REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1137917
Report of the Trustees and
Unaudited Financial Statements For The Year Ended 31 December 2024
for
Gloucestershire Orchard Trust
Kingscott Dix Limited Chartered Accountants Goodridge Court Goodridge Avenue Gloucester Gloucestershire GL2 5EN
Gloucestershire Orchard Trust
Contents of the Financial Statements For The Year Ended 31 December 2024
| Page | ||
|---|---|---|
| Report of the Trustees | 1 to | 3 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 4 | |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 5 | |
| Balance Sheet | 6 | |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 7 to | 11 |
Gloucestershire Orchard Trust
Report of the Trustees
For The Year Ended 31 December 2024
The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2024. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019).
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Objectives and aims
To promote for the benefit of the public the conservation, protection, and improvement of the physical and natural environment, including biological diversity, through the conservation and celebration of Gloucestershire's orchards. To advance the education of the public in the conservation, protection, and improvement of the physical and natural environment in the form of Gloucestershire's orchards.
ANNUAL REVIEW
During the year, the charity trustees worked to implement the Trust's three-year plan, a review of our progress is set out below.
Ownership
The Trust has made great progress at Longney this year. This has been achieved in part by substantial repairs being carried out to the access track and in part by the revitalisation of the orchard management team, who have arranged scything courses and school visits and successfully established and run a volunteer group. Working parties are now held on site on the fourth Saturday every month, and during the year the area by the barn has been cleared, trees have been pruned and guarded, fruit has been harvested and wildlife stacks created. A visit by Hartpury University MSc Biodiversity Conservation students in November to carry out soil samples and invertebrate sampling will hopefully show the value of the Trust's conservation efforts. We have every reason to be proud of what we have achieved here in the last twelve months, and to have optimism for the future.
The management group for Henley Bank orchard have generated and started implementing a three-year plan during 2024. Scrub has been cleared to liberate more of the existing perry pear trees, and five new trees planted in gaps in the original planting scheme. A substantial dead hedge has been created as a wildlife habitat and bat surveying carried out, log piles have been added, waste removed, and a grass management regime established. We need to focus on community engagement in the year ahead.
Rockness orchard continued to operate successfully as a community orchard, with regular events and activities well attended by the local community.
Partnership and Connections
A new Gloucestershire Orchard Trust web site launched during the year and may be viewed at https://glosorchards.org This provides an up-to-date insight into the workings of the Trust, with information about our own and partner orchards, details of courses and events and an automated booking system. It also links to our Instagram page, where we have posted on average every week, and started to build a following. The Trust continued to run its Free Tree scheme in conjunction with Gloucestershire County Council, utilising funding available under the Local Authority Tree Fund. As previously, grant funding for guarding materials allowed the Trust to support orchard creation and regeneration projects with local orchard owners by supplying over four hundred fruit trees. The Trust also continued to run a series of courses relating to orchards, such as grafting, pruning and cider making workshops, utilising funding made available through Farming in Protected Landscapes. Both these schemes matured during 2024, and it seems unlikely at present that they will be extended during 2025.
Collections
The recruitment of a volunteer Curator during the year has enhanced our ability to care for our tree collections and allowed the Trust to start the process of applying for Plant Heritage National Collection status for both Gloucestershire apples and stone fruits associated with Gloucestershire. The Trust also plans to use accurate location recording technology to map and record fruit trees in other orchards where we are invited to work.
Page 1
Gloucestershire Orchard Trust
Report of the Trustees For The Year Ended 31 December 2024
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Financial position
The Trust's financial position at the end of 2024 remained healthy. The cash balance fell slightly, and more in respect of unrestricted funds, but this may be viewed positively as it reflects the Trust's increased activity in seeking to achieve its aims. There is no major outlay planned for 2025, but the increasing activity of the charity is likely to result in expenditure exceeding income for the year ahead. The Trust benefitted from generous donations during the year and from higher interest rates, which have been accessed in respect of the restricted funds for Henley Bank orchard by renewing the placement of funds on a one-year deposit with Charity Bank.
Reserves policy
The trustees aim to maintain unrestricted reserves at a level sufficient to fund twelve months of unrestricted charitable expenditure. At the end of the year, unrestricted reserves were more than the level required to provide this cover. However, the trustees also aim to maintain a sufficient reserve to be able to respond to unexpected opportunities, particularly in the event that a desirable orchard became available for acquisition, and are therefore satisfied that a relatively high level of reserves may be appropriate as long as the essential work of the Trust is being carried out effectively and at sufficient levels to meet the charitable aims.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Governing document
On the 7th of May 2024, the Trust converted from a charitable limited company to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), which is subject to a new governing document, a deed of trust. The Charitable Incorporated Organisation constitution was submitted to and approved by the Charity Commission during the year.
