## Friends of Devonport Park ## Annual Report. Year End 31 March 2024 ## **Events** : Our first event of the year was due to be an Easter Craft event over the Bank Holiday weekend. Unfortunately, due to yet another adverse weather forecast leading up to the day, it was necessary to cancel. Refunds were issued to those who required them whilst some decided to move their booking to our main event later in the year. The second event was the Kings Coronation Lunch, hosted and catered by Martin & his staff. Our contribution to this was to print and sell the tickets. We also provided the decorations for the event and the tableware. This was not intended to be a profit making event but any profit was divided between us and Plymouth PIE Club. Our main event of the year was in September and although it was relatively successful, considering the weather conditions (again a little dubious), it was not as well attended as we hoped. Finally, the annual “Act of Remembrance” was held as usual. This has become more popular, year on year, despite the obvious lack of space. **Gardening.** Our main area of work. Ferry Field – Arboretum. More work was undertaken in 2023 to create and wildlife hedge/windbreak on the upper slope of Ferry Field. The hedging was provided by the Urban Forrest Partnership and we provided the fencing to protect the whips as much as possible during the first few years. Fencing, posts and wire were purchased and we put in a 150metre barrier/windbreak. I’d like to thank Fairfax Luxmoore for his help with this project, along with the gardening team. Fairfax has also done some sterling work with mowing, large areas of the Ferry Field site. The issues that we have experienced over the past few years, namely the lack of a greenhouse or any suitable structure for propagating plants for the park or to sell, still continued. Despite numerous attempts to attract a builder to undertake the necessary works, it was not until October that we managed to obtain three quotes. APK Builders were the successful applicants and started work in early December. The initial quote was to erect the two small conservatories that had been donated to us however, it soon transpired that these were not fully complete so there was some extra expense incurred. However, the builders were also prepared to undertake the extra work entailed in demolishing the rotten wooden structure on site and replacing it with a new wooden building to be used as a classroom/office. Most work was completed just prior to Christmas although some minor snagging is still being undertaken and the internal walls have to be plastered, which has to fit in with their other contracted work elsewhere – given that they are a small Exeter based company, we are happy to go along with that. Internal fixings and fittings such as shelving, whiteboard and a small projector screen and solar powered ceiling lights have been purchased. This all fulfils the conditions of the Lottery Community Fund grant we received in early 2023. Staging has been purchased for both Conservatories/greenhouses which are now being fully used. Seven water butts have been installed to help alleviate dependence on piped water. **Memorial Rose Garden** This project, started in September 2022, has been a huge success, so much so that this tear we have had to extend the area to cope with demand. We now have close to 100 roses on site. There is now very little further scope to