Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park 4eervation . Heritage ' is 716 Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park ANNUAL REPORT & FINANCIAL ACCOUNTS AS AT 31 MARCH 2025 www.fothcp.org Registered Charity No. 1107136 1 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 @ifoundtheme, @sharons_eastend.walks. Aneeta Patel, Claire Davis, @gem_in_the_wild, Jackie Osborne, Jasmina Negrini, Ken Greenway, Mark Engel, Ruben Darrell, Stavros Fotiadis, Suzi Brent. About Us................................................ Update from the Trustees....................... Chair's Report........................................ Managerfs Report................................... Our Mission and Values 10 Strategic Reports................................. 11 Biodiversity...................................... 12 Conservation.................................... 16 Heritage.......................................... 20 Community...................................... 21 Strategy and Looking Ahead.................. 28 Statutory Information........................... 30 Financial Reports................................. 34 Green Flag Award Green Flag 2024-2025: Community Winner - retained since 2011 London in Bloom 2024: Large Conservation (Gold) Large Cemetery/ Crematorium (Gold + Category Winner) Heritage Park/Garden of the Year (Gold) LONDON IN BLOOMY. Tower Hamlets in Bloom 2024: 2 Awards for contribution to London in Bloom and Recognition of Excellence Award given to Kenneth Greenway 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 Resep4e is a Site of Metropolitan Importance for Nature Consep4ation 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. UPDATE FROM THE TRUSTEES The annual report is an opportunty for our charity to reflect on our progress and consider our future. This year is even more special as the Friends mark 35 years Sin￿ our formation- which has given us three and a half decades to reflect upon and celebrate. From forging new ground as a .￿Metery-park, with its delicate balance of conservation and heritage, to being recognised as a designated Local Nature Reserrfe and Metropolitan SINC (Site of Importance for Nature Conservation - which affords the space vital additional protections), and to our extensive communty activities and events, we are proud to say that our commitment to Conseniation. Heritage and Communty is as strong as ever. We are grateful to the efforts of our staff, volunteers. members and supporters. We all share collective success and accomplishments- not least as we recognise that our sensitive, hands-on approach means we rely upon so many hands! Two of these recognitions include retaining the Green Flag Award for the 13th year, with the official comments from the judges being particularly inspirational. We also retained a number of recognitions at Tower Hamlets and London in Bloom, including Gold Awards in the following categories: Large Conservation Large Cemetery/Crematorium Heritage Park/Garden of the Year The fact that we capture recognition across so many different lines is testament to our unique value and strong grounding for our future. In our'strategy and Looking Ahead, section we document the ways in which we continue to evolve our approaches towards realising our goals. We are as ambitious with these aspirations as we are passionate about the Cemetery ParK' and recognise the legacy we must preserve, that we have the support and expertise to deliver. We hope you're as excited as we are for what comes next! The Board of Trustees CHAIR'S REPORT I have the honour of being the Chair of Trustees during the Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park's 35th year of operations. There is a very strong and rich history inherent within any Magnificent Seven Victorianera cemetery, alongside the truly unique biodiversty and natural value within Tower Hamlets, Local Nature Reserve and Metropolitan SINC. In our 35th year, we have b&n reflecting on the role of active management within the space. The Green Flag award panel summed up our mission. purpose and impact qutte succinctly. 'The Local Nature Reserve is extremely well run and has achieved a great deal since the FOTHCP was established in 7990. Much of the restoration of the historic landscape and funeral structures has been planned and is taking place on a gradual basis as funds permit. This damage dates largely from the period of neglect before the FOTHCP took over responsibility. The work on biodiversity similarty is ex￿lIent but has to manage the long period when trees self-seeded within the cemetery these mainty being sycamores, which are of limited biodiversity value intrinsically and which cast a heavy shadow inhibiting the ground flora and shrubs. These are being steadily removed with great advantage to the overall biodiversity. The Trustees, staff and volunteers are all to be commended for the excellent work that has been done and the proposed plans to extend the LNR area and further develop the historic and biodiversity potential." FOTHCP is a truly special place-a nature reserve, a historic cemetery, and a public park for the community- all within one site. As we celebrate our 35th year, we're proud of our accomplishments, but we're also focused on identifying and addressing the pressures the third sector faces, as well as the additional and unique challenges we see given our history and heritage. Perhaps most visible is the Bow Gasworks development on the southem edge of the Cemetery Parl and rts impact on conserrfation and nature efforts. To prepare for increased visitors, we're developing environmental mitigation plans to protect biodiversity and accommodate more foot traffic. These plans are part of our larger Conservation Management Plan, which balances nature, heritage, and communty into the fLrture. Protecting our heritage remains a priority. We've made essential monument repairs and strategic progress, wtth a big thanks to our dedicated volunteers who support our staff by handling family heiitage research and grave enquiries. As a public parK we are committed to providing a safe and welcoming spa￿. We are exploring new ways to engage visitors. from creating trails to piloting new events. The site is a valuable and welcoming environment for many community groups and partners. Our own events and activtties attract thousands of visitors, and we've expanded our team and facilities-including The Lodge and Yard-to meet the growing demand alongside our OLrtdoor venues and the Soanes Field Centre. This growth also allows us to offer more employment and work placement opportunities. Finally, we are focused on our organisational resilien￿. While our Service Level Agreement funding has remained unchanged for years. and the wider economic climate for grants is challenging, we are prudently managing our finances. We have established reserves, built through the support of our community and corporate partners, to withstand financial adversty. We are also actively working to build and retain income streams to support our ongoing activtties and the next chapter for this much-loved site. Louise Robinson Chair of the Board of Trustees /1 MANAGER'S REPORT The year began with a guided tour of THCP for the staff and volunteers of Willesden Jewish Cemetery - an enjoyable time of exchanging stories and sharing experiences. In mid April, Diane, one of our dedicated heritage volunteers, and I gave a joint talk at the Ragged School Museum about the children of Barnardo's buried at the Cemetery Park. It was a full house, our talk was warmly received. and it was a pleasure to see the newly renovated museum in all its glory. Much like the previous year, April to October saw a healthy number of volunteers visiting us. Due to the existing biodiversity in the Cemetery Park, and in an effort to create more of this. the work and interventions made in the park by the Friends are very targeted and manual, and require a large number of individuals, work, which we achieve through the volunteers from organisations and charities that we welcome to the Park. At the start of the reporting period, we welcomed Jamie as our new Heritage Officer, alongside two brand-new roles. Oana joined as our Seasonal Ranger, and Aneeta as our Office Administrator. All three started after Easter, and it has been a joy to support them as they ve settled into their roles and contributed meaningfully to the work of the FOTHCP. Our events programme continued to thrive. Foraging tours, forest school sessions, and themed heritage walks and activities remained popular. Our regular Tuesday volunteers also benefited from Bumblebee ID training, delivered as part of the Bumblebee Conservation Trust's Buzzing in the East End project. In July, the staff team and several volunteers visited Brompton Cemetery, where we were warmly welcomed by their team and given a highly informative tour. The visit was rounded off in the best way: with tea, coffee, cakes, biscuits. and even a gift of Brompton Cemetery