FRIENDS OF GREENWICH PARK
Registered Charity Number: 1029933
Trustees' Annual Report for the year from 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2024 Charity Principal Address: 7 Orchard Drive, London, SE3 0QP
Charity Trustees
TINA CHALLACOMBE CHAIR JULIE PUNTER TREASURER ROB TOOGOOD MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY TONY BUTLER Resigned 15 May 2025 CHRISTINE BEVAN Resigned 15 May 2025 RICHARD JONES Resigned 7 May 2024 CLIVE CORLETT SUSAN TAYLOR NORMAN ADAMS ESME PARTRIDGE KATHERINE BOHANNA CLARE HATCHER Appointed 7 May 2024 RUTH CARTER Appointed 7 May 2024 TIFFANY FLYNN Appointed 15 May 2025 RACHEL DOBSON Appointed 15 May 2025
FRIENDS OF GREENWICH PARK
Trustees' Annual Report for the year from 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2024
Structure, Governance and Management
The charity is an Association of 1695 members and is governed in accordance with the Constitution by the Committee of Trustees.
The Charity is managed by its trustees who are (re-) elected annually in a general meeting of the Charity. Between annual general meetings, the Trustees may also co-opt any person who is willing to act as a Trustee. New Trustees are recruited and appointed from within the membership. As part of their induction, they receive a copy of the Constitution, the latest annual report and financial statements, and relevant management papers. Trustee meetings are held every two months.
Objectives and Activities
The objects of the charity are:
To secure the preservation, protection, and enhancement of Greenwich Park and environs.
To promote and maintain high standards of horticulture, arboriculture, wildlife, public amenities, planning, architecture, traffic management, policing and any other related matters in or affecting Greenwich Park and environs.
To educate the public in the geography, history, natural history and architecture of Greenwich Park and environs.
In planning our activities for the year, we kept in mind the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit at our Committee meetings.
Monthly bird walks and poetry workshops took place and eight free tree walks in January, April, August and October. We also held a history walk in April.
We organised ten free public bandstand concerts throughout July and August.
Achievements and Performance
The History Research Group held bi-monthly meetings on Zoom to discuss progress on research topics.
The Photography group continues to thrive contributing beautiful photographs to our monthly bulletin.
The Wildlife Group has been relaunched with birdwatching visits and wildlife talks.
FRIENDS OF GREENWICH PARK
Registered Charity Number: 1029933
Trustees' Annual Report for the year from 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2024
The Midsummer Jazz in the Park in the Observatory Garden was a great success. This fundraising event helped us to organise the ten bandstand concerts in the Summer.
Members of the committee continued to be involved in the Greenwich Park Revealed Project.
Our membership includes volunteers who deliver newsletters and work on our wildlife activities. We thank all our volunteers for their hard work, which contributed so much during the year.
Financial Review
We hold cash in the current account at the bank of £9,680, all of which is unrestricted funds. These funds are held to run the day to day activities of the charity. We also hold £36,518 in a deposit account.
Reserves policy
Within the unrestricted funds is a designated amount of £25,000 that has been set aside for the Friends’ contribution to the Bandstand Restoration.
In addition, the policy of the Trustees is to hold between £3,000 and £10,000 in the current account to run the day to day activities of the charity. The remaining funds are held in a Barclay’s deposit account and they are held in reserve for future projects in the Park. These are also unrestricted funds.
The Friends donated £20,000 towards the new pergolas in the Rose Garden.
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above,
Signed on behalf of the trustees.
TINA CHALLACOMBE (CHAIR) JULIE PUNTER (TREASURER)
28 OCTOBER 2025
Independent examiner's report
To the trustees of
Friends of Greenwich Park
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Friends of Greenwich Park for the year ended 31 December 2024.
Responsibilities and basis of the report
As the charity trustees of the Friends of Greenwich Park you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act').
