RASHARKIN & DISTRICT RURAL CULTURAL & EDUCATIONAL SOCIETY
ANNUAL REPORT 2024-25
02/06/24-01/06/25
The following report was given at our AGM on 3rd July 2024 at 8pm in a meeting held in Rasharkin Orange Hall.
The Chairman started his annual report by thanking those for attending and for all those who had helped the society in the last year.
The year past had seen the continuation of community engagement projects which were very well supported by the local community. Several successful events were held which included further research on local history. These consisted of workshops which ran for 6 weeks and brought together many of elderly people of the village. A bus trip and concert were also well attended, and the society had received very positive feedback from those who took part. The projects were seeing an increase in social inclusion and community participation, and it was hoped that events could be planned for the year ahead. The Chairman praised all those involved in these projects.
Capital works continued with works being completed to the small meeting room to remove damp. Broadband had also been installed to improve community capacity and improve the range of activities that the society could offer to the local community. CCTV had been enhanced further, and groundworks had commenced to improve community access.
He noted support received throughout the year from the DAERA Rural Micro Grant Scheme and CFNI Long Mountain Community Fund. These funding schemes being essential to the society providing the community events and projects.
The accounts were presented to the meeting and the chairman remarked that these were satisfactory. Donations and membership collections had seen a modest rise in our Income. The Chairman stating that income and profit was not what the society was about and that providing for the local community in a low-cost manner to families and individuals was the most important thing.
He stated that attendances at the society meetings remained steady but encouraging some more youth would be desirable. He thanked all those who helped to carry out the large projects throughout the year while still improving our facilities. He looked forward to the year ahead and hoped it would be as successful as this year.
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 space remained vacant for anyone who wished to nominate someone. It was suggested that this be sorted out at our next meeting as there was now interest from different people on taking this up
The society continued to work at promoting its charitable purposes. Projects are in the early planning stages for the incoming year but it was stated community research and well being would be prioritised, while completing exterior access works at our hall would be the main priority for any capital works.
He finished by wishing all re-elected officers well for the year ahead and thanked all those who had worked in helping the society throughout the year.
WILLIAM BEVERLAND
CHAIRMAN.