The Future Development of the Crossways Centre United Reformed Church Yardley Hastings Northamptonshire

An Options and Feasibility Report

August 2009

1 Crossways Centre, Yardley Hastings. Feasibility Report Sept 2009 Contents

Executive Summary 3 1. Introduction 5 2. Stakeholders 6 3. The Regional and Sub-Regional 7 Context 4. Yardley Hastings the Local Setting 10 5. The Existing Operation at 12 Crossways 5a. The Offer 13 5b. Financial and Price Tariff 15 5c. How much is Crossways used? 17 5d. Who uses Crossways? 18 5e. The Church - Mission and 19 Community 5f. Possible New Ideas 28 6. Options Analysis 30 7. The Way Forward 34 7a. Refurbish and Extend 35 7b. Market Niches 37 7c. Immediate Action Plan 37 8. Recommendations 38 Appendix 1 Cash Flow Projections 39 - See also attached Excel Spreadsheets Appendix 2 Other Centers 40 Appendix 3 Possible Sources of 46 Funding Appendix 4 Customer Comments 52 Appendix 5 Curriculum Activities for 59 KS2 Science Appendix 6 Letter from Valuers 71 Appendix 7 Note About VAT 73 Registration

This report was commissioned by the East Midlands Synod of the United Reformed Church and complied by David M.A. Evans, an independent consultant working for Hope in the Community Ltd (HitC), assisted by HitC staff. Hope in the Community exists to enable community regeneration and to help faith groups and other voluntary sector groups achieve transformation 5a New Road Avenue Chatham, Kent ME4 6BB Tel: + 44 (0) 1634 814240 Hope in the Community Ltd is a Registered Charity No. 1108850 - Company No. 4936763 Director: Revd Peter Southcombe

2 Crossways Centre, Yardley Hastings. Feasibility Report Sept 2009 Executive Summary

This report was commissioned by the East Midlands Synod of the United Reformed Church and complied by David M.A. Evans, an independent consultant working for Hope in the Community Ltd (HitC), assisted by HitC staff.

The purpose of this report was to:

• Provide a review of the circumstances in which the Crossways Centre finds itself in terms of the government’s regional development strategy for the Milton Keynes and South Midlands region (a contextual analysis) • Provide a review of the immediate history and performance of the Centre since it was launched as a Conference and Retreat Centre in 2005, including the assumptions made with regard to running costs and potential usage • Examine options for the way forward and make recommendations

Three main options were explored: closure and eventual disposal, partial closure with the church congregation continuing to have a home at the Centre; re-launch either as a dedicated URC resource base for training and support of URC personnel or as a Conference, Training and Retreat Centre for a wide range of customers, including the URC.

The key findings of the report are:

The regional development context as it relates to the future of Crossways Centre is one of significant expansion with the three towns of Northampton, Milton Keynes and Bedford likely to grow by 2021 by a total of 94,400 new homes and by 2031 by a total of 147,000 new homes. The concomitant growth in employment, the community sector and leisure sectors all indicate that the market, in the sort of services a Conference, Training and Retreat Centre such as Crossways can offer, will be growing significantly for the foreseeable future.

The team running the Centre have achieved a good standard of service within the severe constraints they have had to operate within. Their passion and enthusiasm to make the Centre run well is exemplary and they are to be congratulated.

The financial viability of the Centre is likely to rely on a mixed customer base, serving the URC and other churches as well as schools, young people and other smaller commercial organisations requiring an appropriate conference and training facility within easy reach. The mission of the Centre when it was launched in 2005 envisaged such a mixture of customers but has lacked the necessary financial backing to market itself effectively to such a diverse customer base. The sense of call to mission in these broad terms is shared within the Staff Team and the Management Group.

The financial model upon which the Centre was launched in 2005 was not robust enough and did not factor the true costs of running the Centre or the resources required to maintain the facilities effectively.

The usage of the Centre has fallen below the projections initially made of through put.

The Centre has offered a wide range of options to potential customers, including self-catering. This together with the complication of access to the building, with school groups under Child Protection requirements, has meant that the Centre may not have functioned with the greatest level of efficiency with regard to occupancy rates.

This report makes several recommendations and makes some preliminary cash flow projections built on what the authors believe to be realistic assumptions.

3 Crossways Centre, Yardley Hastings. Feasibility Report Sept 2009 The overall recommendation is that, of the options examined, the Centre should be re-launched as a Conference, Training and Retreat Centre serving as wide a range of customers as possible within the governance structure of a Community Interest Company with Directors appointed by the URC at the level of the General Council Trustees or the East Midlands Synod. See section 6.3b. The report suggests possible ways forward for the longer term which include expansion of the facilities at the Centre.

The report makes several more detailed recommendations relating to the implementation of option 6.3b.

An action plan within Section 7 of the report sets out the following steps over the next twelve months.

1. Report adopted by Synod (By end November 09) If recommendation 6.3b accepted: 2. Initial levels of investment by General Assembly Trustees and East Midlands Synod indicated (By end November 09) 3. Architects brief compiled for initial modifications/refurbishments and put out to tender (By end December 09) 4. Architects recruited (By end January 2010) 5. Cost consultants recruited and briefed (By end February 2010) 6. Full Business Plan completed (By end March 2010) 7. Creation of Company and appointment of Directors (By end March 2010) 8. Funding applied for and secured (By end June 2010) 9. 18 month transition (From June 2010)

4 Crossways Centre, Yardley Hastings. Feasibility Report Sept 2009 1. Introduction

Yardley Hastings United Reformed Church has a long history of being a spiritual centre for its community dating back to 1670. In 1992 the buildings were given to the national church who, with support from churches across the country, created the National Youth Resources Centre (NYRC). This was developed as a residential centre, sleeping up to 40 people, with suitable catering and conference facilities. ‘The Chapel’ served as the spiritual hub both for the centre and the church.

In 2003 the NYRC was closed by the URC’s General Assembly Trustees. The East Midlands Synod of the United Reformed Church proposed that a conference and retreat centre be established at the centre which was called the Crossways Centre. In 2005 a 5 year lease was negotiated with the General Assembly Trustees on the basis of an annual rental of £10,000. The East Midlands Synod approved an annual grant of £15,000 per year for the 5 year term, of which £10,000 was to cover the rental to the national church.

This review and feasibility study is commissioned by the East Midlands Synod in recognition that the current arrangements are financially unsustainable in the longer term. Four of the five years of the original lease have now passed and rather than wait for the end of the term of the lease, the East Midlands Synod is committed to exploring all options to present to the General Assembly Trustees as possible ways forward beyond 2010, these include the following:

1. Closure of the whole site including the church and realising the asset through sale on the commercial property market 2. Closure of the Crossways Centre whilst retaining the Chapel area for the worshipping congregation 3. Relaunching Crossways under the management of a not for profit CIC/Company Limited by Guarantee with a sustainable business model for the Centre to operate within

The need for a root and branch review is therefore pressing. This report explores the viability of each option and makes a recommendation of the preferred option. The report seeks to be strategic with the longer term context firmly in view. That context includes the wider regional setting in terms of the economic and social development of the area beyond the life of the United Reformed Church. It is clear from the outset that any viable strategy for the future of the Crossways Centre has to satisfy some basic criteria, namely there is a need to create a strategy which:

• is financially sustainable; • doesn’t represent an open-ended drain on Synod or wider church resources; • offers a sustainable, transparent and accountable system of governance; • serves the original constituencies identified1 in the original vision for Crossways; • creates a resource which is an asset recognised for the services it provides within the church and beyond the church; • operates in ways consistent with the values and missiological principles of the church; • convinces the primary stakeholders that there is a sustainable future for the Centre

1 These were: The Synod, the URC, ecumenical partners, schools, not for profit organisations, and commercial organisations. 5 Crossways Centre, Yardley Hastings. Feasibility Report Sept 2009 2. Stakeholders

This report is designed to inform the decisions of a number of stakeholders. The principal groups are as set out in the table below.

Group Nature of stake in Crossways

1. URC General Assembly Trustees The freeholder of the Centre who will decide its future after the 5 year lease has expired. 2. East Midlands Synod The lessee. Makes a grant of £15,000/yr to Crossways to cover rent and other costs. Commissioners of this report. 3. Crossways Management Committee Responsibility for oversight and maintenance of Crossways and employment of staff 4. Staff Team of Crossways Centre Responsible for the day to day operating and maintenance of premises. Paid employees of the business 5. Existing clients of Crossways Paying customers and users of the services provided by the Centre 6. Potential clients of Crossways Paying customers and users of the services provided by the Centre 7. The congregation of Yardley Hastings URC Users of the building and financial supporters. Seen as ambassadors for Crossways locally. Supports Crossways by an annual contribution of £2,000. 8. The local community Local businesses benefit from patronage of Crossways users.

The influence and importance of each stakeholder group can be assessed on a chart as follows: A B H 1 I G 3 2 H Import- 4 7 5/6 ance D C L O W 8

LOW HIGH Influence

Influence = the power that stakeholder have over the project Importance = priority given by the project to satisfy interest(s) of stakeholder

On the basis of this brief analysis the General Assembly Trustees of the URC and the East Midlands Synod are critical stakeholders in terms of future developments. The other groups all score high in terms of potential influence and all but one should be regarded as important by the principal stakeholders (URC General Assembly Trustees and East Midlands Synod).

6 Crossways Centre, Yardley Hastings. Feasibility Report Sept 2009 3. The Regional and Sub-Regional Context

Yardley Hastings is located in South Northamptonshire. For the purposes of long term planning for the development of the region, Yardley Hastings falls within the area covered by the Government Office for the East Midlands however it lies close to the intersection of areas covered by two other Government Offices, those for the East of England and the South East of England. Regional Planning Guidance (RPGs) is expressed in the form of Regional Spatial Strategies (RSSs) and each regional Government Office has created an RSS. Such is the particular strategic significance of the area in which Yardley Hastings falls that a Sub Region exists called the Milton Keynes and South Midlands (MKSM) Sub-Region. It was identified as one of 4 potential growth areas in the wider South East of England. The RSSs for the areas which overlap with MKSM Sub Region have been revised to create the Sub-Regional Strategy.

The Sub Regional Strategy2 contains policies which, within the East of England, relate to two growth locations: Bedford/ Kempston/ Marston Vale and Luton/ Dunstable/ Houghton Regis together with Leighton Linslade. In the East Midlands Region Northampton and the Corby, Kettering and Wellingborough area are identified in the MKSM Sub Regional Strategy as growth areas. Milton Keynes itself falls within the South East England Region.

2 Milton Keynes & South Midlands Sub-Regional Strategy. March 2005. London. TSO. Available for download at: http://www.gos.gov.uk/goeast/planning/regional_planning/regional_spatial_strategy/mksm_sub- regional_strategy/ 7 Crossways Centre, Yardley Hastings. Feasibility Report Sept 2009

The MKSM Sub Region has a population of 1.5million people and covers nearly 5000sq. km. The largest urban areas are Milton Keynes, Luton (and associated local towns), and Bedford. None of these centres dominates the sub region overall. To date, economic growth has been high but uneven with Milton Keynes and Northampton performing best. Transport infra-structure is weak in that it provided little east-west links and there is a need to develop health, education and social care provision. There is a need for the local economies to attract new sectors which should include the so called higher value knowledge-based industries. The sub-region also has numerous assets of national importance, for example the Chiltern Hills which is designated as AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty). There are extensive rural areas with a rich network of rural settlements.

In 2001 consultants were commissioned to study the growth potential of the MKSM area. The report produced concluded that there was considerable scope for sustainable economic growth over the next 30 years. By 2031 an estimated 230,000-300,000 jobs could be generated compared with only 150,000 if current planning policies continued unaltered. If left unaltered there 8 Crossways Centre, Yardley Hastings. Feasibility Report Sept 2009 is likely to be a worsening imbalance between location of jobs and of main residential centres, resulting in more commuting by private transport.

The report identified a number of options for distributing growth. The preferred option was created focusing on Northampton, Milton Keynes, Bedford, Luton (and associated nearby towns) and Corby/Kettering/Wellingborough. The report set out the reasons why this option was preferred and will not be set out here in detail, save to say that it combines the needs for regeneration of already struggling urban areas, the balance between the distribution of work and residential areas and the scale it offers for development.

Following the identification of this preferred option individual Growth Area Assessments were carried out for each of these main growth points. Three of these growth points will be summarised in this report: Those for Northampton, Bedford (and associated adjacent smaller towns and area) and Milton Keynes. www.mksm.org.uk gives more details on Infrastructure Programmes and the mksm Sub-Regional Strategy.

Urban Centre Main urban New homes by Additional new Net levels of extensions 2021 homes 2021-2031 employment growth to 2021 (ref values set for monitoring purposes only) Northampton n/a 30,000 17,500 37,200 Bedford To southwest 19,500 10,000 19,800 of the centre Milton Keynes To west, south 44,900 23,700 44,900 west and east of main centre

The nature of the urban expansion

In each urban centre expansion is anticipated through building on existing built on, under-used and recyclable land and sustainable urban extensions. In all three urban centres mention is made of the new knowledge-based sector and the need for up-skilling the work force. Indeed Bedford is mentioned specifically as becoming a pilot area as a Business Improvement District.

9 Crossways Centre, Yardley Hastings. Feasibility Report Sept 2009 4. Yardley Hastings the Local Setting

The analysis of the wider, sub-regional context in terms of future development is vital in assessing the potential sustainability for the Crossway Centre. The analysis offered above in terms of the development of the three closest urban centres – Milton Keynes, Northampton and Bedford; indicates that for a centre offering residential and non-residential accommodation, for training and retreat, there is a bright future given an appropriate business model and offer.

Looking at the setting of the village of Yardley Hastings and Crossways in more detail indicates its very favourable location in terms of attracting clients from the three urban centres (see map below).

In addition to developing Crossways as a training centre catering for the public, commercial and voluntary (including churches) sectors in the three main urban centres nearby, Crossways has also served as a retreat centre serving a wide variety of church groups from within the region.

10 Crossways Centre, Yardley Hastings. Feasibility Report Sept 2009 The nearest centre offering similar services and facilities is Grendon Hall3 (see Appendix 2). Grendon Hall is located only a few miles away. Their marketing approach (through their website) is clearly aimed at the schools and ‘outdoor adventure activity’ market. As such there are clear overlaps with Crossways; however given the wider context and projected growth of the areas main towns, this should not be perceived as a serious threat. Indeed, there may well be good reason to develop links with Grendon Hall to maximize opportunities to cater for larger groups who cannot all be accommodated in one centre.

Crossways Centre

3 http://www.grendonhall.org.uk/ 11 Crossways Centre, Yardley Hastings. Feasibility Report Sept 2009 5. The Existing Operation at Crossways

The survival of Crossways thus far represents a significant achievement by the Centre Director, Revd Derek Hopkins and his team. Revd Hopkins inherited an action plan which outlined certain financial projections in terms of income and expenditure and modifications to the buildings. The aspirations expressed in that plan have not been met and many of the targets outlined in the document have not been fulfilled, due in large part to a lack of resources and unrealistic expectations placed on the small team.

From the evidence available, the true costs of running a centre such as Crossways have never been calculated and thus the projections made were essentially unrealistic.

The current governance arrangements for Crossways are that the staff team through the Director is accountable to a nine-member Management Committee4 which is appointed by the East Midlands Synod. The Management Committee meets every 6 to 8 weeks.

A total of a dozen people are involved in running Crossways in a variety of roles on a different bases. There are four permanent staff members including the Director covering centre administration and housekeeping. The staff list for 2008 is set out in the following table.

Position Current post holder Hours Paid/Unpaid Director Derek Hopkins 0.75FTE Paid 0.25FTE Minister of YHURC Administrator Elaine Old 0.5FTE (16hrs) Paid Administration Janette Hopkins 0.2FTE Administration Contracted 0.2FTE paid, Development & Other duties as and when rest paid on an hourly basis Marketing and needed (Average 15 hrs) Conference Facilitator, Catering Assistant Housekeeper Kathleen Abbott 0.7FTE (25hrs) Contracted for 5hrs additional hours paid through payroll as worked Assist. Sarah Layland 0.5FTE (16hrs) Contracted Paid Housekeeper Kitchen Assist Maureen Keen As required Paid hourly Building Manager Brian Abbott Unpaid & Community Service Manager Catering Assist Jeni Payne As required Paid Catering Assist Ray Lindley As required Unpaid General Helper Philip Lindley As required Unpaid General Helper John Payne As required Unpaid Catering Karen Davies As required Paid as needed Consultant

Chefs Various people As required Paid hourly Supplied through Karen

There is a need to rationalize the staff structure and salary levels in any future scenario.

4 Duncan Wilson (Chair); EMS Moderator, Revd T Oakley; Jon Herd; Treasurer, David Tompsett; EMS Children and Youth Development Officer Colin Udall; David Tatem; Vivian Wilson; John Payne, Sarah Taylor; Tamara Oates and Paul Taylor. 12 Crossways Centre, Yardley Hastings. Feasibility Report Sept 2009 5a. The ‘Offer’

The Crossways Centre occupies a site in the small rural village of Yardley Hastings.

Crossways Centre is located in a grade II listed building which incorporates a chapel and the accommodation is over three floors (ground, first and second). The URC General Assembly Trustees are the Freeholders. The extent of the freehold is indicated in the diagram below by the black line. The shaded area is leased from the Castle Ashby estate for a sum of £250 annually.

This is an agreement for sharing the car park. A recent application by the estate to develop the land was turned down and so the likelihood of building any new accommodation is remote.

