Chair’s Report for Tweedsmuir Village Hall Committee
Welcome to the 2025 Tweedsmuir Hall AGM
Welcome to the 2025 Tweedsmuir Hall Annual General Meeting. This year has presented several challenges and triumphs for our community hall, and I am pleased to share our progress and endeavours with you.
Incidents and Insurance Claims
This year, we experienced a break-in that resulted in damage to our windows and doors. Fortunately, nothing was stolen, although the repairs required considerable time and expense. Thankfully, these costs were fully covered by our insurance.
In January, our storage container was stolen, which contained valuable community resources such as BBQ equipment, chairs, decorations, outdoor sound equipment, and gazebos. It took several months, but we successfully secured a payment of £17K from the insurers to cover these losses.
Energy and Heating Management
We have faced challenges with our energy generation feed-in tariff due to difficulties in connecting to the online reading service, necessitating manual readings, which has been frustrating. Despite this, the installation of a remote heating system has been a fantastic addition, making it significantly easier to prepare the hall for bookings. However, we continue to face issues with the heating system in the small hall.
The Community Heat team conducted a comprehensive heat survey of our hall. Their report provides essential information that will help us prioritise steps to make the hall carbon neutral.
Facility Development and Improvements
We have continued to enhance our hall's facilities. This year, we have purchased new, comfortable stacking chairs to increase our capacity and improve the experience for our visitors. Additionally, we have set up a Bluetooth connection, making it easier to stream music during events.
Defibrillator Relocation
The defibrillator, previously located at our village hall, has been moved to its permanent location at the Wee Crook cafe, ensuring more accessible emergency services for our community.
Fundraising and Community Engagement
The fundraising quiz you held in February was a fantastic event!
It attracted a good number of teams and was great fun and was well-organized by the committee. Events like these not only help raise funds but also bring people together, fostering a sense of community and teamwork.
Community Recycling Hub Expansion
The Community Recycling Hub has recently undergone a significant expansion, aimed at enhancing our community's recycling capabilities and promoting sustainable practices. A notable addition to our facilities is the new green hut, which has been strategically placed in the car park. This green hut was made possible through a generous grant from SBCAN, secured by the Community Council.
The green hut serves as a dedicated recycling point for various items that are often challenging to dispose of responsibly. Community members can now recycle batteries, coffee wrapping, cheese packaging, tooth cleaning products, and blister packs with ease. This initiative not only helps reduce waste but also encourages residents to participate actively in recycling efforts.
In addition to the new green hut, we continue to maintain the Ragbag bin on-site. The Ragbag bin has been a valuable asset to our community, generating a small but steady income for the hall. This income supports various community activities and the maintenance of our facilities.
The expansion of the Community Recycling Hub and the introduction of the green hut represent our ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability and community well-being. We encourage all community members to take advantage of these new recycling opportunities and contribute to a greener future.
Tweedsmuir Little Library
The small outdoor cupboard at the back of the Hall is the location of Tweedsmuir Little Library, an inviting space where locals can donate and borrow books free of charge. This community-driven initiative has become a useful resource for the area, fostering a love for reading and encouraging the sharing of knowledge. The library's popularity has grown significantly, attracting book lovers of all ages who enjoy the convenience and variety it offers. Managed by a dedicated group of individuals, the Tweedsmuir Little Library stands as a testament to the power of community spirit and the joy of reading.
Wee Crook Cafe
The successful opening of the Wee Crook Cafe every day of the week is a significant milestone for our community. This achievement not only highlights the dedication and hard work of the TCC team but also brings numerous benefits to the community.
Having the cafe open daily provides a consistent and reliable place for community members to gather, socialise, and enjoy delicious food and beverages. It fosters a sense of community and belonging, making the cafe a vibrant hub of activity. Additionally, the availability of catering options for groups booking our venue adds a layer of convenience and appeal, making it an attractive choice for events and gatherings. This development is sure to enhance the overall experience for everyone involved and contribute positively to the community's well-being
Events and Bookings
The return of events from the Wee Crook to the village hall has brought a diverse range of activities that cater to various interests and needs within the community.
For instance, the Ceilidh dance lessons offer a fun and energetic way for people to engage in traditional Scottish dancing, fostering a sense of cultural heritage and community spirit. Film nights provide an opportunity for residents to come together and enjoy films in a communal setting, creating a shared experience that can spark conversations and connections.
