## Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park ~~ANNUAL R~~ EPORT & FINANCIAL ACCOUNTS AS AT 31 MARCH 2024 www.fothcp.org Registered Charity No. 1107136 | Registered Company No : 5233566 This document was produced with contributions from the Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park (FoTHCP) Chairperson and the Board of Trustees; Staff; Terry Lyle (Honorary Trustee); Edward Milner and Mark Patterson. Photographs of the Cemetery Park are credited to Ursula Armstrong, Jamie Casey, Chelsea Collison, Oana Damir, Claire Davis, Kenneth Greenway, Jamie Robinson, Claire Slack. **----- Start of picture text -----**
About Us .............................................. 3
Chair's Report ...................................... 4
Manager's Report ................................. 7
Our Mission and Values......................... 9
Strategic Reports ............................... 10
Conservation ................................. 11
Biodiversity ................................... 14
Heritage ........................................ 18
Community .................................... 20
The Future ......................................... 27
Statutory Information ......................... 28
Financial Reports ............................... 32
CONTENTS
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## Green Flag 2023-2024: Community Winner - retained since 2011 ## London in Bloom 2023: Large Conservation (Gold Category Winner) Large Cemetery/ Crematorium (Gold Category Winner) Heritage Park/ Garden of the Year (Gold) ## Tower Hamlets in Bloom 2023: Award for Special Contribution to Britain and London in Bloom 3 ## ABOUT US ## Conservation | Heritage | Community The Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park (FoTHCP) is an award-winning charity working to protect, preserve and care for Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park. The site includes one of the historic 'Magnificent Seven' Victorian-era London garden cemeteries and adjoining areas including Scrapyard Meadow and Ackroyd Drive Greenlink. Collectively, the 31-acre Local Nature Reserve is a Site of Metropolitan Importance for Nature Conservation and London's most central urban woodland. The Cemetery Park offers everyone a breathing space in the heart of East London. It is a unique site for transformation: a people’s cemetery; a sanctuary for humans as well as nature; a place for festivals, forest schools and field studies. It changes with the seasons and the passing of time, but will always remain rooted in the history of the people of the East End and a place of rich heritage. The FoTHCP was established in 1990, and ever since our passionate trustees, staff and volunteers have shared their energy, expert knowledge and vision to shape the future of the Cemetery Park for the benefit of all who use and enjoy it. We are the custodians who seek to protect, commemorate and share the history of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park, and maintain and develop the site for enjoyment, remembrance and learning. We aim to improve London's natural environment; public engagement with nature and understanding of its local history; support physical and mental health and wellbeing; and build social cohesion. Each year we provide hundreds of events, workshops and activities, including volunteer opportunities, for the benefit of the local community, many of which are free or subsidised. 4 ## CHAIR'S REPORT **The Annual Report is an opportunity for our organisation to reflect and acknowledge the work done by our staff, volunteers and Board. I am both grateful and proud to share this progress.** The FoTHCP have responded to the recent period of change astoundingly well. We remained resilient throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, and its lasting legacy, and have adapted our fundraising and activity programmes within the economic climate - retaining a strong, community-focused schedule. Key investment has been (and continues to be) made into both the physical environment as a heritage site, local nature reserve and Metropolitan Site for the Importance of Nature Conservation, and the FoTHCP as a community-focused charity. **We remain committed to our agenda across three pillars - conservation, heritage and community - in all that we do.** In last year’s report, we noted the continued importance of access to welcoming, safe and diverse natural green spaces for physical health and mental wellbeing. Tower Hamlets remains significantly short of the local open space standard. The immediate locale is expecting to become even more population-dense with the Bow Gasworks development. Whilst we are always pleased to welcome new visitors to the space, much of our conservation focus is now around preparing to mitigate the impact of this development on shade, noise, artificial light and increased footfall. We have determined a 10-year mitigation project plan, facilitated via designated Section 106 mitigation funds, around this. Our conservation activities continue to be widely recognised as best-in-class. Through our volunteer and staff efforts, we have retained a number of accolades, including Green Flag and Britain/London/Tower Hamlets in Bloom awards. _**“Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park is a vital green space for communities in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets to socialise, enjoy nature, for children to play safely, and it provides important opportunities for park users to improve their physical and mental health.”**_ ## _**- Paul Todd, MBE, Green Flag Award Scheme Manager, Keep Britain Tidy**_ Many, many hours of effort and dedication go into cultivating environments that are unlike others in the borough. The space established and maintained by the FoTHCP is recognised as a hallmark for London, and is unique and cherished. Our approach towards caring for the physical space in a considerate and effective way requires many hands, and the Board are immensely grateful to the hundreds of volunteers who give thousands of hours each year to this effort. 5 What makes this space so special is its unique mix of conservation and heritage. We ensure that the space remains a respectful and reflective environment in line with its roots as a Victorian-era cemetery that was operational up to the 1960s. I’ve received so many notes of appreciation for the work of the FoTHCP in helping many people from across the borough, London and much further afield in finding their ancestors’ resting place and documenting their stories. In the 2022-23 Annual Report, we shared that we had finalised our first Conservation Management Plan (CMP). This is an extensive, 30+ year and multi-faceted strategy which spans the Cemetery Park’s physical assets, including monuments (some of which are listed or on the heritage at risk register), visitor experience and interpretation, and the cultural significance of the space. A number of the first-phase of CMP projects have been successfully started or completed, including the essential periodic monuments survey and ongoing health and safety work. Some projects, however, were necessarily delayed whilst we recruited a new Heritage Officer. We all wish Claire well in her new role outside of London, and remain grateful to her for her impact. Following a successful recruitment campaign, our new Heritage Officer joined us in May 2024, and we look forward to sharing progress as he settles into the role. A much-appreciated group of heritage volunteers continued to support ongoing research, documenting local history and enabling so many to explore their own family and personal connections. **Naturally, our third pillar - community - remains a key focus.** We have an unwavering commitment to maintaining a safe and enjoyable space for all. The Friends provide welcoming environments for so many community partners, local organisations and other groups to appreciate, discover and explore the Cemetery Park. We continue to develop ways to engage casual visitors, including trails and online content, and with our recent increases in staff capacity we intend to further build this out. This year we have refined our schedule of events and activities, in particular Community Mondays and the free family programme throughout the school holidays. It was also great to see so many people enjoy the relaunched Summer Fair, and commemorate Remembrance Sunday. The Board recognises that both the ongoing activities and our future plans require lots of work and expertise. To that purpose, we have been focused on building and cementing our organisational capacity as we navigate upcoming change: challenges in the charity sector, increased demand for the space, and the ongoing responsibilities of managing the Cemetery Park and its heritage and biodiversity. **----- Start of picture text -----**
