THE WALSHAM LE WILLOWS OPEN GARDENS TRUST Charity number: 1147893
ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 December 2023
ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
Objectives and Activities
Objects of The Walsham le Willows Open Gardens Trust (the “Trust”):
To further general charitable purposes for the benefit of the inhabitants of Walsham le Willows and the surrounding area and in particular but not exclusively by:
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1) Advancing the Christian religion by providing financial assistance to St Mary's Parish Church, Walsham le Willows; and
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2) Promoting for the benefit of the inhabitants of Walsham le Willows and the surrounding area the provision of facilities for recreation or other leisure time occupation of individuals who have need of such facilities by reason of their youth, age, infirmity or disablement, financial hardship or social and economic circumstances or for the public at large in the interests of social welfare and with the object of improving the condition of life of the said inhabitants.
Achievements and Performance
Chairman’s Statement
THE OPEN GARDENS WEEKEND 2023
The weather had been kind to us this year, the gardens were looking green and verdant for a change and apart from a late downpour on the Sunday afternoon the weekend was warm, pleasant and ideal for our visitors to enjoy the event in it entirety.
Our Church bells pealed as the visitors arrived in their hundreds, not only the stalwart regulars but plenty of newcomers, all eager to sample this year’s delights and they certainly weren’t disappointed. We had 35 open gardens and spaces for nearly 2000 visitors to wander through and be inspired by.
In St Mary’s, a brilliant Art Exhibition and sale, a Floral Display on the theme of ‘a celebration of God’s creations’, an exhibition by the History group, music from Angel Delight, Ivan Alderton and our own Mary Kidd and in the closed Church Yard birds of prey for the visitors to be amazed by.
The Village Market moved this year and was housed in the yard at Clarkes where visitors happily browsed the stalls. The brass bands played as the bowling club had their traditional competitions both adding to the quintessentially English scene.
Many visitors remark on the quality and variety of the refreshments that are provided, indeed some visitors only come to sample them; the Memorial Hall and Priory Room with the now famous lunches and teas. Pimms and produce at the allotments. The Pizza, BBQ and Bar Crew at the Elms delighted the public serving fine locally sourced food cooked to perfection and with the garden still packed at the end of each day the live music continued well into the evening.
Our well drilled teams at all our food venues throughout the village were continuously congratulated on their efficient performance. We had the rare tortoises again, loads of vintage cars and much much more…
None of this would be possible without the support, the help and the encouragement we get from, literally hundreds of Walsham residents, who throw themselves into the event.
Exhausting at times but we hope you all enjoyed the event and we need to thank you all; the garden owners of course, the volunteers at the car park, the flower arrangers, the art sales folk, the raffle ticket sellers, the many helpers at the refreshment venues, the cake makers, the bell ringers, the musicians, the tent erectors (and dismantlers), all our sponsors who advertised in the lovely programme and many many more. You all know who you are and we, the committee, thank you from the bottom of our hearts, because without you it just wouldn’t be possible.
Your warm welcome and generosity shone through with visitors who were simply in awe of the time everyone had invested and the sheer scale of the village effort.
Visitors were impressed that we had kept our entrance charge and other prices at the same level as last year whilst, of course, our own costs had risen dramatically but we still think the weekend was a massive success in financial terms.
We are still paying bills and sorting out the accounts but at this stage we think in excess of £18K has been raised for the village. As always 50% will go to the fabric fund of the Church and the rest will be used to support the many Walsham clubs and organisations who will be invited to submit bids in due course.
Our OGW committee will meet again shortly to reflect and pick though the whole weekend and our visitor feedback forms will be analysed. However, if you have any comments on improvements or suggestions that you would like us to consider please let me know or any other member of the OGW team. We will of course publish a summary of the final accounts here in the Observer once all is collected and accounted for.
