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2021-03-31-accounts

The Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31st March 2021

www.fothcp.org Charity No. 1107136 Company No. 5233566

LONDON IN BLOOM RESULTS 2020

Large Conservation Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park, Tower Hamlets Gold

Large Cemetery Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park, Tower Hamlets Gold

Heritage Park/Garden of the Year Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park, Tower Hamlets Silver Gilt

Contents

Welcome from the Chair 3 Welcome from the Cemetery Park Manager 4 The Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park 5 Our impact in 2020-2021 6 The future 18 Statutory Information 20 Governance and management 21 Financial information 24

Welcome from the Chair

We also welcomed our new Heritage Officer, Claire Slack, in September 2020. It has been a long-term dream of ours to be able to have this role in The Friends and we are thrilled that we have managed to be able to bring Claire on board. Claire will be spending 18 months developing a Conservation Management Plan for the site and planning new activities to support the community to get more involved in the heritage of the Cemetery Park.

Like many small charities and community organisations, this last year has been one of unprecedented changes and learning. The start of this reporting year, coincided almost with the start of the first lockdown and the challenges of trying to adapt to new ways of working and a very busy site, and the loss of income from all our planned events. However, staff, trustees, partners and volunteers from the public rallied together to ensure the Cemetery Park and our organisation could survive.

The ongoing forecast for many small charities such as ours remains precarious as we enter a second year of restrictions and increased competition for funding. However, we continue to be thankful for the financial and in-kind support we have been given by so many people - we are truly grateful. We have also been supported by several emergency funds to support vital sites such as ours through these difficult times, including The National Lottery Heritage Fund, The Culture Recovery Fund and East End Community Foundation and Tower Hill Trust. Thank you!

Over the height of lockdown in April-July we started our Cemetery Park Online series of talks on all types of subjects from vegetable growing, grave symbolism and even meeting the local police! We have continued these online talks throughout the year as they have been so popular and allowed people to learn about our work and history from all over the UK and overseas.

We relished the summer and early autumn months as an opportunity to welcome volunteers and events back into the Cemetery Park - all with the correct levels of precautions of course! It was really important to us to be able to reinstate many of our activities safely so that people could enjoy being outdoors again with us. We loved seeing our weekly Tuesday and monthly Sunday volunteer sessions fully booked and to be able to offer Forest Schools for children over the school holidays. We also want to say thank you to The National Lottery Heritage Fund for supporting us financially to be able to put in place all the extra precautions and equipment.

Despite the pandemic, we look back on the last year and can be thankful that we have provided so many people with a place to relax, exercise and meet people during difficult times. We have survived one tricky year but have learnt a lot about what we are capable of as a team and community and are ready to tackle another unusual year.

Fran Humber Chair of Board of Trustees

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Welcome from the Cemetery Park Manager

What a year! It was unlike anything anyone has experienced in recent times. The pandemic certainly brought with it many challenges but we also experienced a great deal of generosity, support and help from our visitors and volunteers. Along with a great deal of work and commitment from the staff team and Trustees, especially Fran Humber, our chairperson.

Park daily to check-in with visitors, and help keep the site safe. With the help of Stephen, a nature conservation volunteer, we began doing the seasonal management work where we could.

As the months rolled on Michelle, Suzanna and I worked together to prepare to welcome people back in the summer of 2020. This involved the installation of a new external sink for hand washing and the implementation of a rigid and thorough cleaning system for equipment and tools after activities. August saw the return of practical volunteers and forest school along with the occasional guided walk. Our volunteering sessions, led by Michelle and Suzanna, were fully booked for months!

When the pandemic started and we were told to stay at home, we experienced an almost instant rise in daily use of the Cemetery Park. We also knew that we would experience a massive drop in income.

So, with the support of Fran, the staff team consisting of Michelle Lindson - Community Outreach Coordinator/Nature & Us project manager, Suzanna Maas - Cemetery Park Officer, and I worked collectively to set up a Crowdfunder to ask people to help The Friends survive the pandemic and help us raise £5,000. To date, people have helped us to raise over £30,000. Massive thanks and appreciation to all that have donated.

In September we welcomed Claire Slack, our new Heritage Officer, to lead on the writing of a Conservation Management Plan for the site as well as delivering public events with a heritage theme.

We’ve had hundreds of comments about the role the Cemetery Park played in helping people deal with the challenges of lockdown. This is one of many similar sounding sentiments we received as comments on our initial Crowdfunder: ‘The Park was a lifeline for literally 100s of local people during the lockdown - helping us all to cope’. We’re so pleased that the Cemetery Park means so much to so many and holds a special place in people’s hearts.

Working from home was a big adjustment for the Friends. We set up online systems to work collaboratively and switch away from paper; we had to learn new skills and adjust how we spent our time, in particular focussing on fundraising, grant writing and digital communications. As a result we saw a major increase in membership, increased our social media engagement, set up new ways of measuring our impact, saw increased event attendance, and built relationships with new volunteers ready for when we could restart our activities.

I really am very grateful to the staff, trustees, our network of volunteers who worked remotely and onsite for everything they’ve done to support The Friends and the Cemetery Park and to keep the Cemetery Park open, clean, safe and welcoming to all. Thank you all very much.

We wanted to continue to connect with our supporters so Cemetery Park Online began, welcoming guest speakers and our own staff and volunteers to present. Thanks to all the speakers for being part of Cemetery Park Online.

Kenneth Greenway

Cemetery Park Manager

We also needed to ensure the Cemetery Park remained a safe place to visit, so volunteer Norayne led the charge on litter picking; Dim, the Setpoint Education Manager, supported this and began several months of walking the Cemetery

“Thank you THCP for helping me and my friends get through this crisis! :) You bring so much joy to this community - it is greatly appreciated.”

6th January 2021

The Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park

Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park offers everyone a breathing space in the heart of East London. This woodland cemetery is a unique place of transformation: a people’s cemetery, a sanctuary for humans as well as nature, a place for festivals, field studies and forest schools. Always changing with the seasons it is rooted in the history of ordinary people, a place of rich heritage that is full of possibilities and freedom for all.

OUR MISSION

We work to install an ethos of freedom in the Cemetery Park as a people-centric charity, exploring history, improving mental wellbeing and managing the woodland and meadows in as light a way as possible.

OUR VALUES

GROWTH

The Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park is an award-winning local charity working to protect, preserve and care for the Cemetery Park. Founded in 1990, our skilled staff and volunteers across nature and heritage bring energy, knowledge and vision to the shape and future of the site for the benefit of all who use it.

We endeavour to ensure that everyone can benefit from the Cemetery Park and have the opportunity to grow as a person.

