## Annual Report 

## April 2024 – March 2025 

## **We acknowledge and thank our funders** 


## **and The Richard Davies Charitable Foundation.** 


Shirehampton Action is the working name of Shirehampton Community Action Forum (SCAF). Registered charity (no. 1099221) and a company limited by guarantee in England (no.4686738). 




## CHAIR’S STATEMENT 

2024-25 has been a very successful year of Shirehampton Community Action Forum which is now known as Shirehampton Action. During this financial period we’ve rebranded our name, identity and website to help us stand out as _the_ local charity supporting those living and working in Shirehampton. 

We’re still the same great organisation that’s been supporting our local community for over 20 years but we decided to use a working name that’s easier to remember and says what we do – lead on action for all in Shirehampton! 

We also held the first ever LGBTQ Shire Pride event as a community breakfast on the 12 July 2024 and we successfully bid for funding to help create and develop Shirehampton’s community climate action plan (launched in the next period, June 2025). As well as these two exciting projects, our organisation has continued to support its action groups and deliver key activities for our communities. These include: 

- Shire Greens 

- Shire Climate Emergency Group 

- Shire Planning Group 

- BEE Happy Shire 

- Shirehampton Markets – high street market and autumnal fayre 

- Poppies on The Green 

- two local walking groups (Nomads and Walkie Talkies) 

- door to door shopping trips 

- the community living room with the Friends of Shirehampton Library 

- a monthly bereavement & loss peer support group 

- monthly community litter picks. 

More details of these activities are given in the body of this report. 

Our supported and delivered activity can be broken down into these main strategic themes: 

- supporting a thriving high street 

- building an inclusive community 

- improving wellbeing 

- increasing nature within Shire 

- promoting resilience against climate change 

We are thankful to all of our funders for this period; 

Bristol Climate and Nature Partnership: Community Climate Action Plan People's Health Trust: Door to Door Shopping Trips Programme Avonmouth Community Wind Turbine: Shire Lights 

Richard Davies Charitable Foundation 

Ash Bearman, our Community Development Officer, has continued in post throughout the year and we’re very grateful to Ash for ensuring that Shirehampton Action has continued to provide support to so many people and groups in our community. 

At the start of the year we had six trustees and we currently have seven with Nick Mortell joining us in January 2025. We hugely appreciate our trustees and all of our volunteers who give their time, energy and skills to ensuring Shirehampton Action can deliver for our community. 

Michelle Silvestre, Chair 




## REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES 

## **1. Name and Registered Office** 

The charity’s name is Shirehampton Community Action Forum. It is also known as Shirehampton Action. 

It is a registered charity, number 1099221, and a company limited by guarantee, no 4686738. 

The Registered Office is Shirehampton Public Hall, 32 Station Rd, Shirehampton, Bristol BS11 9TU. 

## **2. Names of Charity Trustees and Company Directors** 

Michelle Silvestre (Chair) 

Ludo Tolu (Treasurer until March 2025) 

Nick Mortell (Trustee from January 2025 and Treasurer from March 2025) 

Jess Martens 

Kathryn Courtney 

Kim Tudor 

Mark Pummell 

## **3. Staff** 

The Forum employs one part-time staff member, Ms Ash Bearman, who is the Community Development Officer. She is also the Company Secretary. 

## **4. Structure, Governance and Management** 

The Forum is a Company Limited by Guarantee, and is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association. These set out how individuals and organisations can become members. It is managed by the Trustees, who are elected by the members at the Annual General Meeting. Additional Trustees may be appointed by the existing Trustees, to serve until the next AGM. 

The Trustees are the managing body of Shirehampton Action, and are responsible for finance and assets, and employing any staff. The Trustees met eight times during the year and the Full Forum met three times, including the AGM. 

The Board of Trustees are supported by a Steering Committee, also known as the Full Forum, and by a variable number of Action Groups, which will be formed or dissolved as the need for them arises. Five Action Groups existed throughout the year. These were Community Safety, Road Safety, Shire Greens, Community Plan, and the Shirehampton Climate Emergency Group. 

The Memorandum and Articles of Association are supported by Rules. These set out the membership structure, and the relationship between the Trustees, the Full Forum, and the Action Groups. 

The Trustees adopted a range of Policies and Procedures in previous years. The Trustees consider that the range of Policies and Procedures in place meet Bristol City Council’s baseline standards. The Trustees do not have a formal Risk Management Policy at present. However, they consider that the greatest risk the Forum faces at present is uncertainty in future funding. 



