members of our community. When asked what they gain from the weekly classes, participants responded:
“ friendship ” and “ a place to socialise and be creative ”.
Class members come together to share ideas and learn new skills. For two hours a week they can forget their problems and spend time together doing something they love.
PROJECT ACTIVITY: Enhancing Holywood
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Creative Holywood: a programme of creative and cultural activity
Creative Holywood Festival
This year’s festival took place across March 2023, with over forty top class artists performing in nine events spanning jazz, contemporary dance, talks, choral singing and visual arts. It was wonderful to see sell-out audiences for virtually all the events, it gives us great reassurance that there is a real appetite and enthusiasm for the arts and creative activity in Holywood.
A new addition to this year’s programme was the appointing of an Artist-in-Residence. Local artist and musician Ed Reynolds was our inaugural artist and his presence, along with his easel and brushes became a familiar sight in our cafes, shops and street pavements, throughout the festival. The exhibition of the work that he produced was an enormous success and was visited by over 200 people during its run in the Holywood Library. We hope to repeat a similar appointment for the 2024 festival.
World music concert with Beyond Skin
Artist-in-Residence, Ed Reynolds
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Exhibition launch, Holywood Library
L-R Judith McNamee (Habinteg), Ed Reynolds (Artist), Cllr Karen Douglas (Lord Mayor, Ards and North Down), Gavin O’Connor (Arts Council of NI), Tim Kerr (Festival Director)
Heritage and Environmental Activities: helping the community to: - preserve, restore and enjoy Holywood’s historic and natural heritage - engage in local physical conservation and environmental initiatives
During the year Holywood Shared Town continued to work on a number of projects under our ‘Green Spaces’ initiative which aims to engage the community in physical conservation and environmental programmes as well as helping to develop, care for, and increase people’s use and enjoyment of Holywood’s historic and natural heritage.
Dunville Community Garden
Dunville Community Garden is part of the old Dunville Family Kitchen Garden, formerly part of the Dunville estate at Redburn House that had lain largely unattended since the 1940s. It currently extends to circa 1 acre. In 2021, Holywood Shared Town obtained a licence from the NIEA to develop it as a community garden for the benefit of all.
The partial restoration of the historic Dunville Garden has been one of the main focuses in year 1. Due to planning permission needed for Fiddle Field (see below), we have been using the Dunville Community Garden as our main green space to engage the community in physical conservation and environmental programmes. Funding for landscaping and materials came from a generous grant from Living Spaces and Places (The National Lottery Community Fund). This made a huge difference in allowing us to take this restoration project forward. We were also helped by a grant from Social Farms and Gardens which allowed us to follow the plan prepared by Sacha Workman and establish a large herbaceous border which will be a magnificent centrepiece for the garden.
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Danske Bank volunteer work party, August 22
We now have a twice weekly, well attended, Green Gym programme; the Green Gym is a scheme which inspires people to improve both physical, mental health and the environment at the same time, giving people the opportunity to tackle physical jobs in the outdoors – improving strength and stamina, boosting practical skills and confidence and benefitting local green spaces. Sessions are run by TCV staff members and a Volunteer Officer who has been trained in first aid and site supervision.
The green gym programme has been a tool to engage those in the community who are interested in the environment, physical health, mental health, helping others in the community and learning. As a well-known programme it has been a means to advertise and create awareness of the work happening at the Dunville Community Garden.
Since starting the green gyms in August/September 22 they have gone from strength to strength. We have laid paths, cleared many invasive species, improved plant diversity, found many historical items and created a space for the community to spend time, integrate and learn. In these volunteer sessions we have undertaken restoration work and made the site a safe open space, where we are now planting and producing food for the coming season, this will lead into the next phase with more community involvement.
Dunville garden October 22
When we started, the garden was an unloved space, where dangerous iron works were hidden in the undergrowth, and much of it inaccessible. This has become a community-led initiative,
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bringing the old garden to life while giving volunteers the opportunity to generate new skills, contribute to community cohesion and create a legacy for this heritage site.
The garden is used to host many of our family-friendly events and we are planning several more for groups, schools, and all in the community.