FREEDOM

We champion the possibilities offered by the Cemetery Park to support learning, nature and heritage.

We are the custodians who seek to protect, commemorate and share the history of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park and maintain and develop it for enjoyment, remembrance and learning for everyone.

FRIENDSHIP

We work in friendship with our staff, volunteers and the wider community.

OPENNESS

We aim to improve London’s natural environment; public engagement and understanding of its local history; support local health and wellbeing; and build social cohesion. Each year we provide hundreds of free activities and volunteer opportunities for the benefit of the local community.

We feel that the Cemetery Park and charity should be accessible to everyone.

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Our impact in 2020-2021

and Club-horned Wood-borer wasps ( Trypoxylon clavicerum ) being recorded. True bugs ( Hemiptera ) have started being recorded with 19 previously unrecorded species confirmed, so far bringing the site total to 50.

NATURE

We continue to carefully manage the Cemetery Park for the benefit of local biodiversity, in particular insect species and have a growing list of new species found each year. Despite the pandemic, the team have worked to do what they can to keep on top of our management regime that maximises its conservation value. The information below has been generously provided by Mark Patterson (bees), Terry Lyle (butterflies), Edward Milner (spiders and beetles) and Gino Brignoli (new insects).

22 butterfly species recorded

BUTTERFLIES

We are proud to have recorded 22 species of butterfly this year. We had several sightings of the Marbled white butterfly (Melanargia galathea). Despite the name, it is part of the “Brown” family, and, like other Browns, the caterpillars eat grasses. Previously there were only 2 reported sightings. The Marbled white, like several other butterflies, is increasing in the London area. It may establish with us, as, since 2013, has its relative the ringlet ( Aphantopus hyperantus ).

This year has seen some exciting new insect finds. A first record for the Cemetery Park of a Dewick’s Plusia moth ( Macdunnoughia confusa ), a rare migrant to the UK from Europe, as well as a first record for the borough of Rambur’s Pied Shieldbug ( Tritomegas sexmaculatus ). It has been a good year for species specialising on dead wood with Wasp Beetles ( Clytus arietis ), Cardinal beetles ( Pyrochroa coccinea ), Hawthorn

BEES

Unfortunately due to the pandemic our usual bee expert was less able to visit during 2020. However, during possible visits the following was noted: Andrena nitida (Grey-patched Mining Bee) seemed much more numerous - this species has increased nationally by a fifth in recent years so the trend at the Cemetery Park reflects the national picture. Numbers of Andrena scotica (Chocolate mining bee) seemed to have declined compared to previous years. This could simply mean the large nesting aggregations have relocated to other parts of the Cemetery Park, equally with the early warmth they could have been over their peak when assessed. Tawny mining bees ( Andrena fulva ) appeared more numerous than usual, with lots of burrows scattered throughout our site along path edges.

We also saw that other bee spotters recorded notable bee species including the Large Scabious Mining Bee ( Andrena hattorfiana ), the Red-girdled Mining Bee ( Andrena labiata ) and the Clover Blunthorn bee ( Melitta leporina ).

Bumblebees appeared to have had a good year and lots of males and new queens of the 8 common bumblebee species were seen over the summer. Numerous flying bees were spotted over the summer too including Wool carder bees ( Anthidium manicatum ), Orange-vented Mason bees ( Osmia leaiana ), Patchwork leaf-cutter bee ( Megachile centuncularis ) and Willughby's Leafcutter Bee ( Megachile willughbiella ); as well as 2 species of yellow faced bee.

5 new spider species recorded

SPIDERS & BEETLES

Numbers of species in both groups continue to climb, so that now there is a list of 164 species of spider and 484 species of beetles recorded in the Cemetery Park.

In a 12 month period, 2,695 spiders were collected by various methods and represented 69 species (42%) of the total list. The count of pioneer spider species continues to drop: just 36 specimens this year compared to 44 in 2019; a very good sign of the ecological health of the Cemetery Park.

Five new spiders were found - after 13 years of continuous surveying, it seems extraordinary

that new species are still turning up. An adult female Phylloneta sisyphia ( Theridiidae ), a fairly widespread tangle-web spider, was found in a web on tall herbs just outside the Soanes Centre – hiding in plain sight! A male of a second tangle web spider, Robertus lividus, was trapped in the Round Glade, while several new money spiders ( Linyphiidae ) were recorded. A single female Pocadicnemis pumila (just four other locations in Middlesex) was trapped in long grass just outside the Soanes Centre, while Mermessus trilobatus was trapped at Lockhart Field in February. Finally, a female Drapetisca socialis, usually found on the trunks of mature oaks, was trapped at Lockhart Field.

10 new species of beetle recorded

The beetle recording has caught up since last year and the present total is now 484 species! Ten new species were recorded during 2020. These were two new ground beetles ( Carabidae ): Amara plebeja and Pterostichus vernalis; one rove beetle ( Staphylinidae ) Sepedophilus marshami; a two-spot ladybird ( Coccinellidae ) Adalia bipunctata; the grey Sailor Beetle Cantharis nigicans ( Cantharidae ); a flower beetle ( Phalacridae ) Olibrus aeneus; a black flea beetle ( Chrysomelidae ) Psylliodes chalcomera; a weevil ( Curculionidae ) Ceutorhymchus turbatus; a false click beetle ( Throscidae ) Trixagus obtusus; and a soft-winged flower beetle ( Melyridae ) Dasytes aeratus.

HEDGEHOGS

We continue to have the only known population of hedgehogs in Tower Hamlets. Spring brought us many Hedgehog ( Erinaceus europaeus ) sightings, although many were sighted dead. This was not necessarily negative but may indicate a thriving population.

1[st] record for Dewick’s Plusia moth

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HERITAGE

heritage events, as well as our monthly heritage volunteer sessions, which attracted 716 people. Whilst starting online with an expanded programme of events was certainly a challenge we've also had speakers from across the country who may never usually have been able to share their expertise with us in person. Our online talks have had the added benefit of being able to share our work with people from as far away as Greece, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden and the USA.

In early 2020, we were awarded a National Lottery Heritage Fund grant to help us create a Conservation Management Plan that will help us plan for our future. Due to the pandemic, we had to delay the start of this work until September 2020 when we welcomed our new Heritage Officer, Claire Slack.

Since September 2020 she has led the start of our 18 month project to develop our Conservation Management Plan, successfully finding expert consultants (LDA Design) to help with the technical components of the work. The Conservation Management Plan will help us to better understand and conserve both our history and the biodiversity of our site as well as the things our community love best about Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park. It will involve our local community, other charities and organisations we work with, heritage and biodiversity professionals and of course our amazing members.

