Friends of Bushy and Home Parks
Annual Report for 2025/26
I am pleased to be able to offer my tenth annual report to Members. Dealing on your behalf with The Royal Parks (TRP), with Historic Royal Palaces (HRP) is a tremendous privilege and mostly an enjoyable experience. On your behalf, I try to represent our appreciation of these two parks. They are wonderful spaces providing us with nature, history, and our well-being. The Friends exist to promote respectful use of the parks by visitors and to support the parks for future generations to enjoy.
2025 has been a year of contrasting experiences for the Friends. On the one hand, successes, while on the other hand, frustrations preventing success. I will first address the events which have been less than successful.
A significant issue for TRP has been the disbanding of the police unit dedicated to the parks. Despite campaigns to stop this happening it was implemented by the Metropolitan Police towards the end of 2025. The campaigns all failed to stop this happening. We must acknowledge that large parks are generally crime and trouble free, compared to other parts of London. The changed arrangements in the parks mean that local neighbourhood police units cover the parks. The park manager now deals regularly with two supervising Inspectors and local neighbourhood police teams in Teddington, Hampton Wick, Hampton and Hampton Hill. Perhaps surprisingly, this arrangement is producing a visible police presence in the park. That is because large police vans are being kept parked near the office at White Lodge and are easily seen from the nearby main road, and the Colicci-run café and kiosks are providing places for police officers needing refreshment. We are following the new arrangements with close interest and resurgent hope.
A second underwhelming issue for the Friends’ managing team relates to the electric buggy service. As members will be aware, we have been campaigning for several years to have a passenger buggy in Bushy Park to serve those visitors with mobility difficulties who need to move between Diana car park and the Pheasantry. TRP eventually agreed in late 2024 to purchase a buggy. It was delivered in the summer of 2025. The Friends were asked to arrange the insurance cover for the vehicle. This proved surprisingly difficult, and after months of rejection by insurers, one was found who required the buggy to be regarded as an agricultural vehicle and part of a fleet comprising one vehicle. We began a low-key introductory service in late 2025. However, in week two of the service the brandnew buggy developed a fault caused by travelling over the cattle grids and became unserviceable. It took some time for the repair as the manufacturer (in Türkiye) had to investigate under the warranty before authorising the replacement parts. By early 2026 the buggy was ready for use, and we have changed the route to avoid cattle grids. Bad weather prevented us from resuming a service until the early Spring. Our fingers are crossed in the hope that the service will prove a success in the coming year.
Also frustrating, not just for the Friends but for TRP’s team and for Colicci, has been the leaking roof of the Pheasantry café, which has meant areas beneath being fenced off to visitors. The delay to repairing has been because it has had to take a place in a queue of projects on buildings across all Royal Parks. At last, the repairs are soon to start. The long wait for the toilets upgrade at the children’s playground has also ended and appears to be successful.
Moving on to the positive aspects of the Friends’ activities.
We purchased four new wooden notice boards and commissioned seasonal informative posters for each location. The illustrations on the posters are by one of our members, the artist Sue Ribbans. The posters have attracted welcome comments and appear to be teaching visitors things they did not know. These notice boards and posters are provided by the Friends and are not part of TRP’s signage programme which you will see being implemented across Bushy Park in the coming year. That programme aims to provide not just interpretation and education for visitors but will also include directional information to address safety concerns, such as the time from a point to a gate, helping anyone feeling vulnerable and wishing to leave by the shortest route.
As I reported last year, TRP agreed to allow the Brewhouse at Hampton Hill become a location around which occasional pop-up exhibitions and small events can be organised. While we have not yet been able to prepare detailed plans and dates for events, this is something we hope to implement during the year ahead.
Chestnut Sunday was funded and organised by TRP in May 2025. It was very successful attracting several thousands of visitors. In future, because of the costs in providing a free event, it has been decided by TRP to make it a biennial event. So, the next one will be 2027. That doesn’t preclude any members and visitors from coming along on the second Sunday in May in the alternate years to have a celebratory picnic.
