RASHARKIN & DISTRICT RURAL CULTURAL & EDUCATIONAL SOCIETY ANNUAL REPORT 2022-23 02/06122-01106/23 The followlng report was given at our AGM on 3rd August 2023 at 8pm in a meeting held in Rasharkin Orange Hall. The Chairman started his annual report by thanklng those for attending and for all those who had helped the society in the last year. The year past had seen the completion of all major capitsl works and only small finishing touches were needed to make our hall the finished article. These included adding some equipment and accessories to the kitchen, installing broadband and finishing the lobby to the kitchen. The main focus of the group was now on community projects agaln. He noted support recelved throughout the year from the Mlcro Capital Grant Scheme DAERA was well received. A burns nlght had been very successful. Thls belng the groups highlight of the year. The first project invofving the local community since COVID 19. Subscriptions and donation had been boosted by receiving 2 years payments in the one flnanclal year due to the years with none received due to COVID 19. The accounts were presented to the meeting and the chairman remarked that these were satisfactory. Although monies were low the group continued to operate efficiently and proactively within the communlty. The income had been much lower than previous years due to lack of sourcing funds for capital works as these were now completed. He stated that he was still disappointed that the group had not been meetlng as regular as In the past due to many different factors, but it had improved from the previous year, and th he hoped this would improve further in the coming year given the 10 Anniversary. He stressed this would be a great opportunity to try to increase our membership. The society had once been impacted by the increase in the cost of living and inflation with runnlng costs doubling. Thanks, was to be relayed to Rasharkin LOL 694 for their payment towards running Costs. The charity remained based in Rasharkin and used the Rasharkin Orange hall for meetings. A lease was still valid on the premises and thanks to the hall trustess for their understanding this year was to be noted. Trustees remained the same as the previous year. A spa remained vacant for anyone who wished to nominate someone.
The society continued to work at promoting its charitable purposes. Projects are being planned with the groups ioth Anniversary coming up in2024. It was hoped that this could be celebrated with 10 projects of which the group was in the early stages of finalising the themes and scope for these projects. He finished by wishing all re-elected officers for the year a successful year and thanked all those who had worked in helping the society throughout the year and stated that he was looking forward to the 10 Anniversary of the group and all the exciting plans that lay ahead for this In the coming year. WILLIAM BEVERiAND CHAIRMAN.