We have also begun working with community partners such as Walk East and Tower Hamlets U3A to provide online sessions from using our grave maps to discover their own relatives to grave symbolism and Victorian funerals. It has been a pleasure bringing our history and heritage out into the local community even as the community were stuck at home and learning behind their laptop, phone or tablet.

This year we were unable to have our usual ceremony for Remembrance Sunday due to the second lockdown. We realise this was disappointing to those of you who usually attend, but the safety of our community was our highest priority at this difficult time.

Our long-standing heritage volunteers have continued to meet every second Sunday of the month (often online) and more, led by Diane Kendall, our Heritage Lead trustee, working to research those buried at the Cemetery Park. We were able to participate in Open House 2020, although it was a smaller event than usual. Our heritage themed talks in our Cemetery Park Online series have proven to be particularly popular, and have involved everything from cemetery tourism to the history of boxing in the East End.

Whilst we were not able to welcome the normal crowds, it did not mean that we were unable to remember those who gave their lives to secure and protect our freedom. Many local people visited our memorials and paid their respects and laid a poppy or a wreath in solitary acts of remembrance. The staff also laid wreaths at our war memorials as well as in the area of the Cemetery Park where many soldiers killed in action were buried. We were thrilled that the Venerable Roger Preece was able to record a video for us this year in place of our usual inperson ceremony. The Venerable Roger Preece is a Master of the Royal Foundation of St Katharine, a retreat house and community cafe charity in East London.

Claire, with the support of the wider team, has also been able to start expanding our heritage activities and training since September, which has been very popular and allowed us to add more heritage themed activities to our wide rosta of events and opportunities. You may have already seen the first of these activities like Hands on Heritage volunteering. Despite the pandemic we were able to put on 11 online

11 Welcomed our online heritage events with 716 first ever Heritage Officer participants

Helped people with 144 grave enquiries

1807 hours by heritage volunteers researching the history of the Cemetery Park

Started work on our pivotal Conservation Management Plan

"It was so nice for them to be able to come together as a group and take part in some really great activities. The students have been talking about it ever since and are super proud of their newly found knowledge of THCP. We had to practically ask them to leave the park at the end as they were having such a nice time."

Project organiser at Friends of the Earth: My World My Home project

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COMMUNITY

proved very popular and over the last year we have put on 51 talks with 2332 people attending! Topics ranged from birdsong to grave symbolism to butterflies and many more.

COVID-19 RESPONSE

It would be remiss of us to not take a moment to reflect on the support from the community to help us survive the first 12 months of the pandemic. Many members of the public, regular park users, friends of our organisation, trustees and members found time to help keep the Cemetery Park safe and free of litter during some of the busiest times. Others got stuck in and helped to keep on top of some of the plant management and weeding by themselves or in small groups once restrictions allowed. In particular we want to thank Dim, Stephen and Norayne for their monumental efforts and help.

Staff, trustees, volunteers and partners all help us to put on such diverse talks, and we were also excited to welcome notable experts such as The Urban Birder (David Lindo), Icy Sedgwick (author and host of the Fabulous Folklore Podcast), and Paul Wood (author of The Street Tree).

OTHER EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

This year we delivered 120 events in total despite the pandemic, and welcomed over 2,974 attendees. This not only included our online talks, but also 26 nature conservation and therapeutic gardening sessions for 171 participants in the Cemetery Park, as well as events at Shandy Park and Swedenborg Gardens (see Nature & Us section).

To help replace lost income, we also launched a Crowdfunder appeal in April 2020. We initially set our sights at £5,000 but were overwhelmed with the support and generosity we received and reached over £30,000! These donations have made a huge difference to the stability of The Friends during this period and ensured we could carry on all our vital work. Huge thanks also to Mircea who raised over £1000 by breaking his own walking record around the Cemetery Park.

We have continued to expand the diversity of activities we have on offer and aim to ensure they are affordable for all (many remain free or pay by donation only) and can benefit as many people from the local community and our network of partners.

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"I think the programme of talks has been fantastic, an amazing variety and very well organised. I moved to Newcastle upon Tyne about 18 months ago and have missed Tower Hamlets a great deal, but the talks have made me feel connected to my heritage and given me something to look forward to in these endless lockdown days. I hope some online talks continue for those of us who can't always get there in person!"

Cemetery Park Online attendee

EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES

Cemetery Park Online

To help people get through lockdowns and to find new ways of bringing the Cemetery Park to the community, we started online talks. These have

A few highlights of this year included:

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“A few months before the sessions started my dad died. I found that my grief meant I lacked the energy or motivation to go for walks as I used to do. I was spending a lot of time alone indoors. The sessions threw me a lifeline – they reminded me how much I love walking and how important it is for me to get out and enjoy the local green spaces and the company of others.”

Nature & Us event participant, 2020

QUEER ECOLOGIES

This year we were excited to welcome Queer Ecologies as our new Artists in Residence. Queer Ecologies is a collaboration between three individuals whose skills and interests span writing, art, performing and gardening, to name but a few.

Queer Ecologies is an intersectional and multidisciplinary exploration of the queerness of nature; and will be exploring the layers of history, alter-life relations, and community which make up the Cemetery Park's ecology.

NATURE & US

Our Nature & Us work slowed down due to the pandemic, however we were still able to connect with the community in different ways, and we completed and reported on four different grants. We delivered nature and history-based online talks to some of our priority beneficiaries, such as the elderly who were more susceptible to isolation during lockdowns, and partnered with groups such as DeafPlus to put on bespoke talks too.

Once restrictions eased, we were able to complete two projects which had been postponed. First, we reunited with participants in Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park for the final walk of the ‘Finding Your Feet’ project with Graham Barker (Walk East).

We then reunited with participants in Shandy Park to deliver the final sessions of our ‘Our Space Award’ project, to plant more flowers in Shandy Park. Everyone was so happy to be back together again planting, and enjoyed lovely feedback from local residents visiting the park.

Our exciting work with the Swedenborg Partnership was also able to continue as meetings went online. As a result, despite the

pandemic, lots of physical improvements were made to Swedenborg Gardens, such as a new fence and new lighting being installed, and amazing volunteers doing gardening work to manage the wildflower mound. Michelle also worked with Tower Hamlets Council and the Swedenborg Society to develop a heritage sign based on Emanuel Swedenborg to be put up in the park in the near future.

All of these improvements help to improve the image of Swedenborg Gardens, make people feel safer in the park and improve their use of it. Over the past three years, along with community events in the park, this work has helped change perceptions of the park, and the police and local residents have reported less anti-social behaviour in Swedenborg Gardens as a result.