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While we have secured a 30-year lease on the Cemetery Park, our ongoing Service Level Agreement with London Borough of Tower Hamlets is up for renewal. We are following up on this in order to ensure we can continue to deliver within contractual agreements. Moving into the Lodge while retaining use of the Soanes Centre, which is vital to accommodate our larger groups and activities, was part of increasing our ability to deliver, enabling us to build staff capacity and meet our objectives. Our staff team has grown, with a replacement Heritage Officer, plus a new Ranger, and Administrative Officer joining us just outside of the reporting period. Today we are better equipped than ever before to offer additional employment and work placement opportunities as well as deliver on our programmes. We also see ongoing demand for our events and activities - our free summer programme remains incredibly popular and oversubscribed, and we are looking at how we can build further opportunities. We have built and maintained a healthy financial position thanks to community, corporate and other funding bodies, built on our long-term history of developing the site and our effectiveness as an organisation. We have a significant amount of funds in our reserves as we received monies from developers (these are ring fenced as mitigation monies under section 106). Our other reserves will be for renovation and repairs under the heritage banner and more widely under the Conservation Management Plan, with a particular focus on visitors, interpretation and activities. That said, there is lots to do, and we remain prudent. I’d like to end on a note of thanks, to our staff, volunteers, donors, supporters and members. I’d like to particularly acknowledge those recognised as Honorary Trustees at the 2022/23 AGM - Terry Lyle, Diane Kendall, Doreen Kendall, Marilyn Baltutis - for their years of service and support, and for their lasting contributions to Cemetery Park. Louise Robinson Chair of the Board of Trustees 7 ## MANAGER'S REPORT The year began much like the previous year with a healthy flow of corporate and organisational volunteering groups visiting us. We rely on these groups to help us complete all our seasonal work in the Cemetery Park, and this has enabled us to catch up since the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted some works, and to also tackle new projects. Our event programme continued to thrive, with foraging tours, forest school and themed heritage walks and activities continuing to prove popular. We also took part in Love your Burial Ground Week in June, and in July we welcomed artists and their work into the Cemetery Park for an impactful and moving exhibition called Traces, which was much appreciated despite the very wet weather. We were also really pleased to bring back the Summer Fair to the Cemetery Park after a three-year pause due to Covid restrictions. It was a great day attended by several hundred local people who enjoyed free activities and tours from the FoTHCP showcasing some of the work we do, stalls from local groups and organisations, numerous local craft makers and also with performances from the East London Music Hall Choir. In February we welcomed students from Capel Manor College who did work experience and volunteered with us as part of their Nature Conservation college course. We are pleased to continue to support a wide range of educational initiatives in our unique setting. We continued to offer forest school activities to children in the foster care system via the LBTH (London Borough of Tower Hamlets) Virtual School Programme, and in February I was invited to their award ceremony to give out an award and a presentation about Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park. It was an extremely positive event and it was great to see all the achievements of the young people present. Our staff team moved into the Cemetery Park Lodge in April/May, and we now use this space as our daily base for the staff/volunteers and administrative operations. This has really supported our growing staff capacity. Claire, our Heritage Officer, left us in November to pursue a new opportunity in Wiltshire. It was a sad loss for us after her significant impact, but we wish her all the best in her future endeavours, and pass on our thanks and appreciation for all she did for the FoTHCP during her time with us. 8 Towards the end of the reporting period, we finalised the recruitment of our replacement Heritage Officer, and introduced two brand-new roles for us of Seasonal Ranger and Office Administrator. All three positions will join us just after Easter and personally I’m very excited and looking forward to welcoming them, and what our new staff team can deliver. In closing, I’d like to give a massive amount of thanks and appreciation to my colleagues, our Trustees and all our volunteers and supporters who have helped, and continue to help us, throughout the year. Your time and effort is greatly valued and appreciated. Thank you very much. ## Kenneth Greenway Cemetery Park Manager 9 ## OUR MISSION ## **Conservation. Heritage. Community.** We work to manage our woodlands and meadows for the benefit of all. We explore and celebrate our history and heritage. As a people-centric charity, we provide opportunities for learning, improving physical and mental health and wellbeing, and fun. ## OUR VALUES ## **Freedom** ## **Growth** We champion the possibilities offered by the Cemetery Park to support learning, nature and heritage. We endeavour to ensure that everyone can benefit from the Cemetery Park and have the opportunity to grow as a person. ## **Openness** ## **Friendship** We feel that the Cemetery Park and charity should be accessible to everyone. We work in friendship with our staff, volunteers and the wider community. STRATEGIC REPORTS 11 ## CONSERVATION Cemetery Park and Ackroyd Drive Greenlink is both a Local Nature Reserve (LNR) and a Site of Metropolitan Importance for Nature Conservation. The LNR designation includes not only the historic cemetery site but also Scrapyard Meadow (Cantrell Road) and Ackroyd Drive Greenlink. ## _**Plants & Trees**_ Last year, 2022-2023, the FoTHCP really needed to focus on catching up on conservation work in the Park that had not been possible during the pandemic because there were so few corporate volunteering days available, and these were more limited in size. As volunteering activity recovered well in 2023-24, we were able to deal with much of the backlog, and we are grateful to those who supported these efforts. However, volunteering days rarely take place between December and March, which leads to a yearon-year backlog in the larger, seasonal-specific tree management works in particular. Ongoing tree growth increases the amount of shade in the woods, which, if not managed carefully through targeted tree management, can have a negative impact on wildflowers and insects within these ecosystems. In January 2024, FoTHCP received Section 106 monies due from developers of the new housing development on the Bow Common Lane Gasworks site. This is to mitigate the significant impact of the development on the Cemetery Park. The two main impacts are: 1. Increased general pressure on Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park and Ackroyd Drive Greenlink Local Nature Reserve from an increase in local residents - around 3,000 in total once the development is complete; 2. A reduction in the amount of sunlight reaching Scrapyard Meadow and the southern areas of the Cemetery Park, which adjoins the development, as a result of shading from the tall towers, and artificial light from dwellings impacting nocturnal species. The FoTHCP has extensively consulted with the LBTH Tree Officer and the LBTH Biodiversity Officer around the initial phase of a programme of tree works to improve light conditions within the historic cemetery. Through this work we have determined the optimal way to minimise felling, and of those trees necessary to fell/prune, almost all are sycamores, a non-native tree, self-sown in great numbers and only a small proportion will be affected. The initial phase covered trees in Memorial Glade and near the Knapp Road exit. Work will resume in November 2024 as is appropriate to the seasonality of this work, and will contribute too to the Conservation Management Plan objectives. **----- Start of picture text -----**
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## _**Meadows**_ Our meadows have an outstanding diversity of wildflowers and insects, but encouraging and preserving this requires resources and attention. We had noticed that some of the diversity was challenged because we did not have sufficient resources (hands-on volunteers and groups) to support our management efforts effectively during the pandemic. In the following two years, thanks to the efforts of key partners and supporters, we have been able to make improvements in a number of key areas, and this is beginning to show positive and encouraging results. The S106 monies will also be used in part to extend this focus, enabling us to direct time, focus and also tools and equipment towards these habitats, which are key pockets of interest within the Cemetery Park. In particular, we intend to establish a programme of volunteers in complementary tasks, including clearing the cut grass for composting, and new planting and seeding activities. Our meadows, woodlands and ponds are attractive environments for the general visitor, and those with a particular interest in biodiversity. They are also a vital resource for the forest schools and National Curriculum based educational programmes delivered by various local organisations and charity partners. This is a very important part of the Park’s offer to local people. ## _**Dipping Ponds**_ In June 2023 we replaced the dipping platforms to the rear of the Soanes Centre classroom. We worked with visiting volunteers from M&G to remove the old and failing platform to replace it with new. We have 5 ponds in the Cemetery Park and the three ponds with dipping platforms remain an important part of our events programme, and a resource for visiting school and nursery groups, as well as for Forest School, and Bow Beasties. They are important study and survey sites for our amateur biologists and entomologists who help us with biological survey & recording work. ## _**Fairfoot Woods**_ We completed the project to improve the part of Fairfoot Wood owned by Tower Hamlets Council as an accessible space for wildlife and people. LBTH and the FoTHCP sought to work with the owners of the other section, Network Rail, to improve access to the local community as a public through-route, but this hasn’t yet been confirmed. We hope to ultimately confirm this and improve accessibility. Poplar Harca, landlord of the neighbouring properties, remain very supportive of the work of the FOTHCP, and invited us to support the delivery of some biodiversity enhancements throughout 2024 after successfully receiving some funding. 