honey. August saw the return of our much-loved Summer Fair. It was a fantastic day, attended by several hundred local residents who enjoyed free activities, Cemetery Park tours, local craft stalls, and performances from the East London Music Hall Choir. We were thrilled to be able to showcase our work to the community in such a joyful and inclusive atmosphere. In February. students from Capel Manor College joined us for work experience as part of their Nature Conser4ation course. We continue to be proud of our support for a wide range of educational initiatives. offering a unique outdoor learning environment. We maintained our partnership with the London Borough of Tower Hamlets Virtual School Programme, delivering forest school activities to children in the foster care system. l also continued to work closely with students from Phoenix Autism College, who visit weekly during term time to take part in seasonal nature conservation work. In October, we said a fond farewell to Richard, our Senior Cemetery Park Officer, who left to take up an exciting new role with the Royal Parks at Kensington Gardens and Brompton Cemetery. Richard had a significant impact during his time with us, and we're hugely grateful for all he did. We wish him every success in his new role. A few other highlights from the year include our participation in Heritage Open Days, Open House London, and London Month of the Dead. We also welcomed judges for the Green Flag Award and entries for both London and Britain in Bloom. Throughout the year. we were supported by volunteers from Good Gym. who helped with various tasks. We were also proud to host the intimate launch of Queer as Folklore, a book by Sacha Coward, who, alongside Sheldon from Cemetery Club, leads our October heritage tours. Towards the end of the year, Stephen (a regular volunteer) and I visited East Ham Nature Reserve to deliver training on laying crushed concrete paths to their staff and volunteers. a lovely example of skills-sharing across green spaces. 2025 marks the 35th anniversary of the FOTHCP. I'm very excited to be sharing our plans to celebrate this significant milestone. In closing. I want to express my heartfelt thanks to my colleagues, our Trustees, and all our volunteers and supporters. Your time, energy, and commitment are deeply appreciated. We simply couldn't do this without you. Thank you. Kenneth Greenway Cemetery Park Manager 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 12 p.*I BIODIVERSITY Highlights for 2024-2025 As a site which embraces nature, we are especially welcoming to non-human visitors and residentsl Many human visitors are thrilled when they spot a hedgehog bumbling across a 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 which are summarised here. Butterflies Two of the butterflies we have that are notable for inner London were recorded again in 2024. One was the Green Hairstreak. first recorded in 2023. Still only in small numbers, but we hope to improve that by increasing the plants on which the caterpillars feed or the adults take nectar from. In August 2024 we recorded Britain's smallest butterfly, the Small Blue, again, after a gap of a few years. It must have been present all along. but it's very elusive. To keep it. we need to sustain the populations of Kidney Vetch, a plant crowded out by strong grass growth. The plant is absolutely essential to the caterpillars. as the flowers and developing seeds of Kidney Vetch are their only food. Some of our day-flying moths are as colourful as any butterfly. One that people will have seen during July and August is the Jersey Tiger. Tiger moths are very brightly coloured, warning that they are bad to eat. 30 or 50 years ago Jersey Tigers, though common in the Channel Islands. were, in England, only found along part of the South Devon coast. They're now common in southern England. Very dark brown forewings, with bold yellow stripes. They fly by day and night. They often fly across an open area and land on a tree or shrub leaf, or on flowers. Buddleia and Hemp Agrimony are favourites. When they fly off they reveal their brilliant underwings, which are either orange-red or yellow. We don't need to take any special measures for the Jersey Tiger. Its caterpillars will eat many low-growing plants. Evergreen Alkanet. a very prolific plant in the woods, is often used. The hairy caterpillars feed at night but can be found in May by looking for plants with leaves much eaten. The caterpillars will be on the ground under the plant during the day. 13 Bees 2024 was a challenging year for bees across the UK, and Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park was no exception. Prolonged overcast conditions, below- average sunlight, and an unusually cool, wet spring created tough circumstances for pollinators. Amid these challenges, there were glimmers of hope. In July, we recorded six female and one male Large Scabious Mining Bees-a promising sign after very few were seen in 2023 and none at all in 2022. One female was observed using newly created habitat on the Cemetery Park's south side, where Sycamores had been removed as part of mitigation works for the Bow Gasworks development. The damp spring caused high mortality among bumblebee queens, while many solitary bees, which typically emerge in large numbers, appeared only sporadically. We hope this improved habitat will attract Traditional nesting aggregations were more individuals in the years to come. much quieter than usual, although their Despite the difficult year, Tower Hamlets Cuckoo Bee counterparts remained Cemetery Park remains an important relatively abundant. urban refuge for pollinators. Tree Bumblebees and Red-Tailed Bumblebees suffered significant declines, with numbers at their lowest levels ever recorded in the Cemetery Park. To date, around 75 bee species have been recorded in the Cemetery Park-a testament to its biodiversity value. Report by Mark Patterson: Api:Cultural Nationally, the Bumblebee Conservation Trust reported a dramatic 749. fall in Red- Tailed Bumblebee populations. Sadly, the Brown-Banded Carder Bee-a species previously recorded at the Cemetery Park was not seen at all in 2024. Another disappointment was the absence of Hoplitis adunca (the Viperfs Bugloss Bee), a species newly arrived in Britain and first recorded in the Cemetery Park in 2023. 14 Spiders In the 12 months Jan 2024 to Jan 2025 a total of 2182 spiders were trapped at the six permanent stations in the Park. This is slightly higher than last year (2049) but still far below the mean total for the last 15 years {3056). Species richness was virtually the same at 60 as against 61 for 2023, and a little below the mean of 64. The spider fauna in the Park as a whole had clearly not recovered from the very poor year 2023, although I'm pleased to report that both total numbers and species richness seem to have bounced back in 2025. Perhaps with climate change we should get used to not only increased atmospheric turbulence, but instabilities in populations of wild organisms like spiders as well. As regards the composition of the spider community. the most abundant species (Pachygnatha degeeri) has recovered somewhat from low numbers in the last two years when it was below 2090 of the catch, to make up 37.ts (807) in 2024. At the same time numbers of the major disturbed-ground species (Erigone dentipalpis) also remain alarmingly high (138) at all sites and still far above the mean. Three new species were found", the first being a widespread and fairly common wolf spider Piratula uliginosa (Lycosidae) and two tiny spiders . Savignia frontata (Linyphiidae) is regarded as a common pioneer species and has been recorded from at least 30 sites in the whole London area. The second is much more interesting spider, the tiny Theonoe minutissima (Theridiidae), at 1.1 mm one of the smallest British spiders. Although a specimen was found in 2023 identification was not confirmed in time for last year's report. It had not previously been recorded from the whole London area. although it has been recorded widely across the whole country as far as the north coast of Scotland. Researchers at University of Aachen (Bach, A. et al) have been using pitfalls to assess the recovery of biodiversity in urban grasslands in Germany with studies that can be compared with these here. They conclude that the total number of wolf spiders (Lycosidae) as a proportion of the April-october catch is a 'striking parameter, in evaluating the biodiversity, and hence conservation value of individual grassland sites. Here at the Cemetery Park Lycosid numbers April-october in 2024 (458: 22.5% of the total) were well below the SO.