Plant and sow day March 23
We are always open to volunteers, regardless of ability and time that can be spared, it is a case of every little helps. We will supply training and equipment. We are keen that the local community takes ownership of the garden and has a real say in its development and maintenance.
Fiddle Field, Redburn
The development of a community growing space in Holywood has been a long time in its gestation. However, this year has seen significant progress. Having completed the public consultation process in collaboration with Social Farms and Gardens, we are in the final throes of our licencing and planning approvals with our partners, Ards and North Down Borough Council and the NI Environment Agency. We are optimistic that we will commence the ground preparation and growing in the coming year.
Preliminary site map of community garden at Fiddle Field
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Aerial view of the site
A Community Orchard in Holywood
Over this year we have been working with Ards and North Down Borough Council and others to establish a site for a community orchard. With land usage at a premium, this has been a tough exercise. However, we are pleased to report that we have agreed on a location for an orchard at Kerr Park, and the planting of around fifty fruit trees will take place in the winter months next year.
The support given through the National Lottery’s Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Award has been of immense significance and enabled, amongst much else, our partnership with The Conservation Volunteers, without whom our huge strides forward this year would not have been remotely possible.
OTHER ACTIONS:
Walking for health Group
During 2021 Holywood Shared Town set up a Walking for Health Group which is inclusive and open to all. With support from the Health Development Department of the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust we have continued to run a group which meets at the Maypole Bar corner in High Street in Holywood at 11am each Wednesday morning. The walk uses varied routes and lasts for about an hour. After that, group members have the option of going for a cup of coffee together. During the period 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023 there were 50 walks with a total of 270 participants. Numbers have gone down to a core of about six walkers each week after the Covid restrictions were eased but it remains a great opportunity to improve your health combined with social benefits. People of all backgrounds and abilities are welcome to join us.
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A winter walk along the North Down coastal path
Children and Young People
Holywood Shared Town facilitates a network of agencies and groups who work locally with children and young people to help assess needs and develop opportunities and services in a strategic, joined-up way. The Network met three times by Zoom during 2021/22. It includes representatives from schools, youth organisations, churches, Street Pastors and PSNI. The Network is open to all who work with or have a policy interest in children. Meetings enable representatives to report what they have been doing and are planning to do.
A highlight was our October 2022 meeting when Stephanie Mitchell gave a presentation on Small Worlds workshops and the related Belfast Friendship Club from which Small World had emerged. The Friendship Club had been set up in 2009 to welcome newcomers to Belfast. It met on a weekly basis in the neutral venue of Common Ground Café in the University area. It had demonstrated the power of providing a safe and inclusive space. From the Friendship Club the idea of an outreach or roadshow had emerged. This was the Small World workshops which have now run extensively. Workshops are for adults, youth and primary age children (P5 upwards). Feedback from participants has been excellent. Each workshop is run by members of the Friendship Club and content can be adapted to circumstances. As a result of the presentation a series of workshops were run for P7 classes in the various Holywood Primary Schools funded generously by the Habinteg T:buc scheme.
MAIN ACHIEVEMENTS AND BENEFIT DELIVERED
The activity reports demonstrate not only what HST did during the year but also why . Our main achievement throughout the year has been to continue to develop and enhance our contribution to Holywood, and the surrounding area, in accordance with our purpose and vision.
This table shows how our key activities contributed to Holywood Shared Town’s objectives and therefore how they helped us to continue to deliver public benefit in line with our objects.