Finally, once again please take a well-deserved collective ‘pat on the back’ and THANK YOU to you all so much for all your support. I do hope whatever the activity in which you were involved you got completely immersed and enjoyed the whole experience and came away with a ‘well charged community spirit’ plus that warm feeling of being part of the fellowship that is Walsham le Willows in the beautiful County of Suffolk.
Collen Baker Chair of the Walsham Le Willows Open Gardens Trust (written 15 September 2023)
Financial Review
Due to a changed in 2022 of the Financial Year End from 30[th] September to 31[st] December, the comparative 2022 accounts represent a 15 month period.
Gate money was down £180 (-2%) on 2022, which equates to roughly 22 less visitors, so a very satisfactory result.
Total catering receipts were up £837 (+5%), but down £245 (-2%) on a net basis, a good result given the significant increase in costs generally in the UK.
Donations/Sponsorship were down £1,486 (-84%) due to the one-off nature of the 2022 Lovells donation and there was a £1,575 increase in Capital Expenditure due largly to the £1,000 contribution to the container at the Sports Club.
Funds available at year end were £25,504.12 less £67.02 of the Churchyard Roses Project, leaving £25,437.10. Deducting the General Reserve (see below) of £9,407.17 results in £16,029.93 being available for Grant Disbursements of which 50% will be paid to St Mary’s Church, Walsham le Willows, leaving £8,015 available for other causes in line with the Objectives of the Trust.
Reserves policy
Given that much of the annual expenditure for the annual open gardens event is committed before the event, it is the Trustees aim to maintain a General Reserve to protect the Trust against unforeseen circumstances, for example bad weather. The Trustees agreed that this reserve should be set at 50% of the most recent Total Payments (excluding “Independent Projects”). For 2023, this is 50% of £18,814.34 or £9,407.17.
Garth Harlow Hon. Treasurer
Structure and Governance
The method of appointment of Trustees is set out in the Declaration of Trust dated 14[th] June 2012. The members of the Trust are set out below.
Trustees
Mr Collen Baker – Chairman (Appointed 31 January 2022)
Mr Garth Harlow – Hon. Treasurer (Appointed 31 January 2022)
Mrs Frances Jenner – Trustee (Appointed 31 January 2022)
Mr John Stebbing – Secretary (Appointed 26 April 2012)
Additional Committee members
Mr Michael Cousins
Mrs Alison Findlay
Rev. Philip Merry (Retired 8 August 2023)
Mr Nick Parsons (from 20 April 2023)
Mr Grant Robinson
Mrs Beverly Rust
Honorary Positions
Mrs Penelope Robins – Honorary President (Retired 25 September 2023)
Administrative information
The contact details for the Trust are:
Mr John Stebbing, Secretary, 2 Vine Cottages, The Street, Walsham le Willows, IP31 3AZ
Mr Garth Harlow, Hon. Treasurer, The Rookery, Wattisfield Road, Walsham le Willows, IP31 3BD
Bankers: Barclays Bank plc, Abbeygate Street, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 1LB
Approved by the Trustees on 2024 and signed on their behalf by
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Chairman Hon. Treasurer
| RECEIPTS 2023 2022 PAYMENTS 2023 2022 £ £ £ £ THE WALSHAM LE WILLOWS GARDENS TRUST RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 (2022 15 months) |
