John Upton Charity Annual Report 2024-26

This is the fifth report from the John Upton Charity, aiming to show Gawsworth residents how the Charity is working towards its aims and to report publicly on its financial position.  This report is in addition to the annual financial information submitted to the Charities Commission which is available on their website.  This report covers the period April 2024 to April 2026.

The John Upton Charity exists to make grants for the benefit of Gawsworth residents. These are funded from the interest we receive on our permanent endowment. During the report period the Charity made grants totalling £26,950 in 2024/2025 and £9,399 in 2025/2026. 

The Charity was pleased to award the largest grant in our history, contributing £26,000 to the refurbishment project of our local park by Gawsworth Parish Council’s Playground Improvement Group in 2024. 

A further substantial grant of £7,500 was awarded to Gawsworth Hub in 2026 to contribute toward the costs involved in improving the outside seating area for the café. 

Other grants awarded during the report period include:

• Gawsworth Methodist Church received £750 in 2024 and 2025 to help with expenses for their popular community coffee mornings.
• St James’ Church received £88 to help with the cost of providing the Christmas Tractor Run in 2025.
• St James’ Church was also granted £111 in 2025 to support the Easter Egg Hunt for village children.
• Gawsworth Produce Show received £200 in both 2024 and 2025 to cover printing and other costs incurred in organising the show.
• Gawsworth Gardeners received £250 to supply materials for the school gardening club.
• Gawsworth Girls Brigade received £250 towards travelling costs to attend a residential training event. 
• A residents group formed to consider Gawsworth related issues arising from the Peak Cluster carbon dioxide pipeline project received £250 towards printing of promotional material.

A healthy financial position was maintained during the report period with financial assets of £413,877 (31 March 2025) and £403,746 (31 March 2026).  These assets include a Permanent Endowment Fund of £375,000 with the remainder available to make grants and cover expenses.

Income for the charity is generated from investment of the permanent endowment funds.  Our constitution restricts investment to banks and building societies with FSCS protection, so income varies depending on interest rates available when fixed term savings accounts mature and are reinvested. Interest rates fell during the two years covered by this report, but the charity was still benefiting from investments made during the period of higher interest rates, reflected in income in the region of £14,653 in 2024/2025 and £17,849 in 2025/2026.

During 2025 the charity changed the way some of its fixed term investments are managed.  On maturity several investments were reinvested for a five year term compared to the previous norm of up to two years (although three year terms were used during the time of higher interest rates prior to this reporting period).  Interest rates fell during 2025 so investing for a five year term allowed the charity to take advantage of relatively high interest rates before they reduced further.  This strategy provides a period of income stability for the charity, ensuring sufficient income to meet necessary expenses and some grant awards over the next few years.

On maturity the remaining investments will continue to be reinvested over shorter periods enabling the charity to manage fluctuating interest rates efficiently.

Expenses are kept to a minimum (around £3,500 p/a) and cover the clerk’s wages, administration (external account checks, postage, etc) and maintaining the small piece of land which we own adjacent to Penningtons Lane.

The trustees hope to continue to make grants that benefit the community and we welcome comments and suggestions to the clerk/treasurer at JohnUptonCharity@gawsworthpc.org.uk.

Finally, the trustees would like to thank Loraine Wood for her continued support and dedication in her role as clerk/treasurer to the charity.

Penny Shepherd

Chair
Gawsworth Parish Council as Trustee of the John Upton Charity