## **5. Charitable objects** 

1. To promote the benefit of the parish of Shirehampton and the neighbourhood without distinction of sex, or of political, religious or other opinions by associating the local authorities, voluntary organisations and inhabitants in a common effort to provide facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation and leisure-time occupations with the object of improving the conditions of life for the said inhabitants. 

2. The promotion of public safety and prevention of crime. 

3. The preservation and protection of health. 

## **6. Public Benefit** 

The charity is required to act in accordance with its objects, and for public benefit. The activities which produce public benefit are summarised in this report. The trustees consider that they have had regard to the Charity Commission’s Public Benefit Guidance when exercising their powers and duties. 

## **7. Financial Review** 

Shirehampton Action has a Reserves Policy, which states that where possible provision should be made to hold approximately the equivalent of 6 months revenue costs of the Forum as set out in the annual budget. This would be equivalent to around £20,000 based on our current outgoings. We are currently holding reserves in excess of this, around £34,000, but since we are looking to potentially grow in the next financial years to implement the Community Nature and Climate Plan we are comfortable with that. 

The accounts for the year are set out later in this report. The principal sources of funds were grants from Bristol Climate and Nature Partnership to deliver the Community Nature and Climate Plan, The People’s Health Trust to deliver the Door to Door Shopping Trips & Richard Davies Charitable Foundation who have helped us cover core costs. 

We also handled funds from the Avonmouth Community Wind Turbine Grant on behalf of Shire Lights, who ensure our streets are well lit each year for Christmas. We are very grateful to these organisations, and individual donors for their support. 

Our principal activities are best understood through the narrative in the rest of the annual report. When ranked by expenditure they primarily include the door to door shopping activities, our monthly High Street Market and Fayre, and our nature and pollinator activities. 

## **8. Shirehampton Action’s aims are:** 

- To discuss the issues raised in the Community Profile and come to a consensus of opinion as to the priorities. 

- To develop a strategic and multi-agency approach to address the priority issues. 

- To establish links and support the work of other local initiatives. 

- To establish a working structure with regular meetings. 

- Establish good communication between Forum members. 

- To establish sub groups/working groups to address specific issues e.g. housing, lack of youth activities etc. 

- To be inclusive and fully representative of all sections of the Shirehampton Community. 

- To be open to and consult the residents of Shirehampton. 

## **9. Key working partners** 

Our activities have involved statutory agencies, community groups, voluntary sector organisations, private enterprises, churches, schools, Residents’ Associations, and individuals from the community. 








## REVIEW OF THE YEAR - The Forum & other work areas 

## **Community Safety Action Group – Ash Bearman** 

This group met 4 times during the period and are attended by our local Police Team – PCSO Jo Hancock & PCSO Becky Stone. The meetings are open to all and were well attended & covered our standing agenda items of: Anti-social behaviour, Road Safety, Parking, Domestic Abuse, Litter, Licensing Enforcement/Monitoring & Community Safety Initiatives/ Crime Prevention 

These meetings also set the PACT (Police & Community Together) priorities every 3 month. During the year this has asked the Police to focus on Anti-Social behaviour in a changing number of hot spots across Shire during the year. These meetings are followed by a Police Beat Surgery Drop in where residents can talk with the Police confidentially and also pick up free info leaflets and   personal safety & security aids and devices 

## **Road Safety Action Group – Anna Williamson** 

The Road Safety Group has been very quiet this year, with the involved volunteers having to manage various personal priorities and illness. Sadly, Theresa has had to step back from involvement. 

We were joined by Lesley Phillips who brought real enthusiasm to the search for volunteers for a Shire Community Speed Watch, with a call-out being published in The Shire and circulated through Ash’s mailing list. Sadly, we still do not have enough volunteers to make the speed watch viable. From conversations with people in the village everyone is sick of the speeding traffic and antisocial road-use. However, there are not enough people willing or able to give time to a speed watch. Many have said this is due to being afraid of possible confrontation from disgruntled drivers. We are still looking for volunteers, and if we ever feel we have enough people to make the scheme viable, we’ll get cracking! 

The police and Don Alexander have said if we want the council to look at dangerous road use in the village, we need to prove there’s an appetite for change. The Speed Watch would potentially be a way of changing the habits of driver’s who are driving through the village too fast, while ‘on autopilot', or using the village as a rat run. It would also gather data about the speeds people drive. 

## **BEE Happy Shire – Sara Cech-Lucas** 

BHS had a busy year completing the Penpole Lane Pollinator Park (PLPP) project. In April 2024 we gave away 80 packs of Wildflower Seeds to local people to plant in their gardens/planters/window boxes. In May we held a Planting Party for the Four Seasons Flowerbed at PLPP, which was completed at the end of the month. 