FIG 2

13 Crossways Centre, Yardley Hastings. Feasibility Report Sept 2009 The current sleeping accommodation comprises the following 12 bedrooms:

Ground Floor People G3 Side Disabled suite 2 2 single beds en suite G4 Back I bunk 2 Wash basin G5 Back I bunk 2 Wash basin G6 Front 2 bunks 4 En suite

First Floor F1 Front side 2 bunks 4 En suite F2 Back 2 bunks 4 En suite F3 Back 1 single bed 1

F4 Front 2 bunks 4 En suite

Second Floor S1 (Low ceiling) 3 single beds 3 Wash basin S2 Back 1 bunk 2 Wash basin S3 Back 4 bunks 8 2 Wash basins S4 Front Side 4 single beds 4 1 wash basin Total 12 bedrooms Total: 40 beds Combined floor area 147m 2 There are 6 further bedroom is a self contained flat in the former 44.5m 2 Chapel part of the building with a total floor area of

st According to documents provided in the course of compiling Main conference room (1 Floor) this report the total area of spaces within the building amounts to 549.72m 2. This includes the floor areas in the table above.

The original building is made up of the chapel which extends over 3 floors (ground, 1 st and 2 nd ) and accounts for 381.08 m 2 and the former manse which also extends over 3 floors and accounts for a further 168.64m 2.

Recently Refurbished Dining room

The former chapel areas include on the ground floor a dining room of 46m 2; a kitchen of 21m 2; the sanctuary area of 73m 2; ancillary offices and rooms amounting to 33m 2. On the first floor is the main conference room (with lift access) of 75m 2 and other break out spaces, offices and ancillary rooms amounting to a further 75m 2.

14 Crossways Centre, Yardley Hastings. Feasibility Report Sept 2009

Main kitchen A bedroom

The former manse areas include a conservatory of 22m 2 as well as the 12 bedrooms itemized above (147m 2).

Some of the customer comments (see Appendix 4) referred to the need for an upgrade of the dining facilities, these have been partially done.

5b. Financial and PriceTariff

The audited accounts for 2008 were not yet available to the authors of this report. Various financial details were however forthcoming from which it has been possible to draw some conclusions.

Crossways table of charges is set out below compared with those originally proposed in a business plan produced in November 2004.

From the table of charges below it can be seen that whilst the prices have been increased (there has been an annual review of prices), additional tariffs have been introduced. This has been in response to the need to create business and to respond to opportunities that have arisen.

15 Crossways Centre, Yardley Hastings. Feasibility Report Sept 2009

Actual August Proposed Nov 2004 2008 East Midlands Synod users Per Day Per Weekend Per Day Per Weekend Adult £40.00 £70.00 £48.00 £83.00 Youth 11-18 £40.00 £70.00 £42.00 £71.00 Under 11year olds £25.00 £45.00 £30.00 £53.00

Non-East Midlands Synod users Adult £44.00 £75.00 £52.00 £88.00 Youth 11-18 £44.00 £75.00 £48.00 £77.00 Under 11year olds £30.00 £50.00 £35.00 £59.00

Non-Residential (Without catering Per session provided) Per Hour (4hrs) Per session (4hrs) East Midlands Synod users Conservatory £10.00 £40.00 £53.00 Conference room £15.00 £60.00 £75.00 Chapel £75.00 Non-East Midlands users Conservatory £12.50 £50.00 £60.00 Conference room £18.00 £72.00 £85.00 Chapel £85.00 Meals for Non- Residential guests Adult Under 11year olds Breakfast £3.75 £2.00 Lunch £6.00 £3.75 Evening meal £9.00 £6.00

Evening rates/hour (East Midlands Synod users) Conservatory £12.00 Conference room £17.50 Chapel £17.50

Evening rates/hour (Non-East Midlands Synod users) Conservatory £15.00 Conference room £21.00 Chapel £21.00

Bed & Breakfast Adult £20.00 Under 11year olds £15.00

Residential, self- catering groups Per 24hrs No. in group 5 £200 £125.00 £125.00 + £15.00 No. in group 6-19 £200 per person No. in group >19 £200 £295.00 16 Crossways Centre, Yardley Hastings. Feasibility Report Sept 2009 The following table is taken from the Business Plan created in November 2004 which the present Director, Derek Hopkins inherited.

Estimated costs of operating and staffing the building 2006 2007 2008 Booking £500.00 £1,000.00 All Marketing £3,000.00 £3,000.00 figures Office £2,000.00 £4,000.00 In Administrator £15,000.00 £25,000.00 These Ministry £4,500.00 £4,500.00 Columns Manse £1,000.00 £1,000.00 To Building/Equipment £17,500.00 £20,000.00 Be Sundries £500.00 £500.00 advised Lease £10,000.00 £10,000.00

Depreciation (£35,000 over 5 years) £7,000.00 £7,000.00

Total costs £61,000.00 £76,000.00

Income Synod contribution £15,000.00 £15,000.00 YHURC Contribution £2,000.00 £2,000.00 Projected earned income from paying guests/users £31,500.00 £60,500.00 Total income £48,500.00 £77,500.00

Deficit/Surplus -£12,500.00 £1,500.00

It is likely that the true costs of running a centre like Crossways additional costs will need to be added to cover the following: staffing requirements, maintenance and dilapidation costs, central administration, insurances and professional fees and realistic business development costs.

The Centre’s financial year is January to December. The figures provided from 2008’s profit and loss sheet are summarised as follows.

Synod Grant £15,000.00 Users/Donations/Companions £61,210.70 Direct costs salaries, catering and other £48,622.79 domestic costs and the costs of events Gross profit £27,587.83 Overheads £29,198.35 Overall deficit -£1,610.52

The total wages bill for 2008 including a car allowance for the Director was £35,553.11. This figure does not include the salary of the Director who is a URC minister and paid by the URC centrally.

5c. How much is Crossways used?

The Centre is currently open 52 weeks a year. This means that the maximum capacity with 40 beds on the basis of a 52 week year operation is 14,560 bed-nights. However, in any financial forecast we would recommend that a 48 week year is used as this allows for ‘down’ time for the centre for redecoration and maintenance (13,440 bed nights).

17 Crossways Centre, Yardley Hastings. Feasibility Report Sept 2009 In 2008 the total number of overnight stays (bed-nights) was approx. 1,650 representing a 12.2% occupancy rate. This figure does not distinguish between full board and self catering guests. Projections for 2009 suggest that this figure will rise to approx.14%.

In March 2009 Crossway calculated that the ‘break even’ level of occupancy based on prices at the time was 3,141 bed-nights or a 21.5% occupancy rate (48 week 23%). Therefore it is clear that the Centre as it operates at the moment is running just under 50% of the levels projected to break even. The situation is more serious when consideration is given to the fact that the full costs of running the Centre have not been adequately considered in terms of planned repair and maintenance of the building and depreciation of equipment. This is illustrated by the fact that equipment which has broken down cannot be repaired and there is a ‘mend and make do’ approach to maintenance.

It seems that the Centre has a number of day users (both week day and weekends) that utilize the Centre but means that the Centre is blocked out for bed nights. This seriously limits the potential for the Centre. It is suggested that the Chapel is used for day users and that the Centre concentrates on bed nights.

Given this information, the calculation of the break even point seems to be somewhat out of kilter with the situation in 2008 when a very small deficit was made compared to the predicted ‘break even’ point. This illustrates further the need to revisit the full costs of running Crossway and develop a strategic plan for all aspects of business development, marketing, staffing levels, salaries and maintenance.

Comparison of Crossways with other centre’s offering similar facilities to similar mixed market sectors suggests that a more realistic break even point is nearer 50% when all costs are factored. For example Dalesdown, Dial Post, W. Sussex which offers similar bedroom facilities for up to 65 people. www.dalesdown.org.uk Dalesdown is run by the registered Charity Family Foundations Trust Limited. The centre offers similar style accommodation to Crossways and caters mainly but not exclusively for the schools and church sectors. Dalesdown is currently running at over 70% for weekend bookings and approximately 50% for weekday bookings.

5d. Who uses Crossways?

From the information available the following analysis has been possible. No information was available on the numbers of people in each user group. Over the last year the following groups have used the Centre:

Type No. of No. of different Total no. of Days. Self % of bookings groups days (nights) catered (SC) total / Catered (C) days Community Groups 16 8 (4 repeaters) 16 (0) 2 SC 14 C 9.3 East Midlands Synod 17 (4 repeaters) 23 (6) 3 SC 20 C 13.4 Other URC Groups 10 10 17 (7) 1 SC 17 C 9.9 Other churches 22 19 (1 repeater) 39 (19) 27 SC 12 C 22.7 Youth groups 6 5 (1 repeater) 16 (10) 8 SC 8C 9.3 Faith groups 12 10 (1 repeater) 25 (13) 15 SC 10C 14.5 Schools 6 5 (1 repeater) 15 (7) 0 SC 15 C 8.7 Businesses 12 3 (2 repeaters) 12 (0) 4 SC 8 C 7 Individual retreats 3 3 9 9 SC O C 5.2

Total 104 64 172 (62) 69 SC 104 C 100

18 Crossways Centre, Yardley Hastings. Feasibility Report Sept 2009 In simple numerical terms the largest individual groups to use Crossways have been the schools of which there were 5 in 2008. The added advantage of school groups is that they are fully catered stays which attract the highest prices. Other non-URC church groups, of which there were 19 in 2008, have also been a major source of custom, but the value of these is reduced because 70% of these bookings were self catered and thus attracted modest income. Other groups which consistently booked a high proportion of fully catered stays were community groups (non- residential users only), EMS groups and other URC users including local church groups.

The comments from users have been collated (See Appendix 5.) The principal comments about possible improvements mainly relate to the need for en suite bedrooms without the bunk beds. The need for better ventilation in the conference room was mentioned several times. One or two comments were made relating to the need for an upgrade of the dining room which has the feel of a canteen.

It is clear from the questionnaires returned that the responders (inevitably, a self-selecting group) are very loyal to the Centre and were from various churches in the area. Price for this group was a consideration and the desire to support a Synod resource.

5e. The Church - Mission and Community

1. The Mission of the Church and the Centre From separate discussions with the Crossways management committee and with seven members of the local church congregation on 7 th July 2009 it is apparent that it is difficult to draw a clear dividing line between Crossways Centre and Yardley Hastings URC in their current forms. Whilst the two are separate entities, the relationship between them has been described as ‘symbiotic’. It is reported by members of the Centre management committee and the church that this relationship has largely been strengthened by Derek Hopkins’ commitment and character.

The close relationship between Crossways Centre and the church therefore necessitates that this report includes this section considering the mission of the church. As a local church, its mission is naturally linked to the relationship between the church and the village community. The Yardley Hastings URC mission strategy is replicated below and should be referred to as a basis for this section. It is significant that this strategy is titled as that for “Crossways/Yardley Hastings URC”. The recent ‘Mission Strategy Implementation Results and Evaluation’ paper is also replicated below.

The discussion on 7 th July with representatives of the church congregation underlined and supported much of what is reported in the ‘Results and Evaluation’ paper. Crossways is regarded as part of the mission work of the local church and of the Synod.

The congregation look on the building in which they meet as ‘ their building’ in the sense that it is their church building and a centre for their activities. They believe that if they were not able to use the building then they would not be able to afford another and the congregation would disperse. However, the church fellowship and its mission centred relationships with Crossways and the community have much to commend them as a stable and potentially even stronger mission force. This section seeks to explore these areas.

2. The Church Make-up Derek Hopkins reported in an e-mail 8 th September 2009: “We currently have 19 members and 13 adherents, worship numbers vary because of our members commitments and work patterns – our main thrust is that we have got 5 new people coming to worship (three of which are men in their 60’s) and many other activities through which we are connecting with people every week. … I think through our various activities we are now connecting regularly with 30 to 40 people which we hadn’t before. The change in attitude in the village is measured by two different people coming and asking to run things here. I know it’s

19 Crossways Centre, Yardley Hastings. Feasibility Report Sept 2009 difficult to measure ‘growth’. In worship on Sunday the growth isn’t huge; we have replaced those that have died and more but not into ‘membership’ - a challenge we are currently looking at.”

The church representatives estimated on 7 th July that the average numbers at fellowship meetings and Sunday services is between 20 and 25 people, many of whom are local. They estimated that one-third of regular worshippers ‘travel-in’ from outside the village – the furthest being from Northampton. In addition, many groups that stay at Crossways over the weekend join the congregation for the Sunday service. This was particularly appreciated by the church. The church representatives felt that one of the key attractions for building users is that the place provides a ‘tranquil’ atmosphere.

The URC’s 2009 Year Book reports that Yardley Hastings URC has a membership of 24, an average congregation of 18, 4 children and young people (under the age of 26) associated with the life of the church, and 1 child (under the age of 18) attending the main service of worship. Across the 144 churches in the East Midland Synod (joint second largest Synod), the average membership is 30 and the average congregation is 39. For a rural setting, the figures for Yardley Hastings would appear to compare well to the Synod averages.

The Year Book information is based on the church returns as at 1 st January 2008 and so is now at least 21 months old. By comparing the Year Book data to the information obtained from Derek Hopkins and the church representatives it can be seen that during the 21 month period the membership at Yardley Hastings has dropped by 5, but encouragingly the average congregation has risen by up to 7. This indicates that the mission of the church is having an overall positive impact, but is not yet translating into an increased membership.

3. The Church and Crossways The discussion with members of the church congregation supported much of what was contained in the papers provided. It is clear that the church congregation work hard in developing good relationships with the rest of the local community and with visitors to Crossways. A significant portion of this work is that which is delivered for Crossways. It was reported that many in the congregation also feel very much part of the life of Crossways. When the Centre was closed for a few years it was a ‘terrible time’ for the church. Those present at the discussion were enthusiastic about the work and relationship between the two entities, and were keen to report on such activities as:
weekly coffee mornings and prayer times – it was reported that between 14 and 20 people attend these events
weekly cream teas during the summer months
crafty companions – up to three-quarters of those attending are not directly connected with the church

The representatives of the church congregation were asked for their views on the future of Crossways. They felt that:
maybe the focus should be on youth, as they are the future
it would be good to use the Centre for different denominations
it is good to have the Centre used, however that may be
the Centre creates interest in the locality.

4. The Local Area The church and village are within South Northamptonshire 002D in Brafield and Yardley ward, in South Northamptonshire local authority in the East Midlands region. A Neighbourhood Summary from www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk provides information about the overall area. In 2006 South Northamptonshire 002D had an estimated 1,756 residents and 733 dwellings.

All 32,482 neighbourhoods in England have been ranked on a range of topics, together with a 'Total Deprivation' ranking. The most deprived neighbourhood in England has a rank of 1. The further to the right a marker is for a particular topic, the more deprived your area. 20 Crossways Centre, Yardley Hastings. Feasibility Report Sept 2009 [Note: these data are taken from the Indices of Deprivation 2007]

21 Crossways Centre, Yardley Hastings. Feasibility Report Sept 2009

5. The Church and Village Community The population of the village is approximately 800 (814 in a 2007 estimate), and so the average church congregation in pure numbers would represent about 3% of the local population. The total of those attending other events and activities run by the church and Crossways represents a significantly higher proportion of the local population.

A large proportion of houses in the village belong to the Estate, but several have been sold in recent years. It is estimated that approximately half of the village residents are more recent incomers and up to one-third of residents commute to work outside the village. The church is aware of difficulties in integrating the commuters into village and church life. A Good Neighbours group operates in the village and is supported by some members of the church. The group provides a very informative Village Information Guide booklet to each person or family that moves in to the village. (This booklet also proved to be a useful source of information in generating elements of this report, but is too large to include as an appendix).

It is clear that the church has a significant role to play in the local community and feels very much part of that community – ‘the church supports the village and the community supports the church’. The church representatives were aware of and involved in significant issues within village life, and discussed such as the fight against airport proposals, the good relationship with the local primary school, and the involvement of church folk in various village groups and activities. The Centre and Church has received funds and support from local groups and funders for various activities.

The church representatives at the 7 th July discussion felt that their mission in the village comprised of the following key elements:
Inviting people to ‘try’ the church.
Working with the youth – it was felt that there is a need for further work amongst the youth of the area. A youth club meets once per week in the village hall and is run by local volunteers, including some from the church.
Bridging the ‘church – chapel divide’ which is apparent in the church-going element of the villagers. The only other church in the village is the parish church, which is a very high church. Combined services take place on the fifth Sunday of the month and on some other occasions. The nearest Free Church is 5 mile away.

For a small village, the facilities are reasonably good and include two village shops, two take-away food outlets, and two public houses. In addition, the village is serviced by visiting mobile shops and a mobile library. A free rural bus service goes to Tesco three times each week. There are no GPs or dentists in the village – the nearest are in Denton (approximately 5 minutes drive away). There is an active Women’s Institute in the village and a good Neighbourhood Watch scheme.

The church has a good relationship with a local publican who invites the church to sing Carols at Christmas and to use the car park. This pub may offer a bed and breakfast service in the future. The church also has a good relationship with the local Bed and Breakfast proprietor who has two rooms for rent.

22 Crossways Centre, Yardley Hastings. Feasibility Report Sept 2009 6. Potential Community Links From a review of the comments received on 7th July and of the local services and facilities detailed in the Village Information Guide it is evident that there is potential for further strengthening of the links between the church/centre and the local community to the benefit of all. Suggestions noted in this section of the report are not necessarily part of the main recommendations in Section 8 of the report but are offered here for consideration regarding potential benefits of further work with the local community.