| HST’s objectives | The year’s activities – and their contributions |
|---|---|
| A safe and welcoming place for people to live, learn, work, |
Holywood Shared Town’s various activities have delivered a variety of community benefits. For instance, the Men’s Shed |
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| socialise, raise children and do business |
outreach work has continued to build community links, Patchwork has continued to provide social interaction and interest for people who might otherwise feel isolated and the Resettlement Group is preparing a Holywood welcome for a refugee family. |
|---|---|
| A place that is inclusive and celebrates our community’s increasing diversity |
Creative Holywood ran a series of events to promote inclusivity and understanding. The Resettlement Group instigated ‘Small World Workshops’ in two of the local primary schools for P7 children.Our ‘Green Spaces’ initiative welcomes everyone in our community and gives refugees and asylum seekers an opportunity to engage with nature and interact with each other and the community |
| A place with a vibrant cultural scene and pride in its heritage |
Holywood Shared Town continues to programme a calendar of arts events and activities. The Creative Holywood Festival in March brings a range of events that this year drew full houses. The work on the local parks and the Dunville Community Garden, alongside the walking group, has continued to highlight and to stimulate the maintenance and enjoyment of Holywood’s green spaces. |
| A place that promotes sustainable practices that enhance both individual health and wellbeing and the environment |
Projects such as those of the Men’s Shed, operating from the old stable yard at Redburn, the on-going work on the Dunville Garden, the Fiddle Field and the Community Orchard developments, the Green Gyms ,Holywood walks and others have all helped to promote sustainable practices. |
ACCOUNTS AND RESERVES POLICY
Holywood Shared Town’s accounts for the year are attached which show the charity’s financial position. They indicate that, at the end of the year, the charity had funds of £36,714. Of this £15,775.62 was reserved for specific activities, having been raised for those purposes, which left unallocated reserves of £20,938.19. HST’s policy is to ensure that it has enough reserves to cover contingencies such as having to wind up or dissolve the company. However, as it has no outstanding liabilities and no staff with redundancy commitments, its obligations in such an eventuality would be minimal.
GOVERNANCE AND FUTURE PLANS
Holywood Shared Town’s Board of Directors confirms that in its governance of the company it has had due regard to the Commission’s guidance and its public benefit requirement.
The Board also confirms that Holywood Shared Town’s future plans are to continue, as far as possible and as deemed appropriate, to deliver its service to Holywood and district and in particular to further its current projects and support its activity member groups.
DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION TO THE EXAMINER
We, the directors of the company who held office at the date of approval of the Financial Statements as set out below and confirm, so far as we are aware, that:
- there is no relevant accounting information of which the company’s auditors/examiners are unaware; and
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- we have taken all the steps that we ought to have taken as directors in order to make ourselves aware of any relevant accounting information and to establish that the company’s examiners are aware of that information.
In approving the Trustees' Annual Report, we also approve the strategic indications included therein, in our capacity as company directors.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The Directors would like to thank all those who helped them in all their various endeavours. The activities reported above could not have been done without their assistance.
On behalf of the board
Date: 17 January 2024
Nicola Murphy Co-Chair of Holywood Shared Town Board of Directors
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Holywood Shared Town
Company Limited by Guarantee
Accounts 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023
Company Number NI 617275 Charity Reference Numbers CCNI: NIC 101962 HMRC: NI 00159
Board of Directors - during the year the directors were:
Kim Addis – appointed 10 February 2023 Fiona Anderson – resigned 20 September 2022 Simon Bridge Gordon Crozier – resigned 14 March 2023 Helen Dolk
Tim Kerr Bill Lockhart Lauren Kendall Robin Masefield Nicola Murphy John Woods – resigned 14 March 2023
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Cash Flow 1 Apr 2022 to 31 Mar 2023
