Ettrickbridge and Dryden RDA Group Scottish Charity Number SC050535 Year Ended 31st March 2025
Trustees' Annual Report
Ettrickbridge and Dryden RDA Group Scottish Charity Number SC050535 Year Ended 31st March 2025
Trustees' Annual Report
Trustees
Kathleen Marshall (Chairperson) Anne Derrick (Secretary) Sandra Davidson (Treasurer) David Anderson Alison Brockie (appointed June 2024)
Holly Kirkwood Elma McLaren Jeanette Stott Caryl Thompson Susan White
Contact address
Thornielaw Farm, St Boswells, Melrose. TD6 0HJ
Type of governing document
The charity is governed by it's Constitution.
Trustee recruitment and appointment
The trustees are appointed in accordance with the Constitution.
Charitable purposes
The purpose of the charity is to promote the objects of the Riding for the Disabled Association incorporating Carriage Driving, a charity registered under Charity Number 244108 ("the Association") by providing disabled people with the opportunity to ride and/or to carriage drive to benefit their health and well being in the Edinburgh and Borders area.
Summary of main activities in relation to these objects
The Charity provides riding for people with a range of physical and learning disabilities and autism to help develop their motor and social skills, boost confidence, improve communication skills and enhance their quality of life.
Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the financial period
The charity normally provides riding lessons for three groups of riders– a group of adults, one from the local high schools and one from the primary school support classes. These riders are able to take part in a range of activities but most of all improve their core stability, movement and communication as they meet helpers and ponies. They can play mounted games and go for rides outside and often they cannot do this with wheelchairs or limited movement.
Ettrickbridge and Dryden RDA Group Scottish Charity Number SC050535 Year Ended 31st March 2025
Trustees' Annual Report (continued)
Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the financial period (cont.)
We started back at the end of August 2024 for our Primary school children, the Secondary pupils and Adult Group.
The Primary group began with 8 participants, 4 children from Langlee, one from Tweedbank, one from Balmoral, one from Lauder and one from Kirkhope. One of the Langlee pupils was not coping with the riding and so another child took her place. This group rode until the October holiday and resumed after the Easter break.
The Senior group comprised 5 students from Galashiels Academy and one from Selkirk High School.
The Adult group comprised 6 participants, including one senior pupil as it was felt this group was more appropriate for her. One of the adults has since stopped riding with us and a new participant has joined us. She is a wheelchair user but is able to weight bear to access the mounting block and get onto her pony. Her carer gives her a lot of support when mounting. This will be kept under review.
Many of our riders are showing great improvement in their ability, some doing a lot of work off the lead rein which does wonders for their confidence. It’s such a pleasure to see how happy the children are on horseback even if they only manage a short time. Here’s to many more improvements and lots of fun sessions to come.
At the end of June 2024 we did manage to film our adult participants for the Virtual Dressage Competitions. Entries closed in October and the judging took place in November. One participant came 3rd in her class, one came 2nd in his class and one 3rd in his class. Two others did extremely well but their classes were huge.
The Virtual Dressage was very interesting but a lot of work for everyone involved. For one reason or another it was decided not to take part this year. Moving on we may take part in the Virtual Countryside Challenge next year. We have purchased some inexpensive props to help with this.
One of our coaches attended a First Aid course in August 2024 followed by her review in early October. Two coaches also attended Edinburgh & Borders Coaching Conference in April 2025. One coach also attended a showjumping training day so she has been able to introduce pole work to the sessions.
Our coaches have to make sure that all participants, volunteers and equines are safe at all times. Over the sessions there have been some Health & Safety issues which the coaches have tried to resolve. It is becoming apparent that, for a few, riding is not suitable, therefore this is where the Activity Leader comes in.
Ettrickbridge and Dryden RDA Group Scottish Charity Number SC050535 Year Ended 31st March 2025
Trustees' Annual Report (continued)
Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the financial period (cont.)
Our new coach began her RDA Coach in Training journey on the 3rd of June 2024 attending the pre-coach training session in Peebles and achieved her certificate in March 2025. Working alongside the other two coaches during her training was an invaluable contribution to achieving her certification and their knowledge, commitment and experience continues to provided her with balance, enthusiasm and a cheery heart.
We held our Bridge Afternoon on 22nd November 2024. As always it was well supported and everybody thoroughly enjoyed the Afternoon Tea. Thank you to the team who took over the organising and running of this event.
The Christmas party was another huge success with Pooey Pitman being the entertainment. Fun was had by all with lots of delicious food being consumed. Santa was a huge hit! Thanks to one of our volunteers for stepping in.
We then had our break over Christmas and we resumed on the 16th of January 2025 for the Senior pupils and Adult riders. After the Easter holidays the Primary school children returned to riding.
Two of our young riders took part in the Junior Selkirk Ride. They had such fun and this is evident from the wonderful pictures on Facebook. We must say a huge thank you to one of our trustees again for doing all the organising and we would also like to thank those who helped on the evening.
At our Christmas get together on the 9th January we presented two former trustees with flowers for all their dedication to Ettrickbridge & Dryden RDA.