Youth, Children and Schools Of particular note are the services for the local youth and children. The local Youth Club for 11 to 16 year olds currently meets at the Memorial Hall only during term time on a Monday evening, except the second Monday evening of each month. This appears to be somewhat limited and offers potential for the church’s desire to work more with the youth in the area. By working with the current club and venue, it may be possible for the church or Crossways to offer a venue and facilities for more frequent week-night meetings, perhaps for a broader age band. This may allow Crossways to tap into some specific youth focussed funding streams in order to appropriately equip the Centre for this and other youth activities. In addition, by offering to become a centre for youth focussed activities in the area, there may be suitable funding streams to allow the church or Crossways to employ a youth worker.

The uniformed youth organisations in the area (Scouts, Beavers, Cubs, Sea Scouts, Brownies and Guides) meet at a variety of venues throughout the week. Linked with the above, consideration could be given to offering the Centre as a central venue for some or all of these groups, and so provide and use common resources and tap into use of Crossways as a youth centre.

Using the Centre for youth-focussed activities would require careful local consultation and planning as it may not serve the village well to cause other venues and activities to become less viable or even close, or the put all the youth-work eggs into the Crossways basket. In addition, whilst using the centre for week-night youth activities may provide year-round rent and unlock other funding streams, there is a risk that such use may clash with other potentially more cost-effective uses of the Centre during the week. Also, the higher maintenance costs and equipment attrition rates associated with youth work must be factored in to any proposals. None-the-less, the church and Crossways should explore the possibilities.

Crossways already has links with local schools and hosts school visits and field-trips. These links and visits could be enhanced if Crossways offered educational packages through the local education authorities. These packages would be created to meet specific education targets within the national curriculum, such as those for Key Stage 2 (see Appendix 5), and could last for up to a week. One member of staff at Crossways has experience as an educator for museums and arranged a ‘food and farming’ day. By creating links with local farms, nature and visitor attractions and venues, packages could be developed in several areas of the curriculum. For example, existing links with New Hay Farm which is a cereal, sheep and beef business provides opportunities for schools to fulfil some of their science and geography Key Stage 2 targets. The links between the Centre and school work can be extended and needs to be expanded to make the work viable.

Regarding younger children, it was noticed that the village Playgroup meets in the primary school that is directly opposite Crossways Centre. Currently all children are entitled to up to six terms of free early education before reaching statutory school age - the minimum free entitlement for 3 and 4-year-olds is for 12.5 hours a week for 38 weeks each year. Some Local Authorities fund places for younger children. Settings such as recognised Playgroups receive funding to provide places for qualifying children. In many settings, including Yardley Hastings Playgroup, sessions are 2.5 hours long and so funding for 12.5 hours would equate to five sessions per week.

Yardley Hastings Playgroup meets for three 2.5 hours sessions each week and takes children from age 2 years 6 months. The sessions are Monday morning and Tuesday and Friday afternoons. At 23 Crossways Centre, Yardley Hastings. Feasibility Report Sept 2009 the September 2006 Ofsted inspection there were 17 children on the roll, mainly from the village, and 4 members of staff who all work each session. It is not clear why the Playgroup does not run more than three sessions and so access further funding or why the sessions are spread through the week – it may be due to limitations on the use of the school building, limitations on the numbers of children requiring more than three sessions per week or funding or staffing restrictions. The latest filed accounts were for 2007 and show a £1,500 deficit and the accounts for 2008 are currently overdue according to the Charity Commission. Currently it is reasonably common for small local Playgroups to be suffering from a drop in the birth-rate and from competition with larger service providers, Children’s Centres and through-schools. It may be worth considering if the church or Crossways are able to support the Playgroup once the future of both is more established.

Some related information regarding the Playgroup: It was first established in the village hall in 1987, moved to its present location in 1991 and has been a registered charity since 1994. Since 2004 it has failed to file the accounts and annual returns with the Charity Commission by the 10- month submissions deadline and at the time of writing this report it has not filed the accounts for financial year end 31 st August 2008. The accounts for 2007 show an income of £10,800 (of which nursery grant = £8,100 and fees = £1,800) and expenditure of £12,300 (of which rent = £130 and payroll expenses = £9,700). In 2006 the Playgroup had an unusually high income of £18,900, with expenditure of £12,900 but in 2004 and 2005 the incomes and expenditures approximately broken even.

Community Venue From the Village Information Guide it was noticed that the Memorial Hall is heavily used. Crossways has a number of meeting rooms which may offer more suitable venues for village groups. Issues similar to those noted with the youth work would need to be taken into consideration, but offering some of the Centre rooms as an occasional overspill or alternative venue for some village groups may bring in some revenue and increase links with the local community and hence future marketing potential.

The meeting rooms at the Centre, particularly the Conference Room and peripheral rooms, could make an ideal self-contained education and training suite, as well as conference facility. Together with appropriate IT facilities, the suite could be offered to village groups for lectures and group activities, and provide an enhanced local adult education venue, maybe linked with the services offered in Northampton. Community-based learning centres are a great asset, reduce commuting and increase community cohesion. The benefits of such centres extend far beyond formal and certificated training and education, and include informal adult education such as reading groups and flower arranging.

Community Services As there are no medical services in the village, consideration could be given to offering part of the building as a ‘village medical centre’, maybe initially operating two or three times each week. The services offered could include Chiropractic, Counselling, District Nursing, Health Visiting, Midwifery, Minor Illness, Physiotherapy, Podiatry, Stop Smoking, Travel Clinic or Village Dental Practice. Clearly a full service would mean a significant commitment in terms of funds and suitable dedicated space. However, some of these services could be offered in suitably refurbished non- dedicated rooms that serve as consulting rooms and general meeting rooms. The local Primary Care Trust and nearby practices and service providers could be consulted on the potential for offering such facilities and appropriate funding.

A Village Office is based in the local Primary School. This is not staffed and given concerns regarding child protection issues, may it be beneficial to all for Crossways to offer a ‘hot desk’ facility, maybe within its own staffed and fully equipped office?

Consideration could also be given to offering a Wi-Fi hotspot to the village and Centre users. A free service may be available to community and charity groups from a company such as Freerunner 24 Crossways Centre, Yardley Hastings. Feasibility Report Sept 2009 (www.freerunr.com). The free service operates by obtaining revenue from some advertising and from funding from its commercial arm.

Visitor Accommodation Although there are two public houses and a bed and breakfast in the village, little visitor accommodation is available in the village. Rather than just compete with that which is available, Crossways could also consider offering accommodation to visitors, ramblers and holiday-makers through the current outlets, on an overspill basis, thus increasing the breadth of its marketing.

Trade Links If not already explored, it may be worth the Centre discussing mutual beneficial arrangements with local traders. Key benefits for the Centre would be in reducing outgoings and benefits for the traders could be increased custom and potential advertising.

Could the catering side of the Crossways operation benefit from stronger links with the mobile fruit and vegetable shop, the local butcher or even the local take-away service providers (fish and chip suppers)?

The grounds are currently maintained by a community service order team, but links with the local nurseries may be cost-effective for plants and materials. In conjunction with local nurseries, suppliers and groups (such as gardening clubs), the Centre could possibly be used as a base for themed weekends and educational trips.

One of the key outlays for the Centre will always be with the maintenance of the buildings. A recognised link or even a maintenance contract with local reputable builders and tradespersons, working in conjunction with the Centre’s handyman, could offer financial savings and a well and regularly maintained building, with an emergency call-out service.

Local Partnership Working and Advertising Existing links and partnerships with village groups and services could be developed to help with advertising and promoting the Centre and its needs locally, and to bring in locally available support and funding. Some of the links that should be considered for development are:
Good Neighbours Scheme
Village Newsletter and Parish News
Parish Council
Local MP and MEP and Councillors
Pocket park
Yardley Hastings Society – including the Castle Ashby Country Fair, Village Bonfire and Firework Night, Village Quiz, 50/50 Auctions, Village weekend.

7. Crossways/Yardley Hastings URC Mission Strategy Although Crossways and The Yardley Hastings Church are both independent entities we have sought, since the beginning to work together as seamlessly as possible, particularly in our engagement with the village community and other visitors to our premises.

As a model for our Mission activity we have taken the Bevans Anthropological Model of Contextual Theology as the basis of our Mission plan. The basis of this model is a real engagement of people where they are, to look for Christ in those situations and to take opportunities of dialogue which lead to real opportunities of engagement. This model is based on respect of the other person, their culture and their beliefs through which may develop an opportunity of dialogue. It is not a model of imposition but of searching and discovery together of perhaps new insights or re evaluating the existing. It is not a “comfortable model” it means taking risks, being vulnerable and open to challenge and change.

Our implementation of this has been to create and take every opportunity of engagement with people both on and off our premises. Because our premises are used by many different users we 25 Crossways Centre, Yardley Hastings. Feasibility Report Sept 2009 are trying to create 2 spaces the dining room, and the conservatory, that can be used regularly for these activities regardless of the other occupancy of the building.

We believe our mission strategy grasps the 5 marks of mission in the following ways:

To proclaim the good news of the kingdom We are wiling to actively engage in dialogue with those who wish to. We live in a small community (600 people), people know who we are and see what we do, and we all seek to live in the light of the Iona Hymn “Through our lives and by our prayers, your kingdom come.”

To teach, baptise and nurture new believers We are an open community actively seeking to create easy, hurdle free, opportunities for people to be part of our fellowship.

To respond to human need by loving service We seek to serve and welcome all our visitors as special people with love and care. We make our premises and any equipment we have available to the community at little or no charge. Nearly all of our members are actively engaged in service organisations within the village and beyond. We have members serving in Good Neighbours, Yardley Hastings Society, Rotary, Help the Aged Day Centre, and Yardley Hastings School. Some of our activities are direct responses to need.

To seek to transform unjust structures of society We use fair trade products and locally produced products wherever possible. We collect children’s clothes and in 2008 sent 100 boxes off to an orphanage in Malawi, and “Mighty Mites” (5p) every week for rehydration salts.

To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation We are not an official “Eco Congregation” but we do follow many eco friendly pathways: We actively recycle everything we can. We actively seek to minimise our energy use. We have installed a water fountain that uses tap water rather than bottled water and donated to Christian Aid water projects

8. Crossways/Yardley Hastings URC Mission Strategy Implementation Results and Evaluation

We regularly review and evaluate our activities seeking new ways of engagement with our different communities.

Activities undertaken as part of the implementation of our mission strategy:

Thursday morning coffee and prayers – this has taken place over a number of years 10.30 arrival, prayers optional 10.30 – 10.45, coffee and chat until about 11.45. Those people needing transport are collected. Attendance 10 to 20 – those coming to prayers have increased over time to at least half of those who attend. Evaluation: This works well – people have made the transition to prayers, and then to worship. It serves as a point of fellowship and friendship for the community.

Community Service - Tuesdays all day – We are blessed by weekly visits from a team of people serving community service orders supervised by the Probation Service, who maintain our grounds and do all sorts of work on the building. Any direct evangelism is totally inappropriate. However we always seek to:

26 Crossways Centre, Yardley Hastings. Feasibility Report Sept 2009 Value all the individuals as people, giving them a certificate of thanks on their last day.

Be ready and willing to discuss any faith issues if asked – it does happen and leads to some interesting discussions.

On Remembrance Day we had a 2 minute silence in the chapel which the whole team attended on a voluntary basis. On Shrove Tuesday we had pancakes which led to a discussion about Shrove Tuesday/ Lent/ Beliefs etc. Evaluation: Satisfactory, continue as present

“Your Space” Monthly from March to September 2008 - Each month we removed the chairs from the chapel to create an open space with different activity opportunities from the Essence Course and places simply “to be”. Each household received an invitation card with information and the dates. Evaluation: The concept worked well but the take up was very light. Decided not to continue at present but may pick up the ideas in the future of in a modified format.

Crafty Companions – Tuesday evenings 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. People come bringing some craft activity to do, or just come to chat. Regularly attracts 15 – 20 people. Evaluation: Very successful in relating to the people, brings people across the doorstep that wouldn’t otherwise do so. Fellowship and caring of individuals very good – well regarded by people in the village.

Monthly Lunches – Thursdays monthly during the winter months. Hot lunch followed by an activity / watching a film/ beetle drive etc. £3.00 charge to cover costs- regularly attracts 35 – 40 people. Evaluation: Successful in both serving the needs of the community and in bringing people into the premises – has helped our esteem in the village.

Cream Teas in the conservatory - Provision of cream teas on Sunday afternoons has been operating for a number of years and attracts a large number of people on to the premises. There is always someone available to answer questions about the church and Crossways and the work that happens here, and to show people around the building. Evaluation: Successful point of contact with people in the village and with other churches brings many people o to the premises with the opportunity of further contact if they wish.

Being available – The Minister makes himself available to any member of the community. This has led to many points of contact and opportunities to engage with people directly. He is currently engaged in regular discussions with one person about theological issues, currently spirituality and has recently travelled to Essex to conduct a funeral for a family in the village as well as conducting other funeral services when needed. Evaluation: This can be time consuming but is at the heart of our Mission Strategy.

Village events - We host several village events during the year. At Christmas we host 2 workshop sessions for people to make lanterns for the village lantern parade, in 2008 we led the parade. We always host the Ecumenical Lent courses. Evaluation: Activities that build bridges with the community strengthen and enable our links.

Crossways visitors - The Minister and other members are generally available to interact with visitors to crossways which does lead to some interesting conversations and opportunities.

27 Crossways Centre, Yardley Hastings. Feasibility Report Sept 2009 Future Projects and new projects just started:

We have two specific requests from the community (from non church connected individuals) to which we have responded: 1) To run a weekly watercolour art group this is now led buy someone in the village and is meeting in the dining room weekly on a Thursday afternoon. 2) For a village library/book exchange – we have responded positively to the idea and are waiting for the equipment to be obtained.

We are currently looking at doing some work for the Young people in the village, but are looking carefully at our ability to deliver and sustain this work with our small numbers of members.

Laurie Kay had created a Peace garden in the grounds which had become derelict we are currently looking at rebuilding this with the help of young people from the synod. We are intending to include in this a memorial plaque from the working men’s club which we hope will be another bridge with the community – The peace garden project is now started.

Sunday Worship: This is in a sense the evaluation and measure of the effectiveness of our Mission Strategy. In the last two years we have 5 new attendees who are coming weekly, one of whom was recently baptised and one other person coming intermittently. We are currently looking at how we bring non members into membership.

5f. Possible New Ideas

The following would increase the offer at the Centre, but does require careful and professional marketing:

1. Increase school offer with planned activities around the grounds; e.g. naming trees and plants, creating a small pond and planting vegetables. The Key Stage 2 targets (see Appendix 5.) could be devised for schools to use at different times of the year. It is recognized that October and November and March to May are the optimum times for schools, but more effort needs to be applied to increase these bed nights.

2. Increase in church weekends with speakers etc. this is vital and collaboration with others in the Christian world would be encouraged. Suggest that you join CCI - www.cci.org.uk

3. Themed weeks with a ‘professional’ leader can be planned for weeks that are more difficult to book; e.g. poetry weeks, art weeks, digital photography weeks, banner making, guided walking and rambling, and history weeks. (The area is steeped in history within a stones throw of the Centre and needs to be highlighted far more).

4. There are a considerable of local attractions in the vicinity of Yardley Hastings including a number of sites of interest to members of the non-conformist Christian traditions for example, Elstow, birthplace of John Bunyan. (http://www.elstow.ik.com/). Sulgrave Manor (http://www.sulgravemanor.org.uk) is the ancestral home of the Washington Family with their most famous son General George Washington. These may be of particular interest to the US tourist market. Other attractions include National Trust properties, most notably Stowe House and Park (http://www.stowe.co.uk/house/contact-us/how-to-find-us). The Canal Museum at Stoke Bruerne, (http://nwm.org.uk/stoke/). Silverstone grand prix race track is in the vicinity (http://www.silverstone.co.uk). Wicksteed Park (http://www.wicksteedpark.co.uk) near Kettering is a major attraction for family days out with a combination of facilities and activities available. Woburn Abbey and Safari Park are within easy reach (http://www.woburn.co.uk). Long distance walking paths in Northampton attract visits and details of the ‘Northampton Round’ 51 mile path 28 Crossways Centre, Yardley Hastings. Feasibility Report Sept 2009 (http://www.ldwa.org.uk/ldp/members/show_path.php?path_name=Northamptonshire+Rou nd). The local group of the Long Distance Walkers Association is very active (http://www.bedsbucksnorthantsldwa.co.uk/7.html). With careful managing and collaboration with sites a deal could be struck to ensure good value.

5. Other possibilities include accommodation overspill with the local pubs and B&B, medical services, youth club provision etc. See 5e above for more details.

29 Crossways Centre, Yardley Hastings. Feasibility Report Sept 2009 6. Options Analysis

6.1. Closure of the whole site including the church

The premises could be offered for sale (either freehold or on long term lease) to a developer for conversion into a number of residential properties or, as a unit for upgrading as a commercial conference centre. Valuations of the premises on the open market suggest that insurance value for rebuild is £2.5m (See Appendix 6).

The social impact of closure, especially on the members of the congregation would be severe. The views expressed when consulting with the members of the congregation for this study were that the church and Crossways were fully integrated, one being an expression of the other.

Arguments for this option

• It releases the URC from all obligations and financial responsibilities once a buyer is found. If indeed a buyer can be found in the present economic climate. • It realises an asset for the URC for potential use in other forms of mission.

Arguments against this option

• Permanent loss of a significant tangible asset. • Loss of mission opportunity for the church locally and more widely.

6.2. Closure of the Crossways Centre whilst maintaining the church congregation

Closure in this option either means that the General Assembly Trustees (freeholder) enters a long term leasing arrangement with a third party which takes full responsibility for running the Centre. The sanctuary area and specified ancillary rooms (e.g. vestry room, kitchen, and toilet facilities) is not included in the leasehold agreement. The alternative is that the whole freehold is sold to a third party with a covenant written into the sale agreement that the sanctuary area is leased back to the East Midlands Synod for the local congregation to use. The Centre is moth-balled until such a party is found and the agreement or sale is signed.

