Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 1/1/2024 Period start date To 31/12/2024 Period end date
Charity name: Bumble Hole Conservation Group Charity registration number: 1054674
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | The Object of Bumble Hole Conservation Group (BHCG) as outlined in the Constitution is: For the public benefit, to conserve, develop, and enhance the flora, fauna and heritage of Bumble Hole and Warrens Hall Local Nature Reserves by educating and informing visitors about conservation and the heritage of the reserves, and encouraging involvement in the care of the reserves by being fully inclusive of the local community and reflecting its diversity. |
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
The Visitor Centre, located at Bumble Hole, is the headquarters for BHCG. The premises are provided by Dudley MBC on a long-term rolling lease. Activities on the Reserves are co- ordinated from the Visitor Centre. These include litter picking across the site, landscape management, removing fallen trees, planting wild flowers and bulbs, weeding pathways and steps and mowing towpaths as required. There are established line of communication with DMBC and SMBC where issues beyond the capabilities of the volunteers can be reported. The Visitor Centre is open to the public from 10-2 on Monday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday and additionally on Fridays during school holidays – subject to there being sufficient volunteers available to safely open the Centre. Hot drinks and refreshments are sold for fundraising purposes, along with small souvenirs – key rings, canal boats, calendars, Christmas cards etc. There are several items of local history on display and reference books for members of the public to use. |
| Membership at the end of 2024 was 443, an excellent growth from 136 at the end of 2023. This exceeded our expectations and on the back of this, we have recruited several new volunteers from our membership base. Members Only events were introduced in the second half of the year including quiz nights and tunnel walks. The Black Country Boating Festival in September once again was an exceptional fundraiser for BHCG with sales of crafts, cakes, toys and jigsaws. A donation was made to BCBF as a community event and also BUGS Ukelele Band’s charity fundraising was supported by BHCG. Charitable events were held in the year for Pepper Pet Rescue, MacMillan, Wychbold Swan Rescue, The Royal British Legion and ‘Amelia’s Fund’ – raising funds for specialised cancer treatment for local child. |
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|---|---|---|
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | Trustees have regard to the guidance on public benefit. The Visitor Centre is open on a regular basis with the local community enjoy using the Centre for meeting up. Local walking groups, canal boat owners, boat trips and Let’s Fish events and Angling Academy hosted by Canal and River Trust (CRT) have all benefited from using the facilities in the Visitor Centre. Local schools and cubs groups have used the centre. The Wildlife Trust and The Birmingham and Black Country Invertebrate Group were both welcomed during the year. Sustrans Bicycle checks have been successfully supported at the Visitor Centre and two Childrens Craft events took place during the year. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
SORP reference Para 1.38 Policy on grant making Para 1.38 Policy on social investment including program related investment
| Contribution made by volunteers |
Para 1.38 | Without volunteers, BHCG would cease to exist. The team undertake a variety of activities. Outside on the Reserve they litter pick, plant, weed and maintain the site. Once they have received training on power tools, they can use the equipment purchased by the charity for strimming, hedge trimming, mowing etc. When there is a Trustee available to lead activities, these occur daily from 10-12. Inside the Visitor Centre, volunteers make drinks, keep the centre clean, chat with the visitors and provide information on local heritage. All volunteers are provided with equipment needed, along with protective clothing and footwear. The uniform provided includes polo shirts and fleeces. |
|---|---|---|
| Other |
Achievements and Performance
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. |
Para 1.20 | Tripling our membership in 2024 was fantastic. The local community has benefited from the regular opening of the Visitor Centre with a real feeling of friendship and camaraderie developing. During 2024, the Visitor Centre was tidied and the display boards updated with more relevant information. Out on the reserve in collaboration with the Wildlife Trust, a wildflower meadow was established just inside the Gads Green entrance with thousands of seeds and plug plants being planted. Quarterly newsletters for BHCG Members were introduced in 2024 to provide feedback on charitable activities, the Nature Reserve and to advise on forthcoming events. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | |
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 |
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | |
| Other |
Financial Review
| Financial Review | ||
|---|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | At December 2024, the amount of income over expenditure stood at £25,324.35. For the same period in 2023, the figure was £12,664.81. The Trustees were delighted that engagement with the local community was continuing to be demonstrated by the strong performance of sales and membership take up. |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | All funds held within the BHCG Bank Account are classed as reserves. No individual Trustee can sanction any expense in excess of £200 without obtaining full agreement from all Trustees. We still remain on a rolling lease and therefore there is still a strong likelihood that DMBC will change the lease to a fully-repairing lease and the charity will then be wholly responsible for the building and its maintenance A level of reserves will need to be ringfenced to cover any emergency repairs, for example roof leaks and electrical faults. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | £86,911.79 |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | Not applicable |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | Not applicable |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | None |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Para 1.47 | In addition to the sale of refreshments, snacks, souvenirs etc BHCG hold raffles at Spring, Summer and Christmas, Craft Fayres (2 in the year) and using locally sourced materials from the Reserve our volunteers create Christmas Trees which are very popular. |