13 _**St George's Gardens, Cable Street, Shadwell E1**_ We have continued with our work here, funded by the developers of the adjoining Tower Hamlets Register Office. We have successfully used corporate volunteers for major works, and local volunteering events for community involvement and smaller scale planting and weeding activities. During the current year we developed most of the planned features, and anticipate completing the project by late autumn 2024. ## _**Bow Common Lane Gasworks Development**_ This large housing development is well under way. Construction has started in the north west of the former gasworks site which adjoins the southern edge of the Cemetery Park. The developers capped off the flagship 21-storey tower, the first of several, in May 2024. As part of this development, the developer is required to pay Section 106 mitigation monies due to address the impact of the development on the sites and manage the Biodiversity Net Gain, which is a Government-mandated part of new developments. BNG is a way of creating and improving natural habitats, and ensures that developments have a measurably positive impact on biodiversity compared to the pre-development position. The FoTHCP have received the full amounts due of these monies based on the originally scoped impact, and, with agreement from LBTH, have established a multi-year plan to deliver on extensive management, enhancement and remediation work. These funds are set in a ring-fenced account to support the 10 years of associated projects. In November 2023, the developers gave us a presentation on their new, adjusted plans for the site. There have been considerable changes to the originally submitted plans that will require additional Council approval. The main changes are an increase to the public green space from 1 hectare to 1.7 hectares which will be achieved by increasing the height of tower blocks on the east side of the development. This will mean some of the other blocks will be the same height as the flagship tower currently being constructed (21 storeys). While we are encouraged by the amount of additional publicly accessible green space they’ve been able to add, we remain concerned around the height and density of the development, in particular the impact of shade, wind and cooling on the Cemetery Park and its habitats. **----- Start of picture text -----**
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## BIODIVERSITY As a site which embraces nature, we are especially welcoming to non-human visitors and residents! Many human visitors are thrilled when they spot a hedgehog bumbling across path or a pipistrelle bat flipping around at dusk, and many school groups enjoy dipping in the ponds or exploring the meadows. With support from volunteers and experts, we participate in numerous surveys and studies to monitor and develop the habitats to best protect and encourage various species - some of such are summarised here. ## _**Butterflies**_ The year was a good one, with 24 species reported in total, a very high number for an urban site. The most outstanding discovery was of the Green Hairstreak, a spring-flying butterfly never before recorded here. Four were seen, at least 2 of them females. The nearest population we’re aware of is at Wanstead Flats. For us to record 4, the butterfly must have bred here in spring 2022, and perhaps for much longer. This butterfly is elusive and easily overlooked if not deliberately searched for. In July, 2 visiting butterfly enthusiasts saw and photographed 2 White-Letter Hairstreaks, a butterfly reported here on a few occasions, the first in 2012. We have a few historic records of the Purple Hairstreak, but none now for several years. There are 5 species of Hairstreak butterfly in the British Isles, all elusive: the White-Letter, Purple, Brown and Black, even more so than the Green, as they spend most of their adult lives settled on trees and shrubs. We continue to seek evidence of these, and are hopeful that over winter we may find evidence of eggs, even if no-one has seen the adult butterflies. 15 ## _Spiders_ In this 12-month period Jan 2023 to Jan 2024, altogether just 2,059 spiders representing 60 species. were trapped, a signficant reduction from the previous year (3,760 in Jan 22-23). A few more spiders were collected by sweep-netting. This years’ figures were more typical of the annual catch – with last year being exceptional both in numbers and species richness (64 species). Like last year, a single new species was recorded. This was a small money spider Labulla thoracica (Linyphiidae), found at Lodge Graves in August. It is a fairly common and widespread species usually occurring in woodland and shaded habitats which has been recorded in several parts of London and throughout most of the UK. The total number of species recorded for the Cemetery Park is still 168, because while recent specimens of the ant mimic Micaria have proved to be M. micans, it’s now uncertain if any earlier records refer to this species or the closely related M. pulicaria, so at present the count for Micaria is one species not two! The explosion last year in the population of Pachygnatha degeeri (Tetragnathidae) (2,173 specimens representing 58% of the total catch) was not repeated in 2023 and the total numbers went back down to just 377, so that in 2023 it was not even the most abundant species found. This year one of the pioneer/disturbed ground species Tenuiphantes (Lepthyphantes) tenuis (Linyphiidae) was the most abundant species with 617 individuals making up just 30% of the catch. Numbers of the other two common pioneer species Erigone dentipalpis (45) and E. atra (4) were down from last year. Some areas of the Cemetery Park where spiders had been found had been disturbed, including by the police search in 2022. This may have affected populations of various spiders, making it more attractive to pioneers. Otherwise 2023 was a more usual year with good numbers of wolf spiders but no spectacular populations. The total of the most abundant three species was 1,196 making up 58% of the total catch (down from 69.7%) suggesting a more balanced fauna this year. My prediction about the two rapidly spreading species has proved unfounded so far but I still think it is likely that both Anyphaena numida (Anyphaenidae) and Episinus maculipes (Theridiidae) will appear in the Cemetery Park sooner or later. Edward Milner 14/7/2024 ## _Bees_ In summer 2023, we saw bee numbers down on previous years, and we continue to monitor and where possible mitigate this trend given the vital role that bees play within the ecosystem. Bumblebees in particular were sighted far less frequently vs prior years. This decline comes in the aftermath of the intense heat wave of 2022 which hit just as bumblebee colonies would have been reaching peak size. Bumblebees cannot cope well with extreme heat events (exceeding 30 degrees Celsius) and really struggle to regulate their body temperature. In 2022, temperatures exceeded 40 degrees Celsius in central London making life very challenging for bumblebees. Numbers are slowly beginning to recover but are not where they were prior to 2022. 