IMPACT

During this year we have started to follow up more closely on the impact of our work. Although we only have a few results for this year, the results are positive. Over 60% said that our activities made them feel more connected to their local community, 88% said the activity helped to improve their health and wellbeing, 88% said they were now encouraged to visit more heritage sites,

and 83% were encouraged to visit greenspaces more often. We look forward to seeing more results next year and to use the feedback to continually improve our work.

VOLUNTEERS

Volunteers continue to be vital to all of the work of The Friends. Because of the pandemic we have not been able to invite larger groups from local organisations to support our work, and have been reliant on our network of local volunteers. Their work has been pivotal in maintaining and enhancing the nature and heritage of the Cemetery Park. At some points it was hard for us to keep up with all the extra hands-on support we received, in particular during the first lockdown, but we estimate over 50 people donated hundreds of hours to keep on top of the litter, habitat management and locking/unlocking gates.

Our community nature conservation volunteering sessions, led by Suzanna and Michelle between August and December, proved to be much more popular than in previous years. Where before Covid we’d only have 1 to 3 participants, we were now fully booked with 7 to 11 people per session.

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We also have a team that continued to work behind the scenes. Our heritage research volunteers continued to help people locate their ancestors and research those buried in the Cemetery Park.

Committee meeting on 19th January 2021. The Committee voted unanimously to approve the Bow Common Gasworks development planning application as resubmitted in July 2020. While we are pleased that the height of certain buildings was reduced, we're still disappointed that the changes have not been as significant as we'd have liked. As part of the planning agreement, the Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park have been allocated some financial mitigation. The agreement notes that we are due to receive £375,000 over the course of the development (c. 12 years) to help mitigate against the detrimental impacts of the development.

We also greatly benefitted from volunteer office support, trustees who led on nature and heritage plans for the Cemetery Park, and dedicated volunteers with expertise in social media, fundraising, marketing and branding. This year we have been particularly grateful for the support of Olivia Chester who helped with designing our newsletters, Mimi Tanimoto and Rahul Hussain for leading on branding updates, Sarah Barber and Mike Stockwell for updating our website, and Greg Wright and Konstantinos Havantas for editing videos.

We will make use of this money to enhance existing habitats and create alternative habitat provision in the Cemetery Park for those species that will be irrevocably harmed. We've also secured a written condition on the development which states that we are to be consulted on any proposed lighting for the gasworks buildings and site. This will allow us to work with St William to reduce the impacts of light pollution on the nocturnal environment of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park and its surroundings. We consider this a small win.

As ever we are hugely thankful for the thousands of hours our community and volunteers donate to the Cemetery Park and The Friends. We know we say this every year, but this year we really couldn’t have managed without your support.

BOW COMMON GASWORKS PETITION

Over the last 18 months we have been working hard to raise awareness of the Bow Common Gasworks development and its potential impact on the Cemetery Park. We launched a petition which reached over 10,000 signatures and were also invited to speak at the LBTH Planning

We'd like to thank everyone who has supported our campaign and lots of thanks and appreciation to Olivia Chester, who supported Ken in the campaign.

60% said that our activities made them feel more connected to their local community

83% were encouraged to visit greenspaces more often

Over 10,000 signatures on our Bow Common Gasworks petition

“Thank you for taking the time out to plant with our pupils last week, the children really enjoyed planting bulbs.”

Teacher, primary school near Shandy Park

88% said the activity helped to improve their health and wellbeing

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“An ideal session, well-led. Also felt very covid-secure. I've always loved the Cemetery Park and it has really helped my mental wellbeing during this year of lockdown. Don't know what I'd have done without it, and nice to have the chance to give back a little.”

Nature volunteer, 2021

OUR PARTNERS

SETPOINT LONDON EAST

The Friends’ closest partner in the Cemetery Park continues to be Setpoint London East. Setpoint London East provides hands-on science workshops for thousands of school children and their teachers. We continue to work together closely to support each other's activities, collaborating to ensure the Cemetery Park remains a vibrant learning space for young people. We also thank them for their generous sharing of the Soanes Centre.

GROUNDED ECOTHERAPY / PROVIDENCE ROW HOUSING ASSOCIATION

We continue to have a strong partnership with Grounded Ecotherapy which is one of London's most unique horticultural therapy and wellbeing projects for people that have suffered mental health, substance misuse issues or experience of homelessness. They offer recovery for people and create thriving green spaces from neglected urban environments. We welcome their support in maintaining the Cemetery Park and supporting many of our events and activities.

COMMUNITY PARTNERS

We would like to thank everyone that has supported our work, including:

London Borough of Tower Hamlets, City of London, Natural History Museum, Harry Roberts Nursery School, Solebay Primary Academy, Morpeth Secondary School, St Paul’s Whitechapel C of E Primary School, East End Homes, Ocean Regeneration Trust, Walk East, Lower Regents Coalition, Stepney City Farm, Tower Hamlets Idea Stores, Poplar HARCA, London Gardens Trust, The E1 Community Network, Communities Driving Change, Society Links, Whitechapel Safer Neighbourhood Team, Butterfly Conservation, University College London, Trapped in Zone One, Tower Hamlets Community Volunteer Service, NHS Tower Hamlets Clinical Commission Group, Tower Hamlets Multi-Faith Forum, St. Mungo’s, Swedenborg Society, JTP, Linnean Society, Tower Hamlets U3A, Roman Road Trust, Arnos Vale Cemetery, Abney Park Cemetery, Cemetery Club, East London History Society, Past Search, Fabulous Folklore Podcast, Positive East, ELOP, Friends of the Earth: My World My Home, Tower Hamlets Police, Cemetery Club, Youth Offending Team, Made in Hackney, Forage London & Beyond, Archer & Braun, Tower Hamlets Homes, Splash Arts, Film Office, Pavement 2 Catwalk, E1 Community Gardeners, London Month of the Dead, London Open House, Society of Genealogists, Hestia, Street Link, Women's

Environmental Network, Bromley by Bow Centre, Bow Church and East End WI.

VOLUNTEERING ORGANISATIONS & COMPANIES

We would like to thank these volunteering organisations and companies that have given their time and money this year. They continue to help transform the Cemetery Park into one of London’s most unique spaces. Thank you to: Benefacto, Benevity, ELBA, Semble, Tower Hamlets CVS, Volunteer Centre Tower Hamlets, Volunteering Matters, AXA XL, Bank of England, Barclays, BlackRock, Heineken, Hyperion, Macquarie Group, The Sainsbury Family Charitable Trusts, Santander, Vegware and the Wellcome Trust.