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner's statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination that give me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Caroline Sharp FCA, DChA
Date: 29 October 2024
55 Canberra Road LONDON SE7 8PF
Friends of Greenwich Park
Statement of financial activities
For the year ended 31 December 2024
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2024 2023
Restricted Unrestricted Total Total
Note £ £ £ £
Income from:
Subscriptions and donations 2 - 23,142 23,142 11,268
Gift Aid - 2,250 2,250 1,600
Events 3 - 4,612 4,612 4,362
Other 3 - 40 40 88
Bank interest - 816 816 420
Total income - 30,860 30,860 17,738
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities 4 - 36,033 36,033 17,135
-
Total expenditure 36,033 36,033 17,135
Net (expenditure) and movement
in funds - (5,173) (5,173) 603
Reconciliation of funds:
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Total funds brought forward 51,081 51,081 50,478
Total funds carried forward - 45,908 45,908 51,081
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All of the above results are derived from continuing activities. There were no other recognised gains or losses other than those stated above. All income and expenditure in both years was unrestricted and all movements in funds are disclosed above.
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Friends of Greenwich Park
Balance sheet
As at 31 December 2024
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2024 2023
Note £ £ £ £
Current assets:
Debtors 9 5,746 5,236
Cash at bank and in hand 46,218 51,864
51,964 57,100
Liabilities:
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 10 (5,796) (5,489)
Net current assets 46,168 51,611
Total assets less current liabilities 46,168 51,611
Creditors: amounts falling due after one year 11 (260) (530)
Total net assets 45,908 51,081
The funds of the charity:
Restricted income funds - -
-
Designated funds for Bandstand Restoration 25,000
Unrestricted general funds 20,908 51,081
Total charity funds 45,908 51,081
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Approved by the trustees on 28 October 2025 and signed on their behalf by
Tina Challacombe - Chair
Julie Punter - Treasurer
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Friends of Greenwich Park
Notes to the financial statements
For the year ended 31 December 2024
1 Accounting policies
a) Statutory information
The Friends of Greenwich Park is a Charity registered with the Charity Commission in England & Wales on 21 December 1993 , number 1029933. The principal address is 7 Orchard Drive, London SE3 0QP.
b) Basis of preparation
The accounts (financial statements) have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) - (Charities SORP FRS 102) 2019 and the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.
Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy or note. The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the Charity and are rounded to the nearest £1.
In applying the financial reporting framework, the trustees have made a number of subjective judgements, for example in respect of significant accounting estimates. Estimates and judgements are continually evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. The nature of the estimation means the actual outcomes could differ from those estimates. Any significant estimates and judgements affecting these financial statements are detailed within the relevant accounting policy below.
c) Public benefit entity
The charity meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102.
d) Going concern
The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern.
The trustees do not consider that there are any sources of estimation uncertainty at the reporting date that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the net reporting period.
e) Income
Income is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the income have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and that the amount can be measured reliably.
Donations and gifts are included in full in the Statement of Financial Activities when receivable. Intangible income and gifts in kind are not included unless they represent goods or services which would have otherwise been purchased, in which case they are valued and brought in as income and the appropriate expenditure.
Membership income received in advance is deferred until the year the membership relates to and the criteria for income recognition are met. Gift Aid claimed on eligible donations is recognised in the same period as the donations to which the claim relates.
f) Interest receivable
Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the bank.
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Friends of Greenwich Park
Notes to the financial statements
For the year ended 31 December 2024
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1 Accounting policies (continued)
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g) Fund accounting
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Restricted funds are to be used for specific purposes as laid down by the donor. Expenditure which meets these criteria is charged to the fund.
Unrestricted funds are donations and other incoming resources received or generated for the charitable purposes.
h) Expenditure and irrecoverable VAT
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure includes attributable VAT, which cannot be recovered.
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Support costs comprise administrative support and other overhead costs.
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Governance costs include the management of the charity’s assets, organisational management and compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements.
l) Debtors
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.
j) Cash at bank and in hand
Cash at bank and cash in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.
k) Creditors and provisions
Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.
l) Financial instruments
The charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value.
2 Subscriptions and donations
| Subscriptions Household members Corporate members Total |
2024 Total £ 22,992 150 23,142 |
2023 Total £ 11,118 150 11,268 |
|---|---|---|
All income from subscriptions and donations in both periods is unrestricted.