RECEIPTS 2023 2022 PAYMENTS 2023 2022 £ £ £ £ THE WALSHAM LE WILLOWS GARDENS TRUST RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 (2022 15 months) |
RECEIPTS 2023 2022 PAYMENTS 2023 2022 £ £ £ £ THE WALSHAM LE WILLOWS GARDENS TRUST RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 (2022 15 months) |
RECEIPTS 2023 2022 PAYMENTS 2023 2022 £ £ £ £ THE WALSHAM LE WILLOWS GARDENS TRUST RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 (2022 15 months) |
RECEIPTS 2023 2022 PAYMENTS 2023 2022 £ £ £ £ THE WALSHAM LE WILLOWS GARDENS TRUST RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 (2022 15 months) |
RECEIPTS 2023 2022 PAYMENTS 2023 2022 £ £ £ £ THE WALSHAM LE WILLOWS GARDENS TRUST RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 (2022 15 months) |
RECEIPTS 2023 2022 PAYMENTS 2023 2022 £ £ £ £ THE WALSHAM LE WILLOWS GARDENS TRUST RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 (2022 15 months) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weekend Event(see note A) | 35,920.26 | 36,483.49 | Weekend Event(see note A) | -14,961.84 | -13,220.63 | |
| Christmas Market | 343.08 | Christmas Market | -237.03 | |||
| Churchyard Roses | 25.00 | 816.60 | Churchyard Roses | -85.88 | -688.70 | |
| Bank interest | 123.35 | Insurance | -457.84 | -632.60 | ||
| Web maintenance | -141.28 | |||||
| Administration | -135.34 | -125.45 | ||||
| Repairs & Renewals | -355.17 | -298.00 | ||||
| Capital Expenditure | -2,784.84 | -1,209.68 | ||||
| Public Meeting | -66.86 | -149.22 | ||||
| Beeches Party | -31.45 | -20.20 | ||||
| June Owners Meeting | -10.38 | |||||
| Licencing | -21.00 | -21.00 | ||||
| Total Receipts | 36,068.61 | 37,643.17 | Total Payments | -18,900.22 | -16,754.17 | |
| less Payments | -18,900.22 | -16,754.17 | ||||
| NET PROFIT | 17,168.39 | 20,889.00 | ||||
| DISBURSEMENTS | ||||||
| St Mary's fabric fund | -9,094.00 | |||||
| CEVC PrimarySchool | -800.00 | |||||
| Walsham Sports Club | -2,000.00 | |||||
| Walsham Wild Wood | -2,000.00 | |||||
| The PrioryRoom/Walsham Arts Group | -1,362.00 | |||||
| Walsham Allotments | -1,720.00 | |||||
| HistoryGroup | -349.00 | |||||
| National Open Gardens | -20.00 | |||||
| Playground ice cream | -107.24 | |||||
| Xmas Tree | -187.00 | -415.74 | ||||
| R Newell Bench | -23.22 | -502.30 | ||||
| Four Ashes Triangle | -232.30 | -1,288.75 | ||||
| CummunityCouncil(Burco) | -535.20 | |||||
| Total Disbursements | -17,894.76 | -2,741.99 | ||||
| NET AFTER DISBURSEMENTS | -726.37 | 18,147.01 | ||||
| FUNDS STATEMENT 2023 2022 |
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| Barclays Opening Balance | 26,230.49 | 8,048.55 | ||||
| PettyCash | 0.00 | 34.93 | ||||
| OPENING BALANCE | 26,230.49 | 8,083.48 | ||||
| Income | 36,068.61 | 37,643.17 | ||||
| Expenditure | -18,900.22 | -16,754.17 | ||||
| Dispersements | -17,894.76 | -2,741.99 | ||||
| CLOSING BALANCE | 25,504.12 | 26,230.49 | ||||
| Represented by: (as at) | 31/12/2023 | 31/12/2022 | ||||
| Barclays Current Account | 80.77 | 26,230.49 | ||||
| Barclays Deposit Account | 25,423.35 | 0.00 | ||||
| PettyCash | 0.00 | 0.00 | ||||
| TOTAL FUNDS@ YEAR END | 25,504.12 | 26,230.49 |
THE WALSHAM LE WILLOWS OPEN GARDENS TRUST NOTES TO THE RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
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The accounts of the Trust have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 using the receipts and payments basis.
