2025-08-31-accounts - Friends Of The Porter Valley

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Registered Charity Number: 1069865

Friends of the Porter Valley

Annual report and unaudited financial statements

For the year ended 31 August 2025

Friends of the Porter Valley

Contents	Page
Legal and administrative details	1
Trustees’ annual report	2 - 4
Independent examiner's report	5
Receipts and payments accounts	6
Statement of assets and liabilities	7
Notes to the accounts	8

Friends of the Porter Valley Legal and administrative information

Charity number 1069865

Other names the charity is known by:

FOPV

Executive Committee (Trustees)

Committee member since Ann Le Sage Chair before 2000 Glynis Jones Secretary November 2005 Lyndon Porter Treasurer 2 November 2021 Les Greenwood before 2000 resigned 29 July 2025 Mike Halliwell October 2016 Glyn Mansell November 2017 Robert Peck 2 November 2021 David Young before 2000

Principal Address

25 Endcliffe Rise Road Sheffield S11 8RU

Accountants

Seven Hills Accountants Limited 57 Burton Street Sheffield S6 2HH

Friends of the Porter Valley Trustees’ annual report For the year ended 31 August 2025

The Trustees present this Annual Report and Financial Statements of the Charity for the year ended 31 August 2025

Objectives, activities and public benefit

The charity’s object is to promote the conservation, protection and restoration, for public benefit, of the natural and physical environment within the Porter Valley, Sheffield.

Our vision is to conserve, protect and restore the ecology, landscape and cultural heritage of the Porter and Mayfield Valleys for the enjoyment of all and the benefit of future generations.

FOPV is the charitable community group which looks after the parks in Sheffield lying along the Porter Brook. We aim to conserve and restore the beautiful features and industrial heritage of this 4 km long linear valley which links the Peak District to the urban areas of Southwest Sheffield.

In setting the objectives and planning the activities the Trustees have given careful consideration to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit. No activities have taken place that do not comply with these objectives.

Structure, governance and management

The charity is governed by its constitution adopted 21 March 1995 and became a registered charity in June 1998. Friends of the Porter Valley’s Executive Committee runs the day-to-day activities of the charity. There is a lead Trustee responsible for each key activity (Shepherd Wheel; Forge Dam Playground; Forge Dam rejuvenation; Bingham Park etc), and Trustees contribute to other activities according to their expertise and availability e.g. conservation work in the green space, running community events. The committee meets monthly. A Subcommittee exists to manage the active and successful Bingham Park Community Group. All activities are carried out by unpaid volunteers and there are no paid staff or premises. A finance policy with associated practical procedures specific to activities is in place.

Activities during the Financial year 2024/2025 to protect the environment for current users and future generations to enjoy

Support for the environment : We drove ahead the “Nature Recovery” focus on the environment with increased numbers of Nature Recorders, River Rangers (in partnership with the Sheaf and Porter Trust) and conservation volunteers. Bio-diversity grants from local Council wards enabled new flower meadow areas to support wildlife and a 30-tree orchard on upper Bingham. The regular conservation work mornings continued, extra ad hoc mornings took place in Endcliffe Park and Wilson’s Field and new volunteers joined. The teams continued to construct dead hedges to protect Forge Dam woodland, cleared increased areas of invasive avens, giant horsetail and Himalayan Balsam. Volunteers worked with Council Officers to restore damaged ancient woodland after antisocial behaviour (unauthorised bike trails).

The 12 monthly walks were again largely geared to nature, environment and biodiversity.

Cross city partnerships in support of Nature Recovery : Activities with General Cemetery, Sheaf and Porter, Sheffield Botanical Gardens and Whirlow Park Trusts increased. Trustees took it in turns to represent us at the regular cross city Waterways and Parks group meetings.

Member numbers: Stayed steady and were again 825 at 31 August 2025 with matching gains and losses over the year.

Friends of the Porter Valley Trustees’ annual report - continued For the year ended 31 August 2025

Community events:

We ran the annual Easter Duck Race again in Endcliffe Park and raised over £12,000 for a public Pétanque terrain on a disused bowling green. Installation is expected in September 2025
Building upon the successful Christmas activities in 2023 we ran 2 evening wreathmaking workshops with the public, 1 whole day event for the public to buy our handmade Christmas wreaths and crafts, 4 pop up sales at Forge Dam; and supported a community afternoon of Christmas music at Forge Dam organised by Fulwood Church. Handmade Christmas wreaths, cards, and 2025 Calendars, raised around £6,100 for the Endcliffe Park Toad.
We participated in the Sheffield Heritage Fair in January 2025 focusing on the waterpower history of Shepherd Wheel; and then on 11 May supported the National Mills Celebration of waterpower with music, a history display, sales in the Shepherd Wheel courtyard and a special Waterpower Discovery Walk.
We participated in the SW LAC ECO Fair in Ecclesall Woods in May 2025 and handled the budget for the event. This was an overall success and will be repeated in 2026.