| Notes | Amount | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Brought forward: (from 2021-2022) | £10,638.17 | ||
| Income: | Grants due for previous year’s activity |
£1,240.00 | |
| Invoices due at start of year | 0 | ||
| Grants paid for current year’s activity | (1) | £50,180.80 | |
| Donations and gift aid repayment | (2) | £23,490.17 | |
| Other income (including activity membership) | (3) & | (4) £1,042.00 | |
| £75,952.97 | |||
| Expenditure: On activities and projects | (5) & (6) | £65,239.01 | |
| On administration | (7) | £1,359.63 | |
| £66,598.64 | |||
| Change | in cash on hand and in bank: | £9,354.33 | |
| Carried forward: (to 2023-2024) | £19,992.50 |
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Consolidated Statement of Financial Activities 1 Apr 22 to 31 Mar 23
| Note | Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total Funds | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | Funds | Funds | 2021-22 | ||
| Incoming resources | |||||
| Grants | (1) | £54,674.77 | £54,674.77 | £11,349.60 | |
| Donations (inc gift aid) | (2) | £23, 490.17 | £23,490.17 | £12,632.17 | |
| Activity membership | (3) | £1,042.00 | £1,042.00 | £1,220.00 | |
| Total Income | £24,532.17 | £54,674.77 | £79,206.94 | £25,201.77 | |
| Resources expended (net) | |||||
| On charitable activities: | |||||
| Grant repaid | 0 | £137.00 | |||
| Activities | (5) | £14,815.83 | £650.00 | £15,465.83 | £10,194.98 |
| Projects | (6) | £2,081.39 | £37,189.15 | £39,270.54 | £8,739.03 |
| Administration | (7) | £149.63 | £1,210.00 | £1,359.63 | £1,184.17 |
| Total Expenditure | £17,046.85 | £39,049.15 | 56,096.00 | £20,255.18 | |
| Net movement in funds | £7,485.32 | £15,625.62 | £23,110.94 | £4,946.59 | |
| Total funds brought forward | £13,452.87 | £150.00 | £13,602.87 | £8,656.28 | |
| Total funds carried forward | £20,938.19 | £15,775.62 | £36,713.81 | £13,602.87 |
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| Balance Sheet Note Fixed assets (8) Current Assets Cash on hand (Men’s Shed petty cash) Cash in Bank Debtors (9) Creditors/Liabilities (10) Net Assets Funds At start of year Net increase/(decrease) Funds at end of year (11) |
Balance Sheet Note Fixed assets (8) Current Assets Cash on hand (Men’s Shed petty cash) Cash in Bank Debtors (9) Creditors/Liabilities (10) Net Assets Funds At start of year Net increase/(decrease) Funds at end of year (11) |
at 31 Mar 23 at 1 Apr 22 £12,227.34 £1,724.70 £160.61 £201.42 £19,831.89 £10,436.75 £4,493.97 £1,240.00 £24,486.47 £11,878.17 £0.00 £0.00 £36,713.81 £13,602.87 |
|---|---|---|
| Funds At start of year Net increase/(decrease) Funds at end of year (11) |
£13,602.87 £8,656.28 £23,110.94 £4,946.59 £36,713.81 £13,602.87 |
For the year ending 31 March 2023 the charity was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies. Further:
-
The members have not required the charity to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year in question in accordance with section 476, and
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The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of financial statements.
To the best of our knowledge these financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies' regime and also comply with the Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).
These financial statements were approved by the board of trustees and authorised for issue on 7[th] August 2023, and are signed on behalf of the board of Holywood Shared Town by:
August 2023, and are signed |
on behalf of the board of Holyw |
|---|---|
| Chair | Nicola Murphy |
| Treasurer | Simon Bridge |
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Notes
1) Grant Income.
During the year the debts of £600.00 for the balance of the 2021-22 Community Development grant and £640.00 balance of the ANDBC 2021-22 Community Festival grant were received: £1,240.00
Also during the year the following grants were awarded and claimed:
| ANDBC Community Development grant | £1,600.00 |
|---|---|
| ANDBC Good Relations grant (80% payment) | £800.00 |
| ACNI grant | £4,256.00 |
| ACNI Lottery grant for artist in residence – part payment | £2,746.80 |
| Lottery Jubilee grant - interim payments | £25,578.00 |
| Lottery Community Fund grant | £10,000.00 |
| Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful grants | £4,700.00 |
| Belfast City Airport | £200.00 |
| Social Farms and Gardens microgrant for Dunville Garden | £300.00 |
| £50,180.80 | |
| At the end of the year to following grant balances were due: | |
| The ANDBC Community Festival grant | £4,000.00 |
| The balance of the ANDBC Good Relations grant | £200.00 |
| The balance of the ACNI Lottery grant | £293.97 |
| £4,493.97 |
2) Donations and Contributions.