Local meetings and community council meetings are essential for maintaining open communication and collaboration among residents, ensuring that everyone's voice is heard and that community issues are addressed collectively.
Art classes and lampshade making workshops offer creative outlets for individuals to explore their artistic talents and learn new skills, while also promoting relaxation and mindfulness.
The community heat launch and recycling hub launch are significant events that highlight the community's commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility. These initiatives not only educate residents about eco-friendly practices but also encourage active participation in creating a greener future.
In addition to these events, the village hall continues to be a popular venue for external groups. First aid courses are crucial for equipping individuals with life-saving skills, while windfarm presentations provide valuable information about renewable energy projects and their impact on the community. Connecting Threads workshops ensure links with the wider Destination Tweed Project
The success of the online booking system, hosted on the Community Council website, has streamlined the process of reserving the village hall for events. This user-friendly system ensures that the hall remains accessible and well-utilised, supporting the diverse range of activities that bring the community together.
Overall, the village hall has become a dynamic and inclusive space where residents can engage in a wide array of activities, learn new skills, and strengthen their sense of community.
I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the village hall committee for their unwavering support and dedication throughout this year. Their hard work, especially in light of the numerous break-ins, is truly commendable. It's disheartening to see such incidents occur when we have all put forth so much effort to build and maintain a resource that holds immense value for our community. Nonetheless, the committee's resilience and commitment have ensured that our village hall remains a thriving hub for our activities and events.
In conclusion, despite the hurdles we've faced, we have made significant strides in developing and improving our village hall. I am confident that, with continued effort and community support, we will achieve even greater successes in the coming year.
Tweedsmuir Village Hall accounts at 30 April 2025
| SCIO SCO50480 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 | |
| INCOME | ||
| rent | £1,685.00 | £2,547.50 |
| Federation | £700.00 | |
| fundraising | £378.69 | |
| electricity | £206.08 | |
| insurance claim | £17,736.76 | |
| insurance claim | £878.72 | |
| £1,685.00 | £22,447.75 | |
| EXPENDITURE | ||
| grant exp Ventient Glenkerie | -£1,234.99 | |
| Fire Protection | -£160.51 | -£115.09 |
| electricity | -£2,086.99 | -£1,775.83 |
| Insurance | -£1,268.01 | -£1,319.72 |
| Maintenance | -£1,336.03 | |
| catering/cleaning | -£187.87 | -£168.73 |
| equipment | -£1,554.40 | -£300.00 |
| Charity donation | -£270.00 | |
| hallmaster (grant) | -£265.00 | |
| starlink | -£900.00 | |
| fundraising | -£125.00 | |
| insurance claim | -£878.72 | |
| insurannce claim | -£989.90 | |
| miscellaneous | -£16.95 | |
| -£8,098.80 | -£6,854.94 | |
| balancesheet as at 30th April | ||
| openingbalance | £14,706.09 | £8,292.29 |
| income | £1,685.00 | £22,447.75 |
| expenditure | -£8,098.80 | -£6,854.94 |
| represented by | ||
| current accounts | £8,292.29 | £23,885.10 |
| *notestoaccountsoverleaf |
Accounting information The accounts have been examined by an independent examiner which included a review of the accounting records kept by The Treasurer and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records.
The independent examiner is happy that the prepared accounts properly represent the receipts and payments of Tweedsmuir Village Hall
Treasurer's report to acounting period 1st May 2024 to 30th April 2025
The higher than usual income reflects the two payouts received from our insurers following the break-in in July and the theft of our container including contents in December 2024. Without insurance, the income would be £3832. Removinginsurance and chair purchases - our expenses totalled £4686 so we are operating at aloss. The federation grant enabled the purchase of Hallmaster subscription and covered PAT testing with surplus goingto fund Starlink which is now not covered by the SBC grant. Hire has increased significantly fro last year but overhead costs remain onerous with our available funds reducing significantly.
| have projected our spend for the forthcoming year.
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|---|---|---|
|Balance @ 30.04.2025|£23,885.10|
|insurance claims|outstanding|-£16,746.86|
|insurance due Jan 2026|-£1,400.00|
|electricity|-£2,000.00|
|PAT test|-£200.00|
|fire protection|-£180.00|
|starlink|-£900.00|
|available funds|£2,458.24|
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