Fundraising for restoration and improvement projects (for each of which there is a restricted fund)

Forge Dam Restoration : Disappointingly the leak on the spillway detected in 2022 remained unresolved. The effects which became evident in 2023 and 2024 have worsened in drought conditions with risks to fish and other water wildlife. The contractor appointed by Sheffield Council attempted a repair in August 2025 but was defeated after 2 days. We have monitored the site throughout and continue to report back to Sheffield Council. Reserve funds rose slightly and remain available for use at Forge Dam. Members and the public remain very concerned and social media has been lively. (The river still flows uncontrolled through the spillway, water spurts through the spillway stone façade, the water level drops during extended dry periods and exposes all the remaining silt and the river training wall). The public space around the Café was improved with new all gravel surfacing and flower beds created by a combination of Council Parks, the Café owner and FoPV. Round the dam and upstream in open areas and woodland large patches were cleared of invasive Himalayan Balsam, non-native avens by the conservation volunteers.

We are grateful for a legacy of £3,623 from the estate of Peter Warr.

Forge Dam Playground: Piecemeal improvements: The local Cubs cleaned the play equipment of algae and insect dew; annual plants were planted to brighten up the path edge; safety railings above the slide have been repainted by volunteers; an improvement plan for repairs to paths and more plants was agreed with the Council; plans have been submitted to the Council for a new noticeboard; and Trustees formally decided to invest 2026 Duck Race proceeds in this playground.
Bingham Park: The Adventure Trail for under 8s and the additional play court markings have proved their worth: the Park is busy with young families; graffiti and other anti-social behaviour appear to have diminished; and mini skateboard park equipment will be installed in September 2025.
Shepherd Wheel: The tripartite partnership continues strong, but our partners are short of staff and funds. Key engineering staff are in flux at The Sheffield Museums Trust, and FoPV is now covering summer maintenance on the millpond for the Council Parks. There is much to be done here. An extended Volunteers Handbook is at proof reading stage. The follow on 10-year Maintenance Plan needs to be approved and used. New noticeboards were ordered and others restored with reserve funds.

Friends of the Porter Valley Trustees’ annual report - continued For the year ended 31 August 2025

Endcliffe Park: A replacement for the iconic wooden (but disintegrating) "TOAD" Artwork was installed in December 2024 and has been an instant hit with the public of all ages. FoPV conservation volunteers laboured with Parks staff to rotovate and reseed the grass lawn by the Queen Victoria Monument which had been worn away by runners. A plan was agreed by FoPV and Council to improve this heavily used sports and leisure Park which clearly needs more investment of practical work and money to attain Green Flag recognition. Critical repairs to the collapsing heritage stonework of the Porter river walls and weirs are expected to start in September 2025.

Publicity and External relations: 3 Talks were provided at Open Meetings for Members. The Chair lead 2 walks, gave 5 talks to outside organisations about the Porter Valley and held 3 meetings with other large Friends group Chairs to exchange ideas; 4 Newsletters went to Members. Publicity afforded by The Star, Tribune and Facebook groups was positive overall, though removal of an unofficial bike trail through ancient woodland and the evident Forge Dam deterioration provoked concerns. Trustee Rob Peck created a brilliant smartphone guide to the Porter Valley with an archive of old photos, sculptures, monuments, wildlife: “Porter Valley in Your Pocket”.

Communications, Website and other IT developments Facebook Followers were 4.3 thousand on 31 August 2025.

Volunteer hours across all activities amounted to 11,000 showing an increase on last year.

Future plans

We will continue to focus on environmental concerns, (especially given the problem of water quality with silt deposition from the Forge Dam leak and CSO overflows), and drive ahead the Bingham Park mini skateboard Park and Pétanque installations. We hope that more resources can be found for projects in Endcliffe Park.

Reserves policy

The charity adopted a Reserves policy in July 2022. Trustees find £5,000 more than sufficient to meet foreseeable and essential costs. We have no salary or premises costs, and the finances are stable.

Unrestricted cash reserves at 31 August 2025 were £50,764.

Declaration

The Trustees declare that they have approved the Trustees’ annual report above on 13 October 2025.

Signed on behalf of the trustees by:

AleSage

Ann Le Sage Chair

Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of Friends of the Porter Valley (“the Charity”)

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Charity for the year ended 31 August 2025.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees of the Charity 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 Charity’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 giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or
the accounts do not accord with those records.

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.