￿ mean for a healthy biodiverse urban grassland. Bach et al suggest a 'threshold value, of wolf spiders should be of 5090 of the total summer catch for a positive evaluation of a site. The previous report underestimated the total number of species from the Cemetery Park. According to my records now we have a total of 183 spider species actually recorded up to the end of 2024. plus ten species of centipede {Chilopda) and three species of Pseudoscorpion. As indicated in my report last year there may be two Micaria species previously reported as M.pulicaria. Since the separation of M. pulicaria and M. micans all specimens found have been confirmed as M. micans so until a genuine M. pulicaria is found Micaria only counts as one. 15 Taking the centre of Scrapyard Meadow as possibly our best site, wolf spiders have reached 50% of the total summer catch on two occasions: in 2011 and 2020. bLrt generally the catch is well below that target figure. Edward Milner 11812025. Reference: Bach, A. et al. 2025. From lawns to meadows: spiders (Arachnida:Araneae) as indicators to measure urban grassland restoration success. Urban ecosystems https://doi.org/l 0.1007/sl 1252-024- 01626-x 16 CONSERVATION Managing Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park= Why Tree Felling is Sometimes Necessary. Bow Common Gasworks development - our mitigation work thus Who manages THCP? Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park is managed by the Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park, a registered charity and company limited by guarantee. Founded in 1990, the Friends have formally cared for the site under a Service Level Agreement with Tower Hamlets Council (LBTH) since 2004. In 2021. LBTH granted the Friends a 30-year lease, cementing our long-term role in looking after this special place. Why are some trees being felled? Tree felling is linked to the impact of the new Bow Common Lane Gasworks development. This major housing project-set to include 14 towers of up to 21 storeys- will introduce around 1,500 new homes and approximately 3,000 residents. The resulting increase in footfall will place more pressure on the Cemetery Park, especially on its paths and sensitive habitats. Of particular concern is the Scrapyard Meadow, a sunlit grassland alongside Cantrell Road that supports butterflies. bees, and other pollinators. The new buildings will cast significant shade over this area. making it less suitable for the species that depend on warmth and sunlight. To help offset this loss, LBTH has provided the Friends with ring-fenced funding specifically for habitat mitigation. One of the most effective actions we can take is to increase sunlight in other parts of the Park-especially in the old, wooded areas-by removing some trees. Why remove Sycamores? The focus is on felling Sycamore trees. which are not native. were not planted, and have self-seeded extensively. Compared to native species like Oak, Elm, Ash, and Birch, Sycamores support far fewer wildlife species. When dense, their large summer canopies block light from reaching the woodland floor-negatively affecting wildflowers, insects, and even young trees. Traditional woodland management once kept woods more open and sun-dappled, but that has largely disappeared in the last 70 years. As a result, many of the species that rely on partial sunlight have declined. For instance, butterflies cluster in the brighter areas, and woodland wildflowers like Primroses disappear in too much shade-but can reappear when light returns. 17 What's happened so fa During winter 2024, 47 trees were selectively removed-40 Sycamores & 7 Grey Poplars and in winter 2025 47 Sycamores were felled - as the first steps in a 7-year woodland management programme up to 2030. This work is designed to: Extend existing sunlit areas Improve light levels along paths Protect monuments from storm-damaged trees Create canopy gaps to support understorey regeneration Establish a more sustainable "coppice with standards. woodland structure How are decisions made? All proposed tree works are carefully planned and reviewed in consultation with LBTH Tree and Biodiversity Officers. They also align with our 30-Year Conservation Management Plan and 5-Year Management Plan, which has been in place since 2012 and is updated regularly. In summary The Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park work to balance the needs of wildlife and visitors. Sometimes, that means removing trees to support long-term biodiversity and woodland health. Tree felling, when done thoughtfully and selectively, is a vital part of good woodland management-and key to ensuring that nature continues to thrive in this treasured urban space. Kenneth Greenway Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park Manager 18 Bow Common Lane Gasworks Development We received from the developers of the Bow Common Lane Gasworks site for high rise housing. via LBTH. adjudication and monitoring ("Section 106") money. This money. to be spent over a period of up to 12 years. is intended to enable the Friends to compensate for the effects of the development on the Cemetery Park. The main effects are increased shading on adjoining Scrapyard Meadow, from the tall buildings, and generally increased pressures on the Cemetery Park and Ackroyd Drive Greenlink, from use by the eventual 3,000 new residents. We can't use the money for general expenditure and staffing costs and need to account for our use of it to the London Borough of Tower Hamlets Planning Department. The increased shading of Scrapyard Meadow reduces the potential it has as a habitat for sun-demanding plants and insects. We are countering that with increasing light levels in parts of the historic cemetery. During the year, we saw the benefits of Sycamore felling work done in the winter of 2023-2024. More of this work was done in winter 2024-2025. All the work has been planned in consultation with LBTH Tree Officers. Fairfoot Wood Fairfoot Wood is owned by Tower Hamlets Council. We completed a project back in 2023/24 to improve the space as an accessible place for wildlife and people. In late 2024 we were part of a successful grant application by Poplar Harca to The Mayor's Rewild London scheme. We were commissioned to undertake work on Fairfoot Wood as part of three sites their funding covered. This was part of a wider initiative of Poplar Harca called The Great Green Estate. We were invited to deliver biodiversity enhancements and community engagement. This mainly involved: Late 2024 activity- Tree felling Cutting meadows and spring bulb planting In the new year 2025: Tree planting Wildflower Plug planting Engagement activities - tree/plug planting, walks. 19 Woodlands British woodlands have been in overall biodiversity loss since about 1950, because they have generally grown darker since traditional uses of timber trees and coppice products, which formerly kept woodlands relatively open. have declined. Along the main path between Southern Grove and Knapp Road, the area called Memorial Glade (because the War Memorial and the Church of England chapel were formerly there), is now much more open and sunny, and the wildflowers and insects are already responding, following removal of some Sycamores in winter 2023-2024. In winter 2024-2025, Sycamores were removed from both sides of the main path between Memorial Glade and Knapp Road, which has produced a much better lit "corridor" for insects to move through and for a greater diversity of wildflowers. Over the years. our other main habitat. our meadows, has declined a little in its diversity and abundance of wildflowers and insects as. especially during the pandemic when we were less able to work with volunteers, we had to reduce the care of our meadows. We have been able to step up our activity and plan to use S106 money to get more effective grass cutting machinery, and more wildflower plants and seeds. While of course, cutting meadows too much impoverishes them, they need sufficient cutting, and clearing of the cut material to prevent them growing more fertile each year. Increasing fertility means many wildflower species become outcompeted by tall grasses. The decrease of particular species of plant has resulted in the reduction, or complete loss of insect species dependent on them. If fertility can be reduced, many of the wildflower species that have been reduced, or lost altogether. will come back, as their seeds are lying dormant in the soil and will grow if conditions become suitable again. Woodland Management Meadow Enhancement Accessibility Improvements Interpretation and Signage 20 HERITAGE This year, we continued to deliver projects identified within our Conservation Management Plan (CMP). which was determined in October 2022. Throughout the year, the Heritage group has continued to meet on the second Sunday of each month in collaboration with the East London History Society. Following two extremely large-scale projects in recent years, remembering the 500+ Barnardo children buried in THCP, and Hidden Histories documenting the lives and families of the 204 WW1 service personnel buried in THCP and commemorated on the screen wall, the Heritage group are now in the process of researching the Princess Alice disaster. This upcoming project involves investigating various individuals in preparation for publishing a