expand the current garden and if demand continues to grow, we may have to look for another area to open up. **Informal Training** . These monthly sessions also form part of the Lottery grant. Since the retirement of our original mentor – Dennis Trewin, James Brown has kindly taken up the role of running these classes, and we thank him for stepping into the role so readily. Not everyone who wanted to take advantage of these sessions can do so on a Monday, therefore five individuals are currently provided by email, the course notes that James provides. ## **PCC Matters** There have been several changes of staff, based in Devonport Park, over the past year or so but, although they are not all on site, every day, there does seem to be something of a change in attitude with those working alongside us. Some are actually taking part in the informal training sessions. I think it fair to say that our working relationship with PCC staff has much improved lately however, there are still, a number of outstanding issues that need to resolved. The bandstand hanging basket brackets for example. The disgraceful state of the Doris Gun Memorial is another. Routine maintenance, such as painting railings, street furniture and even the bandstand seem to have slipped by the wayside. It is an inescapable fact that public finances are under extreme pressure but now, more than ever, is the time when we, as the Friends of Devonport Park, do all we can to ensure that the standards of care and maintenance of this park is not allowed to slide back into the spiral of decline that was experienced from the 80’s through to the late 1990’s, before the restoration was done. After all, that decline was the main reason that this group was formed in the first place and, in my opinion, a key reason for us to continue and keep highlighting, where necessary, issues regarding maintenance. **Future Plans.** New funding bids need to be prepared and submitted to the Lottery Community Fund and I will ask James to work with us in preparing one. The criteria has changed in that whereas the maximum bid used to be for £10K for up to a year, it is now £20K and can last for up to 2 Years. This gives us scope for a number of possible projects to be included in one overall package. Some possible projects could include getting the bandstand copper lanterns refurbished, replacing the brackets for the hanging baskets, having the bronze urns installed, replacing the broken polycarb greenhouse, putting in soakaways on the petanque piste, continuation of informal training, a well-funded major community event (to include a serious drive membership campaign. Any other suggestions would be welcome. We would need to come up with a way of linking some of these various projects into one single funding bid. There are other funding possibilities to consider as well, such as The Devon Community Foundation. **Membership.** This has always been a problem issue. How to attract? and more importantly, keep new members. Not just for the gardening team but also as general members who are willing to get involved and help the charity. Running events is becoming a major issue, without people who are willing to help physically on the day, as well as with organisation, I don’t see how we can continue to host our usual Community Fun Days. ## **Other News** Green Hubs: Three “Green Hubs” have been set up in the city. One each based in Devonport, Keyham & Central