FUNDERS

Thank you to our funders this year including The National Lottery Heritage Fund, including the Culture Recovery Fund and the Heritage Emergency Fund, The Fore Raft Fund, East End Community Foundation, D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust, Isla Foundation, Tower Hill Trust, Assura Community Foundation, Tree of Hope, Postcode Community Trust, Aviva, and Neighbourly.

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The future

We are anxious about the next 12 months given the ongoing uncertainty around the impact of Covid-19 but are excited to be able to continue to help our community recover from the impact of the pandemic, to support our work and the Cemetery Park and to continue with our Conservation Management Plan.

In particular we aim to:

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Governance and management

Statutory Information

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

The Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park (FoTHCP) is a company limited by guarantee (registered company number 5233566) and is a charity registered in England and Wales (1107136) regulated by the Charity Commission.

It is governed by a Board of Trustees chaired by Frances Humber, defined in the Memorandum and Articles of Association.

The company has 340 members whose liability, in the event of the company being wound up, is limited to £1.00 each. Membership of the company is governed in accordance with regulations within our articles as agreed by the trustees.

The day-to-day running of the Charity is the responsibility of the Cemetery Park Manager and the Trustees.

TRUSTEES

The Trustees set the strategic direction and ensure the Charity achieves its objectives. The Trustees oversee governance and are responsible for upholding the Charity’s values. The Charity’s governance complies with the Code for the Voluntary and Community Sector, and other best practice guidelines published by the Charity Commission.

It has delegated many operational responsibilities for the Charity’s activities to the staff and the Trustees provide advice, guidance and support on an ongoing basis. The Board of Trustees is comprised of 11 Trustees as of 30th March 2021 and met four times during the year. It is also supported by a group of trustees and volunteers who support with fundraising, policy updates, research and other organisational activities.

RECRUITMENT AND APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS AND TRUSTEES

The Board of Trustees must comprise at least 2 trustees and are elected at the Annual General Meeting (AGM). Elected Trustees serve for a three-year term and are eligible to stand for a second three-year term, after which they must retire for a minimum of one term.

Trustee vacancies are advertised externally unless there are specific skills FoTHCP are looking for. On occasion, the trustees may identify and approach individuals thought to have the right skills and invite their application to the Board. New Trustees are formally appointed at the AGM.

The trustees may appoint Patrons or other honorary post-holders of the Charity. Such postholders are honorary only and carry no vote or other rights.

RISK MANAGEMENT

FoTHCP’s approach to risk management is proactive and integrated into day-to-day working. The charity maintains a register of risks (governance, operational, financial, environmental) and maintains mitigation controls and contingency plans. Items from the risk register are reviewed quarterly by the board.

PUBLIC BENEFIT

The Trustees confirm that they have referred to the guidance in the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the charity’s aims and objectives, and in implementing current and planning future activities. The Trustees have considered this matter and concluded:

That the aims of the FoTHCP continue to be charitable;

TRUSTEES

The Trustees who served during the reporting period were:

Chair - Frances Humber Vice Chair - Terry Lyle Treasurer - Colin Wiseman

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Marilyn Baltutis Helen Conford - resigned September 2020 Diane Kendall Doreen Kendall

Mike Keith - resigned September 2020 Toby Sibley Sigrid Werner Sally Randall Guy Mitchell - appointed September 2020 Diane Gibb - appointed February 2021

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Total income for the year amounted to £238,794 (2020: £221,796). There was a slight increase from 2020 due to a number of successful grants to emergency Covid-19 funds as well as our Crowdfunding efforts. This year we had to rely more heavily on grants and individual donations to replace lost income streams from corporate group donations and event income. Total expenditure for the year amounted to £189,511 (2020: £162,662) which has slightly increased due to the addition of a fourth staff member. Expenditure was also kept to a minimum where possible due to unknown likelihood of being able to replace lost income.

Our key concern is to continue to be able to maintain our staff levels, which has increased our visibility across the borough, brought new skills to FoTHCP, and increased awareness of both the Cemetery Park and FoTHCP.

RESULTS OF THE YEAR

The results of the period and financial position of the charity are shown in the financial statements.

The Statement of Financial Activities shows net expenditure for the year of £49,283 and a total of £197,215 being carried forward (of which £108,024 is unrestricted).

Tangible fixed assets for use by the charity

Fixed assets are set out in Note 9 to the accounts.

RESERVES POLICY

The charity receives a modest Service Level Agreement from London Borough of Tower Hamlets. The rest of the costs of the Cemetery Park are covered by the Friends’ fundraising via charitable activities and grants.

The support costs of the Friends are pared to the minimum and the costs of maintaining the site are very carefully managed.

The charity’s method of estimating the appropriate level of reserves is aimed at protecting the continuity of the core work. In doing so, the trustees consider: (a) risk to income from grants, voluntary donations and fees in an uncertain financial climate; (b) ability to meet replacement costs of essential equipment; (c) ability to finance immediate opportunity.

The charity aims to maintain unrestricted reserves of up to six months of core costs (staff, overheads that would maintain core activities) and three months of contingency costs (critical activities that can not be stopped).

FoTHCP have calculated a minimum target of £92,045 as follows:

Core operating costs (6 months) £80,045 Contingency costs (3 months) £12,000 Total: £92,045

The current unrestricted reserves stand at £108,024 so we are currently meeting our reserve requirement. Given the uncertainty of funding and income in the next financial year, it is likely our reserves will be reduced and not exceed our target within a few months. However, the optimum level of reserves is reviewed on an ongoing basis and at minimum once a year and may increase next year due to additional staff members and increasing operating costs.

STATEMENT OF TRUSTEE RESPONSIBILITIES

The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

Under company law the Trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of the affairs of the charitable company and of the income resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure of the charitable company.

In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charitable company’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006 and the Charities Act 2011. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The Trustees confirm that:

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER

The Independent Examiner, Anthony Armstrong FCA of Armstrong & Co, has indicated his willingness to be proposed for reappointment.