Induction and training of new trustees
New trustees are appointed as required by the existing trustees, from those with an active interest in the aims of the Trust, with the ability to contribute to its governance and the willingness to contribute to its aims and objectives.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Charity number
1137917
Principal address
The Orchard Centre Blackwell's End Hartpury Gloucestershire GL19 3DB
Trustees
T S Andrews A.M. Ellis D R Lindgren C C Wedge D C P Kaspar H M Brent -Smith J A Bailey W M Brentnall
Independent Examiner
Kingscott Dix Limited Chartered Accountants Goodridge Court Goodridge Avenue Gloucester Gloucestershire GL2 5EN
Page 2
Gloucestershire Orchard Trust
Report of the Trustees For The Year Ended 31 December 2024
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Bankers Barclays Bank Plc 12 Broad St Newent Gloucestershire
Approved by order of the board of trustees on 18 June 2025 and signed on its behalf by:
A.M. Ellis - Trustee
Page 3
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Gloucestershire Orchard Trust
Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Gloucestershire Orchard Trust
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of Gloucestershire Orchard Trust (the Trust) for the year ended 31 December 2024.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act').
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under Section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner's statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
-
accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by Section 130 of the Act; or
-
the accounts do not accord with those records; or
-
the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Mark Spashett FCA
Kingscott Dix Limited Chartered Accountants Goodridge Court Goodridge Avenue Gloucester Gloucestershire GL2 5EN
7 July 2025
Page 4
Gloucestershire Orchard Trust
Statement of Financial Activities
For The Year Ended 31 December 2024
| Unrestricted fund Notes £ INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Donations and legacies 62,390 Other trading activities 2 2,510 Investment income 3 1,667 Total 66,567 EXPENDITURE ON Raising funds 2,110 Charitable activities General 4,243 Other 60,940 Total 67,293 Net gains/(losses) on investments - NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) (726) RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward 72,927 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 72,201 |
Restricted funds £ - - 3,737 3,737 - - 1,012 1,012 - 2,725 124,552 127,277 |
31.12.24 Total funds £ 62,390 2,510 5,404 70,304 2,110 4,243 61,952 68,305 - 1,999 197,479 199,478 |
31.12.23 Total funds £ 68,753 784 1,171 70,708 12,984 2,188 66,508 81,680 (25,897) (36,869) 234,348 197,479 |
|---|---|---|---|
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 5
Gloucestershire Orchard Trust
Balance Sheet
31 December 2024
| Unrestricted fund Notes £ FIXED ASSETS Tangible assets 6 18,469 CURRENT ASSETS Cash at bank 54,692 CREDITORS Amounts falling due within one year 8 (960) NET CURRENT ASSETS 53,732 TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES 72,201 NET ASSETS 72,201 FUNDS 9 Unrestricted funds Restricted funds TOTAL FUNDS |
Restricted funds £ 45,165 82,112 - 82,112 127,277 127,277 |
31.12.24 Total funds £ 63,634 136,804 (960) 135,844 199,478 199,478 72,201 127,277 199,478 |
31.12.23 Total funds £ 60,740 137,474 (735) 136,739 197,479 197,479 72,927 124,552 197,479 |
|---|---|---|---|
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 18 June 2025 and were signed on its behalf by:
A.M. Ellis - Trustee
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 6
Gloucestershire Orchard Trust
Notes to the Financial Statements For The Year Ended 31 December 2024
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of preparing the financial statements
The financial statements of the charity, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Charities Act 2011. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, with the exception of investments which are included at market value.
Income
All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.
Expenditure
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
Tangible fixed assets
Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.
Plant and machinery - 25% on cost
Taxation
The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.
Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.
Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.
2. OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES
| OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES | ||
|---|---|---|
| 31.12.24 | 31.12.23 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Fundraising events | 840 | 784 |
| Course income | 1,670 | - |
| 2,510 | 784 |
Page 7
continued...