16 The heatwave of 2022 also wiped out almost all of the scabious blooms which has really hit numbers of the large scabious mining bee, Andrena Hattorfiana. This is our largest UK mining bee and one of our rarest bees. Across its entire European range it is threatened with extinction as it is slow to reproduce and has very specific habitat requirements. The Cemetery Park is one of only two sites in Greater London where it regularly breeds. Our population includes less than a dozen females. Six females were seen in July 2023 which was a relief after none were seen in 2022. At the time of writing five females have been seen in early July 2024, one of which was using scabious in the newly cleared and planted area north of Scrapyard Meadow where mitigation works have been undertaken to create new habitat to compensate for the Bow Gasworks development. This is an encouraging sign but the population remains precarious. In June 2023 a new bee species was added to the survey lists that we retain. We added Hoplitis Adunca, the vipers bugloss mason bee to our tracker. This species is a recent arrival in the UK and at the time of its discovery the only records in the UK were at four London sites. It is currently spreading through east London and may be seen at any sites with an abundance of vipers bugloss, its only food source. The bee recorded in Scrapyard Meadow was a male. Mark Patterson Api:Cultural Business owner/senior consultant 17 ## _Birds_ Around 90 species of bird have been recorded within Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park, though the numbers present could be higher as there are numerous unconfirmed sightings including nuthatches and treecreepers. For many years, the site has supported up to 30 breeding species - notable amongst these are Green and Great Spotted Woodpecker, Sparrowhawk, Blackcap, Chiffchaff and the occasional Song Thrush and Common Whitethroat. The Cemetery Park also has an exceptional historic reputation for overwintering Firecrests. We introduced dawn and dusk chorus walks within Community Monday sessions as well as part of other tours. ## _Centipedes_ Myriapods (centipedes, millipedes and their allies) are widespread and common animals which are found in both rural and urban habitats. Centipedes (Chilopoda), being opportunist and generalist carnivores who will probably eat any animals smaller than themselves, seem to be able to occupy a variety of situations subject to such constraints as food, environment, shelter and competition and a variety of species have, at various times, been recorded in our towns and cities. Some parts of London might still contain species that would have been here when these areas were truly rural and are present now either because of their ability to tolerate urbanisation or because they survive in more or less rural oases. Alongside these there could be species of more urban areas that have ‘moved in’ and, possibly, new synanthropic species that have come from elsewhere as a result of human activity. - In Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park, several species have been recorded including: Geophilus electricus Geophilus flavus Clinopodes linearis Most of the centipede records from London are from pitfall catches in vegetation at ground level and virtually no systematic searching has yet been done, particularly in other habitats such as dead wood and subterranean spaces. It is hoped that further study might lead to the discovery of additional species or even new species not previously recorded in Britain. **----- Start of picture text -----**
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## HERITAGE This year, we continued to deliver projects identified within our Conservation Management Plan (CMP), which was determined in October 2022. The CMP has allowed us to better understand the development of our historic landscape from 1841 to the present day. With it as a foundation, we have been able to plan projects, works, and events which enable us to better discover, conserve, and share the heritage under our stewardship. Projects which have already been delivered since the completion of the CMP include the removal of damaged 1960s fencing around Sanctuary Wood; the relocation of park infrastructure near the Francis Monument; and the surveying around 70 of our monuments for future conservation works. We have also constructed an additional outdoor learning site in close proximity to the Soanes Centre, which creates new opportunities for events and activities for the FoTHCP and other groups. The FoTHCP continue to identify more of these smaller projects from the CMP that can be completed within current resources and finances. We are also identifying suitable funding opportunities to allow us to carry out a more substantial programme of improvement works, such as monument restoration, the reinstatement of historic paths and views, improvements to signage and interpretation boards, and a comprehensive grave location survey. The Communications and Fundraising Working Group, along with the newly established Monuments Working Group, continue to guide these efforts between staff, trustees, and volunteers. 19 Haydn Schaare, a specialist from Abney Park Cemetery, supported us in completing the 5-year Monuments Health and Safety survey in the period. This survey identified 11 at-risk monuments, and these were subsequently either laid down or taped off to prevent further harm to the monuments or the risk of harm to visitors. Three of these monuments have recognised architectural and/or historic significance, and will be prioritised for conservation works in the future. Sally Strachey, Historic Conservation, in conjunction with Conisbee consulting engineers, completed a survey and structural inspection of the Grade II listed Westwood monument. No major structural concerns were identified but some works are proposed in order to maintain ventilation to the vault and reduce the negative impacts of water penetration. Our Heritage Officer, Claire Slack, left in November 2023, after three years working for the FoTHCP. We wish her well for all future endeavours. Jamie Robinson joined the team just after the Annual Report period. As a result of this vacancy, fewer heritage activities were undertaken in Winter 23/24. We continued the successful heritage internship programme facilitated through Queen Mary University of London (QMUL). Brock Macpherson joined the Friends for six weeks between October and December 2023, and assisted with heritage research. Brock contributed to grave symbolism research, which was shared on social media and proved popular with our followers. We thank QMUL for facilitating this internship and wish Brock the best of luck for the future. We have responded to over 150 grave enquiries during this period. Given the poor quality and availability of historic records, we are delighted to be able to support those tracing their family history, discovering long-lost relatives, and visiting the graves of loved ones and ancestors. We extend our gratitude to the numerous heritage volunteers and grave researchers who give up their time every month to assist us with the large volume of grave enquiries that we receive. We wish to extend a special thanks to Diane Kendall and the East London History Society research team who continue to support the work of FoTHCP. 20 ## COMMUNITY ## _**Visitors**_ As we previously noted, the Covid-19 pandemic really emphasised how important green space is, and we have seen a significant increase in footfall and visitors since this. Despite many individuals returning to work in 2023/24, we observed a continued strong and diverse use of the park by a range of visitors. Individuals, families and friendship groups continue to simply enjoy the space for a walk or a lunch break. A number of local residents (and many more from further afield) appreciate the moments of reflection possible within the site, and we love hearing their stories of family research and shared heritage. We have a primary duty to ensure that the space is open, accessible and safe for all, and our staff and volunteers work to ensure that we meet this goal. Additionally, we are committed to celebrating and showcasing the space, through a range of activities and organised events - including many of which are free/subsidised through the funders we work with. Activities span our expertise and experience across conservation, heritage and community. Our members and event participants can enjoy a range of activities where they can learn something new, try new skills and meet new people - all whilst enjoying the unique Cemetery Park environment. In 2022/23, we trialled a number of new events, including those focused on arts, crafts and traditional skills, and those focused on wellbeing. These brought new audiences into the Cemetery Park and received very good feedback from participants, and we have continued with and extended these programmes. We are proud that our events and activities reflect our commitment to diversity, openness and inclusion. We aim to embed these considerations into all our programmes, and have also piloted a dedicated ‘All-Abilities Volunteering’ initiative in 2023/24 which we hope to continue and extend. This remains a focus within our Conservation Management Plan, particularly as we plan for physical and virtual accessibility. 21 _**“Forest School is an amazing programme run by the Friends. Ken and his team are just brilliant, and it is the children's favourite holiday activity. They come back so happy and don't even mind attending if it is cold or rainy. They just love it.”**_ _**“Our family enjoyed the walk very much - we learned a lot and found our tour guide knowledgeable and friendly. We were all made to feel welcome. We would be delighted to attend more events, and are especially interested in child-friendly birdwatching, if such an activity were to be added.”**_ _**“Thank you for offering these events; an invaluable resource for the local community. I love that this is on my doorstep!”**_ _**“The whole experience of being on the foraging walk with Ken was just amazing. He was an extremely good communicator, pitching the right level of information and keeping the walk entertaining. It was a very rewarding experience and great to spend hours in the park with the beautiful spring flowers and a group of interested and interesting people. Thank you so much Ken, you are an asset to the park and the park is an asset to London.”