The option of moth-balling the Conference Centre has significant cost implications. There would be a need to maintain the premises in a state consistent with its status as a listed (Grade II) building and to ensure the building is weatherproof thus preventing further deterioration. The building already has some important maintenance issues including the need to replace inadequate guttering and pipes for rainwater removal. There are several leaks in the roof which affect some of the bedrooms and many of the window frames are in an advanced state of deterioration. The need for a Quinquennial Survey to be conducted as soon as possible to give a clear indication of necessary remedial works.

In 2003 a partnership was proposed with the Milton Keynes Christian Foundation. They aimed to run Crossways as a conference and retreat centre. The proposal failed however when the Foundation were not prepared to guarantee the congregation access to the building for Sunday and other week use. The issue of co-location of the church and the centre will continue to be an issue which will impose itself to various extents on the business of running the centre until and unless a satisfactory solution is found. The issue becomes even more significant with regard to access to the building when it is booked by schools and other groups.

The arguments for this option are:

As for option 1 above

30 Crossways Centre, Yardley Hastings. Feasibility Report Sept 2009 The arguments against this option are:

• The likelihood of finding a third party willing to agree to the covenant that the church remains and retains rights to part of the premises is very doubtful. The length of time it is likely to take to find an appropriate buyer/lessee will mean further deterioration to the buildings and therefore costs to the URC for upkeep and maintenance. • The synergy between the Crossways Centre and the congregation is likely to be lost. • The Synod will have to continue to subsidise the church in order to maintain ministry in the form of rent (if leased back from new lessee) and ministerial deployment. • A permanent or long term loss of mission opportunity for the URC. • The loss of a vibrant church community and also all the activities mention in 5e.

6.3. Re-launch Crossways with a sustainable business model for the Centre to operate within.

The East Midlands Synod retain the freehold and lease the Centre to a CIC5/Company Limited by Guarantee (over which Synod retain control, for example in the appointment of Directors), which runs Crossways as a conference centre as a sustainable, self-funding not-for-profit business serving constituencies from among those identified when Crossways was first launched in 2005.

The establishment of a new legal entity has several advantages:

• Limitation of liability at Synod level • Limitation of liability at local church level • Possibility of applying for funds that are not available to Synod

This option has two scenarios to explore:

6.3a. Re-launch as a dedicated URC Centre in which the primary ‘users’ are URC-related personnel.

The worshipping congregation at the Centre continues with leadership provided by a member of staff some of whose time is allocated to ministerial and pastoral duties with the congregation.

The principal consideration in appraising this option is whether the URC at national or at a regional level (for example, a number of synods together) is prepared to dedicate resources to making the Crossways Centre viable. The URC would need to consider the necessary capital outlay, which would need to be raised from external sources, required to bring the Centre up to a standard of accommodation and repair as well as the necessary commitments to fund courses for URC ministers and related lay leaders.

The existence of the Centre at Windermere6 both gives a useful model but also poses a potential threat. The overall size of the URC ‘market’ may not be sufficiently large to sustain an additional facility dedicated to training and ministerial development. A further example is Westminster College7 in Cambridge. The need to generate potentially substantial additional business from outside the URC may make this a less attractive option. In order to assess the likelihood of this

5 Community Interest Companies (CICs) are limited companies, with special additional features, created for the use of people who want to conduct a business or other activity for community benefit, and not purely for private advantage. 6 See Appendix 1. The Windermere Centre is the United Reformed Church’s residential training Centre in the Lake District. http://windermere.urc.org.uk/ . Appendix 1 includes the Centre’s Tariff structure. 7 See Appendix 1. Westminster College is a Resource Centre for Learning for the United Reformed Church. It works, with others in the URC, to resource, enable and encourage all God's people in the exciting and lifelong project of being a disciple of Jesus - 'a learner in the Kingdom of God'. http://www.westminster.cam.ac.uk/ 31 Crossways Centre, Yardley Hastings. Feasibility Report Sept 2009 option’s viability, the URC at national and synod(s) levels would need to analyse the size if its own requirements over at least the next 10 years. Arguments for this option:

• Retention of links with URC nationally/regionally through usage of the facilities. • The church at Yardley Hastings benefits from the subsidies from the URC in terms of ministerial deployment. • The mission objectives of the Synod and wider church are fulfilled

Arguments against the option:

• The capacity of the URC to sustain a quality service and viable business is questionable. • The scale of resources required to essentially re-launch and run the centre will be considerable and sustained. • Support for the centre in this way may not be found to be sustainable.

6.3b. Relaunch Crossways as a training, conference and retreat centre serving a wide range of customers from secular and faith-based sectors (including URC groups) within the region.

This option essentially advocates opening the Centre up to serve as wide a customer base as possible with as much imagination and with the greatest sense of mission in the world as possible. This reflects to a great degree the original vision; the operational constraints within which the Centre Manager and his team have had to work have severely restricted what has been possible.

The market sectors which were identified in the original proposal when Crossways was set up were: • The East Midlands Synod and others, • The wider URC, • Ecumenical partners, • Schools, • Other not for profit organisations, • Commercial organisations, • Also possible further markets e.g. Business Link, Voluntary Sector and Local Authorities.

This option seeks to serve the same sectors, explicitly focussing on generating custom within the commercial, voluntary, education, faith-based and tourist sectors in a region in which rapid expansion and growth is projected.

Arguments for this option:

• Releases the General Assembly Trustees and Synod from the day to day management and long term subsidy of Crossway, whilst retaining a stake and deriving benefits in terms of reputation from the success of the Centre. • URC realises an income from the Centre. • Fulfils new expressions of mission for URC.

Arguments against this option:

Rather than arguments against this option, the risks associated with it include: • the potential for confusion and a lack of strategic focus over the vision and purpose for the Centre. • failure to apply the rigour necessary to establish a viable and financially sustainable business model, expressed by not identifying the necessary skills set and commercial experience required to promote and develop the centre. 32 Crossways Centre, Yardley Hastings. Feasibility Report Sept 2009 • failure to grasp the missiological dimensions of a URC owned and run conference/training centre serving a wider customer base to a high standard of professional service. Cross Cutting issue: viability of the self catering option

There is at least one cross cutting issue to be considered for any permutation of option 3b. The decision needs to be made whether self-catering continues to be an option for groups and individual guests. Self-catering tariffs are considerably lower than full board or bed and breakfast options. The limited size of the Centre means that larger groups booking for self catering stays preclude other bookings because self-catering groups take over the use of the main kitchens and food storage spaces.

From the financial projection created in March 2009 concerning the likely ‘break even’ point for bed-night/occupancy it is possible to illustrate that 6 school visits by an average of 35 people for a two night stay will generate significantly more net revenue than nearly 20 weekend visits by self- catering church groups of 20-25 people.

This issue puts the need to make strategic choices about the market niche(s) Crossways will be serving in the future into sharp relief.

33 Crossways Centre, Yardley Hastings. Feasibility Report Sept 2009 7. The Way Forward

7a. Accommodation

It is the recommendation of this report that the third option outlined above (option 6.3) is explored in further detail. This section indicates some of the key considerations.

The option to re-launch Crossways as a dedicated URC Centre (option 6.3a) in which the primary ‘users’ are URC-related personnel raises two critical questions which the URC must address.

• Is the internal URC ‘market’ big enough to exclusively sustain a further dedicated centre? • Does the URC want to, or is it able to run an additional dedicated centre given past experience and performance?

If the answer is ‘no’ (it is the view of the authors of the report that this is not the best option) it is recommended that option 6.3b is explored in greater detail bearing in mind that URC-related customers will be part of the customer base of a re-launched centre under option 6.3b.

It is the view of the authors of this report that Yardley Hastings’ future governance arrangements should be overhauled and that it is run as a Community Interest Company (see Section 6.3b above) in which the URC have a level of control as an asset belonging to the URC through the appointment of Directors. This view is reflected in the recommendations of this report.

Option 6.3b envisages a centre of excellence for training, retreats and conferences to serve a number of clearly defined market sectors. In addition, consideration could be made to offering the local community of Yardley Hastings access to a community hub which expands and enriches community networks and facilities8. Given some of the constituencies which could be using the Centre as paying customers (e.g. schools), careful consideration needs to be given to access to the buildings in relation to compliance issues such as Child Protection. The co-location of the local congregation of the URC offers customers the opportunity for aligning their professional or leisure needs with the spiritual resources offered by an explicitly Christian community. Again, similar issues pertain to church members, access to the buildings and Child Protection requirements.

A challenge facing the Centre arises from the nature of the building and its status as a grade II listed building. The overall size is relatively small. The 12 existing bedrooms are configured with 42 beds and have a combined area of 147m 2. There are six further bedrooms (total 44.5 m 2) in the self-contained flat on the first and second floors which are currently not used (see table on page 14) . Whilst the dormitory/bunk bed style accommodation might be appropriate for the schools market, and some church groups, it is not suitable for other sectors. One option worth serious consideration and further exploration is the creation of a new additional accommodation block fitted out at a specification suitable for the schools market and for tourists looking for hostel-type accommodation. This option depends on the availability of the land and securing planning permission. Adjoining the freehold property there is land which is currently rented by Crossways from the Castle Ashby Estate. We will explore the possibility of creating a new block but due to Castle Ashby Estate and planning authority track records it is not likely to success. In all likelihood any new building would need to be on such land if it was to be available on a long term lease arrangement (see Fig 2, page 14).

8 The Yardley Hastings Good Neighbour Scheme produces a booklet which is distributed to all residents. From this it is clear that there are gaps in local voluntary sector provision: Overspill/alternative venue for Memorial Hall. Youth Club – currently one at Memorial Hall only meets during term time, all except 2nd Mon evening, 11 – 16 yrs. Tap into youth funding. Central venue for Scouts/Beavers/Cubs/Sea Scouts/Brownies/Guides to use common resources and tap into use of Crossways as youth centre. Playgroup – current one in school & only 3 sessions/week. Is this due to venue availability or numbers of children? Medical services/village medical centre. Accommodation overspill – 2 local pubs & B&B. Adult education venue

34 Crossways Centre, Yardley Hastings. Feasibility Report Sept 2009 The Youth Hostel is miles away and it may be possible to offer occasional nights for passers by if open and free.

7b. Refurbish and Extend

Given the changing social and economic contexts in the region over the next 20-30 years, there appears to be sufficient cause to re-focus the ‘offer’ of the Conference Centre at Yardley Hastings. The future development and promotion of the centre can be embraced with confidence from both business (not for profit) and missiological perspectives.

Schools (building on existing customer base of primary schools in the region) Church congregations Denominational departments Public sector groups from Northampton, Milton Keynes and Bedford Community and Voluntary sector groups from Northampton, Milton Keynes and Bedford Commercial sector groups from Northampton, Milton Keynes and Bedford Tourists

The business plan for moving forward with this option needs to factor in realistic expenditure on marketing and promotion to a number of constituencies. Whereas before the centre has seen itself as principally serving the URC internal market and ‘small and rural churches’ the emphasis of future promotion and marketing needs to be appropriate for sectors outside the church. The fact that Crossways offers a service to such sectors, provided by committed Christian staff motivated by a wider transformational agenda encapsulates the missiological dimensions of the task.

The constraints imposed by the nature of the Centre suggest a number of options:

1. Refresh Refresh the existing bedrooms plus the six unused bedrooms in the former chapel part of the building to cater for the schools and church group market with the linked assumptions that (i) the price will be relatively modest, which requires (ii) a high occupancy rate to pass the break even point.

Taking industry standard indicative figures for refreshing the bedrooms, the indicative costs of this option would be £300/m 2 x 190m 2 = £57,000.

Upgrading of the conference room and alteration to break out rooms at £300/m 2 x 100m 2 = £30,000

Upgrading of sanctuary area for multiple use through the week, with the installation of appropriate IT resources and facilities. £300/m 2 x 75m 2 = £22,500.

Upgrade dining area with new furniture, lighting and fittings. £300/m 2 x 46m 2 = £13,800

2. Reorder Reorder the accommodation to cater for smaller groups requiring residential accommodation offered at a higher specification of single, twin occupancy, en suite rooms which can command a higher price. Upgrade dining area. At the same time, promote the centre’s potential as a non- residential conference centre for groups of up to 70 people with high quality spaces and resources. Within this offer, the existing sanctuary area could be made to be more versatile and used by non- residential conference users.

Taking industry standard indicative figures for refurbishment of the bedrooms, the indicative costs of this option would be £1,500/m 2 x 190m 2 = £285,000.

35 Crossways Centre, Yardley Hastings. Feasibility Report Sept 2009 Upgrading of the conference room and alteration to break out rooms at £300/m 2 x 100m 2 = £30,000

Upgrading of sanctuary area for multiple use through the week, with the installation of appropriate IT resources and facilities. £300/m 2 x 75m 2 = £22,500.

Upgrade dining area with new furniture, lighting and fittings. £300/m 2 x 46m 2 = £13,800.

3. Combine/Extend Offer a combination of accommodation suitable for a number of sectors which can use the Centre simultaneously through the creation of a new, additional self-contained unit for the schools and family market (small dormitory/family room style).

Taking industry standard indicative figures for a new build accommodation and catering unit of 215m 2 (100m 2 bedroom area made up of units with 4-5 bunk beds for school and family groups; 70m 2 meeting and dining room; 15m 2 kitchen; 30m 2 bathroom/toilets) of £2,500/m 2 = £537,500.

Upgrading existing bedroom facilities to single/twin en suite rooms. Taking industry standard indicative figures for refurbishment of the bedrooms: £1,500/m 2 x 190m 2 = £285,000. (Cost for installing ensuite is approximately £3,000 per installation).

Upgrading of the conference room and alteration to break out rooms at £300/m 2 x 100m 2 = £30,000

Upgrading of sanctuary area for multiple use through the week, with the installation of appropriate IT resources and facilities. £300/m 2 x 75m 2 = £22,500. It may be possible to create a dedicated IT room on the first floor using the ancillary rooms, approx cost £45,000.

Further upgrade to the dining area with new furniture, lighting and fittings. £200/m 2 x 46m 2 = £9,200

Summary of options: Option (as above) Works required Capital Costs 1. Continue with existing Refresh existing bedrooms; £123,300 room usage. upgrade conference room, sanctuary and dining room 2. Reorder existing Refurbish bedrooms in £351,300 bedroom accommodation existing building. Upgrade as single/twin en suite conference room and break bedrooms for smaller out spaces (including residential groups. sanctuary space). Maximise use of centre as Upgrade dining facilities a non-residential conference centre for larger groups 3. As for 2 above plus Refurbish bedrooms in £884,200 creation of a dedicated existing building. Upgrade schools/family residential conference room and break block (This is not feasible due to out spaces (including planning permission). sanctuary space). Upgrade dining facilities.

Build new block

Which ever option(s) is considered and implemented, it will be necessary to develop a phased implementation plan which considers all costs. 36 Crossways Centre, Yardley Hastings. Feasibility Report Sept 2009 7c. Market niches

With these considerations in mind there are a number of markets which Crossways should serve in the future.

Immediate future with existing premises (existing bedrooms refreshed and minor refurb.)

1. The church related market. Church weekends away together. Larger groups of URC and non-URC groups which are prepared to use the existing but refreshed bedroom accommodation. Synod and other denominational infra-structural groups continue to use the centre for non- residential/residential stays for business meetings and retreats. 2. Voluntary, public and commercial sector groups from the three local towns (Bedford, Northampton and Milton Keynes) for day time/non-residential conferences/training events in upgraded/refurbished conference room, sanctuary and dining room. 3. Schools. Drawing schools from the three local LEAs to Crossways throughout the year for residential and day visits. 4. Holiday market for families using refurbished flat for weekend stays in hostel-style family rooms; also for smaller high-end of market groups wishing to use single and twin occupancy en suite bedrooms in existing building.

In terms of what proportion each market makes up, the business plan should assume that the church market is sustained at no less than 30% of all usage; the schools market grows to and is sustained at 25-30% of all usage and other market niches (public, voluntary and commercial sector customers) make up the balance of usage.

7d. Immediate action plan

1. Report adopted by Synod (By end November 09) If recommendation 6.3b accepted: 2. Initial levels of investment by General Assembly Trustees and East Midlands Synod indicated (By end November 09) 3. Architects brief compiled for initial modifications/refurbishments and put out to tender (By end December 09) 4. Architects recruited (By end January 2010) 5. Cost consultants recruited and briefed (By end February 2010) 6. Full Business Plan completed (By end March 2010) 7. Creation of Company and appointment of Directors (By end March 2010) 8. Funding applied for and secured (By end June 2010) 9. 18 month transition (From June 2010)

37 Crossways Centre, Yardley Hastings. Feasibility Report Sept 2009 8. Recommendations

1. As an immediate priority, alternative models of governance need to be considered. The preferred model is to establish a CIC/CLG as outlined in Section 6 (6.3b) and Section 7.

2. Develop a business plan for Crossways which sets out the phasing and likely flows of capital and revenue required to achieve sustainability in line with option 6.3b as set out in this report. The business plan should cover all costs including repair and refurbishment; a staffing and salary structure which maximizes efficiency and pays realistic wages to staff.

3. As a matter of urgency clarify the relationship between the Centre and the church congregation at Yardley Hastings to ensure full Child Protection compliance and future multiple uses of all available spaces in the buildings.

4. It is recommended that other centres offering similar facilities to Yardley Hastings are examined in detail to assess feasibility of creating a sustainable and robust business model. One such example is that of Dalesdown in West Sussex which serves schools, church groups and other holiday markets. Another source of valuable advice and support is CCI9.