Gloucestershire Orchard Trust
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued For The Year Ended 31 December 2024
3. INVESTMENT INCOME
| INVESTMENT INCOME | ||
|---|---|---|
| 31.12.24 | 31.12.23 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Deposit account interest | 5,404 | 1,171 |
4. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS
No trustee was remunerated for their efforts during the year to 31st December 2024 or the year end 31st December 2023
Trustees' expenses
The following expenses were paid at cost:
Andy Ellis £143.87 David Lindgren £441.31 Meyrick Brentnall £149.62
5. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
| Unrestricted fund £ INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Donations and legacies 68,753 Other trading activities 784 Investment income 624 Total 70,161 EXPENDITURE ON Raising funds 12,984 Charitable activities General 2,188 Other 59,220 Total 74,392 Net gains/(losses) on investments (25,897) NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) (30,128) RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward 103,055 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 72,927 |
Restricted funds £ - - 547 547 - - 7,288 7,288 - (6,741) 131,293 124,552 |
Total funds £ 68,753 784 1,171 70,708 12,984 2,188 66,508 81,680 (25,897) (36,869) 234,348 197,479 |
|---|---|---|
Page 8
continued...
Gloucestershire Orchard Trust
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued For The Year Ended 31 December 2024
6. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
| COST At 1 January 2024 Additions At 31 December 2024 DEPRECIATION Charge for year NET BOOK VALUE At 31 December 2024 At 31 December 2023 |
Freehold Plant and property machinery £ £ 60,740 - - 3,680 60,740 3,680 - 786 60,740 2,894 60,740 - |
Totals £ 60,740 3,680 |
|---|---|---|
| 64,420 | ||
| 786 | ||
| 63,634 | ||
| 60,740 |
7. FIXED ASSET INVESTMENTS The Trust owns a 33% shareholding Orchard Guardians CIC. the investment has been impaired down to nil value in the balance sheet as the associate is insolvent and the trust is unlikely to recover the cost of its £28,897 investment.
8. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
| Other creditors 9. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS Unrestricted funds General fund Restricted funds Henley Bank Orchard Orchard Aquisition Fund TOTAL FUNDS |
At 1.1.24 £ 72,927 80,585 43,967 124,552 197,479 |
31.12.24 £ 960 Net movement in funds £ (726) 2,725 - 2,725 1,999 |
31.12.23 £ 735 At 31.12.24 £ 72,201 83,310 43,967 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 127,277 | |||
| 199,478 |
Page 9
continued...
Gloucestershire Orchard Trust
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued For The Year Ended 31 December 2024
9. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued
Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
| Unrestricted funds General fund Restricted funds Henley Bank Orchard TOTAL FUNDS Comparatives for movement in funds Unrestricted funds General fund Restricted funds Henley Bank Orchard Orchard Aquisition Fund TOTAL FUNDS |
Incoming resources £ 66,567 3,737 70,304 At 1.1.23 £ 103,055 87,326 43,967 131,293 234,348 |
Resources Movement expended in funds £ £ (67,293) (726) (1,012) 2,725 (68,305) 1,999 Net movement At in funds 31.12.23 £ £ (30,128) 72,927 (6,741) 80,585 - 43,967 (6,741) 124,552 (36,869) 197,479 |
|---|---|---|
Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
| Incoming | Resources | Gains and | Movement | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| resources | expended | losses | in funds | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Unrestricted funds | ||||
| General fund | 70,161 | (74,392) | (25,897) | (30,128) |
| Restricted funds | ||||
| Henley Bank Orchard | 547 | (7,288) | - | (6,741) |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 70,708 | (81,680) | (25,897) | (36,869) |
Page 10
continued...
Gloucestershire Orchard Trust
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued For The Year Ended 31 December 2024
9. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued
A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined position is as follows:
| Unrestricted funds General fund Restricted funds Henley Bank Orchard Orchard Aquisition Fund TOTAL FUNDS |
At 1.1.23 £ 103,055 87,326 43,967 131,293 234,348 |
Net movement in funds £ (30,854) (4,016) - (4,016) (34,870) |
At 31.12.24 £ 72,201 83,310 43,967 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 127,277 | |||
| 199,478 |
A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
| Incoming | Resources | Gains and | Movement | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| resources | expended | losses | in funds | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Unrestricted funds | ||||
| General fund | 136,728 | (141,685) | (25,897) | (30,854) |
| Restricted funds | ||||
| Henley Bank Orchard | 4,284 | (8,300) | - | (4,016) |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 141,012 | (149,985) | (25,897) | (34,870) |
10. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES
There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 December 2024.
Page 11