During the year the following donations and contributions were received:
| Men’s Shed | £3,887.19 |
|---|---|
| Holywood Resettlement Group | £14,530.57 |
| Creative Holywood | £2,259.91 |
| Growing Food Growing Community | £2,500.00 |
| Gift Aid repayment | £312.50 |
| Total | £23,490.17 |
| ctivity Membership(s). | |
| Patchwork | £500.00 |
| Men’s Shed | £470.00 |
| Fencing | £72.00 |
| Total | £1,042.00 |
3) Activity Membership(s).
4) Other Income. There was no other income this year.
5) Activities.
Holywood Shared Town has a class of Activity Member so that it can assist particular groups who would struggle to incorporate and/or seek charity registration as separate entities. Currently the Patchwork, the Holywood Men’s Shed, the Fencing class and the
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Holywood Resettlement Group are such activity membership groups and are accounted for as separate cost centres. Their income is recorded in the notes above and their costs are indicated in the following notes:
Patchwor k – Patchwork had room hire and tutoring costs of £910 and the room hire cost of £390 was paid from the Community Development grant.
Men’s Shed – During the year the Men’s Shed incurred depreciation costs of £344.94 and spent £8,639.66 for the following (including £200 from restricted funding):
| Power, heat and light | £870.23 |
|---|---|
| Insurance | £568.40 |
| Catering | £489.81 |
| Project costs | £2,729.10 |
| Equipment bought | £299.99 |
| Other (including tools and materials) | £3,682.13 |
Fencing – The fencing group incurred costs of £102 for coaching and room hire towards which the participants contributed £72.00
Resettlement – The Holywood Resettlement Group raised £15,643.07 during the year and had costs of £5,769.22 (including £60 from restricted funding).
6) Projects.
During the year Holywood Shared Town carried out the following projects:
Creative Holywood . Creative Holywood was awarded a Community Festival grant of £4,000 from ANDBC for its programme of activities and also received an Arts Council NI grant of £4,256.00 and an ACNI Lottery grant of up to £3,052. Its costs during the year were £12,917.99 but it acquired equipment worth £5,009.59.
Green Projects . Holywood Shared town has engaged in a number of ‘green’ projects of which these were the ones with significant activity during the year:
Dunville Garden – Work continued on the restoration of the Dunville garden at Redburn. A further £10,300.00 in grants was received for this and £9,804.95 was expended during the year including £1,473.00 for fittings and equipment.
Fiddle Field – During the year, liaison continued with NIEA and ANDBC about the site and its preparation for a community growing space. Grants of £30,278.00 were received towards this and the costs in the year totalled £26,733.94 including £4,065.00 for a polytunnel.
Growing Food Growing Community – Holywood Shared Town has assisted Holywood Transition Town with its GFGC project, for instance by running three community events – towards which it received £2,500 and by the end of the year had spent £361.25.
Holywood Fund . During the year there was no further activity for the Holywood Fund – leaving £305 still available.
7) Administration.
Apart from its identified activities and projects, Holywood Shared Town incurred the following administrative costs – most of which were covered by the ANDBC Community Development Grant.
Accounts checks
£54.00
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Insurance £860.00 Other expenses £445.63 Total £1,359.63
8) Tangible Fixed Assets. During the year:
The Men’s Shed purchased a hand truck and a polytunnel for a total of £299.99.
A variety of fittings, tools and equipment were acquired for the Dunville Garden at a cost of £1,473.00.
A polytunnel costing £4,056.00 was bought for Fiddle Field.
Creative Holywood bought a sound system and camera for a total of £5.009.59.
After depreciation the net value at the end of the year was £12,227,34:
| Men’s Shed |
Dunville Garden |
Fiddle Field |
Creative | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost: | |||||
| at 1 Apr 22 | £1,724.70 | 0 | 0 | 0 | £1,724.70 |
| additions | £299.99 | £1,473.00 | £4,065.00 | £5,009.59 | £10,847.58 |
| at 31 Mar 23 | £2,024.69 | £1,473.00 | £4,065.00 | £5,009.59 | £12,572.28 |
| Depreciation | £344.94 | 0 | 0 | 0 | £344.94 |
| Net book value | £1,679.75 | £1,473.00 | £4,065.00 | £5,009.59 | £12,227.34 |
9) Debtors.