This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Park 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

And signed on behalf of the Trustees by: Frances Humber

Chair of the Board of Trustees

Fran Humber

Frances Humber

Chair of the Board of Trustees

22

23

AT The Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park (A Charity Company Limited by Guarantee, company number 5233566)

Charitable company Information

for the year ended 31 March 2021

Status: The Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park is a company limited by guarantee and a The Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park is a company limited by guarantee and a
registered charity governed by its memorandum and articles of association. The directors
of the charity are its trustees for the purposes of charity law and throughout this report are
collectively referred to as the trustees.
Charity name: The Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park
Company registration number: 5233566
(England & Wales)
Charity registration number: 1107136
Registered office: The Soanes Centre
Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park
Southern Grove
London E3 4PX
Operations address: The Soanes Centre
Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park
Southern Grove
London E3 4PX
Trustees who held office Sigrid Werner
during the year: Diane Kendall
Terry Lyle
Doreen Kendall
Marilyn Baltutis
Mike Keith - Resigned 17 September 2020
Helen Conford - Resigned 17 September 2020
Frances Humber
Toby John Sibley
Colin George Wiseman
Sally Jane Randall
Guy Mitchell - Appointed 17 September 2020
Diane Gibb - Appointed 15 January 2021
Chair: Frances Humber
Vice chair: Terry Lyle
Independent Examiner: Anthony Armstrong FCA
Armstrong & Co
Chartered Accountants & Statutory Auditor
4a Printing House Yard
Hackney Road
London E2 7PR
Bankers: CAF Bank
25 Kings Hill Avenue
West Malling
Kent ME19 4JQ

24

(A Charity Company Limited by Guarantee, company number 5233566)

AT The Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of The Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park

I report on the accounts of The Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park for the period from 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021, which are set out on pages 26 to 36.

This report is made solely to the trustees as a body in accordance with section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and regulations made under section 154 of that Act. My examination has been undertaken so that I might state to the trustees those matters I am required to state to them in an independent examiner's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the company and the trustees as a body, for my examination, for this report, or for the opinions I have formed.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

As described on pages 22 - 23, the trustees (who are also the directors of the company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the the Charities Act and that an independent examination is needed.

Having satisfied myself that the charity is not subject to audit under company law and is eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to:

Basis of independent examiner's statement

My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair view' and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

Independent examiner's statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:

I 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.

Anthony Armstrong FCA, Independent Examiner of Armstrong & Co Chartered Accountants & Statutory Auditor

4a Printing House Yard Hackney Road London E2 7PR

Dated: 30 September 2021

25

FS The Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park

(A Charity Company Limited by Guarantee, company number 5233566)

Statement of Financial Activities

incorporating the income and expenditure account for the year ended 31 March 2021

Notes
Income from:
Donations and legacies
3
Charitable activities
4
Investments
5
Other income
6
Total income
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
7
Total expenditure
Net income/(expenditure) for the year
Transfers between funds
17
Net movement in funds
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward
13
Total funds carried forward
13		 2021
Total Funds
£
185,500
52,919
83
292
238,794
189,511
189,511
49,283
-
49,283
147,932
197,215		 2020
Unrestricted
Funds		 Restricted
Funds		 Endowment
Funds		 Total Funds
£
119,056
52,919
83
292		 £
66,444
-
-
-		 £
-
-
-
-		 £
135,025
86,623
148
-
172,350 66,444 - 221,796
142,351 47,160 - 162,662
142,351 47,160 - 162,662
29,999
(796)		 19,284
796		 -
-		 59,134
29,203
78,821		 20,080
69,111		 -
-		 59,134
88,798
108,024 89,191 - 147,932

All incoming resources and resources expended are derived from continuing activities. The statement of financial activities incorporates an income and expenditure account. The accompanying accounting policies and notes form an integral part of these financial statements.

26

(A Charity Company Limited by Guarantee, company number 5233566)

The Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park

Statement of Financial Postion

as at 31 March 2021

Notes
Current assets:
Debtors
10
Cash at bank and In hand
11
Total current assets
12
Net current assets/(liabilities)
Total net assets
The funds of the charity:
Restricted funds
15
Unrestricted funds
15
Total charity funds
18
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year		 £
£
£
£
3,167
5,098
231,002
164,215
234,169
169,313
36,954
21,381
197,215
147,932
197,215
147,932
89,191
69,111
108,024
78,821
197,215
147,932
31 March 2021
31 March 2020		 £
£
£
£
3,167
5,098
231,002
164,215
234,169
169,313
36,954
21,381
197,215
147,932
197,215
147,932
89,191
69,111
108,024
78,821
197,215
147,932
31 March 2021
31 March 2020
£
3,167
231,002		 £
147,932
234,169
36,954
147,932
69,111
78,821
147,932

The directors are satisfied that the company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 and that no member or members have requested an audit pursuant to section 476 of the Act.

The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for:

(i) ensuring that the company keeps proper accounting records which comply with Section 386 of the Companies Act 2006; and

(ii) preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company as at the end of the financial year and of its surplus or deficit for the financial year in accordance with the requirements of Section 394 and 395 of the Companies Act 2006, and which otherwise comply with the requirements of this act relating to accounts, so far as applicable to the charitable company.

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies and with the Financial Reporting Standard 102.

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees on 30 September 2021 and signed on its behalf by:

Frances Humber Chair of Trustees

The notes on pages 31 to 35 form part of these accounts.

27

The Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park

(A Charity Company Limited by Guarantee, company number 5233566)

Statement of Cash Flows

for the year ended 31 March 2021

Notes
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities
1
Cash flows from investing activities:
Dividends, interest and rents from investments
Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities
Change in cash and cash equivalents in the reporting period
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the reporting period
2
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the reporting period
2
Notes to the Cash Flow Statement
1)
Adjustments for:
Dividends, interest and rents from investments
(Increase)/decrease in debtors
Increase/(decrease) in creditors
Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities
2)
Analysis of cash and cash equivalents
Cash in hand
Total cash and cash equivalents
Reconciliation of net income/(expenditure) to net cash flow from
operating activities
Net income/(expenditure) for the reporting period (as per the statement of financial
activities)		 2021
£
66,704
83
83
66,787
164,215
231,002
2021
£
49,283
(83)
1,931
15,573
66,704
2021
£
231,002
231,002		 2020
£
89,422
148
148
89,570
74,645
164,215
2020
£
59,134
(148)
25,165
5,274
89,422
2020
£
164,215
164,215

28

(A Charity Company Limited by Guarantee, company number 5233566)

The Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park

Accounting Policies

for the year ended 31 March 2021

Basis of preparation

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with:

Public benefit entity

The charitable company meets the defination of a public benefit entity under FRS 102.

Going concern

The charity's income is mainly derived from non self-generated sources, such as grants, service level agreements and other governmental or NGO sources. The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the likelihood that this support will continue,and accordingly, the accounts have been prepared on a going concern basis.

Income recognition

Income is recognised when the company has a contractual or other right to its receipt, it is probable that the income will be received and that the amount can be measured reliably. Income with conditions attached to its receipt is recognised when those conditions have been fulfilled.

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.