Sarah Lightfoot, FCA DChA 13 October 2025 Seven Hills Accountants Limited 57 Burton Street Sheffield S6 2HH

Friends of the Porter Valley Receipts & payments account For the year ended 31 August 2025

Notes Receipts Grants 2 Membership Subscriptions Donations Gift aid claimed Legacies Fundraising and sales Consultancy support and evaluation report Bank Interest Total receipts Payments Fundraising and sales costs Endcliffe Park Toad Project Forge Dam playground project Bingham Park project Shepherds wheel costs Shepherds wheel school grants Conservation and events costs Printing and stationery IT costs Insurance Meeting costs Bank charges Accountancy and Independent examination fees Total payments Net receipts/(payments) Transfers 3 Net movement after transfers Cash funds brought forward Cash funds carried forward	Unrestricted funds £ - 5,708 748 1,469 - 3,627 - 3,224 14,776 1,381 - - - - - 2,260 290 341 555 357 550 720 6,454 8,322 (2,087) 6,235 44,529 50,764	Restricted funds £ 15,835 - 4,246 134 3,623 18,480 - - 42,318 1,187 21,187 - - 7,940 200 4,106 - - - 100 - - 34,720 7,598 2,087 9,685 85,674 95,359	Total 2025 £ 15,835 5,708 4,994 1,603 3,623 22,107 - 3,224 57,094 2,568 21,187 - - 7,940 200 6,366 290 341 555 457 550 720 41,174 15,920 - 15,920 130,203 146,123	Unrestricted funds £ - 5,735 590 3,681 2,314 3,884 - 3,727 19,931 822 - - - - - 1,074 364 857 548 518 542 594 5,319 14,612 (563) 14,049 30,480 44,529	Restricted funds £ 13,500 - 6,507 28,972 - 18,061 - - 67,040 1,191 - 32,758 41,380 4,549 600 3,165 - - - - - - 83,643 (16,603) 563 (16,040) 101,714 85,674	Total 2024 £ 13,500 5,735 7,097 32,653 2,314 21,945 - 3,727 86,971 2,013 - 32,758 41,380 4,549 600 4,239 364 857 548 518 542 594 88,962 (1,991) - (1,991) 132,194 130,203

Friends of the Porter Valley Statement of assets and liabilities As at 31 August 2025

Cash assets Current account	Unrestricted Funds £ 50,764 50,764	Restricted funds £ 95,359 95,359	Total 2025 £ 146,123 146,123	Unrestricted Funds £ 44,529 44,529	Restricted funds £ 85,674 85,674	Total 2024 £ 130,203 130,203

Assets retained for the charity's own use

Assets retained have not been given a value - these comprise event and maintenance equipment

Debtors

Fund Gift aid Unrestricted Gift aid Bingham Park Liabilities Accountancy and Independent Examination fees Unrestricted	2025 £ 1,121 - 1,121 2025 £ 648 648	2024 £ 1,286 230 1,516 2024 £ 720 720

Approved by the board of trustees on 13 October 2025.

Signed on their behalf by:

AleSage

Ann Le Sage Chair

Friends of the Porter Valley Notes to the accounts For the year ended 31 August 2025

1 Notes on the preparation of the accounts

Receipts and payments accounts are statements that summarise the movement of cash into and out of the charity during the financial year. In this context "cash" includes cash equivalents, for example, bank accounts where cash can be readily withdrawn to pay for debts as they become due.

Unrestricted funds comprise of general funds and designated funds. General funds are expendable at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the objectives of charity.

Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the accounts.

2 Grants

Sheffield City Council - grants and LAC CMS Social Impact Fund Grant Sheffield Town Trust JG Graves Charitable Trust	Unrestricted funds £ - - - - -	Restricted funds £ 7,335 500 5,000 3,000 15,835	Total 2025 £ 7,335 500 5,000 3,000 15,835	Unrestricted fund £ - - - - -	Restricted funds £ 13,500 - - - 13,500	Total 2024 £ 13,500 - - - 13,500

3 Restricted funds

Forge Dam restoration Forge Dam playground Shepherd Wheel Bingham Park Bingham Park mini skatepark/small wheels space Bingham Park Pétanque court LAC Grant - Bingham Park Orchard Endcliffe Park Toad LAC Grants - from previous years LAC Grant - ECO fair LAC Grant - duck race	Brought Forward £ 54,460 1,712 16,639 334 - - - 11,910 619 - - 85,674	Receipts £ 3,623 2,499 2,318 225 8,000 14,387 2,290 7,231 - 745 1,000 42,318	Payments £ (1,195) - (8,140) (100) - (182) (2,290) (21,228) (158) (427) (1,000) (34,720)	Transfers £ - - - - - - - 2,087 - - - 2,087	Carried Forward £ 56,888 4,211 10,817 459 8,000 14,205 - - 461 318 - 95,359

Details of the main restricted projects can be found in the Trustees' annual report.

LAC Grants - from previous years The Toad is now installed and the balance of £2,087 was funded from general funds.

Prior year comparison Forge Dam restoration Shepherd Wheel Bingham Park Forge Dam playground LAC Grant Endcliffe Park Toad	Brought Forward £ 28,663 20,640 31,750 18,409 2,252 - 101,714	Receipts £ 25,797 2,180 9,913 16,076 1,000 12,074 67,040	Payments £ - (6,181) (41,380) (32,773) (2,633) (676) (83,643)	Transfers £ - - 51 - - 512 563	Carried Forward £ 54,460 16,639 334 1,712 619 11,910 85,674

4 Trustees' remuneration

The trustees were not paid or received any benefits from employment with the charity. No trustee received payment for professional or other services supplied to the charity neither were they reimbursed expenses during the year.

5 Related party transactions

There were no related party transactions to report during the financial year.