5. Thorough market research and a committed marketing strategy to the church and faith sector, the public (including LEAs), commercial and community sectors in the three towns of Northampton, Bedford and Milton Keynes is required to take this option forward.

6. It is recommended that Crossways joins the Chambers of Commerce for the three towns in order to facilitate the more effective marketing of the Centre to the commercial client base. It is also recommended that Crossways actively promotes itself with local Community and Voluntary Sector (CVS) groups in the three towns and the local Tourist Information offices. It is recommended that Crossways explores a closer partnership with the Local Education Authorities serving Northampton, Bedford and Milton Keynes to boost the number of schools coming to Crossways. In conjunction with this, continue the work already being undertaken to develop a modular curriculum which ties in with the national curriculum for primary schools (KS 1 and 2).

7. Review all existing policies and requirements to identify gaps in compliance and update and/or develop, with advice from good practice examples, policies as required. Where costs are likely to be incurred, ensure that they are tied into the business development plan.

8. Employ the services of a bid writer to help with funding applications.

9 http://www.cci.org.uk/ CCI is an association of Christian centres, organisations and individuals involved in camps, holidays, conference and outdoor activity ministries. The association, formed in 1984, provides its members with fellowship and support, and a range of services and benefits. It also provides the public with a range of resources and support to make the most of Christian holidays, Christian conference centres and Christian camps. CCI is a membership organisation with a basis of faith. There is a small subscription fee of approximately £200. Included in its ‘offer’ is the ability for members to advertise.

38 Crossways Centre, Yardley Hastings. Feasibility Report Sept 2009 Appendix 1. Cash Flow Projections

Our business plan assumes a charging structure with average occupancy rate of 45% for community and voluntary sector groups (which corresponds to an occupancy rate of 20% at weekdays and 70% at weekends). This will generate an income of £102,570 in the first year of trading, rising to £136,760 in the second.

This income generated from bed space (which is forecast to be £110,853 in the first year of trading, rising to £136,408 in the second) will be sufficient to cover the full cost of running the centre from year two and deliver an annual surplus in the first year of £47,554, rising to £115,190 in the second.

As the generation of the full income would not be immediate, the model assumes that in year one occupancy of catered bed space will be 75% of the target occupancy and occupancy of self catered bed space will be 50% of target occupancy. From year 2 the centre is forecast to achieve target occupancy.

See Attached Excel Spread Sheet for the Financial Model and Forecast.

39 Crossways Centre, Yardley Hastings. Feasibility Report Sept 2009 Appendix 2. Other Centres

The Windermere Centre - www.windermere.urc.org.uk

From the website: The Windermere Centre is the United Reformed Church’s residential training Centre in the Lake District… and it’s your place! It’s your place because the Centre is here as a resource to equip you and your Church for mission. It’s a conference centre, a retreat centre and a hotel! And there’s the Hannah Fund to provide financial help for anyone who needs it. Whether you’re needing a venue for an event, to take part in the Programme, some spiritual refreshment or just a break in the Lakes, the Windermere Centre is your place!

2009/2010 Tariff

Programmed Events and Retreats 2009 2010 Per person per day – full-board and facilities £53.00 £55.00 (There may be a nominal extra charge on some

courses to cover extra expenses.)

Weekend Rate per person (includes full board £115.00 £115.00 accommodation from Friday tea until Sunday lunch) Day visitors per day, including lunch and tea/coffee £27.00 £27.00 breaks Half- Children aged between 5 – 15 years Half-price price Children aged 4 years and younger Free Free Holidays (Prices include VAT) Dinner, bed and breakfast (per person per night) £48.00 £50.00 Bed and breakfast (per person per night) £33.00 £35.00 Packed lunches are available on request £7.00 £7.00 Occasional Meals Lunch £8.00 £8.00 Sunday Lunch £15.00 £15.00 Evening Meal £15.00 £15.00

Westminster College - www.westminster.cam.ac.uk

Westminster College, Cambridge is a centre for learning within the United Reformed Church. As a resource to the national and local church and a full participant in the theological training of students within the Cambridge Theological Federation, Westminster is a place where all those in ministry can study and deepen their faith. It is a place for refreshment and learning available to all of those involved in the life of the Church from many different traditions, people from other faiths and those with no faith commitment. It is a place of welcome, community and new vision where radical and provocative faith meets wonderful and risky living.

Tariff of costs not available.

Knuston Hall - www.knustonhall.org.uk

Knuston Hall is a Grade II listed Adult Residential College located near Rushden in East Northamptonshire, part of Northamptonshire County Council's Customer & Cultural Services Division. The facilities are available for a wide variety of events including meetings, seminars and training. Knuston Hall also has a comprehensive programme of study breaks and courses for adults throughout the year. Call 01933 312104 for details or search using the menus on your left. 40 Crossways Centre, Yardley Hastings. Feasibility Report Sept 2009 javascript:openwindow('viewimage.jsp?image=images/site/thumb_imag0157_1.jpg','viewimage','sc rollbars=no,%20menubar=no,%20resizable=no'); The course programme includes... Residential Study Breaks (2 and 5 nights), Non-Residential Study Breaks and One Day Courses . The subject areas covered by Knuston's courses range from Word Processing to Lacemaking, from The Second World War to Buddhism. Our Course Finder will help you locate courses in a variety of ways. javascript:openwindow('viewimage.jsp?image=images/site/thumb_panelled%20boardrooma1.jpg',' viewimage','scrollbars=no,%20menubar=no,%20resizable=no'); Knuston Hall's conference facilities are available for residential and non-residential meetings, conferences, seminars and training events. If you are looking for a venue for an event of your own, we recommend you visit us here at Knuston Hall. Ask about our new Boardroom designed for up to 16 delegates to run a course in style.

The facilities available include: 13 Meeting Rooms of various types and sizes 2 Computer Training Suites 35 En suite Bedrooms A Dining Room to seat 66 A small Bar 40 acres of rural Northamptonshire to enjoy

Facilities Hire and Charges

The tables below give a comprehensive list of prices for anybody looking to organise their own event here at Knuston Hall. If at any stage, the information you require is not clearly visible, or more detailed information is required, please ring 01933 312104 and staff will go through all details with you. Alternatively, feel free to contact us and arrange to come and view the facilities at a time to suit you. For details of charges for the hire of The Orchard Computer Training Suite , please contact The Conference Co-ordinator on 01933 312104.

Inclusive Tariff Tariff Period or type of booking Further details (excl. VAT)

A: Day Delegate Rate (In Kemble Room, Beech Room, Coach House etc) Any 2-session £34.50 period (am+pm or pm+evening) with refreshments, one meal, meeting room, standard equipment, per person

B: Day Delegate Plus Rate (In Lounge, Panelled or Boardroom only) Any 2-session period (am+pm £39.00 or pm+evening) with refreshments, one meal, meeting room, standard equipment, per person

C: Half Day Delegate Rate (In Kemble Room, Beech Room, Coach House etc) Either am, pm or £25.00 evening session with refreshments, one meal, meeting room, standard equipment, per person

D: Half Day Delegate Plus (In Lounge, Panelled Room or The Boardroom only) Either am, pm or £27.50 Rate evening session with refreshments, one meal, meeting room, standard equipment, per person

E: 24hr Delegate Rate Any full 24hr period including ensuite accommodation, all meals, £91.00 refreshments, meeting room, standard equipment, per person. Single Room Supplement included.

F: Extended Day Delegate Day delegate period plus an additional session in meeting room plus £50.00 Rate one additional meal, per person

G: Bed & Breakfast B&B, in a single ensuite bedroom, without use of meeting room etc. £40.00

H: Bed, Breakfast & B&B and Evening Meal. Single ensuite bedroom, without use of meeting £52.00 Evening Meal room etc.

I: Bed & Breakfast - B&B in a shared ensuite bedroom without use of meeting rooms etc. £30.00 (sharing) Per person sharing

J: B&B & Evening Meal B&B and Evening Meal. Sharing an ensuite bedroom without use of £42.00

41 Crossways Centre, Yardley Hastings. Feasibility Report Sept 2009 Tariff Period or type of booking Further details (excl. VAT)

(sharing) meeting rooms etc. Per person sharing.

"Room Only" Hire and Miscellaneous Charges Tariff Room Name / Service Further details (excl. VAT)

1: The Lounge, The Panelled Room or Hire of a meeting room for the morning or afternoon or £125.00 The Boardroom evening without meals or refreshments. (Includes flip chart / OHP etc)

2: Joint Hire of The Lounge, The Panelled Hire of both meeting rooms for the morning or afternoon £220.00 Room or evening without meals or refreshments. (Includes flip chart / OHP etc)

3: The Practical Room, The Beech Room, Hire of a medium-sized meeting room for the morning or £90.00 The Kemble Room, The Coach House afternoon or evening without meals or refreshments (includes flip chart / OHP etc)

4: The Millar, Harness, Brewerton Rooms, Hire of a small meeting room for the morning or afternoon £50.00 The Old Library or evening without meals or refreshments (includes flip chart / OHP etc)

5: Coffee / Tea / Herbal Teas Per person £1.50

6: Coffee Teas / Herbal Teas & Home- £2.25 Per person Made Biscuits / Cake

Barnes Close Conference Centre, Bromsgrove - www.cfrbarnesclose.co.uk

Information is extracted from website. Set in the Waseley Hills, Worcestershire only twelve miles south of Birmingham, Barnes Close is the residential centre of the Community for Reconciliation. From the delightful south facing patio there are extensive views across the county to the Malvern Hills and the Cotswolds. We also have direct access into the Waseley Country Park, 150 acres of hillside and woodland.

Situated in the heart of the country, we are easy to reach from wherever you are as we are located near the M5-M42 junction, making us particularly suitable for organisations holding national meetings.

We are 12 miles from the centre of Birmingham, from where there are frequent trains to Longbridge and buses to Rubery, see 'How to Find Barnes Close' below for more details

Barnes Close is home to a small residential community who service both Barnes Close and the Community. Here the Community runs much of its programme of seminars and conferences as well as welcoming groups from churches, schools, youth groups or the 'secular' environment for training events, committee meetings, conferences or holidays. In addition members of the Community and friends come for holiday weeks, craft events, children's camps and retreats.

When you need some personal space we can accommodate individuals needing time away from their job, family, relationship and trauma. Staying alongside the resident team, with most meals provided, you can unwind, reflect, read and pray in the peaceful atmosphere and thereby feel refreshed and renewed to cope again with life at home or work.

At Barnes Close we believe in the importance of good quality home cooked food and can cater for a wide variety of diets. Accommodation is normally provided on a full board basis but half board can be provided on request. Unfortunately we cannot offer a self-catering option.

We also recognise the value of time away from the pressure and interruptions of daily life and want to ensure that your time here with us is fulfilling and successful.

Whatever your need, get in touch and let us see how we can help you and your group in your time together. 42 Crossways Centre, Yardley Hastings. Feasibility Report Sept 2009 Perfect for: • Church Weekends • Training Events • Committee Meetings • Youth Groups • Conferences • Seminars • Retreats • and more....

Facilities: • Common room with real log fire and loop system • Coffee Lounge/meeting room with loop system • Chapel with loop system • Library • 2 Conservatories • Tuck shop • Tennis Court • Five acres of grounds with direct access into the Waseley Country Park offering opportunities for walking.

Accommodation: • Bedrooms are a mixture of single, twin and family rooms. • 8 en-suite bedrooms, with all others having individual hand basins. • Although normally sleeping up to 30 people, extra beds can be put into many rooms, please enquire for details.

In the interest of staff and guests, Barnes Close is a no smoking venue and we do not accept dogs or other animals except guide dogs.

For Your Church If your church is considering a day, weekend or several days away Barnes Close could be just the setting you are looking for. Your purpose may be to deepen your commitment together during a programme of fun and fellowship and perhaps some Bible study. It may be to prepare and pray for a Festival of Faith, possibly with a Community member to help. Whatever your reason the house with its country park surroundings and the Community's resources could provide the welcoming atmosphere and ambience for a creative time together.

For Your Seminar or Committee Meeting Whether you want to hold a day conference or a 48 hour (or longer) residential, undisturbed by the pressure of your normal work situation, Barnes Close could suit your needs. As well as the large Common Room which can be arranged to your requirements and accommodates up to 40 there is also a smaller conference room which can accommodate 15 and several additional rooms for small group work. All these rooms are light and airy and have power points for computers and other equipment.

For Your School or Youth Group For a relaxed weekend or for a few days midweek for a project or field study work Barnes Close could be the answer to your needs. As well as the facilities mentioned above snooker and table tennis are available indoors as well as extensive grounds and a tennis court for outdoor activities. There is field study potential in the adjacent country park, streams and ponds and there are several motorway observation points nearby. The caring approach of the Community makes Barnes Close very suitable for young people.

Residential Full Board

Weekend Bookings (Minimum size normally 15) Friday Evening - Sunday Afternoon 2009 2010 Adult £95 £99 Child under 2 £12 £13 Child aged 2-10 £48 £50 43 Crossways Centre, Yardley Hastings. Feasibility Report Sept 2009 Child aged 11-18 £68 £75

Midweek Bookings (Minimum size normally 10) Fees per 24 hours 2009 2010 Adult £49 £52 Child under 2 £6 £7 Child aged 2-10 £26 £27 Child aged 11-18 £36 £40

5% reduction for 21+ guests and 10% reduction for over 31 guests’ Single occupancy of a multi-bedded room incurs an additional surcharge of £10 per night Reductions are available for stays of 72 hours or longer dependent on group size.

School and Youth Groups

Weekend Bookings (Minimum size normally 15) Friday Evening - Sunday Afternoon 2009 2010 Leaders £80 £83 Child under 10 £40 £42 Child aged 11-18 £60 £62

Midweek Bookings (Minimum size normally 15) Fees per 24 hours 2009 2010 Adult £40 £42 Child under 10 £20 £21 Child aged 11-18 £30 £31

Bed linen is not included for school or youth groups but can be hired for £5 per person per booking

Day Bookings (Includes Room Hire)

All Day 2009 2010 Minimum size normally 10 1 main meals and two coffee breaks £20 £22 2 main meals and two coffee breaks £30 £33

Part Day 2009 2010 Minimum size normally 10 Morning or afternoon including lunch and 1 coffee break £14 £16 Afternoon including lunch, evening meal and 1 coffee break £25 £27

44 Crossways Centre, Yardley Hastings. Feasibility Report Sept 2009 Evening including evening meal £13 £16

Extra coffee breaks can be arranged at £1.50 a head Reductions per person: £1 for 21+ guests, £2 for over 31 guests Child Rates: 50% reduction for under 11’s, 25% reduction for 11-18’s

Grendon Hall, Northamptonshire - www.grendonhall.org.uk

Grendon Hall in Northamptonshire is an outdoor activity centre that provides the ideal venue for anyone, from schools through to businesses, who are looking for somewhere to take part in an adventure activity.

The activities centre includes facilities for groups interested in a corporate team building activity or meeting room hire .

Overview Grendon Hall is a delightful Queen Anne house standing in 17 acres of grounds, between Northampton and Wellingborough.

The hall is a residential training centre providing training facilities and outdoor activities for both adults and young people. The centre may be used for non-residential activities and courses, conferences, seminars and group training. It is open and in use all the year round.

An excellent catering service is provided to suit individual requirements, and a licensed bar is available.

The hall provides a relaxing environment with both gardens and unspoiled acres for field study work.

Grendon Hall caters for groups of up to 100 people. Accommodation is in a small number of single rooms and in dormitories for up to 12 people.