We assisted planting for the new deer refuge enclosure at the Warren Plantation in Bushy Park. A significant donation from her family commemorating the life and work of Kathy White was matched by the Friends to support this planting. Kathy was a former chair and founder of the Friends and was the leading light for the restoration of the Water Gardens.
A legacy left to the Friends by Moya Lamble, a long-time member who lived in Teddington, is being used by us to replace and restore the Eisenhower Camp Griffiss plaque and the USAAF memorial plaque, both of which have suffered damage and deterioration. The work on these two sites will be undertaken in coming months.
A new booklet about Camp Griffiss and Bushy Park in World War II was produced by David and Clare Ivison and is now available at the Visitor Centre.
In Home Park we have continued to work closely with the team there. Our substantial donation to commemorate the life and work of Terry Gough, the late Head of Estates for HRP will be used to plant a new hedge leading into the park from one of the riverside entrances. This will provide important habitat for wildlife, especially pollinators, and will be very long-lasting.
Our introductory and bat walks in Home Park have proved very popular. In fact, our whole walks and talks programme has continued to be very successful. In 2025 about 1,000 people attended walks with around 140 hours of volunteering to lead the walks. In 2026 thirty events are planned – 6 talks, 13 walks and 11 introductory walks. Massive thanks to volunteer walk leaders, expert speakers, and volunteers who support the talks with technical expertise, logistics and catering, and especially to Rebecca Harvey who manages the programme.
We opened the Visitor Centre on Fridays in addition to weekends, and also throughout the weeks of school holidays. Many visitors who do not come at weekends were pleased to be able to enter the Visitor Centre on these extra days. Our exceptional volunteers delivered around 1700 hours duty. I want to record thanks here to Sue Robertson, who manages the Visitor Centre and our exhibits and merchandise, and to Elizabeth Malone who organises the rota for volunteers to operate the Centre, the buggy service and the events support
Our membership stands currently around the 1560 mark. Susan Hugill, our Membership secretary keeps you all in touch and does an exceptional job for us all. Once again, I thank members for your generous donations to the Friends, which we use to fund projects that the two parks might not otherwise afford or be able to prioritise.
We continue to provide our website, Facebook page and Newsletter to inform and update members, visitors and the local community. These channels of communication are maintained by several dedicated volunteers, too, and our thanks to them.
Trustees and other officers of FBHP have worked hard on behalf of the membership and in support of both parks. At last year’s AGM we did not have a candidate for the vacated Vice Chair role, following Barry Purdon’s retirement. However, I am delighted to report that David Ivison stepped up at a Trustee meeting to take on the role. He has been very busy taking forward several tasks that I was not able to undertake, for which I am hugely grateful.
These two parks face vulnerability to climate change and increased numbers of visitors. It is vital we look after them. The Rangers, volunteers and others are all doing our best to conserve the parks and help visitors enjoy them. Phil Edwards, the Bushy Park manager, and Nicholas Garbutt at HRP, together with their teams and colleagues, ensure caring and professional stewardship of these wonderful spaces. We are ever grateful to them.
I end with my thanks to fellow trustees, officers of the committee, volunteers, other helpers, and especially you the members for your continuing interest and support. The Friends must continue to ensure the protection and conservation of these parks for generations to enjoy.
Colin Muid Chair, The Friends of Bushy and Home Parks.
February 2026.
