DRUMBO & DISTRICT COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION TRUSTEES. ANNUAL REPORT FINANCIAL YEAR I JANUARY 2023- 31 DECEMBER 2023 Strurture Governance and Management Registered Charity Name Charity Registration Number Trustees Drumbo & District Community Association (DDCA) 107237 Hazel Thompson (Chairper50n) Alex Swan (Vice Chairperson) Margaret Mccormick (Honorary Secretary) Gillian Mayhew (Honorary Treasurer) Paul Gregg Darren Moore lan Douglas Shirley McGregor Desi Reid Eric Wilkinson The constitution of the Committee was adopted on the 28 November 2002, and amended on 11 March 2019. The Charity is made up of Individual Members. Organisations within the area of benefit. whether community, voluntary or statutory may upon application to and with the approval of the Committee be admitted as Affiliated Members. The Management Committee consists of a minimum of 8 people who are Individual members of the Association, elected at an Annual General Meeting. Objectives and Activities The purpose of the Association is to promote rural regeneration and social wellbeing for the benefit of the inhabitants of Drumbo and the surrounding area (the area of benefit) to
promote the protection and preservation of health and to promote the benefit of the inhabitants of the area of benefit without distinction of age. gender. sexuality, nationality, ethnic origin, disability, political or religiou5 opinion by associating with the statutory authorities, voluntary organisations and the inhabitants in a common effort to advance education and to provide or assist in providing facilities in the interest of social welfare for recreation or other leisure-time occupation. with the object of improving the condition of life for the said inhabitants. Drumbo & Distritt Men's Sheds is affiliated to the Association and its aim is to promote men's health and development while putting something back into the community. It aims to create an environment for men to learn new skills and exchange ideas and for members to support each other and build friendships. The Trustees have regard to the tharities. Commission Public Benefit requirement statutory guidance. The public benefit arising from the Association's work is the creation of social cohesion and its offering Chan for people to meet. develop skills and increase social interaction. Summary of activities undertaken In the year to 31 December 2023 The Community Association, with the DrumlN) Presbyterian Church continues to run the monthly Connect Coffee mornings whith have a regular attendance of around 40 senior citizens. It provides a valuable time for them to come together and socialise over refreshments. A number of road safety conm$ were raised followi a road traffic accident in the village. This together with issues around the broken cladding on the wall and slippery pavements were raised and taken to Alex Swan to forward to relevant Council Departments In March 2023 our recently appointed Chairper50n. Jenny Wade. moved house and had to resign from her post. Although she had only held the post for a few months. she brought a great deal of expertise and commitment to the role. We were sorry to see her leave but understood her reasons. The Committee asked if Hazel who held the role of WI Chair. would step up and she agreed. Forty four folk joined the Drumbo and District Community Association's spring bus run. First stop was French's restaurant in Clough for coffeehea and delicious sco5 with jam and fresh cream. The coach then headed to Newcastle where those who wanted could stroll along the promenade in the glorious sunshine or have a quick browse in the shops. Backon the coach the journey then took folk towards Bryansford and along the High Mournes scenic route towards Kilkeel before finishing our journey along the County Down coast to Annalong. Here the group were treated to a two course meal in the Galley which was greatly enjoyed by all. As everyone returned to the coach and set off for the return journey, the first sigris of the rain appeared. Thankyou to Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council for subsidising the trip. to Frenth's and the Galley for the refreshments. A most enjoyable day was had by all. Drumbo Connect group and friends came together for a Coronation buffet lunch in June 2023. Good food, a musical sing a long, poetry readings were enjoyed by all and Coronation souvenir booklets were distributed. Although the event was kirKlly sponsored by Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council,