**_ _**“I think the Tower Hamlets Cemetery park is absolutely amazing and wonderful - I couldn't believe that it existed in such an urban area - a haven of peace and space. Wonderful old trees, amazing monuments with the wilderness so brilliantly managed for wildlife. The nearby residents are unbelievably lucky!”**_ Selected quotes are from event participants who were invited to complete a post-event feedback form as part of ongoing evaluation and monitoring. 23 ## _Events and Activities_ We hosted a diverse range of events and activities, both directly and through a number of partners and subject-matter experts. Events are advertised on our website, social media and on-site within the Park’s notice boards. In 2023/24, we relaunched ‘Community Mondays.’ These monthly events are free for members, and come with a modest charge for others. We had moved some events to online formats during the pandemic, so it was so exciting to return to in-person and connect with our members and the community. They have covered a wide range of topics, showcasing the activities of the FoTHCP and the unique characteristics of the Cemetery Park. Examples include heritage, family grave research, foraged foods, bats, hedgehogs, dawn and dusk birdsong chorus walks, and much more. In summer 2023, we were thrilled, too, to relaunch our annual Summer Fair! This was a major success and well-attended and enjoyed by the community. We hosted a number of tours, craft sessions, and showcased local vendors and talents including the East London Music Hall Choir. In November, we hosted the annual Remembrance Day service, which is an allfaith, all-welcome event. We are grateful to the scouts groups for supporting and attending the event. 24 ## _**Volunteers**_ As a small organisation, we simply could not survive without the efforts of our volunteers. We hosted over 70 community volunteering sessions during the 2023-24 year. We were pleased to celebrate and share in National Volunteer Week in June to celebrate the 3,000+ volunteers who join us each year. From supporting park maintenance and litter picking, to seasonal planting and clearing, and from heritage grave enquiries to nature monitoring, with everything else in between, we are greatly appreciative of all these efforts. We are also eager to ensure that volunteers can learn new skills and benefit from an increased sense of community when they are on site, and continue to improve opportunities here. ## _**Group & Corporate Volunteering**_ Our approach to conservation within the Cemetery Park, particularly in a way which remains sensitive to both natural habitats and historic monuments and gravestones, requires many hands. We are grateful to a range of groups and companies who have supported our projects within the Cemetery Park and in the wider borough, who contribute their time, effort and energies into our project delivery. As noted in last years’ report, 2022/23 was the first year post-pandemic that we could resume corporate volunteering efforts. This picked up further pace, including with non-corporate groups, this year. From April 2023-March 2024, we welcomed 71 teams (vs 53 in the prior period), from 54 organisations. This totalled 1,500 volunteer days. On a number of days we hosted large groups, of up to 100 people. Many of the groups that volunteer with us return year after year and this workforce of large teams allows our staff to complete all of the essential conservation and maintenance work that would otherwise be impossible to do with our limited staff resources, as well as specific projects that need many hands such as restoring footpaths, creating dead hedges to protect our new wildflower meadows, and bulb and tree planting. Corporate volunteering also provides the Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park with much needed income, and we are grateful to our corporate partners for their continued support. 25 ## _**Members**_ Membership is crucial to the Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park. Our members visit the Cemetery Park, volunteer, attend walks and talks and events, and champion the unique heritage and nature space that Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park represents to the community. In early 2023 we launched Community Mondays - which are free for Members to attend and enjoy ‘taster sessions’ of our events, and low-cost for other participants. After eight very successful events in 2023, we have scheduled the same number for 2024, kicking off with a Dawn Chorus Walk in April. We remain grateful to all members, past, present and future, with 370 members at the time of publishing this annual report. ## _**Donors and Fundraising**_ The FoTHCP are incredibly grateful to our donors and fundraisers - both occasional and frequent, and from individuals to organisations and funders. This year numerous regular donors (as well as many generous one-off contributors) have brought in over £25k through our Local Giving platform, donations from event ticket sales and direct donations. We completed our Heritage Trade Up grant, a match-funding trading grant we were awarded to accelerate our recovery and growth post-pandemic. We used the grant to develop the merchandise and branded goodies as a supplement to our wider charitable activities, and had a very good response to this. *Y -xQuilllili li, 27 ## THE FUTURE **We reported in the prior Annual Report that we had finalised our first Conservation Management Plan. This large and extensive project enables us to better understand the rich assets - physical and cultural - and to evaluate and prepare for opportunities within the Cemetery Park. The CMP also provides a strong framework to build on nature and heritage together - both so vital to the space and each with strong benefits to the community.** In 2023/24, we have prioritised making our organisation ready to deliver on the CMP. This includes making our organisation more robust: adding expertise and experience to our Board of Trustees; developing working project groups across key areas of focus; delivering training to staff and adding new staff roles. ## _**Ongoing Activities**_ - Maintenance/groundskeeping in the historic Cemetery site and Ackroyd Drive Greenlink, in line with the LBTH Service Level Agreement. - Encouraging and nurturing environments that support biodiversity across flora and fauna, and documenting these populations. - Managing the site in a way that is sensitive to its roots as Victorian-era cemetery and space for remembrance and reflection. - Developing/enhancing an engaging range of activities and events that celebrate all that the site has to offer across nature, heritage and community. - Continuing to engage and support the local and wider community - with a particular focus on accessibility and diversity. - Building capacity within the organisation through staff, trustees and volunteers. ## _**Near-term Priorities**_ - Embedding working groups and processes to support the delivery of the CMP. Adapting to and mitigating against the impact of the Bow Common Gasworks development (particularly with respect to reduced light and increased footfall), and disbursing Section 106 project remediation funds. - Finalising improvement and management plans for greenspaces outside of the Cemetery Park walls - i.e. Ackroyd Drive, Fairfoot Road Woods. - Building capacity and impact in our corporate volunteer and fundraising bases. Identifying opportunities to develop and better use of building facilities, including fundraising to realise those improvements in the Lodge and Soanes Centre. Continuing to maintain effective governance, through policies and procedures. Continuing to build our financial sustainability. ## _**Longer-term Goals**_ - Establish and deliver the Monuments Strategy, to document existing physical assets, establish processes for ongoing care and, where appropriate, restoration. 28 ## STATUTORY INFO ## _**Structure, governance and management**_ The Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park (FoTHCP) is a company limited by guarantee (233566) and is a charity registered in England & Wales (1107136) regulated by the Charity Commission. It is governed by a Board of Trustees chaired by Louise Robinson, as defined in the Memorandum and Articles of Association. The company has 370 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 the Articles of Association as agreed by the trustees. The day-to-day running of the Charity is the responsibility of the Cemetery Park Manager and staff, and the Board of Trustees. The trustees who served during the reporting period were: _Louise Robinson (Chair) Toby Sibley Colin Wiseman Jasmina Negrini Ruth Bradshaw Deborah Colvin Stavros Fotiadis Andrew Moffatt_ The following trustees retired on completion of their maximum term during the reporting period: _Marilyn Baltutis Sigrid Werner Doreen Kendall_ ## _**Recruitment and appointment of members and trustees**_ ## _**Trustees**_ The Trustees set the strategic direction and work to ensure that 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 8 trustees as of 31st March 2024 and met four times during the reporting period. The Board of Trustees must comprise at least 2 trustees. Trustees are elected at the Annual General Meeting (AGM). Elected trustees serve for a three-year term and are eligible to stand for a second consecutive three-year term, after which they must retire for a minimum of one term. Trustee vacancies are advertised externally unless there are specific skills that 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 post-holders are honorary only and carry no vote or other rights. 