Prices

MONDAY-FRIDAY RATE (ALL PRICES PER DAY) ADULTS (OVER 21) YOUNG PEOPLE (UNDER 21 and in full time education) FULL BOARD £43.00 FULL BOARD £32.00 EXTRA LUNCH/DINNER £8.00 EXTRA LUNCH/DINNER £ 8.00 LEADER RATES All Leaders are charged at the appropriate young person rate. EXTRAS COOKED BREAKFAST £4.80 SUPPER TROLLEY £3.70 LATE BREAD & SPREAD £2.60 PACKED LUNCH £4.70 PICNIC LUNCH £5.80 WEEKEND RATES (Friday – Sunday) ADULTS (OVER 21) £92.00 YOUNG PEOPLE £75.00 WEEKEND USEAGE Weekend bookings are charged as two full days regardless of time of arrival. There is a minimum requirement of 25 people for weekend residential courses. Earliest time of arrival 5:00pm on Friday. DAY CONFERENCE HALL £31.50 per person including lunch. EXECUTIVE SUITE £37.00 per person including lunch TRAINING ROOM 3 £26.00 per person for a full day including lunch £13.00 per person per half day including coffee £60.00 for room only rental for a full day ACTIVITY SESSIONS £13.50 per person per session CAMPING £3.70 per person per night – this is payable at the time of booking. SWIMMING POOL £63.00 per hourly session – two lifeguards (NON RES) (max 30 persons per hour) SWIMMING POOL £37.00 per hourly session- two life guards (RESIDENTIAL) (max 30 persons per hour) 45 Crossways Centre, Yardley Hastings. Feasibility Report Sept 2009 Firepit £42.00 ACTIVITY PACKAGES 24 Hour Package £63.00 48 Hour Package £115.00 72 Hour Package £168.00 96 Hour Package £220.00 120 Hour Package £272.00

46 Crossways Centre, Yardley Hastings. Feasibility Report Sept 2009 Appendix 3. List of possible funders for Yardley Hastings re-arrangement

Contact Prospect Name Amount Meeting Reqmnts Website/Charity No Interests Mar, Jun, Sep, Richard Hopgood 020 7320 6884 Youth/salary Community Henry Smith Charity up to £200,000 Dec b, d, e www.henrysmithcharity.org.uk Service Garfield Weston £10,000- Monthly, No Fiona Hare 020 7399 6565 Foundation £100,000 deadlines stated B, c ,d ,e ,f ,g www.garfieldweston.org/230260 Religion and Youth No application Brian J Chapman 01225 427236 Christian/Brethren The Stewards Company up to £60,000 deadlines stated 234558 Organisations Trustees meet C Graves 020 7727 8522 Youth, Tudor Trust £20,000-£60,000 every 3 wks b, c, d, h www.tudortrust.org.uk Community/Learning The Cloth Workers No application Andrew Blessley 020 7623 7 041 Church if close Foundation up to £50,000 deadlines stated b, c ,d ,e www. Clothworkers.co.uk connection only The Maurice & Hilda Qtrly to discuss Elizabeth Harley 020 8238 8890 Laing Charitable Trust up to £25,000 appltns b, c 1058109 Evangelical work The Kathleen Hannay Feb for March R F Trustee Co Ltd 020 7409 5600 Memorial Charity £5,000-£25,000 meeting 299600 Christian and welfare No application Apply in writing to J D W Pocock The Rock Solid Trust £10,000-£50,000 deadlines stated 1077669 Christian religion The A H & E Bolton No application Mr John Glasby 0151 236 9004 Evangelical work, Trust £10,000-£25,000 deadlines stated 225328 erection blgds The Mercers Charitable Every 6 weeks to The Clerk (Mar Loxley) 020 7726 4991 Trust £10,000-£25,000 discuss appltns a, b, c, d, e www.mercers.co.uk Christian Faith The Goldsmiths No application The Clerk 020 7606 7010 Church, Youth, Company Charity up to £15,000 deadlines stated a, b, c www.thegoldsmiths.co.uk/charities Core/revenue Trustees meet Keith Buckler 015395 30359 The Seedfield Trust £1,000-£15,000 twice a year 283463 Christian work Norwood and Newton Trustees meet David M Holland 01708 723670 Capital Bldg, Settlement £1,500-£10,000 Qtrly 234964 worship/outreach Every 8 weeks to Mr Peter T Dunkerley 020 7489 8076 Churches, Community The Hedley Foundation £5,000-£15,000 discuss appltns b, f, g, i www.hedleyfoundation.org.uk Centers No application N T Davey 01277 211954 The Ebenezer Trust up to £10,000 deadlines stated Call the trust 272574 Evangelical purposes

47 Crossways Centre, Yardley Hastings. Feasibility Report Sept 2009 The Bernard Sunley Appeals consdrd John Rimmington 020 7408 2198 Church community Charitable Foundation £5,000-£10,000 regularly c, d, e, f, g, 109099 centre No application Mr Nick Kerr-Sheppard 020 3207 7338 The Irwin Trust £7,500 deadlines stated 1061646 Evangelical causes May & Nov mtg Documentary Fiona Putley 020 8699 1036 The Ogle Christian Trust £1,000-£6,000 Apllcns anytime support 1061458 Evangelical causes The Carmichael- Montgomery Charitable Apr & Oct mtg Mrs N Johnson 01564 793561 URC, personal contact, trust £5,000 Subm Mar & Sep 200842 Free church No application Colin R Harmer 020 8652 2700 The Lynwood Trust £5,000-£6,000 deadlines stated 289535 Adv Christian Faith Mar, Jun, Sep, Mrs S Gent 01926 744 550 Community Bldg, work Rank Foundation up to £5,000 Dec b, c, e, g www.rankfoundation.com with Young people No application Contact trust Mr John S Bradley 01932 864665 Evangelical Christian The Corinthian Trust £5,000 deadlines stated first 278531 Orgns Dame Violet Wills Trustees meet H E Cooper 0117 973 8441 Evangelical Christian Charitable Trust £5,000 Mar & Sep Person known 219485 work The Horace Moore No application J A G Leighton 01932 710250 Christian Educn Charitable trust? £5,000 deadlines stated 262545 Churches Comm Trustees meet David Owen 0121 353 1221 Community Religious The Owen Family Trust £5,000 qtrly 251975 Activities The K P Ladd Charitable No application Roger Cooper 01753 885137 Christian causes Trust £5,000 deadlines stated 1091493 Children/Youth No application R I Corteen 020 8642 3304 Christian causes Barleycorn Trust £5,000 deadlines stated 296386 Children/Youth All churches Trust Annual report Mrs Rachael Jane Hall 01452 528533 Limited £100- £5000 Any time Supporting Lit www.allchurches.co.uk/263960 Christian work Bldgs Paul Cassell Esq 01753 885137 Christian work Cassell Charitable Trust £5,000 Not known 1089271 Community Spring Harvest No application Trustees Clerk 01825 746510 Charitable Trust £5,000 deadlines stated www.springharvest.org/1042041 Evangelism The Bates Charitable No application Mr D L Hohnen 01276 470947 Evangelical causes - Trust £2,000 deadlines stated 280602 C of E? Esther Hennell No application Nicholas W Smith 0207 802 2700 Charitable Trust £2,000 deadlines stated 261477 General Evangelical

48 Crossways Centre, Yardley Hastings. Feasibility Report Sept 2009 No application Mr John Crosfield Vernor-Miles F C Charitable Trust £2,500 deadlines stated 0207 242 8688 277686 Christian Activities The David Pickford Trustees meet bi Mr David Michael Pickford Charitable Foundation £1,000 monthly for appln Person known 01233 720200 243437 Evangelical Youth The Sydney Black No application M B Pitcher 020 8946 1132 Evangelical and Youth Charitable Trust Ltd. £500 deadlines stated 219855 work No application Mr Raymond Bodkin 01323 843948 Stuart Hine Trust 0 deadlines stated Person known 326941 Christian Organisations No application Well worth a Mr John Apthorp OBE 01923 855727 Adv Christian Faith Summary Limited ? deadlines stated try 1102472 New Church/Com Cntre Wilfred and Constance Butt Miller & Co Camberley Buildings, Charitable Cave Foundation £1000 - £25000 May & Oct 241900 Causes Bernard Sunley Dr Brian Martin 020 7408 2198 Community, Youth, Charitable Foundation £5000 - £10000 213362 Religion The Astor of Hever Trust Adv Christian The Astor Foundation £500 - £25000 Mar & Oct 01959 565070 264134 Faith/Bldgs £500 - £140000 Jan, May, July, Col Christopher Bates 020 7629 9121 The Dulverton Trust usually £20000 Oct 206426 Youth, Religion The Earl of Derby's £100 - £1000 Ms Andrea Poole Fax 0151 482 1988 Charitable Trust usually £500 515783 Youth, Religion, Bldg The Fairbain Charitable Rev J A Fairbairn 01502 580707 Trust £100 - £4000 1059697 Children, Christians The Hobart Charitable The Trustees 020 7933 8044 Trust up to £100000 800750 Religion, Community Sarum St Michael The Clerk 01722 422296 Education Charity £5000 - £25000 309456 Youth Projects, Salary? Paul Bassham R Lovett Esq 01603 762103 Charitable Trust £1000 - £5000 266842 Buildings Mr Grahame Scofield 01293 851715 The Beacon Trust up to £20000 December 230087 Evangelical Protestants Mr John Vernor-Miles 020 7242 8688 F. C. Charitable Trust up to £50000 277686 Christian Churches Nigel A H Pool 01252 620 444 Christian work projects, The New Durlston Trust £100 - £500 1019028 salary? The Payne Charitable Grants, loans, J Payne 01492 532393 Trust up to £5000 capital supp 241816 Christian gospel 49 Crossways Centre, Yardley Hastings. Feasibility Report Sept 2009 The Shanti Charitable J E Brown 01535 653311 Christian, probably not Trust £500 - £50000 1064813 building Norman A Fife 0141 204 2833 The D W T Cargill Fund £500 - £5000 SC012703 Religious, not buildings Mr R J Todd 023 8078 8249 Free churches, Capital, The James Trust £1000 - £5000 800774 Young Adults, Salaries The Englefield Mr Alexander S Reid 0118 930 2504 Community Facs, Charitable Trust £250 - £50000 258123 Religion, Bldgs Rarely unknown Sir Jeremy Cooke 020 7587 5167 Evangelical The Almond Trust £3000 - £100000 successful 328583 Christians/Bldgs The Beaufort House Mrs Rachael Jane Hall 01452 528533 Christians, Youth, Trust £100 - £5000 www.allchurches.co.uk/286606 Children, Adults The Benfield Motors Mrs Lynn Squires 0191 226 1700 Charitable Trust £50 - £25000 328149 Community, Christians Mr and Mrs J C Lees 0121 308 1575 Christian, Community, Criffel Charitable Trust £100 - £10000 1040680 Bldg Hinchley Charitable Dr Brian Stanley 01223 741120 Evangl Christians Trust £100 - £12000 281178 Capital Considerd Mar, May, Aug, Check before Mrs C M Nash, Berkhamsted, The Mary Webb Trust Under £500 Dec application HP4 1QN. 327659 Religion Mary Homfray End of year for Mrs A M Homfray 029 2048 1111 General charitable Charitable Trust £2k - £5k meeting Feb/Mar 273564 purposes The Morgan Blake J F Whigham 01362 692424 General charitable Charitable Trust £1.5k-£4k 293706 purposes The Carpenter Very few Humanitarian, Christian Charitable Trust? £250 - £2500 unsolicited M S E Carpenter, Hitchin 280692 Outreach The Lord Farringdon J R Waters 01367 240786 Community Charitable Trust £5k - £15k 1084690 Development The Worshipful The Clerk, 020 7236 6703 General charitable Company of Innholders £2k - £30k 270948 purposes The Kirby Laing Miss Elizabeth Harley 020 8238 8890 Adv Christian Faith, Foundation £1k - £10k 264299 Youth development The Anthony Bourne G J Harmer 020 7465 4300 Children and Young Foundation £1k - £15k May & Nov mtg b, c 1015759 People

50 Crossways Centre, Yardley Hastings. Feasibility Report Sept 2009 The Charles Hayward David Brown 020 7370 7063/7067 Community and religious Foundation £1k - £50k Jan, Apr, Jul, Oct b, d, e 1078969 organisations Applns twice a Miss Christine Gilbertson Fax 01628 The Manifold Trust £500 - £160k month 820159 229501 Community Centres Monthly, No Unrestricted D H Pocknee 020 7409 5685 General charitable The P F Charitable Trust £40k - £1m deadlines stated Intst Oxfd/Scot 220124 purposes The Personal Assurance Only those Policy holders, Dr J Barber 01908 605000 Religion, Bldgs, Interest Charitable Trust £5k - £25k nominated by Employees 1023274 free loans www.thepilgrimtrust.org.uk Re-ordering church for The Pilgrim Trust? £5k - £20k Jan, Apr, Jul, Oct 206602 wider Community use The Dorothy Gertrude Peter B Shone 01647 433235 Allen Memorial Fund £1k -£5k Oct for Nov/Dec 290676 Community Facilities Mostly known Evangelical Christian The Almond Trust £5k - £100k to trustees J L Cooke 328583 Projects The Britland Charitable Bldgs, Intrst J M P Colman 020 7353 2500 Institutions benefiting Trust £45 - £10k Free loans 1014956 Christians The Carnegie United John Naylor 01383 721445 Kingdom Trust £1k - £30k Mar, Apr, Nov h, b, c, d, e, j, k SCO12799 Community Centres Mar, Jun, Sep, Interfaith, Fran Beckett 020 7898 1000 Faith based Community The Church Urban Fund £5000 - £30000 Dec ecumenical www.cuf.org.uk 297483 regeneration projects Within 10 mls LTCS Administrator 01823 327221 Community based Viridor - Tax Credits £200 - £160k At any time of landfill site www.viridor-credits.co.uk projects Paul Lunn-Rockliffe Mrs JM Lunn-Rockliffe 01962852949 Charitable Trust £100-£1000 Core costs 264119 Christianity Mrs BM O'Driscoll 01892 537301 The SMB Trust £250-£4000 Quarterly 263814 Christian religion Preference to The Secretary, Messrs Foot Davson & Advancement of Buckingham Trust those known j Co., Tunbridge Wells 237350 Religion ?The E Alec Colman New beneficiaries A N Carless 0121 4277818 Children, Advmnt of Charitable Trust £20-£20000 exceptnl cases j 243817 religion ?The Huggard Not inviting S J Thomas, Bonvil ston, Cardiff Advancement of Charitable Trust £2,000 applications 327501 Religion The Tufton Charitable Not capital, C Sadlow 020 79307621 Christians, Activity Trust £2,000 Project related j 801479 supporting evangelism Carbon Trust Energy Interest Free Capital Investment, Saving Support £5000-£100000 loans for SME's www.carbontrust.co.uk/energy Energy surveys 51 Crossways Centre, Yardley Hastings. Feasibility Report Sept 2009 Within 10 mls CEMEX Community Ideally projects of CEMEX Fund up to £15000 not req part fund operation www.cemexcf.org.uk Community Facilities Prity to End of year projects Sustainable energy E.ON SOURCE Fund up to £30,000 deadline complete 1yr www.eon-uk.com projects Faith Commun. Capacity building, Faith- Capacity Building Fund up to £30,000 still available? www.cdf.org.uk Community cohesion 7 wks before Apr, max 50% of Renewable energy, Green Energy Trust up to £25000 Sep, Dec total cost www.scottishpower.co.uk/green public engagement Groundwork - Training and Improve environment Groundwork Progmes ? support www.groundwork.org.uk and local peoples lives Lloyds TSB Foundation Improve lives of local for England and Wales ? www.lloydstsbfoundations.org.uk people Low Carbon Buildings Match funding Promote renewable Programme may be reqd www.lowcarbonbuildings.org.uk energy in buildings Unsolictd Sainsbury Family Other funding applns rarely Christian causes Charitable Trusts £1000-£4m must be secured succfull Children/Youth

Esmee Fairburn Trust up to £300k

a. Application Form

b. Audited Accounts

c. Trustees Report

d. Case for Support e. Details of Project and Financial plan f. Financial Projection g. Details of current and proposed fundraising h. Organisation details i. Illustration/drawings and planning status j. Constitution/Deed of Trust k. Method of monitoring/evaluating the project

52 Crossways Centre, Yardley Hastings. Feasibility Report Sept 2009 Appendix 4. Customer Comments

Number of Questionnaires completed: 20

1. What main areas of improvement in terms of accommodation would you like to see?

• None • En suite rooms; softer furnishings in dining room (too many hard surfaces with the new floor); built in data projector and interactive whiteboard; tea and coffee in each room; internet availability throughout. • The bedrooms need tidying up: removal of some of the bunks; more en-suite and general brightening up. Communal facilities are good and the variety of different spaces makes the centre very usable. • Dining room a bit stark! • Better ventilation in the Conference room; Bedrooms - bigger beds and slightly higher; En-suite would be good especially in S4 which is a long way from the toilet in the middle of the night. Floor boards on S floor need attention and elsewhere! Need to mention towels to be brought!! • Creaky floorboards quietened; another bath; a few rooms’ en-suite, but not all necessary; games area/room? (Table tennis, snooker). • More small group break out rooms; the room at the back of the main room is not a very good shape for a group and the furniture is not very flexible. • No complaints! Through the rooms themselves were pleasant, clean and functional. En-suite is always appreciated. The winding stairways weren’t great, but nor sure what you could do about those. Personally like the plain painted rooms, not too fussy. Can’t recall if any pictures were up, but maybe some nice scripture pictures would be nice but not essential! Meeting rooms were great. • Had to move a bedside cabinet out of the disabled room as was too cluttered for our disabled friend to manoeuvre in well. Disabled shower not so good as makes the entire floor wet and slippery (walks with 2 sticks) - she just used sink. • Hard to define any improvements. The centre is fit for purpose. It doesn’t pretend to be anything other than a simple retreat centre. Any many people are looking for this at this price. It’s excellent. • I have no criticism of what you offer - it has always been appropriate to our needs. • Regarding areas of improvement, I know you have talked about changing your old staff bedrooms to single en-suite rooms; I think this would be a real asset to the centre. • Some sort of outside area for recreation would be great. • The conference room can be a bit stuffy when it is hot so better ventilation would be useful. Also more tables that we could work on might be useful - apart from that, we love the informality of the accommodation and hope that this is not lost! • If we were going to use Crossways for overnight accommodation we would like to have single occupancy with en-suite. • The only area that could possibly be updated is the dining room to make it a bit less like a canteen. • More single rooms, less bunk beds for the more ‘mature’ groups. Extra en-suites would be good, but I realise that for all of these improvements you are governed by a lack of space. • Personally speaking the majority of the place could do with a major lighting overhaul to enhance the direct “mood” of the place which at present is a wee bit drab. The dining room - though functional - reminds me of my time in the army, and that was 1975!