Park. The idea being to0 involve local residents, community groups, businesses and any other interested party, in identifying underused, neglected or potential sites to be improved through “greening”. This can include any publicly owned site and not just green areas but, blue areas as well as the initiative includes waterfront areas as well. Each area has two rangers, one from the National Trust and the other from Plymouth City Council. The Devonport team are Elliott Lang (PCC) and Henry Jones (National Trust). Groups involved in the Devonport Green Hub (DGH) include Real Ideas Organisation (RIO), Pembroke Estate Management Board (PEMB), the Zebra Collective, Plymouth City Council, Devonport Leisure Trust, Headway, Plymouth Community Homes (PCH), residents groups, Routeways charity and the Friends of Devonport Park. Several action days have already taken place in Mt Wise and Marlborough Street. New Groups. Several new “friends” groups have been formed this year, two of which are Tothill Park & Beaumont Park. As the FDP is recognised as being the most successful of the existing friends groups, I was asked to advise both groups on setting themselves up. The advent of these new groups has had the effect of re-vitalising the defunct “Friends Forum”, under the banner of re-starting the Plymouth Open Spaces Network (POSN – currently chaired by Dave Curno from Friends of Ham woods. All participating groups have signed up to an agreed “terms of reference” between POSN and Plymouth City Council. ## **Finances:** Our total income across all three of our accounts for the financial year to 31 March 2024 was £15840 _(rounded to the nearest pound)_ which includes £10050 of grant funding. Our total expenditure for this period was £20877 again rounded to the nearest pound. Note _: this excludes amounts transferred between accounts, as they cancel one another out._ During this period we received an £8900, Lottery Community Fund grant and £600 from our local ward councillors from the Community Fund Allowance. Our thanks must go to them for the continual support they have shown us over the years. We also received an allowance of £300 from Streets, cleansing & green spaces (SCG) of Plymouth City Council towards bedding plants. ## **A summary of our main expenditures and Income:** ## **Expenditures** |Building works. Classroom/greenhouses
Memorial Rose Garden including roses
Arboretum
Informal Training
Events
Contracts

Professional Fees
Insurance
**Income:**
Grants
Roses
Events etc|£11219
£ 1940
£ 160
£ 741
£ 1487
£ 742
£ 500
£ 187
£ 16235
£10050
£ 1195
£ 1472
£12717| |---|---| Finally, I would just like to offer my thanks, to all those who have given us their support and expressed their appreciation for what we are trying to achieve in this park and, especially to our Trustees and Committee members. |Date
3.4.23
3.4.23
11.4.23
11.4.23
12.4.23
19.4.23
24.4.23
24.4.23
26.4.23
26.4.23
28.4.23
2.5.23
2.5.23
3.5.23
4.5.23
4.5.23
9.5.23
9.5.23
11.5.23
17.5.23
17.5.23
18.5.23
18.5.23
19.5.23
22.5.23
25.5.23
30.5.23
31.5.23|Friends of Devonport Park. Main Account No: 05257589.|Friends of Devonport Park. Main Account No: 05257589.|Friends of Devonport Park. Main Account No: 05257589.|Debit
£ 24.00
£ 2.80
£ 5.00
£ 19.99
£ 11.87
£ 47.45
£ 13.98
£ 100.00
£ 102.95
£ 11.99
£ 8.49
£ 31.40
£ 148.06
£ 300.00
£ 9.99
£ 105.65
£ 15.64
£ 44.95
£ 52.12
£ 41.99
£ 39.99
£ 3.59
£ 105.65|Credit







£ 5.19





£ 32.03
£ 300.00