series of booklets on different themes. Additionally, the group continues to record memorial inscriptions, assist with cemetery inquiries, and conduct family research. Diane Kendall '•14 21 COMMUNITY Celebrating Our Community and Green Space Climate change and the changes created by the Covid-19 pandemic highlighted more than ever the vital role that green spaces play in people's lives. Since then, we have continued to welcome significantly more visitors, and even with many people returning to workplaces in 2023/24, footfall at the Cemetery Park has remained strong. Individuals, families, and friendship groups come here daily to enjoy a peaceful walk, a quiet lunch break, or simply time outdoors. Many visitors also use the Park as a place for reflection. with local residents and those travelling from further afield sharing their family stories and heritage connections with us. These personal accounts remind us how deeply valued the Cemetery Park is across generations and communities. Our foremost responsibility is to keep the Park open, safe, and accessible for all. Thanks to the dedication of our staff and volunteers, we are able to uphold this commitment while also celebrating the unique character of the Park through a vibrant programme of events and activities-many of which are free or subsidised thanks to our generous funders. Our events reflect the breadth of our work in conservation, heritage, and community engagement. They provide opportunities for people to learn new skills, try hands-on activities, connect with others, and experience the Cemetery Park in new ways. We continue to build on the success of events piloted in previous years, including those centred on arts, crafts, traditional skills, and wellbeing, and have continued to grow and diversify our programme. Feedback from participants has been overwhelmingly positive, and we are proud to see new audiences discovering the Park through these initiatives. 22 Diversity, inclusion, and accessibility remain at the heart of everything we do. In 2024/25, we introduced a New Parents Walk initiative. offering parents with pre- school children the chance to connect with others, discover the nature and heritage of the Cemetery Park, and feel part of our community. Building on its success, we are committed to growing and developing this work as part of our Conservation Management Plan. ensuring that accessibility-both physical and digital-continues to guide our future. 4> 23 Your Feedback "I thought Ken was a brilliant guide for the walk. He has so much enthusiasm and knowledge all delivered them both with lightness and humour. I had a very enjoyable afternoon." "Thank you Ken, it's such a treat to be involved in something so special and rewarding in my local community. Everything was great- clear instructions, friendly atmosphere, and a lovely bunch." "Thank you for offering these events," an invaluable resource for the local community. I love that this is on my doorstep." °Terry was such a fascinating chap, so totally passionate about nature and the cemetery park. It was a real pleasure attending his walk. I'd love to hear him do a talk one evening, showing images of the butterflies and other insects, perhaps over coffee and biscuits. Thankyou.. "Keep on protecting and supporting genuine biodiversity- and all the joys and benefits it can bring. It's hard to find in big cities and THCP is a rare gem." "Ruben was absolutely lovely and really engagingl We loved all his facts and they really made the day fly by." Selected quotes are from event participants who were invited to complete a post-event feedback form as part of ongoing evaluation and monitoring. 24 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 2024-2025 we had a full programme of events that encompassed the huge variety of unique interests of our community here in the Cemetery Park. We had our ever popular nature events including expert-led walks about bees, butterflies, bats and more. Our versatile staff team led craft and family activities such as weaving. pottery and knitting. To mark Remembrance Day, we the Friends welcomed over 60 people to our Remembrance Day service. We were joined by park users, volunteers. 23rd Poplar Scouts, the local police and Raph. a Humanist UK celebrant. to remember those lost, both military and civilian. in conflicts over the years. It was a moving service. with an intent to be inclusive to all in our community and around the world. Thank you to Raph for his considered words in the service, and the members of 23rd Poplar Beavers, Cubs and Scouts who gave the readings. We were delighted to introduce new events including our Online Grave Workshop led by our Heritage Officer, and the first in an ongoing series of well- being events for families. a New Parents Nature Walk. Well-being 90% of people said they had improved mental health and well- being after attending an event. Learnlng 97% of people said they learned something new at one of our events. Community 77% of attendees were from Tower Hamlets or a neighbouring borough. 25 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 2024-2025 year. We are pleased 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 Looking after the Cemetery Park is a big task. Balancing the care of delicate habitats with the protection of historic monuments takes many hands, and we are lucky to have the support of groups and companies who roll up their sleeves alongside us. This year we saw that support grow. Between April 2024 and March 2025, we welcomed 81 teams from 63 organisations, together giving 1.910 volunteer days of their time. Some days saw huge teams of up to 100 people working together. transforming areas of the Park in just a few hours. What makes this even more special is how many groups come back year after year. Their commitment means our small staff team can take on projects that would otherwise be impossible-whether that's laying new paths so visitors can explore more easily, weaving dead hedges to protect new wildflower meadows, or planting bulbs and trees that will bloom for years to come. For us. corporate volunteering is about more than just the work achieved on the day. It creates a lasting connection between people and the Cemetery Park. builds pride in what they've helped to conserve, and provides vital income that keeps our charity strong. We are hugely grateful to every team that joined us this year-their energy, enthusiasm. and willingness to get muddy make a real and lasting difference. 26 Members In this financial year, responding to feedback from our members, we have successfully implemented a new membership system for the Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park. In the previous system, membership expired every year, and this led to an attrition rate in our membership, and extra work for members to keep in touch with us. In the new system, membership is applied for once, and continues rolling over every year, so that members don't need to reapply annually. One off Lifetime Membership is also available. Our Members receive free entry to a number of events a year, receive two copies of our publication Stone Stories, and are invited to participate in our AGM. We are happy to say that prices for membership remain the same, and we are committed to being inclusive for those who need help signing up or with membership fees. We've had excellent response to this new system, and expect it to run efficiently once the old memberships complete the transition in the next few months. Our Memberships: Adult - I person (£15 per year) Joint - 2 people at 1 address (£20 per year) Household - more than 2 people at l address (£30 per year) Junior - under 15 years old {£8 per year) Concession - I person (£1 O per year) Life Membership - I person (£150) Members. Mondays: We have several events a year that are free to our Members. These include: Spring Bulb Walks Heritage Tours Nature Walks Foraging Walk Guided Bat Walk Festive Social! We remain grateful to all members. past, present and future, with 382 members at the time of publishing this annual report. 27 Donors and Fundraising At the heart of everything we do at The Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park is a community of supporters who believe in protecting green spaces, preserrfing heritage. and nurturing biodiversity in the city. Our donors and funders are essential to this mission. Every donation-whether large or small-helps us to keep Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park open, accessible, and flourishing. From funding tools and materials for conservation work, to enabling education sessions for local schools, to supporting our volunteers and maintaining vital habitats for wildlife, fundraising underpins it all. In a time of increasing pressure on public funding and urban nature, the generosity of our supporters ensures we can respond to challenges and seize opportunities. It allows us to invest in the long-term care of this unique space. and to grow the impact of our work across heritage, environment, and wellbeing. We are deeply grateful to everyone who has contributed to our work this year-individual donors, charitable trusts, corporate partners. and community fundraisers. Your support is not just financial", it is a powerful act of belief in what this place means to people, and what it can be for future generations. Thank you for helping us make Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park a space for nature. for people, and for heritage. 