53 Crossways Centre, Yardley Hastings. Feasibility Report Sept 2009 2. Why did you choose us for your visit?

• Pleasant location, good value, welcoming staff, efficiently run. • Wanted to support Synod centre, pleasant centre and surrounds suitable location for the group. • Location is good: for the Methodist District it is fairly central and for our church in Wellingborough it is far enough…but not too far…for an away day. The village location provides a good setting and adds to the ambience the centre itself creates. Atmosphere of the centre, created by the buildings and the people is also very important. • Recommendation. • Availability at short notice! • Not too far away, countryside location, attractions in the surrounding area. Good value for money. Accommodation standards are good but not too high (which could worry us brining children!) Know it’s a great place to come to and we get well looked after by yourselves. • Quiet location in close proximity to Milton Keynes. • Friendly, relaxed hospitality and welcome; conference room and chapel both have a lovely ambience. • Quiet local but ‘away’, available to book, not too expensive, looked round and liked Crossways - excellent selection of rooms for meeting in and the garden. Lovely place. Good for those who are not able to stay over - only a short journey. • I came across you on a web search. • Recommendation initially. • Location and flexibility of catering arrangements were two main reasons. • Pretty cheap, central location, good parking, quiet and friendly, good meeting rooms and bedrooms. • We first head about Crossways through the Methodist District. • We thank that in terms of value for money, you are great - as a charity, we have very limited funds available for away days so this allows us to make our money go further. We also like the fact that we get a hot meal and not just a finger buffet - the food has always been great. We also like the fact that we have the place to ourselves and the lovely village location which we have used for ice breaker activities such as treasure hunts. • Location, cost and reputation. • Peaceful and relaxing setting. Easy parking. Good value for money. Flexibility of rooms available. Good food. Ease of booking arrangement. Flexible and friendly approach of staff. • We were recommended by the Methodist Director of Mission Rev. Tim Woolley. • Very convenient location for us at Abington Ave. You are part of the URC. • As an LEP we are part of the URC Synod.

3. Will you come again?

• Yes • Yes • Yes…already booked! • Yes • Love to • Yes • Yes • Yes please - as and when we need to. • Already planning second visit which is booked for October. • Certainly we will.

54 Crossways Centre, Yardley Hastings. Feasibility Report Sept 2009 • Most certainly. • Definitely, we’ve already been twice and have booked again for later in the year. • Assuming nothing major changes. • We will come again. • Definitely! • Yes • Yes, definitely. • We will certainly come again and enjoyed our visit. • Yes • Very likely

4. How big a factor was cost?

• Very important. • Important - in relation to other venues but not critical. • Fairly important - needs to be something that is manageable, especially as most churches are not in a healthy financial position at the moment. • A consideration. • Always a consideration. • Yes - mid range prices just right for mid income groups. • Important as we are only a small group (4). • Significant but not enough to put us off. • Big! Is currently affordable if we get enough people coming on the weekend. • It was a big factor, though not prohibitive; we wanted to charge an amount that wouldn’t put people off. • It’s always important but we feel you give good value. • Cost wasn’t the most important factor although it helped us to decide between self-catering and full-board for our next visit. Prices seem very reasonable. • Very - for a camp training weekend people cannot afford to pay much money. • The cost is reasonable. • It’s very big for us although we are realistic and accept that it may need to go up a bit - hopefully not too much though! • A very big factor. • Very important - it’s very good value. • The cost was OK for a group coming for a day. The cost of the meals was very reasonable. • Cost was a consideration, but not most important. • Cost is always a factor but having a nice meeting room; friendly staff looking after us and good food are just as important.

5. Would you recommend us to others and why?

• Yes - because of the pleasant location, good value, welcoming staff, efficiently run. • Yes - friendly service, pleasant facilities and food good. • Yes - but to the right groups. Excellent as a day venue but only for certain groups to stay over e.g. young people’s groups. • Yes • Yes, but with explanation of facilities. • Yes, plus I believe you have a flexible approach and would discuss any particular arrangements and concerns groups may have. • Yes - good facilities and lovely setting. • Yes

55 Crossways Centre, Yardley Hastings. Feasibility Report Sept 2009 • Yes, good facilities for reasonable cost - good for the purpose we have. Kitchen has great facilities, if a bit odd in shape! • Yes, largely for customer service. Every single person we met was very supportive and caring. • Yes certainly - friendly, supportive and indemonstrably efficient staffing - ideal! • I have recommended the centre to other people and will continue to do so. I’m now a member of West Midlands Synod training committee so have an opportunity to highlight courses etc that you are doing to a wider group, hopefully that will be useful to you. • Yes • We would recommend to others. • Yes • Yes - good venues are not easy to find. • Yes • We would recommend you to others for the facilities available and the hospitality. • Yes the venue is good and the staff very friendly and accommodating. • For one day stays “yes” but you don’t seem to major on residential bookings for adults.

6. Do you have any other comments you would like to add?

• No • No • I would like to see a more flexible lunch menus so that those bringing conferences can judge whether they want big lunch of light snack. I think the half day/whole day pricing policy is much better than the original hourly policy. • Staff were really friendly and made us all most welcome. • Welcome and atmosphere lovely; plenty of space; lovely garden; tea and coffee making in bedrooms would be good. • Don’t change too much! Some redecoration and small improvements may be needed, but generally you offer a cost-effective, good quality experience. It would be a big pity if major improvements to the accommodation resulted in price increases which prevented the smaller community groups from coming. • We are thrilled to have such a good facility just down the road from us and always get appreciative comments about the centre from participants (once they can find their way there! - any chance of signing from the A428?) • The piano in the meeting room upstairs was very out of tune, would be great if that was in tune as we intended to use it for worship along with other instruments (guitar at least) but sounded awful.

We booked the whole site which was great (though there were some extra things going on like wedding food preparation on the Saturday and a child’s party on the Sunday - these were OK (it’s a big place) but not ideal (if needs to happen again I’d appreciated forward warning so we can make sure we are using different areas, was a bit limited on fridge space too for Friday and Saturday (when we had the most food), be good to avoid this again)).

Think you have made a great place at Crossways and we are looking forward to returning! We’ve booked again, that is probably the best indicator! • Thanks for your support. We felt like you were really interested in what we were doing. Nothing was too much trouble…and you were very patient as we considered the booking and afterwards when we had your key! • No other comments - very glad you’re around! • We think the facilities are excellent, very flexible and with friendly and helpful staff.

56 Crossways Centre, Yardley Hastings. Feasibility Report Sept 2009 • Improvement to the sleeping areas would probably be the main area to concentrate on. • Just that it has always been lovely coming to you - everyone is always very accommodating and courteous and prepared to be flexible and adapt to our often changing requirements. Many thanks! • We were made very welcome and our requirements were catered for. • We have always had a good time at Crossways - it’s hard to fault. • The church benefitted from a day away from home and everyone made us very welcome. • The lack of a decent ‘phone signal can create difficulties for some people. • The website does not show anything that would entice me to want to book a group for residential stay. The website states: “Crossways can sleep up to 40 in 12 bedrooms (some en-suite and some bunk bedded), ideal for events such as church weekends reunions, youth groups, school and training residentials….” And the picture of a window and a bunk bed confirms that this is not right for anyone over the age of 16. If you are merely aiming for that sort of age range then fine. If not, then sleeping 40 in 12 rooms is a definite turn-off. Comments

“Many thanks for all your hospitality and help during our stay…A great weekend was had by all.” (Group Leader, Congregational Federation)

“Thank you, we had a great day and thoroughly enjoyed using the facilities.” (Administrator, Well Street United Church, Buckingham)

“Thank you for all the arrangements you made to ensure that our visit was a success. The children all had a wonderful time.” (Head Teacher, St Andrew’s CEVA Primary School)

“Many thanks to you and the staff of Crossways for your hospitality and kindness. All of the children had a wonderful time and none of them wanted to return home. They were all asking if they could stay longer.” (Year 5 Teacher, St Andrew’s CEVA Primary School)

“With special thanks to you for your hospitality and hard work to make our visit comfortable and fruitful. We hope to stay with you in 2007 .” (The Elders, Abington Avenue URC )

“A big thanks to the cooks the food was delicious.” (Year 5 pupil)

“I like walking to Castle Ashby it was great fun! Thank you for our rooms my room had loads of space.” (Year 5 pupil)

“I enjoyed my stay at the centre very much. Most of all I liked my bedroom. I enjoyed the puddings you made us.” (Year 5 pupil)

“We had a great time of fellowship and fun. The building is well equipped, very well laid out and has some fantastic little extras. The bonfire area, coffee facilities off the meeting room, tiered lawns, conservatory, take-aways in the village and the Bedfordshire Golf course up the A428 made fellowship very easy.” (Member, Moulton Parish Church)

“I would certainly recommend your centre as a place of calm and beauty, where people can come together and share their experiences in a very relaxed atmosphere. The Centre lends itself to group activities and the amenities and facilities are always of the highest standard as well as very helpful staff.” (Sarah Drage, Carer Advisor, Northamptonshire Carers)

“…relaxing cosy atmosphere, welcoming and friendly staff…superb food at lunchtime.” (Team Manager, Connexions Northamptonshire)

57 Crossways Centre, Yardley Hastings. Feasibility Report Sept 2009 “…It was a great time of people getting to know each other and God more deeply…the facilities.” and surrounding areas of the Crossways Centre excellent.

“Just to say a massive thank you for allowing us to use this amazing centre….Everyone really enjoyed themselves and that is largely down to the wonderful facilities.” (Group Leader, St John’s Westwood Church)

“Lovely food and homely feel to this building.” (MYE)

“Food is fantastic, really feels like home. I’ll miss this place.” (MYE)

“As always very welcoming. The yummy food just makes the weekend even more enjoyable.” (MYE)

“Good range of refreshments for lunch and plentiful supply of tea, coffee and biscuits.” (Connexions)

“Lovely atmosphere and friendly welcome without being over intrusive.” (Connexions)

“We have had such a good feedback from all of our group and it was a great time of getting to know each other and God more deeply…the facilities and surrounding areas of the Centre were excellent and if possible I am sure Westwood Church would like to use those facilities annually for its students’ weekends away.” (Westwood Church, Coventry)

“Lovely and warm building. Very hospitable - friendly, helpful. Good facilities for coffee/tea making…kind attention to dietary requirements much appreciated.” (Subway Writers)

“On behalf of CF Youth I would like to express enormous admiration for the whole of your premises but in particular the massive television screen!” (Congregational Federation Youth)

“A fantastic Centre - thank you so much.” (Magdalen Road Church, Oxford)

“An enjoyable stay with an excellent balance of being made to feel welcome and given privacy.” (Kings Heath Baptist Church, Northampton)

“Thorough induction on arrival. Excellent facilities. Many thanks.” (Northamptonshire Childminding Association)

“Extremely impressed with the catering especially given the challenging dietary requirements of our group.” (YCWT)

“Warm welcome, excellent standard of cleanliness, delicious food thoughtfully prepared for each individual.” (YCWT)

“My big concern/complaint is the awful mattress with springs unevenly supporting my body. I had a terrible nights sleep.” (YCWT)

“Comfortable accommodation and fantastic to have so much space. The warm welcome is something I will remember for a long time!” (International Council of Christians and Jews)

“Excellent kitchen facilities, couldn’t want for anything more. Friendly, helpful staff. All facilities clean and more than adequate - tops marks all round - we will be back!” (West Orchard URC)

“Thank you for such a warm welcome and for looking after us so well.” (St Ebbe’s Church, Sheffield)

58 Crossways Centre, Yardley Hastings. Feasibility Report Sept 2009 “Would it be possible to have filter coffee in the kitchen?” (St Ebbe’s Church, Sheffield)

“Good variety of teas and coffees. Thanks!” (St Ebbe’s Church, Sheffield)

“The centre was really relaxing. I was worried about taking my kids but it just felt so relaxed and I thoroughly enjoyed it - when are we going back?” (Shiregreen Children and Families Project)

“….your cooking was fabulous. It was even better than my mums!” (Year 3 pupil)

“We had a fabulous time at Crossways. Our bedrooms were very clean and comfortable.” (Year 3 pupil)

“My favourite part was the bonfire, so I have to thank you again for lending us the barbeque that we toasted marshmallows on.” (Year 3 pupil)

“We all had an absolutely fabulous time at Yardley Hastings. The bedrooms were like the Queen’s Palace.” (Year 3 pupil)

59 Crossways Centre, Yardley Hastings. Feasibility Report Sept 2009 Appendix 5. Curriculum activities for KS2 Science

Points to note Children find growing their own plants from seeds interesting and motivating. This activity offers them the opportunity to grow a plant from seed or from a seedling. Children may have grown seeds e.g. cress in nursery or reception class. It is helpful, in maintaining enthusiasm, for them to explore how different plants develop e.g. beans, peas, amaryllis, mung beans, sunflower, and marrow.

SAFETY - Many seeds bought from garden centres will have been treated with pesticides and should not be handled by children. Seeds from health food shops will usually be safe.

Science at key stages 1 and 2 (Year 1)

Unit 1B: Growing plants Section 1: Introduction

Objectives Children should learn: • that there are different plants in the immediate environment • to treat growing plants with care • to make careful observations of one or two plants and of where they grow and to communicate these • that plants have leaves, stems and flowers

Activities/Outcomes Children: Take children for a walk around the school and challenge them to find (but not pick or pull up) plants growing in as many different places as they can. Ask them for their ideas about why plants grow where they do. Have a prepared, large, outline plan of the area visited and ask children to stick labels or pictures of plants where they were found e.g. on the path, in the pond, in the field. With the children, draw some of the plants showing what they are like and where they grow and naming their main parts. Ask children to suggest why it is important not to pull up growing plants.

Name some plants found around the school e.g. daisy, dandelion and name groups of plants e.g. trees, grass, pondweed, moss.

Describe orally, by drawing or in simple writing, what the plants are like e.g. trees are tall and have thick branches, dandelions have yellow flowers and green leaves and where they can grow e.g. there is grass in the path cracks.

Recognise when plants should not be pulled up

Points to note If this unit is carried out in the autumn or Spring it would be helpful to set aside some time in the summer to look at plants when they are in flower. Work in this unit, which involves observing plants grow, may require short periods of time over several weeks. It may be helpful to plant some seeds in advance so that eventually children will be able to see them flower.

Some children do not think that 'weeds' and trees are plants.

Unit 1B: Growing plants Section 2: Finding plants

60 Crossways Centre, Yardley Hastings. Feasibility Report Sept 2009 Objectives Children should learn: • that plants grow • to make observations of the plants • to use drawings to record their observations and to communicate what happened • that plants have leaves, stems and flowers • to treat growing plants with care

Activities/Outcomes Children: Recognise and say that the plant has grown e.g. it is taller, it has more leaves, its stem is fatter Communicate observations in drawings and descriptions of these e.g. it had two leaves, now it has many

Ask Children to suggest why we grow plants. Show children some planted seedlings e.g. pea, broad bean, mung bean or with the children plant quick-growing seeds e.g. sunflower, marrow. Ask children to suggest how they will change as they grow. Help children to look after and to observe the seedlings at regular intervals e.g. two or three days over the next week and to record, in drawings, how they have changed. As children observe the seedlings, consolidate knowledge of names of the parts of the plant.

Unit 1B: Growing plants Section 4: Plants for our food

Objectives Children should learn: • that plants have roots • to observe and compare the roots of different plants

Activities/Outcomes Children: Show children a potted plant that has grown too large for its pot and take it out to re-pot it. Show children its roots and ask them why they think it needs re-potting. Ask children to compare the roots with those of some seedlings, helping them to observe characteristics e.g. colours, thickness, length.

Identify the roots of a plant make comparisons, identifying differences and some similarities e.g. they are both white.

Unit 1B: Growing plants Section 8: Review

Activities/Outcomes Children: Review work carried out in this unit by asking children to draw a picture of a green plant, to label its parts and to indicate e.g. by drawing, writing or saying what plants need in order to grow healthily e.g. water/rain, sunlight.

61 Crossways Centre, Yardley Hastings. Feasibility Report Sept 2009 Science at key stages 1 and 2 (Year 2)

Unit 2B: Plants and animals in the local environment

About this unit Through this unit children learn about plants and animals in their immediate environment and how differences between places very close to each other result in a different range of plants and animals being found. They learn that like humans, plants and other animals reproduce.

Experimental and investigative work focuses on:

• turning ideas into questions that can be investigated • presenting results • drawing conclusions.

Work in this unit also offers opportunities to relate understanding of science to the local environment, to consider how to treat living things and the environment with care and sensitivity and to recognise hazards to themselves and to take action to control the risks from these hazards.

This unit takes approximately 9 hours. This unit supports citizenship: 3, 6

Unit 2B: Plants and animals in the local environment Section 1: Introduction

Activities/Outcomes Children: Introduce unit by asking children what they understand by the word 'animal' and 'plant' and extend to asking them where they expect to find animals and plants locally.

Points to note Children may well not think of small animals e.g. snails, worms, birds as animals, or trees as plants. Teachers will need to take account of what the introductory work shows about children's understanding in their short-term planning.

Unit 2B: Plants and animals in the local environment Section 2: Looking for plants and animals

Objectives Children should learn: • that there are different kinds of plants and animals in the immediate environment • to treat animals and the environment with care and sensitivity • to recognise hazards in working with soil • to observe and make a record of animals and plants found • to present results in a table

Activities/Outcomes Children: Walk round the school or visit the local park to identify where plants are growing and where there are animals e.g. turn over stones and lift plant pots to find woodlice, look under damp bushes or by damp walls for snails, dig up soil to find earthworms or observe a bird feeding area in the playground. Help children to make a brief record of what they find using a table prepared for them. Talk with them about what animals and plants were found and where they were found.

Identify a number of plants e.g. dandelion, daisy, buttercup, daffodil, oak tree, holly tree, cherry tree and animals e.g. worm, snail, robin, sparrow, caterpillar, fly.

62 Crossways Centre, Yardley Hastings. Feasibility Report Sept 2009 State where some of these were found e.g. the daisies were in the grass, the snails were under the bucket by the wall.

Produce a record showing clearly the living things they saw and where they were found.

Points to note Children may not expect to find any animals in the immediate locality of the school. It is sometimes helpful to make sure there are flower pots, stones or logs in suitable places near to the school a few days before this activity. Children may need to be reminded about not disturbing the animals they find.