£ 97.84






£ 16.27



|Balance
£ 13,159.99
£ 13,135.99
£ 13,133.19
£ 13,128.19
£ 13,108.20
£ 13,096.33
£ 13,048.88
£ 13,034.90
£ 13,040.09
£ 12,940.09
£ 12,837.14
£ 12,825.15
£ 12,816.66
£ 12,785.26
£ 12,817.29
£ 13,117.29
£ 12,969.23
£ 13,067.07
£ 12,767.07
£ 12,757.08
£ 12,651.43
£ 12,635.79
£ 12,590.84
£ 12,538.72
£ 12,554.99
£ 12,513.00
£ 12,473.01
£ 12,469.42
£ 12,363.77| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| ||
1/4/23 - 31/3/24
Detail
opening balance
Plymouth Tree Partnership
Plymouth City Council
Plymouth VCSE
Hp Instant Ink
South West Yraders
B&Q Ltd
Lidl UK
Amazon Europe
HMRC
Wilko
Ebay UK
Ebay UK
Chaplins Superstore
Mrs P Gallagher
Plymouth City Council
Booker
Giford
TFR. To FDP Bandstand A/c
Hp Instant Ink
David Austin Roses
Adobe
Wilko
LBS Horticulture
Amazon Europe
The Range
AVG Technologies
Lidl UK
David Austin Roses|
Method
DD
Card
Card
DD
Card
Card
Card
Bacs
Bacs
Card
Card
Card
Card
Bacs
Bacs
Card
Bacs
DD
Card
DD
Card
Card
Bacs
Card
DD
Card
Card|
Our Ref:
contract
M23/40
M23/41
23/46
23/47
23/43
23/49
23/50
23/51
23/52
23/53
23/54
23/55
23/56
23/57
23/58|||| |1.6.23|Chaplins Superstore|Card|23/59|£ 157.51|£ 12,206.26| |---|---|---|---|---|---| |5.6.23|David Austin Roses|Card|23/58A|£ 61.02|£ 12,145.24| |8.6.23|David Austin Roses|Card|23/585B|£ 20.34|£ 12,124.90| |13.6.23|Iceland|Card|23/60|£ 3.75|£ 12,121.15| |14.6.23|Hp Instant Ink|DD||£ 9.99|£ 12,111.16| |19.6.23|Iceland|Card||£ 3.75|£ 12,107.41| |19.6.23|Ebay UK|Card|23/61|£ 35.38|£ 12,072.03| |23.6.23|Main Grants|Bacs|||£ 8,900.00 £ 20,972.03| |27.6.23|Roboform|DD||£ 18.95|£ 20,953.08| |26.6.23|Post Ofce Counters|Card|23/62|£ 8.80|£ 20,944.28| |27.6.23|TEMU|Card|23/63|£ 76.26|£ 20,868.02| |28.6.23|The Range|Card|23/64|£ 36.98|£ 20,831.04| |30.6.23|VistaPrint|Card|23/65|£ 22.79|£ 20,808.25| |3.7.23|Amazon UK|Card|23/66&67|£ 48.93|£ 20,759.32| |4.7.23|Premier Barriers|Card|23/68|£ 51.17|£ 20,708.15| |6.7.23|Amazon UK|Card|23/69|£ 11.88|£ 20,696.27| |12.7.23|Hp Instant Ink|DD|23/70|£ 9.99|£ 20,686.28| |12.7.23|Amazon Uk|Card|23/71|£ 41.65|£ 20,644.63| |17.7.23|The Range|Card|23/72|£ 18.44|£ 20,626.19| |24.7.23|Local Giving|DD||£ 180.00|£ 20,446.19| |26.7.23|Computer & Printer Services|Bacs|23/73|£ 40.00|£ 20,406.19| |31.7.23|Google|DD||£ 24.99|£ 20,381.20| |3.8.23|HMRC|Bacs||£ 100.00|£ 20,281.20| |3.8.23|Amazon UK|Card|23.74|£ 9.49|£ 20,271.71| |11.8.23|Hp Instant Ink|DD|contract|£ 33.99|£ 20,237.72| |14.8.23|Ebay UK|Card|23/75|£ 4.39|£ 20,233.33| |14.8.23|Ebay UK|Card|" "|£ 7.90|£ 20,225.43| |4.8.23|Ebay UK|Card|23/75|£ 10.86|£ 20,214.57| |14.8.23|TEMU|Card|23/76|£ 26.09|£ 20,188.48| |18.8.23|Ebay UK|Card|23/77|£ 18.49|£ 20,169.99| |21.8.23|Ebay UK|Card|23/77|£ 32.99|£ 20,137.00| |21.8.23|Microsoft|Card||£ 59.99|£ 20,077.01| |24.8.23|Plymouth City Council|Bacs|||£ 600.00 £ 20,677.01| |---|---|---|---|---|---| |24.8.23|The Range|Card|23/78|£ 14.95|£ 20,662.06| |29.8.23|Clockwork Audio Systems|Card|23/79|£ 126.60|£ 20,535.46| |1.9.23|B&Q Ltd|Card|23/80|£ 9.32|£ 20,526.14| |4.9.23|Friends of Devonport Park.