The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) In Ireland, Richhill Preparative Meeting Annual Report & Accounts for year ended 30th June 2023
The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) In Ireland,
Richhill Preparative Meeting
Annual Report & Accounts for year ended 30th June 2023
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The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) In Ireland, Richhill Preparative Meeting
Annual Report & Accounts for year ended 30th June 2023
Richhill Preparative Meeting
Trustees (at 30th June 2023)
Ian James Chapman
Michael Steven Boyd
Mary Frances Chapman Walter Paul Sinton
Registered Address
c/o Ian Chapman 36 Battlehill Road Portadown BT62 4ER
Charity number
NIC 107090
Bankers
Danske Bank
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The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) In Ireland, Richhill Preparative Meeting Annual Report & Accounts for year ended 30th June 2023
Trustees’ Report for year ended 30[th] June 2023
Introduction
This report has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 and in line with the guidance produced by the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland.
Constitution and governance
The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) In Ireland, Richhill Preparative Meeting is governed by its governing document which was agreed by the Preparative Meeting in 2018. The Meeting was registered as a charity by the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland on 15[h] June 2018.
The Trustees, of whom there should be not less than two, are appointed at the Annual General Meeting. They are appointed for a period of up to three years and are eligible for re-appointment for a further two terms. Trustees who served during the year ending 30[th] June 2022 were as follows:
Ian James Chapman (Clerk of Trustees)
Michael Steven Boyd
Mary Frances Chapman
Walter Paul Sinton
The Trustees are responsible for the policies, activities and assets of the charity. No Trustee received any remuneration for services as a member of the Board of Trustees and the charity has no employees.
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Purposes of the charity
Richhill Preparative Meeting is established by Grange & Richhill Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends in Ireland. It is primarily a Meeting for Worship that practises in accordance with the principles of the Religious Society of Friends, also known as Quakers.
We are based in a Meeting House at Irish Street in Richhill.
The purpose of our charity, as set out in our governing document, is the advancement of the general religious purposes of the Religious Society of Friends by the following means, in so far as they are exclusively charitable:
i. Strengthening the Christian understanding and religious development of the Quaker meeting both in the geographical area of the Preparative Meeting and beyond;
ii. Contributing financially and practically to the relief of suffering at home and abroad;
iii. Providing for the pastoral care of individual Members and Attenders including assistance to those in need
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The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) In Ireland, Richhill Preparative Meeting Annual Report & Accounts for year ended 30th June 2023
Our activities during the year to 30[th] June 2023
During this year the meeting continued with in-person weekly worship. Meeting for worship was held every Sunday at 11.00am. A coffee morning was held after Meeting on the last Sunday of each month.
A number of visitors attended meeting during the year and they were encouraged to sign the visitors’ book.
Sunday School was reasonably well attended throughout the year which is a blessing to our meeting. Parental support is greatly appreciated as parents faithfully bring their children along. Sunday School teachers provide an invaluable service of nurturing the spiritual growth of our young members. A well attended Sunday School Christmas party was held in December.
During the year Ministry and Oversight organised an online Bible Study on 3 different evenings.
The Women’s meeting also met during most months during the year.
Public Benefit
The trustees of Richhill Preparative Meeting are pleased to confirm that they have complied with their duty to have regard to the public benefit requirement statutory guidance of the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland.
Our public benefit has been demonstrated in a number of ways over the past year:
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We hold regular Meeting for Worship every Sunday morning and these Meetings are open to members of the public as well as our own members and regular attenders – these Meetings provide spiritual nourishment and deepen the Christian experience and understanding of those who attend;
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We have engaged with the local community which we hope will make the Meeting House more visible and encourage others to join us for worship. A local charity IncredAble used the facilities for the benefit of local young adults with learning disabilities.
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We provide family visits to share fellowship and encourage other members in times joy, upon the occasion of marriage or the birth of a child, and difficulty times of sickness and bereavement.
Financial Review
Our financial statement for the period 1[st] July 2022 to 30[th] June 2023 is attached to this report and shows that we had a surplus of £3,446 for the year. As a result, our total funds at 30[th] June 2023 increased to £22,192 compared with £18,746 at 30[th] June 2022
The key elements of our finances in the past year included:
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A 13% decrease in membership subscriptions from £11,940 in 2022 to £10,360 in 2023.
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An decrease of 57% in National & Provincial payments from £4,333 in 2022 to £1,872 in 2023. This decrease was mainly as a result of timing differences and are likely to increase again in future years.
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The value of our investments at 30[th] June 2023 was £19,381 and income from these investments during the year amounted to £607.
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The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) In Ireland, Richhill Preparative Meeting Annual Report & Accounts for year ended 30th June 2023
Declaration
This report was approved at the Annual General Meeting on 15[th] April 2023 and is signed on behalf of trustees.
Ian James Chapman Clerk of Trustees
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The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) In Ireland, Richhill Preparative Meeting Annual Report & Accounts for year ended 30th June 2023
Statement of Receipts & Payments - year ended 30[th] June 2023
| 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Receipts | ||
| From Charitable Activities | ||
| Annual subscriptions | 10,360 | 11,940 |
| Weekly collections | - | - |
| Voluntary receipts | ||
| Donations and bequests | 800 | 2,600 |
| Appeals | 525 | 145 |
| Bank interest | 29 | 14 |
| Investment receipts – unrestricted funds | 608 | 594 |
| Other income | 495 | - |
| Gift Aid receipts | - | 368 |
| Total receipts | 12,817 | 15,661 |
| Payments | ||
| Cost of Charitable activities | 8,763 | 8,932 |
| Donations | 570 | - |
| Bank fees | 38 | 36 |
| Cost of fixtures and fittings | - | - |
| Total payments | 9,371 | 8,938 |
| Surplus / (deficit) for the year | 3,446 | 6,723 |
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The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) In Ireland, Richhill Preparative Meeting Annual Report & Accounts for year ended 30th June 2023
Statement of Assets & Liabilities - year ended 30[th] June 2023
| 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Cash at 30thJune 2022 | 18,746 | 12,023 |
| Surplus / (Deficit) for the year | 3,446 | 6,723 |
| Cash at 30thJune 2022 | 22,192 | 18,746 |
| Current Account | 20,164 | 16,730 |
| Business Investment Account | 2,028 | 2,016 |
| Bank Account Total | 22,192 | 18,746 |
| Investments Value at 30thJune 2023 | Investments Value at 30thJune 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| (unrestricted) | ||
| Ref D9 | 111 shares | |
| Ref D10 | 111 shares | |
| Ref Inv 107 | 450 shares | |
| Ref Inv 112 | 182 shares | |
| Ref Inv 132 | 331 shares | |
| Ref Inv 133 | 165 shares | |
| Total shares | 1,350 shares @ £14.3560 / share | £19,380.60 |
| (valuation per NICIFC Update June 2023) |
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The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) In Ireland, Richhill Preparative Meeting Annual Report & Accounts for year ended 30th June 2023
Fixed Asset Listing
Meeting House contents at 15 Irish Street, Richhill Including: Ladies cloakroom Wooden benches Library books Book cabinet Quaker bonnet Quaker paintings Oil heating system Lawn mower
Sunday School Hall contents at 15 Irish Street, Richhill Including: Folding wooden tables Chairs Piano Projector system Cooker Coffee maker Water heater Cups, plates, bowls Electric heating system
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