Expenditure recognition

Expenditure is accrued as soon as a liability is considered probable, and the amount of obligation can be measured reliably. The charity is not registered for VAT and accordingly expenditure includes VAT where appropriate.

Expenditure included in Raising Funds includes amounts incurred in obtaining grants and other donations.

Costs are allocated directly to projects where they can be identified as relating solely to that project. Other costs are allocated between the funds based on staff time spent on the fund activities or other appropriate criteria.

Deferred income

Income received which is contractually or otherwise not expendable until a future period is deferred to the period in which it meets the criteria for income recognition.

Restricted Funds

Restricted funds are to be used for specified purposes as laid down by the funder. Direct and support expenditure which meets these criteria are identified to the fund together with a fair allocation of other costs.

Unrestricted Funds

Unrestricted funds are funds received which have no restrictions placed on their use and are available as general funds.

Designated Funds

Designated funds are unrestricted funds earmarked by the trustees for particular purposes.

Hire purchase and leasing commitments

Rentals paid under operating leases are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities on a straight line basis over the period of the lease.

29

(A Charity Company Limited by Guarantee, company number 5233566)

The Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park

Accounting Policies

for the year ended 31 March 2021

Tangible Fixed Assets

Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less depreciation. Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.

Computer equipment Furniture & fixtures

30

F The Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park

(A Charity Company Limited by Guarantee, company number 5233566)

Notes to the Accounts

for the year ended 31 March 2021

1 Incoming resources

The incoming resources and surplus are attributable to the principal activities of the charity.

2 Net incoming resources

Net incoming resources
Net incoming resources are stated after charging:
Independent Examiner's fees - reporting service
Independent Examiner's fees - other services
Trustees' emoluments		 2021
£
1,600
480
-		 2020
£
1,440
480
-

Emoluments include salaries, fees, bonuses, expense allowances and estimated non-cash benefits receivable. All trustees serve in a voluntary capacity and do not receive payment for their services.

Income from donations and legacies
Donations - individuals
Crowdfunding
Donations - organisations
Grants
Hosting - general		 Unrestricted
£
26,332
41,390
3,794
43,900
3,640
119,056		 Restricted
£
-
-
-
66,444
-
66,444		 2021
Total
£
26,332
41,390
3,794
110,344
3,640
185,500		 2020
Total
£
7,378
-
186
123,237
4,224
135,025
4
Income from charitable activities
Membership - individuals
LBTH SLA
Course Fees
Corporate days
5
Income from investments
Interest received
6
Other other income
Other income		 Unrestricted
£
4,808
31,900
10,867
5,344
52,919
Unrestricted
£
83
83
Unrestricted
£
292
292		 Restricted
£
-
-
-
-
-
Restricted
£
-
-
Restricted
£
-
-		 2021
Total
£
4,808
31,900
10,867
5,344
52,919
2021
Total
£
83
83
2021
Total
£
292
292		 2020
Total
£
3,500
31,900
16,295
34,928
86,623
2020
Total
£
148
148
2020
Total
£
-
-

31

(A Charity Company Limited by Guarantee, company number 5233566)

F The Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park

Notes to the Accounts

for the year ended 31 March 2021

7
Expenditure on charitable activities
Repairs & maintenance
Park access devel & maint
Lodge
Plants
Tools & accessories
Volunteers - hospitality
Events
Green waste
Teaching materials
Biodiversity professionals
Publicity - general
Heritage
Staff costs
Recuitment & training
Soanes office space
Provision for bad debts
Legal and professional fees
Office running costs
Insurance - other
Interest paid
Bank charges
Accountancy fees
8
Staff costs
Staff salaries
Staff social security
Staff pensions
Average number of employees during the year was:		 Unrestricted
£
20
2,818
8,825
1,120
627
55
640
-
-
2,962
675
(270)
98,171
531
5,000
(1,440)
8,996
10,380
1,049
-
112
2,080
142,351		 Restricted
£
594
12,661
-
880
1,288
372
3,526
3,589
-
-
-
-
21,625
-
-
-
-
2,625
-
-
-
-
47,160		 2021
Total
£
614
15,479
8,825
2,000
1,915
427
4,166
3,589
-
2,962
675
(270)
119,796
531
5,000
(1,440)
8,996
13,005
1,049
-
112
2,080
189,511
2021
£
109,444
6,759
3,593
119,796
4		 2020
Total
£
424
14,928
-
5,201
2,697
950
8,271
7,056
476
2,962
1,790
2,358
97,419
2,063
5,169
2,172
-
5,682
983
81
60
1,920
162,662
2020
£
88,728
5,672
3,018
97,419
3

Average number of employees during the year was:

No remuneration was paid to any Trustee or their associates for services as a trustee during the year ended 31 March 2021 nor to 31 March 2020.

Employees paid in excess of £60,000 during the current year and previous year:
9
Tangible fixed assets
Tangible 1
Tangible 2
Church
improveme
£
£
£
Cost
As at 1 April 2020
-
-
-
As at 31 March 2021
-
-
-
Depreciation
As at 1 April 2020
-
-
-
As at 31 March 2021
-
-
-
Net book value
As at 31 March 2021
-
-
-
As at 31 March 2020
-
-
-		 Computer
equipment
£
5,597
5,597
5,597
5,597
-
-		 None
Furniture &
fixtures
£
727
727
727
727
-
-		 None
Total
£
6,324
6,324
6,324
6,324
-
-

32

(A Charity Company Limited by Guarantee, company number 5233566)

F The Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park

Notes to the Accounts

for the year ended 31 March 2021

10
11
12
13
**14 **		 Debtors: amounts falling due within one year
Operating debtors
Staff loans
Prepayments
Bank and cash in hand
CAF reserve account
CAF current account
PayPal account
Petty Cash
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
PAYE/NIC
Pensions
Accruals
Deferred income
The funds of the charity: current year
Restricted funds
Restricted income funds
Unrestricted funds
General funds
The funds of the charity: prior year
Restricted funds
Restricted income funds
Unrestricted funds
General funds		 Opening
balance
£
69,111
78,821
147,932
Opening
balance
£
25,073
63,725
88,798		 Resources
arising
£
66,444
172,350
238,794
Resources
arising
£
70,866
150,930
221,796		 Resources
utilised
£
(47,160)
(142,351)
(189,511)
Resources
utilised
£
(17,096)
(145,566)
(162,662)		 2021
£
2,988
2
177
3,167
2021
£
224,899
4,124
1,541
438
231,002
2021
£
14,220
2,151
12,608
7,975
36,954
Other
movements
£
796
(796)
-
Other
movements
£
(9,732)
9,732
-		 2020
£
1,908
3,026
164
5,098
2020
£
165,831
(3,870)
1,955
299
164,215
2020
£
8,664
1,986
2,756
7,975
21,381
Closing
balance
£
89,191
108,024
197,215
Closing
balance
£
69,111
78,821
147,932