|TFR||£ 500.00|£ 20,026.14| |4.9.23|South West Traders|Card|23/81|£ 3.00|£ 20,023.14| |7.9.23|Devon Door Doctors|Card|23/82|£ 46.00|£ 19,977.14| |11.9.23|Hp Instant Ink|dd|contract|£ 38.99|£ 19,938.15| |12.9.23|Deposit||||£ 353.00 £ 20,291.15| |12.9.23|Deposit||||£ 25.00 £ 20,316.15| |12.9.23|Ebay UK|Card|23/83|£ 40.60|£ 20,275.55| |13.9.23|Plymouth City Council|Card||£ 3.00|£ 20,272.55| |13.9.23|Amazon|Card||£ 8.99|£ 20,263.56| |14.9.23|Rumwoods Ltd|Card|23/84|£ 160.22|£ 20,103.34| |18.9.23|B&Q Ltd|Card|2385|£ 18.00|£ 20,085.34| |25.9.23|D Trewin|Bacs|23/00|£ 116.52|£ 19,968.82| |25.9.23|Ebay UK|Card|23/86|£ 2.93|£ 19,965.89| |26.9.23|Ebay UK|Card|23/86|£ 5.58|£ 19,960.31| |26.9.23|Lidl UK|Card|23/89|£ 75.63|£ 19,884.68| |3.10.23|Lidl UK|Card|23/90|£ 15.20|£ 19,869.48| |4.10.23|Gedney Bulb Company|Card|23/88|£ 81.36|£ 19,788.12| |12.10.23|Hp Instant Ink|DD|contract|£ 9.99|£ 19,778.13| |16.10.23|Amazon UK|Card||£ 290.00|£ 19,488.13| |16.10.23|B&M Ltd|Card||£ 3.50|£ 19,484.63| |16.10.23|Amazon UK|Card||£ 161.49|£ 19,323.14| |17.10.23|Amazon Uk|Card||£ 39.99|£ 19,283.15| |18.10.23|W Morrisons|Card|23/100|£ 27.00|£ 19,256.15| |19.10.23|Ebay UK|Card||£ 36.98|£ 19,219.17| |20.10.23|Amazon UK|Card|||£ 39.99 £ 19,259.16| |23.10.23|HP.com|Card||£ 175.99|£ 19,083.17| |25.10.23|P&L Tool Solutions|Card|23/94|£ 241.20|£ 18,841.97| |3.11.23|James Brown|Bacs|23/97|£ 125.00|£ 18,716.97| |6.11.23|Amazon UK|Card|||£ 290.00 £ 19,006.97| |---|---|---|---|---|---| |6.11.23|David Austin Roses|Card|23/104|£ 463.91|£ 18,543.06| |6.11.23|Computer & Printer Services|Card|23/99|£ 45.00|£ 18,498.06| |10.11.23|Style Roses|Card|23/101|£ 158.85|£ 18,339.21| |13.11.23|Style Roses|Card|23/101|£ 52.95|£ 18,286.26| |15.11.23|p Gallagher|Bacs|||£ 9.49 £ 18,295.75| |20.11.23|Withdrawal|||£ 200.00|£ 18,095.75| |20.11.23|APK Roofers & Builders|Bacs|23/103|£ 2,450.00|£ 15,645.75| |27.11.23|Style Roses|Card|23/101|£ 44.95|£ 15,600.80| |29.11.23|David Austin Roses|Card|||£ 29.91 £ 15,630.71| |30.11.23|APK Roofers & Builders|Bacs|23/106|£ 2,450.00|£ 13,180.71| |30.11.23|James Brown|Bacs|23/105|£ 125.00|£ 13,055.71| |30.11.23|B&Q Ltd|Card||£ 32.00|£ 13,023.71| |4.12.23|APK Roofers & Builders|Bacs|23/107|£ 389.48|£ 12,634.23| |4.12.23|Amazon UK|Card||£ 9.49|£ 12,624.74| |6.12.23|APK Roofers & Builders|Bacs|23/98|£ 1,800.00|£ 10,824.74| |18.12.23|TEMU|Card||£ 38.94|£ 10,785.80| |18.12.23|APK Roofers & Builders|Bacs|23/109|£ 1,119.00|£ 9,666.80| |21.12.23|fdp Bandstand a/c|TFR|||£ 500.00 £ 10,166.80| |21.12.23|APK Roofers & Builders|Bacs|23/118|£ 2,936.00|£ 7,230.80| |21.12.23|APK Roofers & Builders|Bacs|23/110|£ 75.00|£ 7,155.80| |22.12.23|Devon Door Doctors|Card||£ 4.80|£ 7,151.00| |5.1.24|James Brown|Bacs|24/01|£ 125.00|£ 7,026.00| |8.1.24|The Range|Card|24/02|£ 6.84|£ 7,019.16| |8.1.24|B&Q Ltd|Card|24/03|£ 73.91|£ 6,945.25| |10.1.24|B&Q Ltd|Card|24/08|£ 23.25|£ 6,922.00| |10.1.24|B&Q Ltd|Card|24/04|£ 61.58|£ 6,860.42| |17.1.24|Ebay UK|Card||£ 26.99|£ 6,833.43| |17.1.24|B&Q Ltd|Card||£ 24.00|£ 6,809.43| |17.1.24|B&Q Ltd|Card||£ 24.00|£ 6,785.43| |19.1.24|B&Q Ltd|Card||£ 25.00|£ 6,760.43| |17.1.24|B&Q Ltd|Card|24/05|£ 35.00|£ 6,725.43| |24.1.24|B&Q Ltd|Card|||£ 24.00 £ 6,749.43| |---|---|---|---|---|---| |24.1.24|B&Q Ltd|Card|||£ 24.00 £ 6,773.43| |24.1.24|B&Q Ltd|Card|24/07|£ 35.00|£ 6,738.43| |1.2.24|James Brown|Bacs|24/9|£ 125.00|£ 6,613.43| |5.2.24|RSS Commercial|Card|24/10|£ 77.00|£ 6,536.43| |6.2.24|B&Q Ltd|Card||£ 50.92|£ 6,485.51| |6.2.24|B7Q marketplace|Card|24/11|£ 74.99|£ 6,410.52| |12.2.24|B&Q Ltd|Card|24/12|£ 5.46|£ 6,405.06| |14.2.24|B&Q Ltd|Card|24/13|£ 10.00|£ 6,395.06| |15.2.24|Ebay UK|Card|24/14|£ 2.99|£ 6,392.07| |16.2.24|Jewsons|Card|24/15|£ 153.37|£ 6,238.70| |19.2.24|Plymouth VCSE|Card|24/20|£ 5.00|£ 6,233.70| |20.2.24|HMRC COTAX|Bacs|||£ 200.00 £ 6,433.70| |20.2.24|Ebay UK|Card|247/16|£ 11.47|£ 