28 STRATEGY AND LOOKING AHEAD 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 2024-2025, 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. 29 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 Wood. 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. document existing physical assets, establish processes for ongoing care and, where appropriate, restoration. 30 STATUTORY INFO Structure, governance and management The trustees who served during the reporting period were: The Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Louise Robinson (Chair) Park (FOTHCP) is a company limited by Jasmina Negrini (Vice Chair) guarantee (233566) and is a charity Ruth Bradshaw registered in England & Wales {1107136) Deborah Colvin regulated by the Charity Commission. It is Gerard Curtis governed by a Board of Trustees chaired Stavros Fotiadis by Louise Robinson, as defined in the Teresa Hall Memorandum and Articles of Association. Andrew Moffatt Colin Wiseman The company has 382 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 following trustee retired on completion of his maximum term during the reporting period: Toby Sibley Recruitment and appointment of members and trustees The Board of Trustees must comprise at least 3 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. 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 CharIt￿S activities to the staff and the Trustees provide advice, guidance and support on an ongoing basis. 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. The Board of Trustees is comprised of 9 trustees as of 31 st March 2025 and met four times during the reporting period. 31 Risk management 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. 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 Total expenditure for the year amounted to £264,491 (2023-24: £198,125). 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. 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 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 a net deficit for the year of £52,744 and a total of £638,281 being carried forward (of which £259,877 is unrestricted). Fixed assets are set out in Note 8 to the accounts. Financial review Total income for the 2024-2025 financial year amounted to £211,747 (2023-24: £606,522). A significant portion (£389,569) of the reported income in 2023- 24 arose from the Section 106 monies arising from the developers of the Bow Gasworks development. Readers should also note that in the foreseeable future deficits may be seen as the S106 Bow Gasworks mitigation money is disbursed. 32 Reserves policy and calculation At this time, the unrestricted reseples position stands at £259,877 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. The Charity receives a Service Level Agreement from London Borough of Tower Hamlets (£31,700) - which accounts for around 10-15% of annual costs. Other costs arising from the management of the Cemetery Park are covered by the FOTHCP'S fundraising activities/grants. 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 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 Resep4es 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. The charity aims to maintain unrestricted reserves of up to six months of core costs (staff, overheads that would maintain core activities) (£80,000) and three months of contingency costs (critical activities that can not be stopped) {£20,000). As at 31 March 2025, FOTHCP have calculated a minimum target of £100,000. 33 ststement of trustee responsibilities 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 are responsible for preparing the Trustees, Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. 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. 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. 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 3rd September 2025. And signed on behalf of the Trustees by: 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. Louise Robinson, Chair of the Board of Trustees Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park FINANCIAL REPORTS Company number." 5233566 Charity number.. t107136 The Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park IA Charity Company Limited by Guarantee, company number 5233566) Financial Statements and Trustees. Report for the year ended 31 March 2025 35 The Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park IA Charity Company Limited by Guarantee. company number 52335661 Index to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 Page Index to the Flnanclal Ststements 36 Charitable company Inforniation 37 Truslees. Report 38 Statement of Twstees. Responslbilitles 40 Independent Examinefs Report 41 Statement of Financial A￿1VitieS 42 Statement of Financial Postion 43 Statement of Cash Flows Accounting Policies 45 Notes to the Accounts 47 36 The Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park IA Charity Company Limited by Guarantee. company number 52335661 Charitable company Information for the year ended 31 March 2025 Status: The Friermjs of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park is a company limited by guaranlee and a registered charity govemed by its memorandum and artides of assooalion. The directors of the charity are ils Iruslees for the purFoses of charity law and throughoLrt this r&port are collectively referred lo as the trustees. Charity name. The FrieThJs of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park Company registration number: 5233566 (England & Wales) Charlty reglstratlon number 1107136 Registered office: The Soanes Centre Tower Hamlets Cemetery Pa Southem Grove London E3 4PX Operations address: Cemetery Park Lodge Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park L(ffid￿ E3 4PX Trustses who held office Teresa Hall Gerard Curtis Bowen Andrew George Moffatt Stsvros Fotiadis Deborah Jane Cofvin Ruth Constance Bradshaw Jasmina Negrini Colin George Wiseman Trkjy John Sibley - Appointed 17 February 2025 - Appointed 17 February 2025 - Resigned 21 September 2024 Chair: Vice chair: Louise Robinson Jasmina Negrini Independent Examiner. Anthony Arrnstrong FCA Arrnstrong & Co Chartered Accountants & StatutoryAuditor 4a Printing House Yar(I Hackney Road Lormjon E2 7PR Bankers: CAF Bank 25 Kings Hill Avenue Wesl Malling Kent ME19 4Ja 37 The Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park (A Charity Company Limited by Guarantee, company number 5233566 Trustees. Report, incorporating the Directors, Report tor the year ended 31 March 2025 The Trustees of The Friends ol Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park present their report tcwJether with the finanual ststemenls for the year ended 31 March 2025. CHARiff MANAGEMENT Structure. governancg and managemgnt The Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park is a company limited by guarantee wvemed by its Articles of Association dated 2nd September 2004 and amended on 2nd De￿mber 2004. 15 March 2010 and 22 September 2013. It is registered as a charity with the Charity Commission. The company has 382 members whose li8bility, in the event of the company being wound up, is limited to £1.00 each. Membership of the company is govemed in accordance wilh regulations made from time lo lime by the Trustees. Trustees The Trustees of the charity who held office during the year are disclosed on page 3. Recruitment and Appotntment ot Members and Twstees The company is ajminislered through the Trustees who must number al least three. Meetings of the trustees require at least one third and no less than fv40 of its Iruslees to be present. Trustees are recruited via an open recruitment prrKess, for 3-year temis. Trustees may serve up to tsyo consecutive temis before standing down. The appointment of trnstees is made at the annual general meeting. In addition, the trustees can appoint a trustee either lo ffill a casual vacancy or as an additional trustee LEnlil the next annual general meeting. Reserves Policy The charity receives a modest Service Level Agreement from LO￿lon Borough of Tower Hamlets. The rest and the majority of the costs of the Cemetery Park and the tharity are covered by the Friends, fundraising via tharilable activities and grants. The support costs of the Friends are pared to the minimum and the costs of maintaining the srte are very carefully managed. The charity's method of estimating the appropriate level of reserves is aimed al protecting the conlinuty of the core work. In doing so, the trust consider." lal risk to income from