WOLVERLEY ALLOTMENT SOCIETY CHAIRMAN’S REPORT 2024-25
However it was disappointing that the 10 year celebration had to be cancelled due to heavy rain. We look forward to having a belated celebration next year.
There have been some amendments to the Tenancy Agreement following guidelines provided by the National Allotment Society. It is important that plots are fully utilised, maintained and left in a suitable condition for reletting. Regular checks are being made and any concerns reported to plot holders. Deposits can be retained for restoration of plots. I thank the committee members for their time and effort spent clearing a large amount of rubbish left on the site which filled a large skip. This must not be allowed to happen again.
Sadly we have had 3 resignations from the committee – Liz Dooley, Chris Thornton and Siuzi Jones, all due to changes in their personal circumstances. We thank them for their input to the society during their term of office. Thanks also go to vice chairman Janet Oliver for taking on the role of treasurer until a new treasurer can be found.
Planning permission was requested for 6 houses on land adjacent to our site. The Parish Council discussed this at their meeting and comments were sent to the District Council. Many people expressed their concerns regarding the matter and I had 3 minutes to put forward the possible problems the building would cause the allotments. The planning permission was refused but it is expected further applications will be made. This caused us to give consideration to the marking of our boundary since the all the trees, which originally marked the boundary, have died. Different options were discussed amongst the committee and trustees. Fencing would have to be concreted in, a quote was obtained but was far beyond our means. The latest suggestion is that spikes and posts should be provided for plot holders along the boundary to construct their own barrier avoiding damage to plants. This may not be secure but it will show a clear boundary to meet the requirements of our insurance. We can’t fully secure the site as people can climb over the gate!
One of the highlights of the year was the excellent crop of apples. We felt they should be put to good use. A juicing company called Mill Orchards was located at Great Witley. After an apple picking day was organised Carolle, Steve and Sharon filled 3 cars to transport the apples to be juiced. The result was 109 bottles of delicious apple juice. After being labelled with the required information they were sold on the site for £3.50 a bottle or 3 bottles for £10. They all sold very quickly and raised £127.87 for funds after expenses.
The gales caused problems with polytunnels flying through the site causing some damage to plots. Measures have to be taken to prevent further problems this winter.
We had our usual fundraising events. Lyn opened her delightful garden again to visitors and provided her wonderful cakes served with tea or coffee. There was a raffle with prizes provided by members and a book and plant sale. It was an
extremely hot day and, unfortunately some regular attendees were on holiday. However we raised an excellent £302.20 after expenses. We are very grateful for the work Lyn puts into this event.
Unfortunatey the weather was not good for the carnival this year which reduced the number of people attending. We sold plants and books and Sharon had her “pick a carrot” stall enabling us to raise £113 before expenses. We also received a £200 donation from the Carnival Committee to provide garden tools for the use of plot holders.
Our Wassail was extremely well attended with many now regular visitors. After the singing traditional wassail songs in the orchard, accompanied by musicians, and making lots of noise to awaken the trees, we drank mulled cider to toast various aspects of the allotment site, including Steve who plays a very important role on the site. We then enjoyed a hearty spread of home made soup, bread and an excellent range of delicious cakes. It was another great event enjoyed by members and friends raising £86.20 in donations before expenses. We hope the trees respond as well as last year.
The only problem was the people who supply us with wood chip had delivered a large load and tipped it in front of the gate! Fortunately someone was alerted and they contacted Steve and other members who turned up with shovels and wheelbarrows to remove the woodchop. Thanks to all those people who saved the day! Thanks also the Charles for loaning us the use of his large gazebo for people to sit or shelter after the activity.
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner s Report Report to the On accounts for the yMr 31 March 2025 Charlty no (11 any) 115471 3and4 charity (Ih? Trusn for the year end8d 31103r2024. Responslblllt5•B and As the charity tTuees of the Tnjst, Y are resp(Thibkn for the prepwation basls rf r•wt ofthe acccwnts in XCCYdan wilh the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (Ihe A). I rep>1 in respect of my examinatK)n of the TnS accourts carrled ¢xrt under sectK>n 145 of 2011 Act aKI in orying out my examination, I have fOlkned the applKable Directions given by the Charity Commission under 8ectK)n 145(5)(b) of the Independent examlnerfs Stateme come to my attenn in connect*)n with the examTlOn which gives me cause to believe that in. any material resped: theAd I have no concerns arrfl have Cne arxoss no other matters in conneLtion with the examinatK>n to Wh attention should be drawn in onler to ena1 a sned. LL Namo: Charkns A Sher Relovant wofeMMal qualificattonls) or b¢KIy (If any): Addres•: Falcons Res( FairfEld Lane. Worce#ershire DY11 SQJ IER OCtor 2018
Section B Disclosure Only complete rf the examiner needs to hhlIght malters of concem (see CC32. Indep exaninats)n of ¢*wity accounts: directions and gUAlan for examiners). Give horn brfef d•tall8 of any Itgms that the examlnor h05 to dlsclom. Jf. NONE io no tdtllidlenoae n6 Jngbft9qgbnl • 8.1¥m8%£ cl IOQ2 tyliJcrt (i Pte IER f.T2 October 2018
CHARITh COMMISS FOR ENGLIND WALES Receipts and pa ents accounts CC16a To 310) Section A Receipts arid payments A1 ft1 193 Sub toW(Gro&8 AR) ••e tabl• 10 1247 AdMIntraI 131 11 2m4 ££££s
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