|---|---|---|
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | |
|---|---|---|
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | |
| Other |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
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|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 |
Constitution |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | Unincorporated |
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Para 1.25 | Trustees are appointed by the Members of BHCG at the AGM. Existing Trustees must resign and put themselves forward for re-election at each AGM. Additional Trustees can be appointed by the Trustees – again these Trustees must resign at the next AGM. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees |
Para 1.51 | |
|---|---|---|
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | |
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | |
| Other |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Bumble Hole Conservation Group |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | N/A |
| Registered charity number | 1054674 |
| Charity’s principal address | Visitor Centre Windmill End Netherton Dudley DY2 9HU |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole **year ** |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brenda Myers | Chair | 1/4/23 – 31/12/24 | Membershipat AGM | |
| Jayne Walker | Vice Chair | 1/4/23 – 31/12/24 | Membershipat AGM | |
| Ann Horton | Secretary | 1/4/23 – 31/12/24 | Membershipat AGM | |
| Maureen Tierney | Treasurer | 19/10/23 – 31/12/24 | Membershipat AGM | |
| Tess Phillips-Silk | 1/4/23 – 31/12/24 | Membershipat AGM | ||
| Paul Herbert | 26/3/24 – 31/12/24 | Membershipat AGM | ||
– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved
Director name
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Description of the assets held in this capacity Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
Additional information (optional)
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
| Additional information (optional) Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) |
Additional information (optional) Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) |
Additional information (optional) Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) |
|---|---|---|
| Type of adviser Name Address |
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| Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information) | ||
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
Other optional information
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature(s) Ann E Horton Full name(s) Ann Elizabeth Horton Position (eg Secretary, Secretary Chair, etc) Date 14 October 2025
Independent Examiners Statement
In connection with my examination of the books no matters of concern have come to my attention. Therefore I believe that the Statement of Accounts is a true and fair representation
of the finances of Bumble Hole Conservation Group for the year ending 31st December 2024.
STATEMENT of ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31st December 2024
Neil Roberts 95a St Peters Road, Netherton, Dudley. DY2 9HN 30th January 2025
Reg. Charity Number 1054674
STATEMENT OF INCOME and EXPENDITURE
BALANCE SHEET
12 Months to 31st December 2024
at 31st December 2024
RECEIPTS
Takings and Items Resold 45645.24 Memberships 2072.00 Donations 4537.68 External Donations 3659.90 Canal & River Trust 274.41 Charity Events 2498.20 Community Events (BUGS & BCBF) 202.50 TOTAL RECEIPTS £ 58889.93
| Balance at 1st January 2024 | 61587.44 |
|---|---|
| Plus Income over Expenditure | 25324.35 |
| Balance at 31st December 2024 | £ 86911.79 |
BALANCES IN HAND at 31st DECEMBER 2024
PAYMENTS
| Items for Resale |
15870.21 |
|---|---|
| Donations | 4632.00 |
| Utilities | 2920.12 |
| Phones and Technology | 382.06 |
| Insurance | 659.24 |
| Office Equip, Stationery and Sundry Expenses | 3329.77 |
| Outdoor Expenses and Maintenance |
2776.63 |
| Uniforms | 989.39 |
| Training | 55.20 |
| Community Events (BUGS & BCBF) | 1027.50 |
| Sum Up Card Charges | 226.51 |
| Dudley MBC | 696.95 |
| TOTAL PAYMENTS |
£ 33565.58 |
| Amount of Income over Expenditure |
£ 25324.35 |
Balance at Bank 86651.79 Cash in Hand 260.00 £ 86911.79
Independent Examiners Statement
In connection with my examination of the books no matters of concern have come to my attention. Therefore I believe that the Statement of Accounts is a true and fair representation
of the finances of Bumble Hole Conservation Group for the year ending 31st December 2024.
STATEMENT of ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31st December 2024
Neil Roberts 95a St Peters Road, Netherton, Dudley. DY2 9HN 30th January 2025
Reg. Charity Number 1054674
STATEMENT OF INCOME and EXPENDITURE
BALANCE SHEET
12 Months to 31st December 2024
at 31st December 2024
RECEIPTS
Takings and Items Resold 45645.24 Memberships 2072.00 Donations 4537.68 External Donations 3659.90 Canal & River Trust 274.41 Charity Events 2498.20 Community Events (BUGS & BCBF) 202.50 TOTAL RECEIPTS £ 58889.93
| Balance at 1st January 2024 | 61587.44 |
|---|---|
| Plus Income over Expenditure | 25324.35 |
| Balance at 31st December 2024 | £ 86911.79 |
BALANCES IN HAND at 31st DECEMBER 2024
PAYMENTS
| Items for Resale |
15870.21 |
|---|---|
| Donations | 4632.00 |
| Utilities | 2920.12 |
| Phones and Technology | 382.06 |
| Insurance | 659.24 |
| Office Equip, Stationery and Sundry Expenses | 3329.77 |
| Outdoor Expenses and Maintenance |
2776.63 |
| Uniforms | 989.39 |
| Training | 55.20 |
| Community Events (BUGS & BCBF) | 1027.50 |
| Sum Up Card Charges | 226.51 |
| Dudley MBC | 696.95 |
| TOTAL PAYMENTS |
£ 33565.58 |
| Amount of Income over Expenditure |
£ 25324.35 |
Balance at Bank 86651.79 Cash in Hand 260.00 £ 86911.79