29 ## _**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 of Trustees. ## _**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; That the aims and the work done give identifiable benefits to the charitable sector and both indirectly and directly to individuals in need; - That the benefits are for the public, are not unreasonably restricted in any way and certainly not by ability to pay; and That there is no detriment or harm arising from the aims or activities ## _**Financial review**_ Total income for the 2023-2024 financial year amounted to £606,522 (2022-23: £302,647). A significant portion (£389,569) of the reported income arose from the Section 106 monies arising from the developers of the Bow Gasworks development. This will fund the FoTHCP’s 10-year response to the impact of the development, with proceeds committed and restricted in accordance with the established project plan. Removing the impact of this, regular income saw a year on year decrease due to the significant decrease in grant funding following the resignation of the Heritage Officer and the seasonality of those projects. Total expenditure for the year amounted to £198,125 (2022-23: £229,578). Increased costs of materials and contractors was offset in part by a reduction in activities particularly around heritage and in line with disbursing grant funding. Expenditure continues to be prudently managed due to continued uncertainty against the cost-of living crisis and fundraising environment. Our key priorities have been to build our staff capacity, 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 income for the year of £408,397 and a total of £691,025 being carried forward (of which £284,314 is unrestricted). Fixed assets are set out in Note 8 to the accounts. Readers should also note in particular the extraordinary impact of the S106 Bow Gasworks mitigation money on this years’ statements. 30 ## _**Reserves policy and calculation**_ The Charity receives a Service Level Agreement from London Borough of Tower Hamlets (£31,700) - which accounts for around 15% of annual costs. Other costs arising from the management of the Cemetery Park are covered by the FoTHCP’s fundraising activities/grants. The FoTHCP takes a very prudent approach to managing costs incurred very carefully. The charity’s method of estimating an appropriate level of reserves is aimed at protecting the continuity of core work. 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) (£80,500) and three months of contingency costs (critical activities that can not be stopped) (£15,000). As at 31 March 2024, FoTHCP have calculated a minimum target of £95,250. At this time, the unrestricted reserves position stands at £284,314 and the Trustees are confident that the FoTHCP is meeting its reserve requirements. It is likely that the reserves position may be reduced and will not exceed targets within a few months. In particular, and in line with the Conservation Management Plan, the FoTHCP have worked to determine funds in order to support vital health and safety, documentation and preservation/repair works to monuments and other assets within the Cemetery Park. This requires specific skills and expertise. The Reserves Policy, including the optimum level of reserves, is reviewed and calculated on an ongoing basis and at least once a year. The Trustees expect that the reserves calculation will increase significantly due to additional staff members, site requirements 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: - Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; Observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP; - Make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent; State whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; - Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis, unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable group will continue in business. 31 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. ## _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 Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies. ## _**Approved and Authorised for Issue**_ Approved and authorised for issue by the Board of Trustees on 4th September 2024. The Trustees confirm that: - So far as each Trustee is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the charitable company’s auditor is unaware; and - The Trustees have taken all the steps that they ought to have taken as Trustees in order to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the charitable company’s auditor is aware of that information. And signed on behalf of the Trustees by: ## Louise Robinson Louise Robinson, Chair of the Board of Trustees FINANCIAL REPORTS The Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park (A Charity Company Limited by Guarantee, company number 5233566) Charitable company Information for the ear ended 31 March 2024 status: The Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park is a company limited by guarantee and a registered chanty govemed by rts memorandum and articles of association. The directors of the charity are its trustees for the purposes of chartty law and throughout this report are collectively referred to as the trustees. Charity name: The FrierKJs of Hamlets Cemetery Park Company registration number. 5233566 (England & Wales) Charity registration number. 1107136 Registered office: The Soanes Centre T0￿Er Hamlets ce￿￿tery Park Southern Grove London E3 4PX Operations addres8: The Soanes Centre TowEr Hamlets Ceff*tery Park Southern Grove London E3 4PX Trustees who held office during the year: Sigrid Wemer Ruth Constance Bradshaw Doreen Kendall Marityn Baltutis Toby John Sibley Colin George Wiseman Sally Jane Randall stavros Fots'adis Karen Baxier Jasmina Negrini Louise Robinson Deborah Jane Colvtn Andrew George Moffatt - Resigned 14 October 2023 - Appointed 14 October 2023 Resigned 14 October 2023 Resigned 14 October 2023 - Resigned 14 Odober 2023 - Appointed 14 October 2023 - Resigned 14 October 2023 - Appointed 14 October 2023 - Appointed 14 October 2023 Chalr: Vlce chalr: Louise Robinson Toby John Sibley Independent Examiner: Anthony Armstrong FCA Armstrong & Co Chartered Accountants & StatutoryAuditor 4a Prinb"ng House Yard Hackney Road London E2 7PR Bankers: CAF Bank 25 Kings Hill Avenue West Malling Kent ME19 4JQ 33 The Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park (A Charity Company Limited by Guarantee, company number 5233566) Independent Examinerfs 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 2023 to 31 March 2024, ￿lch are set out on pages 26 to 36. This report is made sdely to the trustees as a bcty in accordan￿ wtth section 145 of the Charib'es Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and regulations made under section 154 of that Act. W examinabon has been undertaken so that I might state to the trustees those matters l am required to state to them in an independent examinerfs report and for no other purpose. To the fullesl exte￿ permitted by law, I do not acceo or assume responsibilFty to anyone other than the company and the ttustees as a body. for my examinatson, 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 charitys trustees consider thal an audtl is not required for thi5 year under section 144 of the the Charits'es Act and that an independent exarninatTron is needed. The chaws gross income exceeded £250,000 and l am qualified to undertake the examinab.on by being a qualif￿ member of the 1nsb.tute of Charter&J Ac￿Untants in England and Wales IICAEW). Having salisfied myself that the charity is not subject to audit uThJer company law and is elwJible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to- al examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charrties Act: bl to follow the procedures laid down in the general Direcbons given by the Chanty Commission under sects'on 145{5){b) of the Charities Act, and cl to state whether particular matters have eome to my attentb)n. Basis of independent examinerfs statement My examinalion was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of Ihe accountsng records kept by the chanty arKI a companson of the accounts presented wrth those records.11 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 provKle all the evrdence that would be required in an audit. and consequently no opinion is given as to vthether the accounts present a Irue and fair view and the rep)rt is limited to those matters set out in the statemenl below. Independent examinerfs statement In connection w¢th my examination. no matter has come to my attention vthich gives me cause to believe that in. any material respect.. accounb'ng records ￿re not kept in acc%)rdan￿ with sectb)n 386 of the Companies Act 2006 Act, or the accounls do not accord wth such records" or the accounls do not comply relevant accounting requirements under section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 other than any ￿qUirement that the accounts gÈve a 'true and fairf view which is tlot a matter considered as part of an independent examination, or the accounts have not been prepared in accordance the CharitFes SORP {FRS102}. I have come across no other matters in conneth'on wrth the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the a￿Unts lo be reached. AtyA.s£. Anthony Armstrong FCA Independent Examiner of