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Further analysis of Receipts and Payments
| NOTES Note A: Weekend Event 2023 2023 2023 Receipts Payments Result £ £ £ |
NOTES Note A: Weekend Event 2023 2023 2023 Receipts Payments Result £ £ £ |
NOTES Note A: Weekend Event 2023 2023 2023 Receipts Payments Result £ £ £ |
NOTES Note A: Weekend Event 2023 2023 2023 Receipts Payments Result £ £ £ |
NOTES Note A: Weekend Event 2023 2023 2023 Receipts Payments Result £ £ £ |
2022 Result £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entrance Fee | 9,839.84 | -63.32 | 9,776.52 | 10,064.74 | |
| MVH Car Park | 509.90 | 509.90 | 465.00 | ||
| MVH Catering | 5,695.26 | -1,250.67 | 4,444.59 | 4,410.47 | |
| Priory Room | 2,738.76 | -619.33 | 2,119.43 | 1,815.65 | |
| Elms BBQ | 5,098.35 | -2,311.16 | 2,787.19 | 3,084.50 | |
| Elms Bar | 2,856.40 | -1,874.95 | 981.45 | 1,280.62 | |
| Elms Classic Cars | 100.00 | 100.00 | 120.00 | ||
| Art Show | 2,774.67 | -2,179.18 | 595.49 | 362.45 | |
| Pimms Stall | 343.30 | -129.64 | 213.66 | 200.10 | |
| Village Market | 575.00 | -33.49 | 541.51 | 825.00 | |
| Raffle | 2,180.01 | -175.20 | 2,004.81 | 2,516.00 | |
| Donations/Sponsorship | 277.46 | 277.46 | 1,763.40 | ||
| Programme Advertising | 1,523.31 | 1,523.31 | 1,438.31 | ||
| Gift Aid | 1,408.00 | 1,408.00 | 1,656.75 | ||
| MVH Hire | -607.50 | -607.50 | -717.12 | ||
| First Aid | -500.00 | -500.00 | -450.00 | ||
| Fridge Hire | -576.00 | -576.00 | -474.00 | ||
| Toilet Hire | -336.00 | -336.00 | -336.00 | ||
| Bands/Music | -450.00 | -450.00 | -450.00 | ||
| Advertising | -1,478.00 | -1,478.00 | -1,464.50 | ||
| Printing | -1,682.40 | -1,682.40 | -2,159.23 | ||
| Transport | -660.00 | -660.00 | -600.00 | ||
| Flowers | -35.00 | -35.00 | -89.28 | ||
| TOTAL | 35,920.26 | -14,961.84 | 20,958.42 | 23,262.86 |
3. Assets retained by the Trust:
----- Start of picture text -----
Estimated
Date Replacement
Item Cost Purchased Value
£ £ £
Mains operated coin counter 200.00
Pizza Oven (wood fired) 800.00
Marque 450.00
Blue Gazebo (3m x 6m) 330.00
Catering equipment (various) 850.00
8 x advertising signs (2400x1200mm) 1,000.00
Numerous smaller signs 500.00
8 x folding metal road signs 800.00
8 x large fold up timber tables 800.00
40 x stacking plastic chairs 1,200.00
Shed located at Priory Room 450.00
Art Peg Boards 180.60 10/08/2022 180.00
UniFlame 6 Burner Gas Grill BBQ and cover 462.95 29/05/2022 460.00
5 x SumUp card readers 99.00 27/07/2022 200.00
4 x large PVC Banners 760.00 01/08/2023 760.00
Various crockery & g;asses (Hubbard) 285.00 08/08/2023 285.00
Capital investment storage container WSC 1,000.00 25/10/2023 1,000.00
10,265.00
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INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE WALSHAM LE WILLOWS OPEN GARDENS TRUST
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of The Walsham le Willows Open Gardens Trust (the “Trust”) for the year ended 31 December 2023.
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 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the 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 2. the accounts do not accord with those records.
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.
Alison Roberts MAAT
Acorn Accounting Acorn House, Chapel Road, Wattisfield, Diss, IP22 1NY
…………………………. 2024