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Friends of Greenwich Park
Notes to the financial statements
For the year ended 31 December 2024
| 3 Unrestricted £ Midsummer Jazz tickets and raffle income - Annual Lecture Wreathmaking Workshop Severndroog Castle visits Birds of Greenwich Park Walks Leaflets 425 Total 425 Income from events and other fundraising activity All income from events and fundraising activity in both periods is unrestricted. |
2024 Total £ 3,612 - 1,000 - - 40 4,652 |
2023 Total £ 2,760 1,050 - 552 77 11 4,450 |
|---|---|---|
| 4 Donation to TRP for Rose Garden Restoration Bandstand Concerts History research website Bird Books digitisation Gazebos Events Midsummer Jazz Annual Lecture Wreathmaking Workshop Severndroog Castle visits Volunteer Meeting Tree Walks Support costs Newsletter Printing, stationery, postage Meetings, website, sundry expenses Public Liability Insurance Governance Costs Independent examination and accountancy fees Trustee expenses Total expenditure on charitable activities All expenditure in both periods is unrestricted. Expenditure |
2024 Total £ 20,000 4,440 483 384 29 1,046 - 575 - - 800 3,510 2,033 1,882 301 550 - |
25,336 2,421 7,726 550 36,033 |
2023 Total £ - 4,220 536 - 666 5,422 996 531 - 321 536 600 2,984 5,228 1,478 1,681 342 8,729 - - - 17,135 |
|---|---|---|---|
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Friends of Greenwich Park
Notes to the financial statements
For the year ended 31 December 2024
| 5 | Net (expenditure) for the year | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| This is stated after charging / (crediting): | |||
| 2024 | 2023 | ||
| £ | £ | ||
| Independent examiner's fee (excluding VAT): | 550 | - |
- 6 Analysis of staff costs, trustee remuneration and expenses, and the cost of key management
No staff were employed by the charity in either accounting period.
The charity trustees were neither paid nor received any other benefits from employment with the charity in the period (2023: £nil). No charity trustee received payment for professional or other services supplied to the charity (2023: £nil).
Trustees' expenses representing the payment or reimbursement of travel, accommodation and subsistence costs relating to attendance at meetings of the trustees are £Nil (2023: £Nil).
- 7 Related party transactions
There are no related party transactions to disclose for the year ending 31 December 2024 (2023: none).
There are no donations from related parties which are outside the normal course of business and no restricted donations from related parties.
8 Taxation
The charity is exempt from corporation tax as all its income is charitable and is applied for charitable purposes.
9 Debtors
| 10 Accruals Sundry creditors Subscriptions in advance (note 12) Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Gift Aid receivable |
2024 £ 5,746 2024 £ 550 1,079 4,167 5,796 |
2023 £ 5,236 2023 £ - 3,959 1,530 5,489 |
|---|---|---|
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Friends of Greenwich Park
Notes to the financial statements
For the year ended 31 December 2024
11 Creditors: amounts falling due after one year
| 12 Subscriptions for 2026 Subscriptions for 2027 Subscriptions for 2024 Subscriptions for 2025 Balance at the beginning Comprising: Subscriptions in advance (note 12) Subscription in advance Amount released to income in the year Balance at the end of the year Amount deferred in the year |
2024 £ 260 2024 £ 2,060 (1,530) 3,897 4,427 - 4,167 190 70 4,427 |
2023 £ 530 2023 £ 1,770 (885) 1,175 2,060 1,530 270 190 70 2,060 |
|---|---|---|
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Independent examiner's report
To the trustees of
Friends of Greenwich Park
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Friends of Greenwich Park for the year ended 31 December 2024.
Responsibilities and basis of the report
As the charity trustees of the Friends of Greenwich Park you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act').
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner's statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination that give me cause to believe that in any material respect:
-
accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or
-
the accounts do not accord with those records; or
-
the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Caroline Sharp FCA, DChA 55 Canberra Road LONDON SE7 8PF
Date: 29 October 2024