Following a family tragedy, one of our trustees has said she would like to step down as Safeguarding Officer for the time being. Another trustee has very kindly agreed to carry out this role in the meantime.
We have one new volunteer who is an absolute asset and extremely enthusiastic. One of our volunteers felt the time was right to step down as a leader and side walker in case she had a fall but will remain as a volunteer and Trustee. She is a very valued volunteer and is always enthusiastic about our RDA. She will help at Tea with a Pony providing her beautiful cakes.
Our Chair has indicated that she will be stepping down as Chair in 2026 so she and another trustee have put some thought into the way forward for our group.
As a Board we need to be forward thinking and restructure and utilise the Board of Trustees to ensure our wonderful Ettrickbridge and Dryden RDA can continue for years to come. We have a Board of Trustees with experience and endless knowledge so let us utilise this and make our group stronger and make the role of Chairperson not so arduous.
Ettrickbridge and Dryden RDA Group Scottish Charity Number SC050535 Year Ended 31st March 2025
Trustees' Annual Report (continued)
Brief statement of the charity’s policy on reserves
The unrestricted funds represent income earned but not yet utilised in supporting charitable activities. At 31st March 2025 the charity held £24,744 at the bank and the Trustees consider this to be appropriate to allow them to meet their charitable objectives.
Details of any deficit
The charity has incurred a deficit of £466 this year. The charity relies on grants and donations in order to meet it's objectives. Although we had a good year in terms of fundraising, donations and also securing a £2,000 grant, unfortunately rising costs have made it difficult to generate a surplus this year.
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees' report above.
Signed on behalf of the Charity's Trustees
Signed Kathleen Marshall
Kathleen Marshall
Position Chairperson
Date 22/01/2026
Ettrickbridge and Dryden RDA Group Scottish Charity Number SC050535 Year Ended 31st March 2025
Independent Examiner's Report
The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the terms of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) 2005 Act and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006. The charity trustees consider that the audit requirement of Regulation 10(1) (d) of the Accounts Regulations does not apply. It is my responsibility to examine the accounts as required under section 44(1) (c) of the Act and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
My examination is carried out in accordance with Regulation 11 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeks explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and, consequently, I do not express an audit opinion on the accounts.
In the course of my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
-
1 which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
-
to keep accounting records in accordance with section 44(1) (a) of the 2005 Act and
-
• Regulation 4 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations, and
-
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with
-
• Regulation 9 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations
have not been met, or
- 2 to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
H Jayne Rogerson
H Jayne Rogerson BA CA
22 Ladhope Drive Galashiels TD1 2BL
Date 22/01/2026
Ettrickbridge and Dryden RDA Group Scottish Charity Number SC050535 Year Ended 31st March 2025
Receipts & Payments Account
| Receipts Donations Grants Receipts from fundraising activities Gross trading receipts Income from investments other than land and buildings Payments Donations Expenses for fundraising activities Gross trading payments Payments relating directly to charitable activities Payments relating to asset and investment movements Surplus |
Unrestricted Funds Total £ £ 819 819 2,000 2,000 1,092 1,092 1,241 1,241 747 747 5,899 5,899 - - 86 86 416 416 5,529 5,529 334 334 6,365 6,365 (466) (466) |
2024 £ - 665 2,509 680 415 4,269 - 82 - 5,002 - 5,084 (815) |
2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Ettrickbridge and Dryden RDA Group Scottish Charity Number SC050535 Year Ended 31st March 2025
Statement of Balances
| Cash Funds Balances at 1st April 2024 Surplus for the year Balances at 31st March 2025 Other Assets Fixed assets - storage cabinets |
Unrestricted Funds Total £ £ 25,210 25,210 (466) (466) 24,744 24,744 Unrestricted Funds Total £ £ 334 334 |
2024 £ 26,025 (815) 25,210 2024 - |
2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| - |
Approved by the trustees on 22/01/2026 and signed on their behalf by:
Kathleen Marshall
Kathleen Marshall
Ettrickbridge and Dryden RDA Group Scottish Charity Number SC050535 Year Ended 31st March 2025
Notes
1. Nature and purpose of funds
All funds are unrestricted and are used for the purposes of advancement of health and education and providing recreational facilities for the young, elderly and disabled individuals.
2. Trustee remuneration
There was no remuneration paid to trustees during the year.
3. Trustee expenses
During the year a total of £638 (2024 - £124) was paid to 3 trustees (2024 - 2 trustee) in respect of reimbursement of expenses paid on behalf of the charity.
4. Analysis of Receipts and payments
4.1 Donations received
| Donations from individuals Other donations 4.2 Grants received Hayward Trust 4.3 Payments relating directly to charitable activities RDA Membership Hire of Ponies Tea with a Pony Costs Social and education Disclosure checks Secretarial expenses |
Unrestricted Funds Total £ £ 189 189 630 630 819 819 Unrestricted Funds Total £ £ 2,000 2,000 Unrestricted Funds Total £ £ 477 477 4,386 4,386 242 242 330 330 3 3 91 91 5,529 5,529 |
2024 £ 195 470 665 2024 £ - 2024 £ 460 4,080 211 227 24 - 5,002 |
2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ 195 470 665 2024 |
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| £ - 2024 |
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