During the year Treasurer Andrew Parry resigned from his position and Liz Dooley volunteered to fill the post.
There has been an increase in the number of plots on the site as a result of dividing some full plots into ¼, 1/3, and ½ plots to meet individual requirements and increase availability. There are now a total of 55 plots including the raised beds. Some members have more than one plot and some plots are shared. There are currently 48 plot holders and a further 14 people paying individual insurance to work on shared plots. Most of the plots have been taken for most of the year We even have a waiting list for plots showing the popularity of our wonderful allotment site.
Changing the date of the rent payments, to a month earlier, has enabled new members to start working on their plots in preparation for planting.
Again, we have had a number of successful social events which have been enjoyed by members, their friends and family and also helped to raise valuable funds to maintain the site.
A Member of the committee generously opened her garden again, which was well attended on a lovely Saturday in June. Everyone enjoyed seeing the garden and enjoying her wonderful cakes served with tea and coffee. The addition of the sale of plants, books and a raffle, together with the entrance money, raised a total of £365.
On Midsummer Day a Fish and Chip Supper was organised at short notice when the sun came out after a wet start to the day. A large order was phoned to the Fish and Chip Shop, and collected. After the Fish and Chips, the competition to see how many potatoes could be grown in a container was judged. Most people had planted 5 potatoes, but one member had the best crop after planting only 3, following Monty Don’s advice. We had a very enjoyable evening on the site.
We had our usual stall at the carnival. Instead of a raffle a prepared tray of marked carrots in compost was the star attraction. People paid to pull up a carrot to see if they had won a prize. This was very popular with both children and adults and raised £69.50. The sale of books raised £76 and the produce, plants and fresh flowers raised £102. Thanks to everyone who contributed. It is good publicity to have a presence at this village event as well as raising funds. In addition, the Carnival Committee donate their profits to local charities. An application was put together and we were granted £150 towards providing a shelter for members on the site.
The apple crop was so good this year we had an “Apple Fest” to celebrate. We gathered on the site on a lovely, sunny October day. A committee member, and retired chef, cooked food on the barbeque, including his famous apple fritters. Members took other apple deserts, made from the crop, to share. This was another successful event.
In November a quiz was organised. When people knew who had made one of the raffle prizes, a Lemon Drizzle Cake, they were very enthusiastic to buy tickets. The event raised a total of £90.
We started this year’s events with our annual Wassail to bless the trees in the orchard to encourage a good crop of fruit. We had a really excellent turnout and everyone had a crown of ivy to wear, entering into the tradition of the event. Toast was hung in the trees to encourage the birds. Accompanied by musicians, everyone walked round the trees making a lot of noise to awaken the trees (thought it was to scare away evil spirits). This was followed by singing traditional songs and toasting the trees with cider. Finally, everyone enjoyed hot soup, and cakes made by the committee.
A new member kindly made a splendid new notice board for the entrance to the site. The Banner disappeared in the gales! They have also organised new hardcore in the gateway where it was getting very muddy.
Following the request made by members using the new plots at the top of the site, a new dip tank was installed.
In December Severn Trent notified us of a water leak on the site. The water was turned off. Eventually, in February, the location of the leak was identified and a local contractor organised new pipework to be fitted curing the problem.
We had a request from someone to make a podcast about the allotment but there was a problem with the recording. We are not sure if the second recording went on line. There was also a request from a local Social Prescribing Organiser to have a plot for patients but unfortunately this did not materialise.
The rotavator, which was purchased, had to be sold on the advice of our Trustees due to insurance complications.
Great efforts have been made to tidy the site, removing old palates and rubbish. Thanks to committee members for organising this and also for negotiating the delivery of wood chip to the site
The piece of land on the corner of Lowe Lane and Fairfield Lane, adjoining our site has been sold. The new owner has applied for planning permission for 6 self-build homes on half the land. We are hoping that they will provide a secure boundary. This has been discussed with the Parish Council.
My report shows how active the committee and members have been during the year and illustrates the success of the allotments and the commitment of everyone to continue to support and maintain the allotments. Special thanks to the committee for all the time and work they put into running the site. Also, to the Trustees for their support.
This report indicates the number of events and improvements made on the site or our benefit. We can look forward to the coming year on the plot with a healthy bank balance, a strong committee and a full site.
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner s Report Report to the trusto•slmembers of Wolverley Ajlolment Socty On accounts for the year ondod 319t March 2024 Charity no (Sf any 115471 Sgt out on pages 3and4 I report to the trustees on my examination of ts accounts of the above charty {Ihe Tr) for the year erKled 3110312024. Responslbllltles and As the charity trustees of the Trust. you are respOrIble for the eparlon basis of report of the accounts in accordan<x with requirements of the Charities Act 2011 fthe Acr). I report in rw of my examination of the Trusfs accounts carried out urnser seiion 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examinats'on. I have followed the applicable Dir81ions given by the Charity Comrni&8ion urKler sectFon 14515){b) of the Ad. I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attenlion in connection with examination which gives me cause to believe that in. any material respect: accounting records Ere not kepl in accordance with section 130 of the Act or the accounts do not accord the accounting records Independent examinerfs statement I have no concerns and have come attoss no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enabie a KKoper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Signed: L¥L Name: Charles A Sherrey Relevart professlonal quallfication(s) or body (if any): Chartered Accountant Address: Falcons Res( Fairfld Lane, Wolvwky. Kthrminstsr, Worcestershffe DY115QJ IER October 2018
Section B Disclosure Only complete rf the examiner needs to highlight matters of concem (see CC32, Independent examination of chanty accounts: directions and guidan for examiners). NONE Glve here brief deta51s of any items that the examiner wt8hes to disclose. IER October 2018
CHARI COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES 1154971 Receipts and payments accounts CC16a Forth• wlod To 31nJy21Y24 Section A Receipts and payments Total lund• L••t y••r A1 R•cgi Fund rairyin Donations Sub bons- 21Y24 2023 Subs¢Fi t•)ns- 21r2512024 514 193 1,373 1A97 Refvndable Sub total(Gmss inc(Mne for AR) l834 (8tt talA•). Sub tot 1634 3.589 eTrts FundratsFn Bank cha Wod( on site mont 10 10 1247 416 123 187 Insuranc8 Jministration R8fiJTrJat40 11 11 W4 1074 1.728 A4 Asset and Investmwrt lab Sub tot 1074 1074 A6 Ca8h funds la51 year end Cash fvnds thls yearend CCXX R3 aCInts {SSI 10r2024
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Unrestricted C*egorles Restricted Endowment funds Detslts 81 Caoh funds 794 8.878 Detalls Details Fu{D whlch Detsils B4 Assets retsln•d fiJrth• charW$ own Qet3ils 85 Lithlttts• Dats of J Bull q 01-25 .61. Joli