33

(A Charity Company Limited by Guarantee, company number 5233566)

F The Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park

Notes to the Accounts

for the year ended 31 March 2021

15 Restricted funds: current period
Cheshire Community
East End Emergency
Fairfoot
Groundwork
Heritage Emergency
Heritage Fund
Heritage Lottery Fund
London Dock community
Small grants
TFL
Tower Hill Trust
Tree of Hope
Veolia
16 Restricted funds: prior period
Groundwork
Heritage Fund
Heritage Lottery Fund
Small grants
TFL
Tower Hill Trust
Veolia		 Opening
balance
£
-
-
-
4,064
-
49,130
3,028
-
5,000
4,910
1,980
-
999
69,111
Opening
balance
£
-
-
3,028
-
-
4,041
18,004
25,073		 Incoming
resources
£
5,478
1,228
35,000
-
18,600
-
-
2,715
-
-
-
2,000
1,423
66,444
Incoming
resources
£
7,236
49,450
-
5,000
4,910
-
4,270
70,866		 Resources
expended
£
-
633
774
4,244
18,600
17,438
-
-
2,020
306
-
-
3,144
47,160
Resources
expended
£
3,172
320
-
-
-
2,061
11,543
17,096		 Transfers &
gains/(losses)
£
-
-
(106)
180
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
722
796
Transfers &
gains/(losses)
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
(9,732)
(9,732)		 Closing
balance
£
5,478
595
34,120
-
-
31,692
3,028
2,715
2,980
4,604
1,980
2,000
-
89,191
Closing
balance
£
4,064
49,130
3,028
5,000
4,910
1,980
999
69,111

Restricted funds (continued)

Projects financed by restricted funds are supported by unrestricted funding where necessary. This occurs where the funding is in arrears or the incidence of expenditure on the project occurs disproportionately at the beginning of the project compared to the income flows. Where restricted projects end the year with a deficit, this is met by after year-end restricted income or transfers from unrestricted funds.

----- Start of picture text -----
Cheshire Community To care and improve Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park and other vital greenspaces in the borough
----- End of picture text -----

Cheshire Community To care and improve Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park and other vital greenspaces in the borough
and community cohesion, through twice monthly nature-based sessions such as therapeutic
gardening and nature walks.
East End Emergency Covid emergency funding to support additional equipment and PPE costs to allow our work to
continue.
Fairfoot Improving Fairfoot Road greenspace for the local community and biodiversity.
Groundwork Improvements to Shandy Park through removal of tarmac and planting of bulbs and wildflowers,
supported by educational events and activities for the community.
Heritage Emergency Covid emergency funding to support our organisation's survival of the pandemic and allow us to
continue working with the community.
Heritage Fund To hire a Heritage Officer to develop a community-led conservation, management and
maintenance plan for Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park over 2 years. In doing so, the heritage of
THCP will be accessible to a wider range of people.
Heritage Lottery Fund Funds to support research into the lives of the 204 service personnel who lost their lives during
World War One and are recorded on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission War
Memorial inside the Park.
London Dock community Nature based summer programme for young people.
Small grants Establishing an "Elder Trees" community group for the over 60s for two-hour sessions, once per
week (37 in total). Sessions would include activities such as sit-and-sense, walk-and-talk, nature
crafts, wild foods, planting and bird spotting.

34

(A Charity Company Limited by Guarantee, company number 5233566)

F The Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park

Notes to the Accounts

for the year ended 31 March 2021

TFL
Tower Hill Trust Funds to support infrastructure and facilities development in the Cemetery Park, supported by
training opportunities for partner Grounded Ecotherapy, and volunteering opportunities. Funds
for the Wild Homes project, improving habitats and providing training in countryside skills.
Funds for grass cutting.
Tree of Hope Collaboration with Pavement2Catwalk to create a recycled art installation that will represent a
tree of hope with the local community.
Veolia Funds for the improvement of meadow areas of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park, Scrapyard
Meadows and Ackroyd Drive including training opportunities for volunteers.
17 Transfers between funds: current period
Restricted to general
18 Net assets attributable to funds: current period
Current assets
Current liabilities
Net assets represented by funds
19 Net assets attributable to funds: prior period
Current assets
Current liabilities
Net assets represented by funds		 General
funds
(796)
(796)
General
funds
137,003
(28,979)
108,024
General
funds
100,202
(21,381)
78,821		 Designated
funds
-
Designated
funds
£
-
-
-
Designated
funds
£
-
-
-		 Restricted
funds
796
796
Restricted
funds
£
97,166
(7,975)
89,191
Restricted
funds
£
69,111
-
69,111		 Endowment
funds
-
Endowment
funds
£
-
-
-
Endowment
funds
£
-
-
-		 Total
-
-
Total
£
234,169
(36,954)
197,215
Total
£
169,313
(21,381)
147,932

20 Taxation

The company is a registered charity. Accordingly, it is exempt from taxation in respect of income and capital gains to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects.

21 Post balance sheet events

There were no significant post balance sheet events.

22 Pension commitments

The charity contributes to employees defined contribution stakeholder pension schemes. The assets of the schemes are held separately from those of the charity in an independently administered fund.

The unpaid contributions outstanding at the year end were:

2021 2020 £ 2,151 £ 1,986

23 Contingent liabilities

The charitable company had no material contingent liabilities at 31 March 2021 nor at 31 March 2020.

24 Related parties

There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year.

35

(A Charity Company Limited by Guarantee, company number 5233566)

F The Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park

Notes to the Accounts

for the year ended 31 March 2021

25 Transactions with trustees

There were no material transactions with the trustees during the year.

26 Gifts in kind and volunteers

During the year the charitable company benefited from unpaid work performed by volunteers.

27 Major funders

In accordance with Section 37 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 the following grants and their purpose is confirmed:

Funder

Project name / Purpose of

London Borough of Tower Hamlets Park maintenance and litter picking £ 31,900

28 Company status

The company is limited by guarantee and has no share capital. The guarantors liability in the event the company is wound up is restricted to a maximum of £1 each.

36

“This space became such an important one for me during this pandemic year.”

Samayakula Women’s Community in Bethnal Green, 16th December 2020

The Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park The Soanes Centre Southern Grove Mile End, London E3 4PX

Tel: 020 8983 1277 Email: contact@fothcp.org