Over the summer we started work on the Let’s Get Shire Buzzing leaflet. In September we successfully planted pollinator friendly shrubs and a bay tree on the PLPP site. In October we held a Yellow Rattle Planting Party and cleared & seeded our second Mini Meadow area. Over the winter we designed the interpretation panel for PLPP. 



And in March 2025 we planted our Mini-Wetland area with native water-edge plants. Throughout the year we were working together with Shirehampton Action to secure a grant from the National Garden Scheme to regenerate the Shirehampton Community Garden on Pembroke Avenue. 


## **Shire Climate Emergency Group – Renee Slater** 

Shirehampton Climate Emergency Group (SCEG) staged its last major event at the end of April 2024. We offered a participatory Flood Awareness workshop which was well-attended and contributed to Shirehampton’s bid to join the Bristol Climate and Nature Partnership. Some of the recommendations from the Flood Awareness workshop have been incorporated in the Shirehampton Community Climate Plan. 

SCEG also hosted interactive performances by River Soundings, the first in June and the second in November 2024. Participants were asked to imagine the River they would like to live beside 10 or 50 or 100 years from now. The collected imaginings were transformed into an immersive soundscape and played back to the participants. Most of us found the experience moving and inspiring. 

We have continued to offer monthly ‘Fashion Repair Cafes’. These are evolving community events with an emphasis on sustainability and climate related activities like plant and seed swaps, clothes swaps. There will be information about green energy from Bristol Energy Network and a CLIMATE MATTERS talking space, for answer questions, discussion and explore feelings about climate change. 

SCEG started in 2019 to help raise awareness about climate change and help build community resilience as effects like flooding and severe heat became more frequent. Now Shirehampton Action has joined Bristol Climate and Nature Partnership and will be taking climate action with support from Bristol City Council. SCEG will continue to take part in Climate Actions and keep people informed about local climate events and initiatives. We will continue to have a regular presence at the Climate Cafes. 

## **Planning Group – Kim Tudor** 

Not much happening with Planning in Shirehampton recently.  The Developers of the Nurseries still haven't done anything regarding its future & the property remains getting more derelict & subject to vandalism & arson. 

We are awaiting the outcome of an application for a new Cycle Centre behind Kingsweston Avenue but very disappointed by lack of interest by Shirehampton Residents & Members alike. Sadly if Members & Residents don't start taking a positive interest in this Village I feel this Group may not continue which will be a shame. 

## **Climate Plan Group – Ludo Tolu** 

As the Community Climate Steering Group we had an incredibly active time between April 2024 and March 2025. 

- **Secured funding -** We met earlier on to discuss our application to the Bristol Climate and Nature Partnership fund to support Shirehampton Action in developing a Community Climate Action Plan with the community. 

- **Increased knowledge -** this funding meant Ash could attend a series of workshops on several themes, including on nature, transport, waste, water, adaptation, and energy to support the plan development. 


**All photos credit: Kacey O’Neill** 




- **The survey -** We continued to meet as a steering group and prepared a survey on climate action. We distributed this by word of mouth, and at various events and got just over 200 responses to it. 

- **Further community engagement -** Then we sat down to analyse the results, and produced some initial thoughts. We discussed these with more people at the Climate Brunch we ran in February, and got feedback from a roundtable of people working in the field of nature and climate too. 

- **Final report:** We finished drafting the report in March 2025, but it wasn't published until June. It's now available on our website https://shirehamptonaction.org.uk/climate-action-plan . One of our volunteers even produced a video of the brunch which you can view on the website. The big priorities which have come through are on nature and waste. 

- **Continuously learning** - We're proud of the end result, though it wasn't always an easy journey, and there were times which were very busy and stressful. We've continued to reflect on how we work together to make the most of our time, skills, and enthusiasm so that we can now implement the plan. 

Big thank you to our volunteers Cee, Jess, Renee, Annelies, Rosaria, Mona, Teresa, and Sara who have contributed in many ways over the past year. 

## **Shirehampton Markets – Kathryn Courtney** 

The past year for Shirehampton Markets has had its own challenges with the Cost Of Living Crisis but the loyalty we receive from our Market Traders is inspiring 

and they will remain with us and see this through. People are more cautious with spending money and each month one half of traders will do well whilst the other half make their expenses. This then swaps around the next month so customers are still spending but within their budgets. 

We are now promoting our High Street Market as 'Make Market Day Your Treat Day' and 'A cuppa & Cake £1.50'. We have lost some Market Traders, having packed up their businesses to take on a more income which we all understand. We have been able to bring in more variety stalls and working on filling our outdoor spaces for the next year. 

