Treasurer's Financial Report 2017
The treasurer's report for the financial year 2017, presented at the Annual General Meeting of the Martham Local History Group. It covers the Group's bank balance, membership receipts, and the year's programme of talks, visits and events.
Financial Report – 2017
Over the last twelve months, since the last annual statement, the amount held in the History Group's bank account has fallen slightly to £2802.71, a reduction of £106.59. The main reason for this decrease being the subsidy we paid for the annual coach outing to Lavenham this year, which resulted in a deficit of £150. Subscription receipts have been received from 84 members totalling £840.00, and income from non-member receipts & donations £267.72. Also, please note that annual payments for the Methodist Hall hire & website hosting fee for 2016, have been included as per the mention in last year's statement as they hadn't yet cleared the bank by the end of August 2016.
In September 2016 we made a donation towards the Morningthorpe Manor Appeal of £150 for the successful purchase at auction of a collection of historically important archives for the Norwich Record Office.
The annual coach trip to Lavenham & Long Melford this year resulted in only 27 people participating in what was a very enjoyable outing, led by one of our members, Peter Lawrence. I would like to thank those members who did travel with us for their support in this visit and to remind you all that future outings by coach will only be continued subject to sufficient seats being sold due to the continued rise in the cost of coach hire. This year we had a shortfall of £150 on the day which was subsidised from Group funds.
An outing to the Neatishead Radar Museum in May was well supported. Car sharing was used to transport people to the venue, and on a very hot, sunny day, I believe all members found the tour very interesting.
In June 2017, we created a bit of history by erecting a Blue Plaque, in honour of Anna & David Hinderer, on the wall of the old Rectory, following a service of dedication in the church led by the Bishop of Norwich, and a rededication of the restored grave in the churchyard.
As with the previous few years we have continued to allow all members free entry to our monthly meetings. As a result, with average attendances still achieving 40+, the nett income from such events has fallen but your committee have agreed to continue with providing free entry for members over the next 12 months. We consider that the subscriptions received will be sufficient to continue this practice, but can assure members that it would also be kept under constant review.
Annual subscriptions for Members remain unchanged at £10.00 and will be due by the end of December this year, and anybody not renewing by the last day of February 2018 will be removed from the Membership. Renewals can be paid from today, as can any new membership request, and will benefit in being valid until 31 December 2018.
Once again thank you to all Members who renew their membership and support our events throughout the year, without you the History Group would not exist.
Chris Harrison
MLHG Treasurer
18th September 2017