The Tithe Barn Trust depends on the efforts of many people to help it fulfil its task of ensuring the future of the iconic Landbeach tithe barn as a valued community asset for all to enjoy. All our volunteers bring something important to the barn from simply helping out at an event through to making a longer term, more formal commitment. To give an idea of a volunteer’s experience Iain Cross, who is standing down from his role as Treasurer, tells us a little about himself, why he enjoys being involved with the Tithe Barn Trust and what he has gained from fulfilling the key role of treasurer.

I first came into contact with the Tithe Barn Trust after being spotted on the Reach Volunteering website by the Chair at the time, Gemma O’Shea. Having moved up to Cambridge from London a couple of years earlier, I was looking for a worthwhile cause to actively support and the Trust’s goal of preserving a rare timber-framed barn & future as a local asset fitted the bill. The Trust was seeking a Treasurer. I offered myself as a candidate and was pleased to be chosen. This was back in May 2021. Since then, I have been intimately involved in the both the finances of the Trust and more generally supporting the Chair and committee in developing plans and activities that are helping the Trust realise its goals.

As you would expect, for any enterprise the stewarding of finances is a very significant role: to ensure that all funds are recorded in a transparent manner, are used wisely and meet the requirements of The Charity Commission and any Grant providers. Whilst it is undeniably important, this does make the role sound rather more onerous than it is. In practice the role is a relatively light one so long as appropriate processes are in place. The most significant activity is the preparation and submission of the annual accounts for internal & external scrutiny, made easier through clear processes and an easy-to-use system for recording all income and expenditure. More generally, as Treasurer, I also play a part in shaping the activities of the Trust and providing another perspective on proposed developments and activities.

So what has been achieved during my tenure?

Internally, the overriding achievement is that the Trust has a clear overview of the finances at all times, reassuring the trustees and providing the committee the financial information they need to help make decisions. This has been made easier through the creation of clear, comprehensive & detailed Excel-based spreadsheets that enable quick and easy interrogation of the finances when required, supported by clear and simple processes that ensure all funds are handled in an open and transparent manner. Externally, each year we claim additional funds from HMRC through the Gift Aid scheme.

Why am I standing down? Well, it is not for any negative reasons as I still feel the Tithe Barn Trust is engaged in a really worthwhile task. So I hope to maintain an active interest. However, I am stepping back so that I can focus my treasury-type attention on my other charity for which the workload is much greater, the Cambridge fundraising arm of the Sick Children’s Trust (which provides accommodation to support the families of sick children during their stay in Addenbrookes hospital).

L-R: Explaining the finer points of dessert. Making a point (performing?) at the AGM

Why might you want to take on a role like this? Well, I have gained from this role in a number of ways:

• It has given me a very practical exposure to the joys – and challenges – of volunteering.
• It’s a link to Cambridge, its long history and many cultural activities.
• It has helped me keep my hand in on matters financial and have created a reliable set of finance procedures and practices.
• I have had the satisfaction of making a clear contribution to helping the Trust achieve its desired future.
• I have met and made friends with a very likeable group of dedicated and energetic people.

The Tithe Barn Trust is entering a new and exciting phase of its development. Following a number of years in which the focus was largely on fundraising to prevent the barn from falling into ruin, the Trust is now looking towards securing the barn’s future as a valued asset providing a range of activities and opportunities for everyone in and around the Cambridge area. Along with activity on the ground the next Treasurer will develop a wider and more forward-looking role working closely with the Chair to advise and discuss actions that will grow the revenue base to ensure the sustainability of the trust as well as supporting the development of the commercial aspects of the charity.

Although I am standing down as Treasurer I hope to remain as a Trustee and to take an active interest in the preservation of this wonderful medieval timber-framed building.

We are hunting for a new Treasurer. Financial qualifications and experience is NOT an essential for this. What is needed is a willingness to attend around six committee meetings year and to ensure smooth running of the Trust’s finances. Could this be you? Perhaps one of your friends? Contact our Chair Kate Doak-Keszler via tithebarntrust@gmail.com for an informal chat.