Armstrong & Co Ghartered Accountants & Statuto Auditor 4a Printing House Yard Hackney Road London E2 7PR Dated: 4 September 2024 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 ear ended 31 March 2024 2024 Total Funds 2023 Total Funds UTrrestricled Restricted Endowment Notes Income from: Donations and legacies Charitable activities other trading activities Investmenls other income 112,371 95.621 1.245 7.716 112,371 95.621 1.245 7.716 389.569 227,749 73,025 1,873 389.569 Total income 216.953 389.569 606,522 302,647 Expendlture on: Charitable actsvits'es 192.375 5,750 198.125 229,578 Total expenditure 192,375 5,750 198,125 229,578 Net incomel{expenditure) for the year 24.578 383.819 408,397 73,069 Transfers between lunds 17 (475) 475 Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds: Total funds brought fo￿rd 13 260,211 22.417 282.628 209,559 Total funds carried forward 13 284,314 406,711 691,025 282,628 All incoming resources and resources expended are derived from continuing actsvihes. The statement of financial activrties incorporates an ino)me and expendrture acc(wnl. The accompanying accounting policies and notes form an integral part of these financial statements. The Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park (A Charity Company Limited by Guarantee, company number 5233566) Statement of Financial Postion as at 31 March 2024 31 March 2024 31 March 2023 Notes Current assets: Debtors Cash at bank and In hand Total current assets 14.982 687.080 02.062 3,211 310,221 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 12 11,037 30,804 Net current assetsl(liabilities) 691.025 282,628 Total net assets 691,025 282,628 The funds of the charity. Restricted funds Unrestricted fijnds 15 15 406.711 284.314 22,417 260,211 Total charlty funds 19 691.025 282,628 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 audrt pursuant to sectbon 476 of the Act. The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for.. (il ensuring thal the company keeps proper accounting reo)rds *thich (￿IplY with Section 386 of the Companies Act 2006., and (ill preparing financial ststements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charrtable 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 other¥*ise comply V•ryth the requIre￿￿ntS of this act relating to accounts, so far as applicable to the charitable company. These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the speaal proWS￿nS of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies and with the Financial Reporb'rvJ Standard 102. The financial slatements were approved by the Board of Trustees on 4 September 2024 and signed on Its behalf by: Louise Robinson Chair of Trustees The notes on pages 31 to 35 fomi part of the$• accounts. 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 2024 Notes 2024 2023 Cash flows from operating activities: Net cash provided byl{used in) operab'ng activiti.es 369.143 107,415 Cash flows from investing activities: Dividends, inleresl and rents from investments 7.716 1,873 Net cash provided byl(used in) investing activities Change In cash and cash equlvalents In the reporting period 376,859 109,288 Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning ol the reporting period Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the reporting period 310.221 687,080 200,933 310,221 otes to th ash Flow Stateme 2024 2023 1) Reconclllatlon of net Incomel(expendlture) to net cash flow from operating aclivitie• Nel incomellexpenditure) the reporting pefiod (as per the stateff*nt of financial activities) 408,397 73,069 AdJustmenl8 for: Dividends, interest and rents from investments (Increase)Idecrease in debtors Increaselldecrease) in creditors (7,7161 111,7711 (19.7671 11,8731 11,956 24,265 Net cash provlded byllu•ed In) operatlng 4ctlvltles 369.143 107.415 2024 2023 2) Analy81s of cash and cash equlvalent8 Cash in hand 687,080 310,221 Total cash and ¢a•h equfvalents 687,080 310,221 37 The Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park {A Charity Company Limited by Guarantee, company number 5233566) Accounting Policies for the year ended 31 March 2024 Basis of preparation The financial statements have been prepared in aCCor(lan￿ vth". a) Applicable UK accounting standards. induding Financial RepoitrKJ Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).. b) Accounting and Reporting by Charib"es: Statement of Recommended Pracb'ce applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Stsndard ap￿icab￿ in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 20151_ (Charities SORP FRS 102)- c) the Companies Act 2006. Public benefit enlity The charitable company meets the defination of a public benefit ents'ty under FRS 102. Going concern The charity's income is mainly derived from non self-generated sources. such as grant5, service level agreements and other governmental or NGO SoUr￿s. The trustees consider that there are no material uncertaint￿$ about the likelihood that this support 11 continue,and accordingly, the accounts have been prepared on a going concern basis. Income recognition Income is recognised ￿en the company has a contractual or other Tight to its receipt. it is probable that the income will be received and that the amount can be measured reliably. Income Y￿th ￿nd[tIonS attached to its receipt is reco3nised when Ih05e conditions have been fulfilled. Interesl on funds held on deposit is included ￿en re￿1vable and the amount can be measured reliabty by the charity; this is normally upon nots'fication of the interest paid or payable by the bank. Expenditure recognition Expendilure is accrued as soon as a liabilty is considered probable. and the amount of obligation can be measured reliably. The arity is nol registered for VAT and accordingly expendrture includes VAT vthere appropriate. Expendilure included in Raising Funds iT￿ludeS amounts inCu￿ed in obtaining granls and other donations. Charitable expenditure includes those costs expended in fvlfilling the charitys principal objects, as outlined in the Report of the Trustees. These include grants payabte. governance o)sts and an apportionment of support costs. Grants payable are payments made to third parties in furtherance of the charity's objects. In the case of an unconditional grant offer this is accrued once the recipient has been nots'fied of the grant award. The notsfication gives the recipient a reasonable expeclation thal they wll receive the grant. Grants awards that are subjecl to the recipient fulfilling performance conditions are only accrued then the recipient has been notthed of the grant and any remaining unfulfilled condrtion attaching to that grant is outside of the control of the charity- Governance costs comprise all costs invothng the public accountabilty of the charity and its ￿mPlIance with regulation and good practice. These costs inCl￿e costs related lo the independent examination and legal fees. Rentals under operating leases are charged as incurred over the temi of the lease. Costs are allocated direclly to projects vthere they can be identtfied as relating solely to that project. Other costs are allocated between the funds based on staff time spent on the fund athvibes or other appropnate critena. Restricted Funds Restricted funds are to be used for specified purposes as laid do￿ by the fijnder. Direct and support expenditure which meets these criteria are idenbfied to the fvnd tcwJether wth a fair allOcat￿n of other costs. Unrestricted Funds Unrestricted funds are funds received which have no reslnctK)ns placed on their use and are available as general funds. Designated Funds Designated funds are unrestricted funds eamiarked by Ihe trustees for particular purposes. Hire purchase and leasing commitments Rentals paid under operats'ng leases are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities on a straight line basis over the period of the lease. The Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park {A Charity Company Limited by Guarantee, company number 5233566) Accounting Policies for the year ended 31 March 2024 Tangible Fixed Assets Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less depreciatjon. Depreciab"on is provided at the folkm.ng annual rates in order to write off each asset over ils estimated useful lrfe. Computer equipment Furniture & fixlures - 25% on cost - 20% on cost 39 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 2024 Incoming resources The incoming resources and surplus are attributable to the principal activities of the tharity. 2 Net incoming resources Net incoming resources are stated after charging." Independent Examinerfs fees - reporb.ng setvice Independent Examinerfs fees - other services 2024 2023 1,600 624 1,600 624 Trustees. emoluments Emoluments indude salaries. fees. Lx)nuses. expense albwances and estimated non￿Sh beneftts receivable. All trustees se￿e in voluntary capacity and do not receive payTnenl f¢y their servws. 