Mr Chairman, may I first apologise for my absence from the meeting, which was announced at rather short notice, and unexpectedly early in the year.

The financial year of the Trust ends at the end of this month, and I am therefore unable to present the accounts, which have not yet been prepared. When they are produced, some time in the coming weeks, I will forward a copy to the council.

I can, however, say that the Trust’s income for the year has been just over £8,000. This was derived from investments, allotment and land rents, and building society interest.

Over £8,000 has been dispersed for the benefit of the village generally and to individuals.

The Church, the Tithe Barn, the Bowls Club and the Parish Council have all received grants.

Grass and hedge cutting continued for parishioners unable to do the work themselves.

The village clock on The Recruiting Sergeant has been fitted with a device which will ensure that it should always be working and accurate, even following a power cut. Those waiting for a bus into Norwich will now be able to see how late it is.

The Trust is in a healthy financial state, and receives investment advice from independent advisers. At present there is just over £5,000 on deposit, although £2,000 of that is accounted for.

The trustees have met regularly, and will continue to do so.

I intend to have this report published in The Marlpit, with this reminder that the purpose of the Trust is, to quote the registered document, “....to apply the income of the Charity to give assistance to persons resident in the Parish of Horstead with Stanninghall who are in conditions of need, hardship or distress, and to apply any funds not needed for this purpose for charitable purposes for the general benefit of the inhabitants of the said parish.”

Anyone in the parish who is in need can contact any of the trustees in the strictest confidence. The names of beneficiaries are not published in the accounts, or anywhere else. Those trustees are: Barry Benton, John Neville, Gillian Bunn, Margot Miller, Charles Thacker, Michael Blackburn, and Brian Lloyd.

Mr Chairman, that concludes my report.

Brian Lloyd
Chairman Horstead Trust