grants. vduntsry donalions and fees in an uncertain financial dimate.. {b) a￿'lIty lo meet replacement costs of essential equipment". {¢) abiltty lo finance immediate opportunity. The char¢ty aims to maintain unrestn.cled reserves of up to 6 months of ccKe cosls151aff. overheads that would maintain core activiliesl and 3 months of contingency costs (critical actJ"vities that can not be stopped). The Friends have calculated a target of £100.C(10 as follows: Core operating costs16 monlhs) Contingency costs13 months) £80,CH)O £20,000 Total.. £ioo.000 The current unrestn.cted reserves stsnd al £259,877 so we are (yJrrently meekn.ng our reserve requirement. However. Ihe optimum level of reserve5 is reviewed on an ongoing basis and at minimuffl tW￿e a year and may increase next year due to additional staff members and increasing operating eosts. Public benefit sL*ement The charity trustees ha￿ complied with their dLty to have ¢Jue regard to the g￿￿Jar￿ on public benefft published by the Commission in exercising their tx)wers or dub"es. The main activities undertaken by the charity to fijrther ils charitable purposes for the public benefit are ouuined in the s￿li0nS below. Objectives and activities In summary, the Charity's objects Ilhe Obje(as"l are lo promote. for public benefft. the preservation. care and improvement of the hislollc cemetery as a park, historic Wictorian*ra Magnffjcenl Seven cemelery,a place of history and ecolL%Jical interest and beauty and as a closed burial ground. Atso, to prorr￿le. for the public benefft, the preservation, care and improvement of those parts of the Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park and Ackroyd Drive Green Link Local Nature Reserve whith are not within the area of the historic cemetery, whi¢h together fomi the designated L(Kal Nature Reserve and Metropolitan sfie the Irnportan￿ of Nature Conservation under the management of the charity. 38 The Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park (A Charity Company Limited by Guarantee. company number 52335661 Trustees. Report, incorporating the Directors. Report for the year ended 31 March 2025 Tower Hamlets Cemetery Pad( offers everyone a b￿athing space in the heart of East London. This wocxjland cemetery is a unique pla￿ of Iransformation.- 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 heritage that is full of possibilities and freedom for all. Background to thg C8motory Park and the Frionds The management of the Friends is rooted in an informal Friends committee established 1990. The aim of the committee was to save the site from threats of development, and to restore it from ils overgrown and unwelcoming state into a loved Spa￿ of publi value and purpose. The Friends later Tegistered as a chaTtty, and in 2004 look the slep lo become an incorwrated charity. The Friends manage, on behalf of the Council, Ihe Tower Hamlels Cemetery Park and Ackroyd Drive Greenlink Local Nature Reserve ILNR}. The area of the LNR includes the historic cemetery, Scrapyard Meadow. Cantrell Road la service road which now resembles a 'counlry foolpalh'l and the Ackroyd Drive Greenlink (which fomis a Green Corridor to Mile End Park and the Regent's Canal). We refer to the whole area in this report as the 'Cemetery Park.. This is how it is localty known. The LNR is a site of Metropolitan Importance for Nature Conservation. and is mosUy in a Borough conservation area_ It is the richest natlsral sile in Tower Hamlets, the only semi-natural woodland. a ￿ntra11y4Mp0rtant srte for local history and remembrance. arKI facilitate5 extensive educational programmes delivered by the Friends and olher hxal ¢yganiSati￿s. Financial Review Rasults for tho year The resutts of the pericxj and financial position of the charity are shown in the annexed financial statements. The Slalement of Financial Actiwties shows net expenditure for the year of £52,744 and reserves of £638,281. The Trustees wish lo explain that il is probable that nel expenditure will result for some years to come as reserves. whith are at an exceptionally high level due lo Section 106 receipts, are expended. Tangible fixed assets for use by the chawity. Fixed assets are set out in Note 10 to the account5. Independent Examlner The Independent Examiner. Anthony Amstrong FCA of Amistrong & Co. has indicated his willingness lo be proposed for re- appoinlmenl. This report has been prepared in accordan￿ wth the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies. The financial slalements were approved by the Board of Trustees ￿ 3 September 2025 and signed on its behalf by: Louise Robinson Chalr of Trustees 39 The Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park IA Charity Company Limited by Guarantee. company number 52335661 Statement of Trustees, Responsibilities for the year ended 31 March 2025 The trustees Iwho are the directcKs of The Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery pa￿ for the purpose of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees Annual Rewrt and the financial stslements in a(￿rdance applicable law and Untted Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounb"ThJ Prath"cel. Company law ￿quireS the trustees lo prepare financial slalements for each ffinanual year which give a true and fair view of the stale of affairs of the charitable company and of its incoming resourc*s arHJ application of resources. induding the income and expenditure, of the charitable c4)mpany for that pericmj. In preparing these financial statements. the trustees are required to: a} Select suitable accounting wliryes and appty them ¢c￿SIstentIY,. bl Observe the methods and principles in the Charilies SORP. cl Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent.. dl Follow applicable accounting standards and ststemenls of recommended practKe. subject to any material departures disdosed and explained in the accounts., el Prepare Ihe financial State￿nts on the wing I￿n￿rn basis unless r( is inappropriate to assume that the Charitab￿ company will continue in operation. The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accrwnting rec(￿dS vknich disclose with reasonable accuracy al any time the financial FX)silion of the charitable company and enable them to ensijre that the finanaal statements (x)mply with the Companies Ad 2006 and charity legislation. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevenb.on and detection of fraud and other irregularib"es. 40 The Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park IA 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 peric*l frcmn 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025. which are set out on pages 8 10 17. This report is made solely lo the trustees as a tM)Yy in acc¢Ydanc* wtih section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 lthe Charities Act) and regulations made under section 154 of that Act. My examination has been undertaken so that I M￿ht stale lo the trustees those matters l am required lo stste lo them in an independent examinels report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent pem)itted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the company and the tnjstees as a bcmjy, for my examination, for this report, or for the opinions I have f0M￿d. Respgdive responsibilities of trustges and examin9r As described on pages 6, the trustees Iwho are also ihe directors of the company for the purposes of company lawl are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The chartty's trustees consider Ihat an audit is not required for Ihis year under section 144 of the the Charities Act ar￿ that an independent examinab.on is needed. Having satisfied myseW that the charity is not subje(a to audit under company law is eligible for independenl examination, il is my responsibility to.. al examine the accounts under seckn.on 145 of the charib.es Act. b) to follow the Pfocedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 14515llbl of the Charities Act, and I to state whether parb"cular matters have come to my attention. Basis of indepondont gxamingrfs sL*emont My examination was carrted out in accordan￿ the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination indudes a review of the accounting records kept by Ihe charity and a comparison of the accounts presented wth those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts. and seeking explanations from the trustees conceming any such matters. The prO￿dureS undertaken do not provide all the e￿den￿ that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as lo whether the accounts present a Irue and fair vieW and the report is limited lo Ihose matters sel out in the slalement below. Independent examlnerfs statement In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention vthich gives me cause lo believe that in, any material respect: accounting records were not kept in acccKdance with se(lion 386 of the Companies Act 2006 Ad. or the accounts do not accord ￿th such records.. or the accounts do not c£)mply with relevant accounting requirements under seclion 396 of the Companies Act 2006 other than any requirement that the accounts give a Inje and fairf view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination, or the accounts have not been prepared in accord8nce with the Charities SORP IFRS1021. I have come across no other matters in connection wrth the examinakn.on to vh)ich attention shcmjld be drawn in this report in order lo enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Anthony Arnistrong FCA Independent Examlner of Amistrong & Co Charter8d Accountants & Statutory Auditor 4a Printing House Yard Hackney Road London E2 7PR Dated.. 