The Lord Mayor of Bristol came along to our 6[th] Birthday celebrations on Thursday 4[th] September meeting our volunteers, market traders and management. We are certainly a Market Family who have made Shirehampton Markets, High Street Markets & Autumnal Christmas Fayre the successes they are. 

And being a Market Family we now have our own social group where traders and volunteers for a meal out or a drink or even celebrating birthdays. 

Our Autumnal Christmas Fayre last year was a huge success with the Christmas Grotto, Father Christmas and Janet the Elf lighting up children's faces. We are looking forward to our next one at the Public Hall on Saturday 22[nd] November. 

Thank you's go to Ocean Estate Agents for the Christmas Chocolate boxes and the Co-op for the mince pies. At present we are looking at getting sponsorship for Shirehampton Markets and will report further in 2026 but it is to engage and enhance co-operation with our High Street and what we can achieve working together. Thank you to everyone for your continued support. 



## **Shire Greens – Barbara Franco** 

We only have about 4 active members who keep the station flowerbeds tidy. We are looking for more members. We place poppies in the station and the horse in the daisy field on Remembrance week. 


## **Poppies on The Green – Kathryn Courtney** 

The annual display for Poppies On The Green continues to grow from strength to strength with Navy Medic Tom and WRAF Ruth, keeping Reg and Les company. We also added white doves to the display for peace. Feedback was very positive. 

This year marks the 80th Anniversary of V.E day and V.J day. This year we will be adding a Land Girl and Bevan Boy silhouettes to the display and there are Painting Poppies sessions taking place at the High Street Market, Library, Cotswold Community Centre and St. Mary's Church. 

We still need volunteers to help us with the Painting Poppies sessions and to put up and take down the displays. Thank you to everyone for their continued support for Poppies On The Green. 


## **Walkie Talkies Walking Group – Barbara Franco** 

We continue walking every Wednesday up to 2 – 3 miles. The walks’ location, length and start times vary each week. We give printed walk programmes to walkers with the details and keep in touch by email and WhatsApp. Our numbers vary from a few to about13 and we report to Ash at Shirehampton Action who prints our programmes for us. 

## **Nomads Walking Group – John Hastings** 

The Shire Nomads Walking Group has gone from strength to strength in the last 12 months. Between 15 and 25 of us walk every week, including several new members, starting from either St Mary's Churchyard, one of the local bus stops, or Shirehampton Station. We have a packed programme which changes every three months. 


The improved bus and rail timetables have given us a lot more flexibility, particularly during the hot summer when we started the walks an hour earlier. 

For many of the group, it's the highlight of the week as it's always an opportunity to meet up with friends, or new people, and have a friendly chat, and refreshments. 





## **Shirehampton Action Statement of Financial Activities for year ended 31 March 2025** 

||**Note**||**2023-2024**|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||||**2024-2025**||
|**Incoming resources**||**Restricted **|**Unrestricted**|**Total**||||
||||||**Restricted**|**Unrestricted**|**Total**|
|Grants & donations|1|||||||
|||£ 22,360|£1,098|£23,458|£19,218|£4,431|£23,649|
|Investments||||||||
|||£-|£1,256|£1,256|£0|£1,166|£1,166|
|Other resources|2|||||||
|||£-|£4,648|£4,648|£0|£4,762|£4,762|
|**Total Incoming resources**||||||||
|||**£ 22,360**|**£ 7,001**|**£ 29,361**|**£19,218**|**£10,359**|**£29,577**|
|||||||||
|**Resources Expended**||||||||
|Activities to support Objects|3|£9,911|£391||£7,531|£4,407||
|||||£10,302|||£11,938|
|Management & Administration|4|£5,070|£20,473||£15,695|£9,134||
|||||£25,543|||£24,829|
|**Total Resources Expended**||||||||
|||**£14,981**|**£20,864**|**£35,845**|**£23,226**|**£13,541**|**£36,768**|
|||||||||
|**Transfer to unrestricted**||||||||
|||**£(6,140)**|**£6,140**|**£-**|0|0|**0**|
|||||||||
|**Net Movement of Funds**||||||||
|||**£1,239**|**£(7,723)**|**£(6,484)**|**-£4,008**|**-£3,182**|**-£7,190**|
|||||||||
|**Balances B/F on 1 April**|||||**£6,642**|**£34,733**|**£41,375**|
|||**£5,403**|**£42,456**|**£47,859**||||
|||||||||
|**Balances CF on 31 March**||**£6,642**|**£34,733**|**£41,375**|**£2,634**|**£31,551**|**£34,185**|