At the end of the year the following balances of grant payments were due:
| The ANDBC Community Festival grant | £4,000.00 |
|---|---|
| The remaining portion of the ANDBC Community Relations grant | £200.00 |
| The remaining portion of the ACNI grant | £293.97 |
| Total | £4,493.97 |
10) Liabilities.
At the end of the year Holywood Shared Town had paid all its debts and had no outstanding creditors/liabilities.
11) Allocation of Funds.
At the end of the year Holywood Shared Town’s funds included some amounts it has allocated as designated for specific activities or projects:
For the Men’s Shed (including petty cash of £160.61
| ocated as designated for specific activities or projects: For the Men’s Shed (including petty cash of £160.61 |
|
|---|---|
| and machines of £1679.75) | £3,209.67 |
| For Patchwork | £320.94 |
| For the Holywood Resettlement Group | £11,531.06 |
| For Fencing | £20.50 |
| For Creative Holywood (including equipment of £5,009.59) | £7,205.55 |
| For Green Spaces | £141.76 |
| For the Dunville Garden (including a polytunnel of £1,473.00) | £1,969.04 |
| For Fiddle Field (including tools and equipment of £4,065.00) | £7,609.06 |
| For Growing Food Growing Community | £2138.75 |
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For the Holywood Fund £305.00 £34,451.33 Unallocated – and therefore in reserve £2,262.48 Total £36,713.81
12) Trustee Remuneration and Expenses.
Five trustees received expenses totalling £1,978.37 between then for credit card or cash purchases they made on behalf of the charity in circumstances where payment by cheque or on-line bank transfer was not practical.
13) Reserves.
HST’s policy is to ensure that it has enough reserves to cover contingencies such as having to close the company. However, as it has no outstanding liabilities and no staff with redundancy commitments, its obligations in such an eventuality would be minimal. Therefore the main concern is being able to undertake projects where some of the funding is only paid in arrears – and this is monitored on a continuing basis.
14) Independent Accounts Examination.
As indicated above in Note 7 the fees paid for the independent examination of the accounts were £54.00.
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NORTH DOWN COMMUNITY NEfwoRK North Dowm etk Resource Centre, 5 Castle Park Road. Barqor bT20 4TF Tel.. 028 9146 1386 Em&4.' admin nthn.co.uk Web.. www.ndcn.co.uk Charlty Reglstratlon.. XR37170 Company Number.. N1050662 Independent examiner's report to the charity trustees of Holywood Shared Town. I report on the accounts of the Trust for the year ended 31 Marth 2023. as attached. Respectlve responsibilities of tharity trustees and examlner As the charity's trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordan with the Charities Act {NII 2008. It is my responsibility to: examine the accounts under sertion 62 of the Charities Act follow the procedure5 laid down in the general Directions given by the Commi55i0n under section 651911bl of the Chartties Art state whether particular matters have come to my attention Basis of independent examiner's report I have examined your charity accounts as required under section 65 of the Charities Act and my examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission Nl under section 6519llbl of the Charities Act. My examination included a review of the accounting records kept bythe charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also included consideration of any unusual items or disclosures In the accounts. and seeking explanations from you as charity trustees concerning any such matters. My role is to state whether any material matters have come to my attention giving me cause to believe- l. That accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 63 of the Charities Act 2. That the accounts do not accord wtth those accounting records 3. That the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act 4. That there is further information needed for a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Independent Examiner's Statement I have completed my examination of the accounts of the Holywood Shared Town and have no concerned in respect of the matters (11 to14) listed above and, in connection with following the Directions of the Charity Commission Nl, I have found no matters that require drawing to your attention. Maeve Killingbeck- Indepen ent Examiner For and on behalf of North Down Community Networf( 6 August 2023 Supported by. HSC Public Health Ards and J Agency North Down l Dvve.IoiMnent <e(xJtr¢e LOTVEKYFUNDED 24