Financial Losses, September 2026
Accounts
Summary of financial Loss Arising From Heating Failure And September Showdown Cancellation
Date prepared: 25 September 2026
Prepared by: Geoff Thomas
Related records: September Showdown cancellation, Sunday Service cancellation, HHP-2026-0918
1. Purpose
This note records the estimated financial loss arising from the cancellation of the 2026 September Showdown and the associated Sunday Service, both of which were cancelled due to the failure of the Chapel boiler.
The figures below are prepared for Committee reference. They are estimates based on expected attendance, previous collection patterns, planned refreshment sales, and costs already incurred or committed.
2. Activities Cancelled
| Activity | Date | Expected attendance | Recorded attendance |
|---|---|---|---|
| September Showdown | 20 September 2026 | 20 | 0 |
| Sunday Service | 20 September 2026 | 40 | 0 |
| Total expected attendance | 60 | 0 |
Some attendees may have intended to attend both activities. For financial purposes, the Committee has treated these as separate attendance opportunities because collection, refreshments, and donations would have been available at each.
3. Estimated Lost Income
| Income source | Basis of estimate | Estimated loss |
|---|---|---|
| Showdown collection | 20 attendees at estimated average contribution of £2.50 | £50.00 |
| Sunday Service collection | 40 attendees at estimated average contribution of £1.75 | £70.00 |
| Refreshments | Tea, squash, biscuits, and cake contributions across both activities | £42.00 |
| Speaker voting contributions | Suggested voluntary voting contribution, reduced for non-participation risk | £24.00 |
| Incidental donations | Based on previous visitor/event donations | £15.00 |
| Total estimated income not received | £201.00 |
4. Costs Incurred Or Committed
| Cost item | Basis | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Boiler repair invoice | HHP-2026-0918 | £158.28 |
| Printing and notices | Event notices, voting slips, agenda sheets | £11.40 |
| Refreshment supplies already purchased | Milk, squash, biscuits, napkins | £18.65 |
| Speaker preparation allowance | Agreed contribution for prepared remarks not delivered | £30.00 |
| Cleaning/preparation materials | Use of supplies before cancellation | £6.75 |
| Total costs incurred or committed | £225.08 |
5. Gross Financial Effect
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Estimated income not received | £201.00 |
| Costs incurred or committed | £225.08 |
| Estimated gross financial effect | £426.08 |
6. Adjustments
| Adjustment | Reason | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Unused refreshments retained | Items capable of use at later services | -£7.50 |
| Printing still usable | Some blank agenda sheets retained for future meetings | -£3.20 |
| Total adjustments | -£10.70 |
7. Estimated Net Loss
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Estimated gross financial effect | £426.08 |
| Less adjustments | -£10.70 |
| Estimated net financial loss | £415.38 |
8. Committee Note
The Committee records the estimated net financial loss from the cancellation of the September Showdown and associated Sunday Service as £415.38.
This figure includes the confirmed boiler repair invoice and a reasonable estimate of income that would likely have been received through collections, refreshments, voting contributions, and incidental donations. It does not include reputational loss, disappointment, loss of momentum, or the additional administrative burden of explaining the cancellation to members of the congregation.
The Committee further notes that the heating failure occurred at a particularly unfortunate time, being immediately before one of the Chapel’s most important annual speaking events.
Prepared for Committee review.