||||**2023-24**|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||||**2024-25**||
||**Note**|**Restricted**|**Unrestricted**|**Total**|**Restricted**|**Unrestricted**|**Total**|
|**Current Assets**||||||||
|Current Account||||£8,512|||£2,292|
|||£-|£8,512||£0|£2,292||
|Aldermore Savings||||£33,111|||£32,276|
|||£6,642|£26,468||£2,634|£29,643||






|**Total Current Assets**||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||**£6,642**|**£34,981**|**£41,623**|**£2,634**|**£31,935**|**£34,569**|
|||||||||
|**Liabilities**|5|||||||
|Trade creditors|||£235|£235|£0|£165|**£165**|
|Salary and Expenses||£-|£13|£13|£0|£219|**£219**|
|**Net Assets/Total Reserves**||**£6,642**|**£34,733**|**£41,375**|**£2,634**|**£31,551**|**£34,185**|



## **Notes to the financial statements for year ended 31 March 2025** 

- The accounts have been prepared by Ludo Tolu - Treasurer & Director. 

- The accounts have been verified by an independent examiner, Edward Holcombe ACA, on the 1st October 2025. 

- For the year ended 31st March 2025 the company was entitled to exemption under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies. 

- The members have not required the company to obtain an audit in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006. 

- The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 with respect to accounting records and preparation of accounts. 

- The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the small companies regime. 

## **Basis of accounting** 

- The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated. 

- The accounts 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) issued on 16 July 2014; And with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic or Ireland (FRS 102); And with the Charities Act 2011 

## **Going concern** 

- The accounts have been prepared on a going concern basis, in the opinion of the trustees the charity is able to continue its activities and will be able to meet its debts as they fall due. 

## **Funds** 

- Restricted funds can only be used for the purposes specified by those who supplied the funds. Unrestricted funds can be used for any purpose to further the charitable objects of the company. 



## **Detailed Notes** 

## **1. Incoming grants and donations** 


|Bristol Climate and Nature Partnership: CommunityClimate Action Plan(restricted)|£6,750|
|---|---|
|People's Health Trust: Door to Door Shopping (restricted)|£10,740|
|Avonmouth CommunityWind Turbine: Shire Lights(restricted)|£1,728|
|Richard Davies Charitable Foundations(unrestricted)|£4,000|
|Donations(unrestricted)|£431|



|**2.**<br>**Other resources**||
|---|---|
|High Street Market and CommunityFayre Stalls|£ 3,628.00|
|High Street Market and CommunityFayre Cafe|£754.39|
|Membership|£ 170.00|
|Book Sales|£ 60.00|
|Contribution for attendinga Southmead Development Trust workshop|£ 150.00|



|**3.**<br>**Activities to support objects**||
|---|---|
|Door to Door Shopping|£ 4,695.00|
|High Street Markets and Fayre(space hire, andpermits)|£ 2,877.47|
|Shire Lights|£ 1,728.00|
|Nature(Bee HappyShireplantingactivities)|£ 1,296.88|
|Producingthe Climate Plan|£ 542.96|
|CommunityPlan(Action Groups, Poppies on the Green etc)|£ 450.61|
|Pride Brunch|£ 347.55|



|**4.**<br>**Management and administration:**||
|---|---|
|Salary|£ 21,964.32|
|Office|£ 855.72|
|New Website(Design and hosting)|£ 830.00|
|Insurance|£ 634.73|
|New Laptopfor CommunityDevelopment Officer|£ 389.98|
|Misc.(e.g.printing, hall hire for AGM and forum meetings)|£ 154.47|



**5. Liabilities:** These relate to tax on salary which is always paid a month after incurring, and payment to hire the Tithe Barn for the High Street Market in March 

_**Signed, Ludo Tolu, 1st October 2025**_ 



## **Independent examiner’s report to the Trustees of Shirehampton Community Action Forum (Shirehampton Action) Charitable Company** 


I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the company for the year ended 31[st] March 2025. 

## Responsibilities and basis of report 

As the charity’s trustees of the company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (‘the 2006 Act’). 

Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity’s accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (the ‘2011 Act’). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act. 

## Independent examiner’s report 

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe: 

- 1) accounting records were not kept in respect of the company as required by section 386 of the  2006 Act; or 

- 2) the accounts do not accord with those accounting records; or 

- 3) the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the  2006 Act 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; or 

- 4) the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended practice for accounting and reporting by charities [applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)]. 

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. 

Signed: 


Name: Edward Holcombe  ACA 

Institute of Chartered Accountants in England &  Wales (ICAEW) – 3174840 

Address: 4 Branscombe Road, Bristol, BS9 1SN Date: 01/10/2025