SAFETY - When working out of doors, teachers should check that there is no broken glass etc. Sites unlikely to have been contaminated with dog faeces should be chosen. Ensure that children wash their hands after handling soil etc

Unit 2B: Plants and animals in the local environment Section 3: Describing local habitats

Objectives Children should learn: • that there are differences between local habitats • to make predictions about the animals and plants found in different local habitats and to investigate these • to use drawings to present results and make comparisons saying whether their predictions were supported

Activities/Outcomes Children: Choose two contrasting areas e.g. the playground, a playing field, an unpaved area under a tree, a school garden, a pond, a grassy area. Ask children to predict and then find out what animals and plants they can find in each and help them to describe, using drawing and writing, differences between the two areas. Ask them to speculate on reasons for the differences and whether they found the animals and plants they expected.

Identify differences between two habitats and living things found there e.g. by drawing and interpreting a picture saying whether they found what they expected.

Suggest reasons for differences e.g. it's too dry under the tree, there isn't any soil in the playground but spiders live between the bricks.

Points to note SAFETY - All off-site visits must be carried out in accordance with LEA/school guidelines.

Unit 2B: Plants and animals in the local environment Section 4: Flowering plants

Objectives Children should learn: • that flowering plants produce seeds

Activities/Outcomes Children: Review children's understanding of where new plants come from. Use simple reference books or show children a series of pictures of plants in flower and with fruits e.g. apple trees, dandelions, horse chestnut trees and explain that the fruits which contain the seeds are produced from the 63 Crossways Centre, Yardley Hastings. Feasibility Report Sept 2009 flower. Introduce the term 'reproduce'. Present children with a collection of seeds and fruits of different shapes and colours and invite them to add to the collection e.g. tomato, apple, mango, pepper, grape, beanpod, seed head from grass, conker, avocado. Challenge children to find the seeds in some plants e.g. old wallflower plants, honesty, sunflower, pea pod.

State that seeds come from the flower of a plant.

Suggest fruits and seeds which could be added to the collection or add to the collection Recognise the huge variety of seeds from which plants grow.

Points to note If this unit is taught in the spring, it should be possible to show children shoots of new plants growing in the local environment. If possible, grow a broad bean/pea plant so that children can see the flower and seeds develop.

It is important to cut open fruits to show the seeds inside so that children do not think plants e.g. tomato plants grow from the whole fruit. A sunflower head or honesty, kept from the previous year, are excellent for showing children where the seeds are.

SAFETY - Children may be allergic to fruits and seeds, especially peanuts. Avoid red kidney beans.

Unit 2B: Plants and animals in the local environment Section 8: Review

Activities/Outcomes Children: Draw together work in this unit by discussing the habitats with the children and asking them to produce an information sheet, for their parents, about these habitats and the animals and plants that are found there.

Points to note This could involve the use of IT which builds on IT Unit 2A 'Writing stories: communicating information using text'.

Science at key stages 1 and 2 (Year 3) Unit 3B: Helping plants grow well

About this unit In this unit children learn about what plants need to grow well and why it is important that they do.

Experimental and investigative work focuses on:

• considering what evidence should be collected • making careful measurements • considering how good the evidence is • using results to draw conclusions. • Work in this unit also offers opportunities for children to relate their knowledge about the growth of plants to everyday contexts.

This unit takes approximately 12 hours.

Unit 3B: Helping plants grow well Section 1: Introduction

64 Crossways Centre, Yardley Hastings. Feasibility Report Sept 2009 Activities/Outcomes Children: Review children's knowledge of plants as living things by asking them questions e.g. What plants can you see from the window? Are they all living? How do you know? How do we help plants to grow well? Why do we need plants to grow well?

Points to note Children's responses to these questions will indicate their knowledge about plants as living things. Teachers will need to take this into account in their short-term planning. If the school has a grassed area, covering a small part with black polythene or a bucket for several days will create a teaching opportunity for the end of this unit. Alternatively, a plant e.g. pea or bean seedling can be left in a dark cupboard or box for several days.

Unit 3B: Helping plants grow well Section 2: Plants for food

Objectives Children should learn: • that plants can provide food for us and some plants are grown for this

Activities/Outcomes Children: Visit an allotment, market garden or large greengrocer to see the range of plants that are grown for food or show a video/series of pictures illustrating plants being grown for food.

Discuss what children have seen and ask them to make a poster illustrating why we need plants to grow well.

Demonstrate they understand the importance of plants growing well e.g. by saying that plants provide food.

Points to note SAFETY - All off-site visits must be undertaken in accordance with LEA/school guidelines.

Unit 3B: Helping plants grow well Section 6: Leaves, stems and roots

Objectives Children should learn: • that plants need healthy roots, leaves and stems to grow well

Activities/Outcomes Children: Ask children to summarise what they have found out about leaves, stems and roots by drawing a plant that they think will grow well and one they think will not.

Draw one plant with spread-out roots, many leaves and a straight/sturdy stem and one with tangled roots, few leaves and a thin/twisted stem.

Unit 3B: Helping plants grow well Section 7: Water and plants

65 Crossways Centre, Yardley Hastings. Feasibility Report Sept 2009 Objectives Children should learn: • that plants need water, but not unlimited water, for healthy growth • to use simple apparatus to measure a volume of water correctly • to use simple apparatus to measure the height of the plant

Activities/Outcomes Children: Remind children that plants need water and ask them whether they think the more water they have the better they will grow. Show children a planted seedling e.g. bean and ask how they could use this and similar seedlings to investigate the question. Help children to decide what evidence to collect e.g. give four seedlings no water, 5cm3 water, 20cm3 water or 50cm3 water each day or every two days and what to measure e.g. the distance from the soil to the top leaf. Help children to use suitable apparatus to measure volume of water and height of the bean plant.

Measure specified volumes of water.

Measure the height of the plant.

State that plants need water to grow but too much water may kill them.

Points to note There are other opportunities for children to learn how to measure volumes of liquids in Units 3C 'Characteristics of materials' and 3D 'Rocks and soils'. A standard teaspoon from a pharmacy can be used for measuring 5cm3.

It is important to ensure that children do not choose to over-water all the containers of seeds.

Unit 3B: Helping plants grow well Section 9: Plants and light

Objectives Children should learn: • that plants need light for healthy growth • to ask questions about the growth of plants

Activities/Outcomes Children: Take children to look at grass which has been covered or show them a plant which has been in the dark and ask them to describe and explain what has happened. Encourage children to speculate and ask questions e.g. What will happen if we uncover the grass? Would it be the same for other plants? Would the plant die if we leave it in the dark for a long time? And test some of their ideas. Describe what the grass or other plant looks like e.g. yellow, pale, tall, thin, spindly Explain that this is because it did not have light. Make a generalisation from the results e.g. 'the same thing happens to other plants' or 'if you put the plants back in the light they go green again'.

Points to note Some children may be aware that there are pond plants which live in water.

Unit 3D: Rocks and soils

66 Crossways Centre, Yardley Hastings. Feasibility Report Sept 2009 About this unit Through this unit children should come to recognise that underneath all surfaces is rock which they may not be able to see, that rocks get broken down into pebbles and soils which we can often see, and that there are different sorts of rock with different characteristics. Pebbles and soils from different rocks consequently have different characteristics.

Experimental and investigative work focuses on:

• considering whether a test is fair • measuring volumes of liquids using appropriate apparatus • making comparisons • drawing and suggesting explanations for conclusions.

Work in this unit also offers opportunities for children to use their understanding of science to explain observations about rocks and soils, for children to collect evidence to test ideas, and to recognise hazards and risks.

This unit takes approximately 10 hours.

Sections in this unit This unit is divided into sections. Each section contains a sequence of activities with related objectives and outcomes. You can view this unit by moving through the sections or print/download the whole unit.

1. Looking at rocks 2. Grouping rocks 3. Erosion and permeability 4. Using rocks 5. Rock is everywhere 6. Different types of soil 7. Looking at soil samples 8. Measuring the permeability of soil 9. Testing the permeability of soil

Unit 3D: Rocks and soils Section 6: Different types of soil

Objectives Children should learn: • that there are different kinds of soil depending on the rock from which they come

Activities/Outcomes Children: Show a video or a series of pictures showing different soils. Ask children to compare these with a sample of soil from the local environment. Describe how the soils differ from those in the local environment.

Points to note It may be helpful to show children that a soil can be made up of several layers of different colours.

Unit 3D: Rocks and soils Section 7: Looking at soil samples

Objectives Children should learn: • to observe differences and make comparisons 67 Crossways Centre, Yardley Hastings. Feasibility Report Sept 2009 • that particles of different sizes can be separated by sieving

Activities/Outcomes Children: Present children with samples of different soils and ask them to observe and record differences in colour, texture and what makes up the soil. Suggest children use a sieve with large mesh to separate out large particles. Use graded sieves to separate the dry soil sample. Ask children to describe and explain what they found out about the soils.

Separate particles using the equipment provided. Rank soils in terms of changing colour and particle size, justifying the ranking in terms of their observations. Describe how the soil particles are separated e.g. by saying the stones were too big to go through the holes.

Science at key stages 1 and 2 (Year 4)

Unit 4B: Habitats

About this unit Through this unit children will begin to understand the concept of a habitat, how it provides organisms found there with conditions for life and how animals depend on plants or other animals which eat plants for food. Throughout the unit ways in which organisms are suited to the habitat should be emphasised.

Experimental and investigative work focuses on:

• turning ideas into a form that can be tested, making a prediction • making observations • deciding whether the evidence supports the prediction and suggesting explanations in terms of their knowledge of science.

Work in this unit also provides opportunities for children to learn about the interdependence of living things and how the environment and living things need to be protected.

This unit takes approximately 12 hours.

Sections in this unit This unit is divided into sections. Each section contains a sequence of activities with related objectives and outcomes. You can view this unit by moving through the sections or print/download the whole unit.

1. Introduction 2. Finding different habitats 3. Different animals in different habitats 4. Grouping living things 5. Using keys to identify plants and animals 6. Investigating plants and animals 7. Finding out about food sources 8. Identifying food chains 9. Protecting habitats

Unit 4B: Habitats Section 2: Finding different habitats

68 Crossways Centre, Yardley Hastings. Feasibility Report Sept 2009 Objectives Children should learn: • to identify different types of habitat

Activities/Outcomes Children: Introduce children to the word 'habitat' using pictures to illustrate meaning. Explain the meaning of 'habitat'. Explain to children that they will be studying local habitats, and go for a walk round the school and/or immediate locality to find and make a list of habitats. Review the final list with the children and group habitats of similar scale or diversity together e.g. pond, field, wood, tree, hedge, flower bed, grassy patch, plant trough, under leaf, under stone. Ask children to record the habitats identified.

Identify local habitats and recognise those which are similar in scale or diversity. Recognise that animals and plants are found in many places e.g. on window sills.

Points to note A 'class' habitat can be created using a plant trough or a grow bag. When comparisons between habitats are made it is helpful to choose habitats of similar scales or diversity e.g. ponds, fields and woods, or tree, hedge, flower beds, grassy area (mini-habitats), or under leaf, under stone (micro habitat).

SAFETY - All off-site visits must be carried out in accordance with LEA/school guidelines.

Unit 4B: Habitats Section 6: Investigating plants and animals

Objectives Children should learn: • to pose questions about organisms and the habitat in which they live and make predictions • to decide what evidence to collect and to design a fair test • to make reliable observations of organisms • to indicate whether their prediction was valid and to explain findings in scientific terms

Activities/Outcomes Children: Ask children to generate a question to investigate or offer alternatives e.g. How do we know that woodlice prefer damp conditions? How do we know mealworms prefer dark? How can we find out what snails prefer to eat? Do earth worms live above or below ground? Discuss the questions with the children and help them to decide how to collect evidence for their investigation and what equipment to use e.g. How many woodlice should we use? How long should we leave them to find out? What sort of food should we give the snails? How can we see worms if they're underground? Help children to carry out the investigation and to make careful observations. Discuss their results and ask children to explain these in terms of what they already know about the animals and their usual habitats.

Suggest a question which relates to an organism in its natural habitat and say what they think will happen.

69 Crossways Centre, Yardley Hastings. Feasibility Report Sept 2009 Recognise what evidence is needed e.g. woodlice should be able to choose between a damp and a dry place and that a reasonable number of woodlice should be used. Make observations which are relevant to the question under investigation. Draw conclusions which match the observations made and relate these to their prediction and to their knowledge about the habitat.

Points to note Teachers will need to decide which of the children's questions may be investigated safely and profitably with respect to living things. This activity offers children the opportunity to carry out a whole investigation. It may be helpful to concentrate on the aspects of investigation highlighted in the learning objectives.

Unit 4B: Habitats Section 9: Protecting habitats

Objectives Children should learn: • to recognise ways in which living things and the environment need protection

Activities/Outcomes Children: Ask children to think about the effect on plants and animals of changing conditions in a particular habitat in various ways e.g. draining the pond, removing the pond weed, removing the shade, ground cover. Ask children to prepare a presentation to an audience to explain why the organisms could no longer live in a changed habitat or write a letter opposing a change which would alter a habitat.

Identify the effect of changes to the habitat on some organisms.

Points to note IT simulation programs could be used to support work in this unit (see IT Unit 3D 'Exploring simulations').

Science at key stages 1 and 2 (Year 5)

Unit 5B: Life cycles

About this unit Through this unit children learn that plants and animals reproduce as part of their life cycle and that in every life cycle there are distinct processes and stages. They should begin to understand how reproduction is important to the survival of the species.

Experimental and investigative work focuses on:

• making observations and comparisons • drawing conclusions.

Work in this unit also offers children opportunities to relate their knowledge and understanding of science to their personal health and to consider ways in which living things need protection.

Some of the work in this unit is likely to be undertaken in relation to the school's programme for personal, social and health education and must be consistent with the school's sex education policy.

This unit takes approximately 12 hours.

70 Crossways Centre, Yardley Hastings. Feasibility Report Sept 2009 See how one school adapted this unit.

Sections in this unit This unit is divided into sections. Each section contains a sequence of activities with related objectives and outcomes. You can view this unit by moving through the sections or print/download the whole unit.

1. Fruits and seeds 2. Seed dispersal 3. Seed germination 4. Insect pollination 5. Flower parts for reproduction 6. The life cycle of flowering plants 7. Human growth and development 8. What is reproduction for?

SEE http://www.naturedetectives.org.uk/download/worksheet_habitats http://www.naturedetectives.org.uk/NR/rdonlyres/40F4A1F3-4697-4A55-A52B- F35CC2809698/0/worksheet_hedgerow_journey_board.pdf http://www.naturedetectives.org.uk/NR/rdonlyres/D5E0AFFC-D1FD-447E-9E1B- 2EE0F61EB1C8/0/worksheet_woodland_maths_facts.pdf http://www.naturedetectives.org.uk/NR/rdonlyres/3721AA99-4D19-4858-B359- FB43C8A5443D/0/worksheet_guess_my_name.pdf http://www-saps.plantsci.cam.ac.uk/primenviro.htm

71 Crossways Centre, Yardley Hastings. Feasibility Report Sept 2009 Appendix 6.Letter from Valuers

72 Crossways Centre, Yardley Hastings. Feasibility Report Sept 2009

73 Crossways Centre, Yardley Hastings. Feasibility Report Sept 2009 Appendix 7. Note About VAT Registration

How VAT works

Value Added Tax (VAT) is a tax that's charged on most business transactions in the UK. Businesses add VAT to the price they charge when they provide goods and services to both business customers (for example a clothing manufacturer adds VAT to the prices they charge a clothes shop) and non-business customers i.e. members of the public or 'consumers' (for example a hairdressing salon includes VAT in the prices they charge members of the public). A business needs to become VAT-registered when it’s turnover for the previous 12 months has gone over the 'VAT threshold' (currently £68,000).

VAT-registered business, in most cases, charge VAT on the goods and services they provide and reclaim the VAT that they pay when they buy goods and services for their business.

There are three rates of VAT, depending on the goods or services the business provides. The rates are: • standard - 15 per cent (although due to go back to 17.5% on 1 January 2010). • reduced - 5 per cent • zero - 0 per cent

There are also some goods and services that are exempt from VAT and others that are outside the UK VAT system altogether. Some of these are services delivered by charities (and in some circumstances other not-for-profit organisations).

VAT and charities

The income that a charity or other not-for-profit organisation generates may be taxable (liable to VAT), exempt from VAT or outside the scope of VAT.

Some supplies of goods and services are exempt from VAT which means that VAT is not charged on them.

Some examples of tax exempt activities include: • A freely given donation for which nothing is given in return • Grant funding to support a charity’s activities that is freely given, with nothing supplied in return • Supplies made by charities at certain fundraising events are exempt from VAT, provided that the event meets particular conditions and that people attending or participating are aware of its primary fundraising purpose. • The hiring out of a building (such as a community centre, village hall etc). • Certain sporting and physical education services • Certain education and vocational training • Welfare services provided by charities including: - care, treatment or instruction designed to promote physical or mental welfare of elderly, sick, distressed or disabled people - care and protection of children or young people - spiritual welfare provided by a religious institution as part of a course of instruction or a retreat, not being designed primarily to provide recreation or a holiday

NB: Catering is a business activity normally liable to VAT at the standard rate. However some catering can be exempt from VAT when carried out by a charity. For example, catering provided as part of a welfare service,

74 Crossways Centre, Yardley Hastings. Feasibility Report Sept 2009 More information

For more information you can contact the Charities Helpline on Tel 0845 302 0203 (open from 8.00 am to 5.00 pm, Monday to Friday).

75 Crossways Centre, Yardley Hastings. Feasibility Report Sept 2009