2024 Total 2023 Total 3 Income from donations and legacies Unrestricted Restricted Donations - individuals Crowdfunding Donalions - organisations Grants 27.202 27,202 14,085 1,771 13,959 197,934 17,122 68.047 17,122 68.047 2024 Total 2023 Total 4 Income from charitable activities Unrestricted Restricted Hosting General Events - Training Membership - individuals LBTH SLA 15,959 1.659 817 31.900 3,326 42.160 15,959 1,659 617 31.900 3,326 42,160 (3331 600 31,900 15,551 25,307 Course Fees Corporate days 2024 Total 2023 Total 5 Income from other trading activities Unrestricted Restricted Sales- Merchandise 1.245 1.245 2024 Total 2023 Total 6 Incofne from investments UnrestTiCted Restricted Interest received 7,716 7,716 1,873 2024 Total 2023 Total 7 Other income Unrestricted Restricted Secb'on 106 receipts 389.569 389,569 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 2024 2024 Total 2023 Total 8 Expenditure on charitable activities Unrestricted Restricted Repairs & mainlenance Park access devel & maint Lodge Plants Too15 & accessories Volunteers - hospitalty Events Green waste Professional tree surgery Teaching materials Biodiversity professionals Publicity - general Heritage Staff costs Recuitment & training Soanes office space Legal and professional fees Office running costs Insurance - other Interest paid Bank charges Accountancy fees 15,862 13,208 17,435 5,086 3,225 686 17,494 3,826 560 164 2,962 861 15,163 103,104 1,389 6,286 3,150 14,979 1,525 14 189 16,141 27,178 2.669 3.308 1,154 9.073 3.863 4,663 20,804 27,178 2,669 4,213 1,253 9,073 3,863 99 2,962 2,962 150 109.091 2,957 150 109.091 2.957 3,946 4.736 1,642 779 279 2.447 83 4,819 1,642 779 279 2,447 9 Staff costs 2024 2023 staff salaries Staff social security Staff pensions 100.371 5,516 3,444 94,855 5,216 3,033 Average number of employees during the year vrds: No remuneralion was paid to any Trustee or their associates for services as a trustee during the year ended 31 March 2024 nor to 31 March 2023. Employees paid in excess of £60,000 during the cu￿ent year and previous year. None None Computer equipment Furniture & fixtures 10 Tanglble fixed assets Total Cost A5 at 1 April 2023 5,597 727 6,324 As at 31 March 2024 Depreciation As at 1 April 2023 5,597 727 6,324 As at 31 March 2024 Net book value As at 31 March 2024 As at 31 March 2023 41 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 2024 11 Debtors: amounts falling due within one ￿ar 2024 2023 Operating debtors staff loans Prepayments 11,675 3,075 232 2,904 307 12 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 2024 2023 Employment taxes Pensions Net salaries Accruals 3,839 1,721 297 5.180 5,479 2,994 22,331 Openlng balance Resources arisin Resources utilised Other movements Closlng balance 13 The funds of the charity. current year Restricted funds Restricted income funds Unrestricted fvnds General funds 22,417 389.569 (5,750) 475 406,711 260,211 216,953 (192,375) 1475> 284,314 Opening Resources balance arisinA Resources utilised Other movements Closing balance 14 The funds of the charity. prior year Restricted funds Restricted income funds Unrestricted fvnds General funds 139.084 (155,385) {25,865) 22,417 144,972 209.555 163,563 302,647 174,189 (229,574) 25.865 260,211 282,628 Opening balance Incoming resources Resources Transfers & expended gainsl(losses) Closing balance 15 Restricted funds: current period Fairfoot Garfield Weston Foundation Heritage Lottery Fund Radcliffe Trust Section 106 St George's Town Hall 6,000 83 392 83 392 2.450 2,450 389,569 8,690 389.569 13.966 5,276 42 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 2024 Opening balance Incoming resources Resources Transfers & expended gainsl(losses) Closing balance 16 Restricted funds: prior period CMS Social Impact Cultural Recovery fund East End Emergency Fairfoot Garfield Weslon Foundation Heritage Fund Heritage Lottery Fund National Lottery Community Fund Our Space Pilgrim Trust Radcliffe Trusl Small grants St George's Town Hall {2.500} {3.800) {4.579} 3,800 4.579 46.170 70,170 675 46,353 6,000 20.000 (19,325) (2,331) 3,028 (3,028) 6,864 1,219 10.000 16,864 1,219 10.000 4.387 96 5.621 10.IYJO 6.837 2,450 96 {812} 20.4C#) 13,967 Restrlcted funds Icontlnued) Projects financed by restricted funds are supported by unrestncted funding vknere ne￿$Sary. This occurs vthere the funding is in arrears or the Inciden￿ of expenditure on the project occurs disproports"onately at Ihe beginning of the project compared to the income flows. Where restricted projects end the year y￿th a deficit, this is met by after year-end reslricled incom8 or transférs from unrestrictèd funds. CMS Soclal Impact Cultural Recovery fund East End Emergency To create a customer management system wa Salesforce. Stsff an(1 event costs to help replace lost revenue. Covid emergency lurKling to support additional equipmènt and PPE eosts to allow our work to conbnue. Improving Fairfoot Road greertspace for the Itxal community and b￿1versIty. Supports athons around CMP (monuments. Lodge). build history and heritage offering through actvrties and events. To hire a Hefrtage Officer to develop a community-led conseNalion, management and maintenance plan for Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park over 2 years. In doing so, the hentage of THCP wll be a{￿$$I￿e to a WKler rafwJe of people. Funds lo support research into the lives of the 204 service personnel who lost their lives during Workl War One and are recorded on the Cornn￿DWea1th War Graves Commission War Memorial insKle the Pa￿. Funding to support develcpment of the ce￿thry Park Lodge to house office and visitor space. Falrtoot Garfleld Weslon Foundatlon Herltage Fund Herltage Lottery Fund National Lottery Communlty Fund Our Space Funding for scoping and planting green corridor walking and biddiversty routes connecting the Cemetery Park lo locale and Lea Valley. Funding to support the delNery of the Conservation Management Plan {CMPI, specifically preservats'onlmanagement of rmnuments and architectural features of significance. Funds to prowde greenw(￿ working ¢￿[SeS for disadvantaged communities. Pursuant lo the Bow GaS￿￿rkS development on the southem side of the Cemetery Park, the propety developers are oblig*ed to pay S106 funds to mrtigate the envtronmental impact of the developmenl. These funds are againsl a 10 year project plan, and are restricted against works as defined within the project plan submrtted to and agreed by FOTHCP and LBTH. Establishing an 'Elder Trees. o)mmunity group for the over 60s for hy￿hOUr sessions, On￿ per ek {37 in total). Sessions would include athwtses such as stl-and-sense, walk-and-talk, nature crafts. ￿ld foods, planting and bird spotting. Communty development contribution for the redevelopment of St Geaorge's green space, planb'ng and labour. to extend local access and biodiversity corridors. Pllgrlm Trust Radcliffe Trust Section 106 Small grants St George's Town Hall General Designated funds funds 475 {4751 Restricted funds 475 475 Endowment funds 17 Transfers between funds: current period General lo restricted Total 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 2024 General Designated funds funds 25.865 25,865 Restricted funds Endowment funds 18 Transfers between funds: prior period Restricted lo qeneral Total 125,865) General Designated funds funds Restricted funds Endowment funds 19 Net assets attribulable to funds: current period Total Cu￿ent assets Current liabililies Net assets represented by funds 295.351 (11,037} 406,711 702,062 {11,0371 Generdl Designaled funds funds Restricted funds Endowment funds 20 Net assets attrlbutable to funds". prlor period Total Current assets Current liabililies Net assets represented by funds 291,015 {30.804} 22,417 313,432 {30,8041 21 Taxation The company is a registered charity. Accordingly. it is exempt from tsXal￿n in respect of income and caytal gains to the extent that these are applied to rts charrtable obiects. 22 Post balance sheet events There were no signrficant post balance sheet events. 23 Pension commitmenls The charity contributes to employees defined (x)ntribution stakehokler pension schemes. The assets of the schemes are held separately from those of the charity in an independently administered fund. 2024 1,721 £ 2023 2,994 The unpaid contributr'ons outstanding at the year end V•Ve: 24 Contingent liabilities The charitable company had no material contingent liabilities at 31 Trkrch 2024 nor at 31 Tr/Arch 2023. 25 Related parties There were no disclosable related party transact￿n$ dunng the year. 26 Transactions with trustees There were no material transath.ons vthh the trustees during the year. 27 Gifts in kind and volunteer5 During the year Ihe charitabk company benefited from unpaKI work perfonned by volunteers. 28 Major funders In accordance with Section 37 of the Local Govemment and Housing Act 1989 the followng grants and their purpose is confirmed". Funder Pmject name / Purpose of London Borough of TcY4ver Hamlets Path maintenance and litterpicking 31,900 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 2024 29 Company status The company is limited by guarantee and has no share capital. The guarantots lia1￿lIty in the event the company is wound up is restricted to a maxÉmum of £1 each. li IJ ? The Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park (FoTHCP) is an award-winning charity working to protect, preserve and care for the Cemetery Park. The site includes one of the historic 'Magnificent Seven' Victorian-era London cemeteries and adjoining areas including Scrapyard Meadow and Ackroyd Drive Greenlink. Collectively, the 31-acre Local Nature Reserve is a Site of Metropolitan Importance for Nature Conservation and London's most central urban woodland. Office Address: Cemetery Park Lodge, Southern Grove, Mile End, London, E3 4PX www.fothcp.org www.fothcp.org @fothcp Registered Charity No. 1107136 Registered Company No : 5233566