6,422.23| |20.2.24|David Austin Roses|Card|24/18|£ 49.95|£ 6,372.28| |29.2.24|James Brown|Bacs|24/19|£ 125.00|£ 6,247.28| |01.3.24|B&Q Ltd|Card|24/17|£ 7.47|£ 6,239.81| |04.3.24|Deposit||||£ 196.00 £ 6,435.81| |04.3.24|Deposit||||£ 250.00 £ 6,685.81| |06.3.24|Amazon|Card|24/24|£ 51.95|£ 6,633.86| |6.3.24|Jewsons|Card|24/20|£ 112.79|£ 6,521.07| |8.3.24|M Gallagher|bacs|||£ 20.55 £ 6,541.62| |08.3.24|TEMU|Card|24/21|£ 15.02|£ 6,526.60| |13.3.24|Amazon ***|Card||£ 20.55|£ 6,506.05| |13.2.24|B&Q Ltd|Card|24/22|£ 33.30|£ 6,472.75| |13.3.24|B&Q marketplace|Card|24/23|£ 67.96|£ 6,404.79| |21.3.24|Ebay UK|Card|24/26|£ 11.01|£ 6,393.78| |21.3.24|B&Q Ltd|Card|24/25|£ 27.44|£ 6,366.34| |22.3.24|Ebay Ltd|Card|24/26|£ 27.12|£ 6,339.22| |22.3.24|Ebay Ltd|Card|24/26|£ 33.85|£ 6,305.37| |22.3.24|M W Gallagher|Bacs|24/27|£ 27.40|£ 6,277.97| |22.3.24|W Willoughby|Bacs|||£ 50.00 £ 6,327.97| 26.3.24 HP Instant Ink DD Contract £ 11.99 £ 6,315.98 £ 6,315.98 Totals **### £11,963.27** Grants total £9800.00 Analysis Annual Membership Parking Printing Contract Padlocks Gardening Materials Gardening - bulbs Amazon Members Donations Penalty fee Grow house/staging Discs for grinder Stationery Gardening materials Tommies repair Community Fund Grant Coronation Event /Gifford Supplies Payment for Gifford material Costs towards Coronation Event Printing Contract Memorial Roses PDF License Growhouse staging Tree stakes & Ties Amazon Members Donations Gardening Materials AVG Ultimate (1 year subscription) Vol Epenses Memorial Roses Gardening Tools Memorial Roses Memorial Roses Bottled Water Printing Contract Bottled Water Water storage containers Lottery Grant Password protection Software Stamps Tools/gardening Equip Compost Business cards Wheelbarrow/trolley wheels Fencing clipboards printering contract Sundries (brooms/megafone etc Compost/Vol expenses Membership Printer Repair Google Listing Service Penalty fee Subscription Printing Contract Sundries( broom Handles Notice Board/ magnets) Tyre inflator (wheelbarrows) Lubican Sprays Rose feed Software Upgrade ( Microsoft 365) Cllrs Commun ity Fund Grant Repairs Audio Equipment Hire Repairs ( screws) TFR to Event A/c Cable Ties replacement locks (4) container Printing Contract Event income Event income projector screen parking fee Amazon Music (Event) Tree Roses (Maid of Kent) Compost Reference books Seeds Seeds Spring Bulbs Spring Bulbs Spring Bulbs Printing Contract White Board Markers Replacement A3 printer Plant Hire (Digger) Consultancy / training course Memorial roses Printer installation Memorial roses Memorial roses Refund Construction of Conservatories Memorial roses Discount on 23/104 Balance due Consultancy / training course Extra matrials Classroom construction Classroom construction Transfer from a/c 48979460 Balance due (classroom) Extra matrials new keys(conservatories/classroom) Training course/ consultancy Shelf brackets (Classroom) Shelf units & Timber Shelving Units Anti Mould Paint shelving units Refund Refund shelving units informal training Fuel Water Butts down pipe clip and gutter joint wtare butt linking kit corrugatd conduit gravel & timber POP MEMBERSHIP Tax refund Corrugated flexi pipe Memorial roses informal training timber receipts receipts Mycorrhizal gravel & timber refund of debit made in error *** stationery debit made in error*** Compost gardening sundries Secatuers Sundries Secatuers Secatuers Refund(ref: D Austin lunch) Printer costs