there was an opportunity for folk to make a donation to the Friends of the Cancer Centre charity where over £500 was raised. Committee members took part in a litter picking evening at the start of June. In August Senior citizens from the Drumbo area enjoyed another fabulous day out. First stop was Killymoon Castle in Cookstown for delicious refreshments and 3 very informative tour of the castle. The coach then headed to the Millstone resiaurant outside Omagh via the GlenelEy valley in the Sperrins. The slightly cloudy weather made it an tdeal day to take in the tUtifUl views of the area. In September, along with Drumbo thurch. we made a big push to bring in additional folk to the Connect coffee morning and make it a charity event. Those involved put on a lovely spread of food and over 50 people turned up to support it. £641.35 was raised for Daisey Lodge, Cancer Fund for Children. AI50 in September Lisburn and Castlereagh Council facilitated a Village planning meeting for Drumbo village. Members of the Association participated and encouraged other residents to attend, and share ideas on improvemerrts that could pJs5ibEy be made to help enhance living in Drumbo. It was pleasing to see that even before the second meeting some of the improvements were already taking place proving that folk had been listened to and their suggestions taken on board. There are, of course, some ideas that involve greater expenditure but now that awareness has been raised and they are noted in the plans. it is hoped that they will be considered vA)en more funding becomes available The Associated hosted a COnrt with Balliesmills Band with proceeds goi to Nl Air Ambulance. As usual in December the Association hosted the Christfflas lights switch on in the village. A wonderful evening was had by everyone and the Mayor of Listrn and Castlereagh City Council, Mayor Andrew Gowan, switched on the lights accompanied by Baillies Mills accordian band. Aftenmards, in the hall, everyone enjoyed festive nibbles and drinks while awaiting the arrival of Santa on his tractor drawn sleigh. From his grotto Santa chatted to the children and families and distributed small gifts. The wonderful choir from Carr Primary Sclwl then delighted folk wlth their Christrhas songs. Men's Shed The Men's Shed is based in Drumbo and meets at a dedicated workshop incorporating a light engineering shed and a woodturning shed. This enables a woo(knrking area, a classroom / meeting place, and a seating / social area. During the year. with input from Lisburn City Council, the exterior of both the main shed and the two corrtainers were also painted which has improved the outward appearance. Through organising a variety of oirtings and meaningful activitses for Men's Shed members the Shed achieves its aims of delivering a friendly. safe. and indusive environment where each man can choose to work at his own pace or in the companionship of others. Overthe year the Men's Shed continued to reach out to schools and community groups with the district and engaged in several projects with such groups. During the year the Men's Shed was successful in its application to the National Lottery Fund for a grant to purchase upgraded tools for the engineerin& woOdrkIng and woodturning ventures. The grant was received in December 2023 and will be spent duri 2024. The Shed was also successful in being awarded an LCCC Grand choi grant of £l.(KK) whith was spent on a saw and a sander for the shed along with some consumable
The Men's Shed continued to make a variety of artides as bird tables and nest boxes as well as renewing patio furniture and refurbishi a rowing Ixlat. The Men'5 Shed ran several outings during the year including a visit to HMS Caroline and a trip to an exhibition in Bushmills showing the village through the war years. The Community Association incorporating the Merfs Shed continue to be grateful for the support of Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council {LCCC). Flnancial Review The Association, incorporating the Men's Shed. operates on a reiptS and payments basis. Total receipts for the year were £22503 mainlyfrom Lisbum & Castlereagh City Council, National Lottery Community Fund and from organised activities. Total payments were £11,649, which were incurred to run organi*d activities and for administration of the charity. The Association recorded a surplus for the year to 31 December 2023 of £10,855. The reason for the size of the surplus this year is that by the 31 December 2023 none of the £9,985 received by the Men's Shed for equipment from the National Lottery Community Fund was spent. The expenditure will happen in 2024. The Association's cash at bank and in hand balan as at 31 December 2023 was £15,968. The Association has no other assets. Future Plans The Association intends to continue its charitable athitses. with a format of activities which has been successful over many years. Signed on behalf of the Trustees Hazel Thompson Chairperson Drumbo & District Community Assoaation 7 October 2024