3 Septemb8r 2025 41 The Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park IA Charity Company Limtted by Guarantee. cornpany number 5233566) Statement of Financial Activities incorporating the income and expenditu￿ oc¢ounf for the year ended 31 March 2025 2025 2024 Unrnstrict•d Fund5 Restrict•d Endowment Funds Funds Totsl Funds Totsl Fund5 Not8s Income from: Donations and legacies Charitable activities Other trading activitses Inveslmenls Other income 60,848 127,594 60,848 134,261 112,371 95,621 1,245 7,716 389,569 6.667 6.524 9.130 15.654 Total income 195.950 15.797 211.747 606.522 Expendlture on: Charitableactivities 226.087 38.404 264.491 198.125 Total expenditure 226,087 38.404 264.491 198.125 Net in¢omel{expenditure) for the year 130.137) (22,6071 152.7441 408.397 Transfers betweon funds 17 5.700 {5.7001 Not movemgnl in funds {24,4371 (28,307) 152,744) 408,397 Reconciliation of funds: Total funds brought forward 13 284,314 406.711 691,025 282,628 Total funds carried forward 13 259.8TT 378.404 638.281 691.025 Al incoming resources and resourc*s expended are derived from continuing actiwties. The statement of financial activities incorporates an income and expenditure account. The accompanying ac£ounting policies and notes form an integral part of these finanoal statements. 42 The Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park IA Charity Company Limited by Guarantee. company number 52335661 Statement of Financial Postion as at 31 March2025 31 March 2025 31 March 2024 Notes Current assets: Debtors Cash al bank and In hand Total current assets 11 11 9,359 668,368 677.727 39.446 14.982 687,080 702.062 11,037 Credltors: amounts falllng due wlthln one year 12 Ngt current assetsllliabilitiosl 638,281 691.025 Total net assets 638,281 691.025 The funds of the charity: Restn"cted fvnd5 Unrestricted funds 15 15 378,404 259,877 406,711 284,314 Total charity funds 19 638,281 691.025 The directors are Satisffi￿ that the ccxnpany is entitled lo exemption from audit under Sec*on 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 a¢knO￿edge their responsibil￿e$ for. lil ensuring that the company keeps proper accounting records which CoM￿Y wilh Sectbon 386 of the Companies Act 2006; and {iil preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the stale of affairs of the charitable company as at the end of the financial year and of its surplus or deficit for the ffinancial year in accordance ￿th the requirements of Section 394 and 395 of the Companies Act 2006. ar)d which otherwise (x)mply Nwth the requirements of this act relating lo accounts. so far as applicable to the charitable company. These financial ststemenls have been prepared in &cordance wth the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies and with the Financial Rep)rbng Standard 102. The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees on 3 September 2025 and signed on its behalf by: Loulse Robinson Chair of Trustees The notes on pages 31 to 35 fornj part of these 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 2025 2025 2024 Cash flows from operating activities: Nelcashprovidedbyllusedinloperaling activities 134.3661 369,143 Cash flows from investing activities: Dividends, interest and rents from inveslments 15,654 7,716 Net cash provided byllused in) investing activities 15.654 7,716 Change in cash and cash equivalents in the reporting period Cash and cash equtvalents at the beginning of the reporting period Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the reporting period 118.7121 687,080 668.368 376.859 310,221 687,080 Notes to the Cash Flow Statement 2025 2024 1) Reconclliatlon of net incomellexpendilurel to net ￿$h flow from operating activities Nelincomel{expendtturelforthere￿rtln9perlcMjlaspertheSlaternen1 of fina￿la1 activities) 152.7441 408,397 Adjustments for. Dividends,intere51 and rents from investrnents Ilncreaselldecrease in debtor5 Increaselldecrease} in creditors 115.6541 5.623 28,409 17.7161 111,7711 119,7651 N8t cash provid8d byllus8d in) 0￿rating activities 134.3661 369,143 2025 2024 2) Analysis of ush and cash equivalents Cash in hand 687.080 Total cash and cash equivalents 668.368 687,080 The Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park IA Charity Company Limited by Guarantee. company number 5233566) Accounting Policies for the year ended 31 March 2025 Basis of preparation Thefinancial slalements have been prepared in accordance wth: al Applicable UK accounting standards. including Financial Reporbng Standard 102 Tr Financial Rermlrting Starmlard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS 1021.. b) Accounting and Reporting by Charities.. Statement of Recommended Practi￿ applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Finanryal Reporbng Standard applirable in the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS 1021 leffecttve 1 January 20151- Icharilies SORP FRS 102).. cl the Companies Act 2006. Public bgnofit entity The charitable company meets th8 definition of a public b8nefft entity under FRS 102. Going concern The charitls income is mainly derived from non $e￿-generated SOUT￿. suth as grants, service level agreements and other govemmental or NGO SOU￿$. The trustees wnsider Ihat there are no material uncertainbes about ts likelihood thal this support will conlinue,and accordingly, the accounts have been prepared on a Ll)n￿M basis. Income r￿QgnitiOn Income is recognised when the company has a contractual or other nghl to its receipt, rt is probable that the incorne will be received and that the amount can be measured reliably. Income with ¢))nditions attached to its receipt is recognised when those conditions have been fuKilled. Inte￿$t on funds held on depostt is i￿luded when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity: this is nomalty upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the bank. Expenditure rgcognition Expenditure is accrued as soon as a liabilty is considered wobable, and the amounl of obligabon can be measured reliably. Tho charity is not registered for VAT and accordiThJly eXpe￿Ill￿re indudes VAT where appro￿lale. Expendrture induded in Raising Funds indudes aft￿unts incurred in obtaining grants and other donatsons. Charitable expenditure includes those costs exrtnded in fvffilling the charity's principal objects. as OLrtlined in the Rep)rt of the Trustees. These include grants payable. g0Veman￿ (x)sts and an appO￿OnMent of support costs. Grants paYa￿e are payments made lo third parties in furtherance of the charity's objects. In the case of an uncondibon81 grant offer this is accrued once the reupient has been notified of the grant award. The nob"firAb"on gives the reapient a reasonable expectab'on that they will receive the grant. Grants awards that are subject to the recipient futfilling perfomwnce conditions are only accrued when the recipient has been notified of Ihe grant and any remaining unfulfilled condition attaching lo that grant is outside of the control of the charity. Govemance costs comprise all costs involving the public accounlabilty of Ihe charity and its ccrfnpliance with regulation and good practice. These costs indude cost5 related to the independent examination and legal f￿5. Rentals under operats.ng lease5 are charged as incurred over the term of the lease. Costs are allocated directly to projects where they be idenlffied as relating solely to that proFct. Other costs are allocated be￿een the funds based on stsff time spent on the lund activibes or other appropriate uileria. Restricted Funds Restricted fundsare to be used for specffied purposes as laid down by the funder. Direct and suprKJrt expenditure whith meets these criteria are identified to Ihe fund together wlh a fair alloration of other costs. Unrestricted Funds Unreslnctedlundsare funds receNed which have no restricti.ons pla￿1 on their use and are available as general funds. Designated Funds Designatedfunésare unrestricled fun¢Js eamiafked by the trustees for particular purp)ses. Hire purchase and leasing commiknents Rentalspaidunderoperalingleasesarecharged to the staterr￿nt of Finanoal Acbvities on a straight line basis over the period of the lease. 