Frlends of Bush and Home Parks Charit 1137203 Income and Ex enditure Re ort for the ear ended 31 December 2025 Cash in Hand Cash in hand on 31 December 2025 was £70,209.23, compared with £52,923.63 on 31 Dernber 2024, an increase of £17.285.60. Income and Expendilure There was a small surplus of £425.72 on G6neral Fund Account. However, the FBHP'S policy on Resarves is to rnainlain the balance al £15,000. which the Trustees have detem)ined represents two years, worth ofexpendilure and, ther8fore, £3,500 has been Iransferred from donations in¢ome to boost the level Fund, which would otherwise be used to fund projects expenditur8. Expenditure on Education was £1,516.94 above last year as Rebecca expanded her excellent programm8 of Walks and Talks. General donations income plus glft aid, at £20,032.67, was £11,653.67 above last year, ev8n after allowin9 for the transfer of £3.500 to the General Fund (see abov8J. This is mostly explained by a g8nerous legacy of £15,000 received from th8 estate of Moya Lamble Net income of £7,293.26 from sales of merchandise at the Visitor Centre was £1,675.28 down on last year. However, the stock of goods h8ld for resale at 31 December 2025 was £1,435.51 higher compared with 31 December 2024, so overall trading p8rforman¢e was about in line. Expenditure in support of projects was £13,996 in 2025 compared with £21,650 in 2024. In 2025, we spent £5,000 to commemorate the life of Tery Gough; £4,228 to support the planting of witch hazel,. £2,994 for seasonal posters. In addition, we incurred costs of £1,284 to get the electric buggy service up and running. Balance Sheet The balance sheet al 31 December 2025 shows the allocation of cash in hand of £70,209.23: £15,246.61 h81d in respect of the General Fund, in lin8 With the Charity stated Reserves policy. £53,070.27 15 held as a Projects Fund and £1,892.35 is held in respect of Ann Sayerfs Legacy to fund thè printing of walking guides. Prepared on b8half of the Trustees by.. Adrian Heywood IFCCA) Hon. Treasurer FBHP 26 February 2026
The FrierHI8 of Incom• & ex endiiiiro me Parks ndi 31 Decemb• t137203 l December 25 cembor 2024 Gone Subscriptions Tr8nsferfrom Donation$ Gift Awj r8celvad on prior year Bank Intgro$t 8.657.00 3.500.00 1,533.72 514.24 8.827.00 1.337.24 643.59 14,204.96 10,807.83 onti from Gon•ral Fv Printing and Publlcily Stats(ry, Slamps Postago InsurarKe IT Ih8rdw8r8, 801N¥ar•. Ilcsnctssl Membermojo 11&ne06 IiemB 11.371.901 1465.821 1696.461 11.400.001 1522 451 1696 461 1679.351 1300.001 1933.02 1300.001 11.382 56 4,991.87 9.213.09 8urplu of T•¢glpts ov•r•xp•ndltur• e.270.55 ucatlon Donatn$ roc•ivod so of drfnks Inoll Events, AGM 8nd Wolk$ ond Talks A Compo151ion Incom8 Art Compalllion èxpandllure L8allei$ Sundry Dollclt ol E4u¢atlon •xp•ndllur• ov•r r•c•lpt• 8urplu• of 0on•ril FurKI Ilncl Educ•tlDnl In y••r 100.00 99.25 100.00 407.50 175.50 1400 001 1.257.00 11.354 771 1246.051 8707 275.11 13.153.041 6.060.05 11.636 1U 4,640.45 Ch•¥tnut Sunday WW2 Ev•nt Bu99y 1850 441 11,548.82} 1.283.89 3,925.72 13,T57.401 Mernber DonélknB Oiher thJnatsL¥75 lind bucket81 Gfft Ald150%1 r8c8lved on prlor y4r 2.784.50 15,714.45 1,533.72 2,715.59 4,326.17 1.337.24 20,032.67 ,379.00 Plerchandists $018S Morchandise purch•81• 20.414.01 19,119.66 19.587 441 0.00 563.681 Slrfpo comrnlmlon 558.97 7,293.26 8.968.54 Prtsieci paymeni8.' Klry$lon Go1@ IHRPI Por9DIB shetsrs at th8 Ph808anlry kloth B1k PoplBr8 Po&*er proiBct Terry Gough 10 $UPPOrt Ihe an119 of o r¥ h&Yg8row Witch hazel planting 110.000.001 19.65a.DOI 12 000.001 11 744 001 12.993 801 15.000.301 4 228.25. 113,966 051 Ann 8ay8r Ltyacy Tol•l •xc•ss of Income ov•rl•xp•ndityr•l foryear 17,285.60 Oponlng funds Furbds at 51 Doc•mb•r 2O2S 52.923.63 70.209.23 61.095.85 52.923.63 Currenl account loieresl bearing gccount Total ¢è$h In hand Izellle rgc8ipts rtol credhed lo bank ai 31 Dac 2025 Stripe re[pl3 not txediled lo bank at 31 Dtrc 2025 Cash taken In 2024 bul noi banked until 2025 2S,265.13 44,285.65 69,530.78 132.83 545.62 o.oo 7.433.37 43,776.94 51.210.31 964.06 e07.61 141.65
