THE FRIENDS OF ST JAMES THE GREAT, THORLEY

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 11th MARCH 2011

TREASURER'S REPORT - YEAR ENDING 31 DECEMBER 2010

This year our accounts show an excess of expenditure over income of £11,422 which is due to the completion payment for the lovely new organ. We paid a deposit of £10,299 in 2009 and the balance of £20,217 was paid in May 2010. This method of payment allowed us to purchase the organ with the lower rate of VAT in force in 2009. Excluding the purchase of the organ, the Friends raised some £8,800 for future projects. All our excess funds are deposited with the Church's Central Board of Finance until they are needed. The Accounts I am presenting tonight show how the income was received and expenditure incurred in the year ended 31st December 2010 with comparative figures for 2009.

I will now comment on some of the detail.

1. Subscriptions show a slight increase this year which is encouraging and we have gained some new members, but we can always find room for some more so if you would like to invite your friends to become our "Friends" that would be lovely. Donations, however, are down but in 2009 we did have some significant gifts specifically for the new organ which were nor repeated this year.

2. It is now the norm for members and donors to gift-aid their contributions and this is a great benefit, particularly in these days of low interest rates. The tax rebate has increased to £747 for this year.

3. The Festival of Flowers and Music was again a huge success and our thanks are to you all for your tremendous support and hard work. Although the figures are not as good as 2009, there were reasons for that, most noticeable, the weather was not at all kind to us for the August Bank Holiday weekend and with the school holidays finishing very son afterwards, many people were away. I have produced details of the figures for you, alongside the Accounts.

4. October saw our Quiz Evening again, not so well attended as in the past but great fun nonetheless. £173 was raised.

5. Sunday teas and soup lunches in the winter months have both generated another year on year increase. These afternoons are a vital outreach opportunity for our Church and our thanks go to the small band of volunteers who take on this work. You will note an entry for a special lunch. The local History Society held a day in the Barn and asked if lunch could be provided. Sue Russell came up trumps as ever and the result is a very welcome £192 for the Friends.

6. Once again, I would like to thank Bob and Brenda Williams for running the ever popular whist drives which raised £205 for the Friends..

7. Lesley Parker's contributions have again been wonderful. The plant sale in May raised £168, up on the previous year and the Craft Fair in November £422. After this horrible winter, some of us may have lost garden plants so we await the Plant Sale eagerly.

8. Repairs and Maintenance costs remain high, with our equipment needing costly repairs because of all the hard work they are put to. Our thanks to Peter and Margaret Morley for their dedication and efforts in this area.

9. Finally, I would like to thank Geoff Pickering for once again examining our Accounts to check I haven't done the sums wrong.

If you have any questions I shall endeavour to answer them.

Rosemary Jones
11th March 2011

Notes

1. Cost of flowers met by sponsors £664 (2009 £580).

2. Other expenses include donation to Organist, advertising and printing.

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