45 The Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park IA Charity Company Limited by Guarantee. company number 52335661 Accounting Policies for the year ended 31 March 2025 Tangible Fixed Assets Tangiblefixedassetsare staled at c(kst less depreciati￿. Depreciat￿ is wowded at the followng annual rates in order to write off each asset over ils estimated useful lrfe. Computer equipment Furniture & fixtures - 25% on cost - 20% on cost 46 The Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park IA Charity Company Limited by Guarantee, company number 52335661 Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025 1 Incoming resources The incoming resources and surplus are attributable lo the pnnupal activrties of the tharity. 2 Net outgoing resour￿5 Net outgoing resources are stated after Charging." Independent Examinerfs fees- reporting Servi￿ Independent Examine¢s fees- other services 2025 2024 1.600 598 1,600 624 Trustees. emoluments Emoluments indude salaries, fees, bonuses. expense allowances and estimated non-cash beneffts receivable. ￿1 trustees serve in a voluntary capacity and do not re￿1ve payment for their services. 2025 Total 2024 Total 3 Income from donations and legacies Donations- individuals Donations- organisations Grants Unrestricted Restricted 17.113 13,408 30,327 60.848 17,113 13,408 30,327 60.848 27,202 17,122 68,047 112.37 2025 Total 2024 Total 4 Incorne from charitable activities Hosting Events Membership LBTH SLA Milwall Park Course fees Corporate days Unrestricted Restricted 19.199 2.725 235 31,￿)0 37 2.203 71,295 19.199 9,392 235 31.9LK) 37 2,203 71,295 15,959 1,659 617 31,900 6.667 3,326 42,160 95,621 2025 Total 2024 Total S Income from ¢)ther trading activities Merchandise sales Unrestricted Restricted 1,245 1,245 2025 Totsl 2024 Total 6 Income from Investments Interest received Unrestricted Restricted 6.524 6,524 9.130 9,130 15.654 15,654 7.716 7,716 2025 T otal 2024 T otal 7 Other income Section 106 receipts Unrestricted Restricted 389,569 47 The Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park IA Charity Company Limited by Guarantee, company number 52335661 Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025 2025 Total 2024 Total 8 Expendlture on charltsble actlvltles Park maintenance Lcxjge costs Volunteer costs Events Staff costs Other staff costs Premises costs Provision for bad debts offi￿ running costs Insurance Interest paid Bank charges Accountancy fees Unrestrlcted Restrlcted 38.558 18,398 1,209 9.843 127.690 9.329 38.287 76,845 18,398 1,326 9,843 127,690 9,329 34,511 27,178 1,253 9,073 109,091 2,957 3,946 117 9.475 6,453 1,853 269 512 2.498 9,475 6,453 1.853 269 512 2.498 4,969 1,642 779 279 2,447 9 Staff costs Staff salaries Staff social securtty Staff pensions 2025 2024 118,752 5,787 3,151 127,690 100,371 5,516 109,331 Average number of employees during the year was.. No remuneration was paid to any Trustee or their asswates for se￿1￿5 as a Iruslee during ￿ year ernled 31 March 2025 nor to 31 March 2024. Employees paid in exces5 of £60.(K)O during the current year and previous year. None None Computer equipment Fumiture & fixtures 10 Tangible fixed assets T otal Cost 5,597 727 6,324 As al 1 Apri12024 5.597 727 6,324 As al 31 March 2025 Depreciation As at 1 Apri12024 5.597 727 6.324 As at 31 March 2025 5,597 727 6,324 Net book value As al 31 March 2025 As al 31 March 2024 11 Debtors: amounts falling due within one year 2025 2024 Operating debtors Staff loans Prepayments 5,714 3,226 419 9,359 11,675 3,075 232 14,982 48 The Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park (A Charity Company Limited by Guarantee. company number 52335661 Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025 12 Credttors.. amounts falllng due wlthln one year 2025 2024 Employment L￿eS Pensions Nel salaries Accruals 1,665 2.423 3.839 1.721 297 5,180 11,037 39,446 Opening Resources balance arising Resources utilised Other movements Closing balance 13 The funds of the charlty: current year Restricted funds Unrgstrict8d funds 4[￿.711 15.797 {38.404) 15.700} 378,404 Restricted income funds General funds 284,314 691,025 195,950 211,747 1226,08n 1264,491) 5,700 259,877 638,281 Opentng Resou￿¢$ balance arising Resources utillsed Other movements Closing balance 14 The funds of the charity: prior year Restricted funds Restricted income furtds Z2.417 389.569 (5.750) 475 406.711 Unrestricted funds General funds 260.211 282,628 216.953 606,522 {192.375) 1198,1251 14751 284.314 691,025 Opening balance Incoming sources Resources Transfers & expended galn&lllossesl Closing balance 15 Restrictod funds: currgnt period FairfcK)t Radclrffe Trust Section 106 Sl George's Town H￿1 6.738 7.038 15.7001 2,450 389.569 8.690 406,711 2,508 368,222 7,673 378,404 8,812 189 15,797 30,159 1.207 38.404 15,7001 Opening balance Incoming resources Resources Transfers & expended gainslllossesl Closing balance 16 Restricted funds: prior period FairfcK)t Garfield Weston Foundation Heritage Lottery Fund Radcliffe T￿st Section 106 St George's Town Hall 6.000 83 392 392 2,450 389,569 8,690 406,711 389.569 389 569 475 49 The Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park (A Charity Company Limited by Guarantee. company nurnber 52335661 Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025 Restricted funds l¢ontinuedl Projects financedbyrestrictedfunds are SUp￿rted by unrestricted fvnding where necessary. This (Kcurs where the funding is in arrears or the incidence of expenditure ￿ the project occurs disprop(￿1onatdY at the beginning of the project compared to the income flows. Where restricted projects end the year wilh a d&fi(il. this is met by after year-end restricted income or transfers from unrestricted fijnds. Fairfoot rovi Fairfoot Road ce for the knal communi and bi¢x1iversi Supports actions around CMP (monuments, Lcmlgel. buikl history and heritage offering through actvilies and events. Funds to support research inlo the lives of the 204 Servi￿ personnel who lost their lives during Wodd War One and are rewrded on the Commonweatih War Graves Commission War Memrial inside the Park. Garfield Weston Foundation Hgrilago Lottery Fund rus Funds lo provide greenwo￿ working cour5e5 for disadvantsged LX)mmunities. Pursuant to the Bow Gasworks development on the soulhem side of the Cemetery Park, the property developer5 are obligated lo pay S106 funds lo mitigate the environmental impact of the development. These fvnds are against a 10 year project pian, and are restricted against works as defined wthin the project plan submilted to and agreed by FOTHCP and LBTH. Community development contribution for the redevelopment of St George's green space, planting and labour, to exlend I(￿al access and biodiversity corridors. Section 106 St G80rye's Town Hall General Dgsignated funds funds 5,700 5.700 Rostricted funds 5,700 15,7001 Endowment funds 17 Transfers botween funds: currgnt period Reslrided lo general T otal General Designated funds funds 475 14751 Restrithd fund5 475 475 Endowment funds 18 Transfers between funds: prior peri¢xl General lo restricted T otal Ggneral Designated funds Restricted funds Endowment funds 19 Net assets attributable to funds: current period T otal Current assets Current liabilities Nel assets represented by hjnds 299,324 378,404 677,728 259,877 378.404 638,281 General Designaled fvnds funds Restridgd funds Endowment funds 20 Net assets attrlbutsble to funds: prior period T otal Current assets Current liabilities Nel assets represented by funds 295.351 111,0371 284,314 406.711 702.062 111,037) 691,025 406,711 21 Taxation The company is a regislefed charity. AccordiNJly, it is exempt from taXa￿n in respect of in&)me and capttal gains lo the extent that these are applied lo its charitable objects. 22 Post balance sheet events Therewerenosignificantwst balance sheet events. 50 The Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park (A Charity Company Limited by Guarantee. company nurnber 52335661 Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025 23 Pension commitments The charitycontributes 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. 2025 2,423 £ 2024 1.721 The unpaid contributions outstanding al the year end were: 24 Contingent liabilities Thecharitablecompany had no malerial conlingenl Ibabilities at 31 March 2025 nor al 31 March 2024. 25 Related parties Ther8werenodisdosable related party transactions during the year. 26 Transactlons wlth trustees Therewerenomalerialtransactions wrth the trustees during the year. 27 Gifts in kind and volunteers DuringlheyearthecharitatAecompany beneffted from unpaid work performed by volunteers. 28 Major funder$ Inaccordancewith Section 37 of the LLKal Govemment and Housing Act 1989 the folkhving gr8nts and their purpose is confim)ed: Funder LB of Tower Hamlets ProjKt name I Purpose of pa￿ maintenance and litterpicking 31,900 29 Company status Thecompany islimited by guarantee and has no share captsl. The guarantors liability in the event the company is wound up ts restricted to a maximum of £1 each. 51 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 'Magnif icent 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 @fothcp Registered Charity No. 1107136 Registered Company No . 5233566