The Friends of Bush and Home Park5 Re . Charit 1137203 8alan¢e hee at31 25 2025 2025 2025 2024 2024 2024 Geneial lund 1 J8nuary 2025 bltwd Net (defitSurpIuS Transfer from donations 11,320.89 425.72 3,500.00 15,078.29 13.757.401 Gengral lund ¢lfwd 31 Doc•mber 2025 15.246.61 11,320.89 Projects fund bld Incom8 from gen8ral donations Nel Incnrre from merchandise tradlng 39,710.39 44,012.85 20,032.67 7.293.28 8.379.00 8,968.54 27.325.93 17.347.54 Kingston Gatg Pergol8 shelters at the Pheaganty kiosk Poster prcsject Black Poplars Witch haz81 planting Tgfry Gough to wpport tho planung of a n•w h8dgerow 0.00 0.00 12,993.801 11.744.001 14.22L4.251 15.000.00 110.000.001 19,650.001 12,000.001 113 fj6f)051 121.650.001 ProJ8ct• lund ¢lfwd at 31 D•¢•mb•r 2025 53,070.27 39,710.39 Ann Say•r l•gJcy 1,892.35 1.692.35 Ca•h In hand at 31 D•c•mb•r 2025 70.209.Z3 52,923.63 Signed Slgned Adrian H6ywood IFCCAI Fk)n. Treasurer FBHP 26 F¢bruary 2026 Jason Hughes lThJependent Exomlner 26 Februgry 2028
Indopendgnt examiner's report to the Trustees. The Friends of Bushy and Home Parks {Reg. Charity 1137203) I report on the financial staternenls ofthe charity for the year ended 31 December 2025, which include tho Income and Expenditure Account, the Balance Sheel and the Treasurer's report. Respective responsibilities of trustee and examiner The charity's tnjstees are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements. The charity's trustees consider thal an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities AGt 2011 (the 2011 Act) and Ihal an independènt examinalion is needed, 11 is my responsibility to-. examine the financial statements under section 145 of th8 2011 Act- follow the procedures laid down in the general directions given by the Charlty Commission under sects'on 14515Xb} of the 2011 Act., and state whether particular matters have come lo my attention. This r8POrt, including my statement. has been prepared for and only for the charity's trustees as a body. My work has been undertaken so that I might state to the Gharity's trustees those matters l am required lo stale lo thom in an independent examiner's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the chanty and the charity's trust88s as a body for my examination work, for this report, or for the statements I have made. Basis of indepgndant examlnèr's report My 8xamination was carried out in accordance with the g8neral diraclions giv8n by thè Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounling records kept by the charity and a comparison of the financial statements presented with those record5. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the financial slalem8nts and seeking explanations from you as trustee concerning any such matters. The procedurès undertak8n do not provide all the evid8nce that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the financial slalements present a 'true and fair view, and the report is limited to those matters sel out in the slatem8nt below. Ind8pendent examiner's statement In conneclion with my exarnination, no matt8r has come lo my attention which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements: lo keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act., and to prepare financial statements whiGh accord wilh the accounting records and comply wilh the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act have nol been mgt., or to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in ord8r to enable a prop8r understanding of the financial statements to be reached. Slgned.. ason Hughes 9 Claremont Rd. Teddington, TW11 8DH Date: February 2026