## **Portglenone Community Workshop & Men’s Shed Charity Commission Registration Number: NIC107307 Trustees’ Report January 2024 – November 2024** 

The 2024 Annual General meeting was held on 14[th] of November 2024, Chaired by Joanne Brown Kerr from Bann Maine West Cluster Group. 

The financial and activity reports were presented by the treasurer and chair   The Committee continued dealing with ongoing business e.g.: paying invoices, preparing the shed for activities updating items/equipment as well as liaising with the landlord to repair items, etc.  The inventory still needs to be updated, and PAT testing done, which is an annual requirement. This is something that should/needs done during the winter shutdown. 

Due to health conditions of most of the committee members, including myself, have missed a lot of time at the shed. This has caused us to get behind in some areas, such as funding, inventory, class organisation and producing items for sale. 

One good thing, that is nearly completed, is the temporary structure which is to become a painting and/or drying area. It just needs a few bits of trim, and some solar lighting installed. Another upgrade has been the installation of the outdoor LED lights for the security and safety of all. 

Progress has been made in the workshop with Hugh reupholstering and repainting furniture for sale. Many of the items have been sold throughout the year. Hopefully, we can get a few more pieces sent to the Cullybacky shop for upcoming Christmas sale season. 

Following another successful application to **Rural Micro Capital Grants** scheme, funding was obtained to update and purchase equipment and materials in preparation for a return to further activities after the summer break. The People and Community Funding has finally been made available through PEG. It has been a long year waiting for the partnership agreement to be put in place. A big congratulations to the Committee for weathering the storm of the past year, without funding for running costs. The funding from Gallahers LTD., which has been successfully granted, is being put on hold. This is due to the current economic climate and impending harsh winter approaching. We hope to revisit this in the Spring of 2025. **Line Dancing** has continued as one class, every Monday morning. **Upholstery** classes have been ongoing with steady, although with depleting numbers in attendance. We had a 5-week **Summer Upholstery** class which was held to facilitate term-time working residents. **Yoga/Soundbaths** was shelved due to lack of attendance, but Brenda is willing to come back, if numbers come back. A few workshops have taken place over the past year. **Power Tools Training, Wet Felting** . **Pilates** and **Pyrography** . These classes were well attended, and it is our intention to run these classes again, as long as the interest is there. 

Several Committee members have attended various workshops to update skills and keep abreast of changes, for example: Various Committee members (Mike, Drew, Vic & Ann Marie) have represented the shed at zoom meetings, big breakfast etc. 

Special thanks go to Victor Faloon for not only carrying out repairs for participants in the Upholstery & Upcycling classes but also for keeping us on the straight and narrow with finances.  Mike and Drew are also to be commended on doing the prep work for funding from RMCGS funding and AnnMarie We are indebted to Maureen and Ann Marie for updating the Facebook page (and recently Instagram) on a regular basis as well as organising and running classes. Bernie is more than happy to be our bookkeeper and manage the books but will not be available until January 2025. Mike and 



Drew have, and continue to, represent the shed at many face-to-face and zoom meetings, taking an active role in promoting the Shed and its activities. 

The Chairperson thanked everyone involved for supporting the Shed so far and for their continued hard work, determination, and resilience – and we all look forward to further developments in 2025. 

Michael McCarney Chairperson