Santa’s on his way!Jolly old Santa Claus is about to fly into Wheathampstead.Wheathampstead Community Group are pleased to announce that we will be closely supporting the Rotary in Harpenden Santa Sleigh runs in Wheathampstead this year.You’ll see him first with his elves and sleigh at the Lights Up festivities in Wheathampstead High Street on Thursday November 29 at 6pm.Then, in the early evenings (5:30 to 8:30pm), he’ll be touringBury Green, Wick Avenue, Lattimore Road and area on Tuesday December 4Butterfield Road, The Hill and Marford Road and area on Thursday December 6Necton Road, Tudor Road, Caesars Road and area on Friday December 7Conquerors HillandHill Dyke estateonMonday December 10Waddling Lane, Lower Luton Road, Folly Fields and area on Thursday December 13
John Bunyan Family Fun Day 2017
Getting to know our Treasurer, Mike Greensmith
Over the past 40 years I held a series of senior finance roles in major financial services organisations. I have also operated my own management consultancy, specialising in relationship management, risk management and corporate governance. I am a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Management Accountants (FCMA). Previously and since taking early retirement, I have worked with other charities in voluntary Trustee and Director roles, principally around Finance and Accounting.
As Treasurer of Wheathampstead Community Group, I have a hard act to follow after 12 years of sterling service by David Law. Since taking on the role, I have focussed in moving WCG banking and finances on line. I have gone through my first annual collection and leant much from it. However the biggest challenges for me have been around regulatory controls and policies. Financial reporting standards for charities are getting stricter all the time to meet the latest regulations. Privacy and data protection policies, even for small charities like WCG, now have to be formalised and fully documented to meet the latest GDPR standards. Using my business controls experience and working with other WCG Trustees, I have updated these standards and policies for WCG. I have also put together our first fully documented Business Plan and Budget. Over the next 12 months, I plan to review and update other WCG policies and procedures, including Safeguarding.
Despite having lived in Wheathampstead for over 30 years, I have surprised myself how much I have learnt about the village and community of Wheathampstead since taking on the role fo Treasurer. I am especially pleased to get know the other WCG Trustees. I can honestly say that I am honoured to be part of such a hard working, contentious team who are all so positive and friendly in their approach to supporting our great community. I look forward to working with my fellow Trustees for many years to come.
Christmas 2017 Appeal Smashes Records!
We would like to thank all those who helped with the WCG appeal for 2017, whether you volunteered or gave a donation. This a vital fundraiser for the Wheathampstead Community Group. It helps us to assist those people who have be referred to us via health visitors, children’s centres, CAB, Scout Leaders, GP’s and many different sources.
We are really pleased that we smashed previous donations received and raised an amazing £9,698! This total includes over £1,600 in Gift Aid which makes a huge difference to the overall total.
Without the generosity of the Wheathampstead community, the help that we could provide would be greatly reduced. So thank you!
- 34 Volunteers delivered to over 1,600 properties on 48 roads in Wheathampstead, approximately 60% of all residential and commercial properties in the village.
- Our volunteers made around 5,000 calls to properties in total in delivering and collecting our appeal envelopes.
- Each volunteer made on average around 140 calls each.
- 658 separate donations were made by our generous supporters, totalling £8.000.34
- The average donation was £12.15.
- 17 people donated on line raising £497.61 including gift aid.
- 390 of those making donations game permission to claim gift aid on their donation, 60% of all those making donations.
- This has enabled WCG to claim an additional £1,402.95 in gift aid from HMRC.
- A further £1,180.54 of the donations is eligible for the Gift Aid small donations scheme, enabling WCG to claim a further £295.24 from HMRC.
- The total gift aid claimed from HMRC is therefore £1,698.18
- Including gift aid, the total amount raised by the annual appeal in 2017 was a record £9,698.52.
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer or helping with the 2018 appeal please do get in touch
Voluntary WCG Treasurer post available
We would like to Thank David Law for all of his time and effort with the Wheathampstead Community Group. David is hoping to step down as treasurer for the WCG after many years of service.
We therefore have a new post available. Do you know anyone who used to be an accountant or is a whiz with numbers? Would you like to help us run our accounts? We would love to hear from you if you do.
WCG 2016 Appeal raises £6,220.00
We would all like to thank all of the people involved with this years collection. We are so pleased to announce that we have raised a wonderful, £6,220.00.
John Bunyan Family Fun Day 2016
Award winners at the WDPS AGM
First luncheon club of the year.
Our luncheon club started again today following a break over the Christmas period. What a lovely way to spend a cold, breezy day in February. We would like to once again thank the Miller and Carter in Wheathampstead for their hospitality. The club has proved so successful that there is now a waiting list, but do contact us if you would like to know more about it.