==> picture [202 x 50] intentionally omitted <==
Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 1 September 2022 Period start date To 31 August 2023 Period end date Charity name: Olden Community Garden
Charity registration number: 1158105
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | The objects of the CIO are to promote for the benefit of those people living or working in the London Borough of Islington a community garden and associated facilities to advance education and for the purposes of recreation or other leisure time occupation of individuals who have need of such facilities by reason of their youth, age, infirmity or disability, 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 their condition of life. |
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
Olden Community Garden was created in 1986 when a group of residents successfully campaigned to rescue a derelict railway embankment and turn it into a community garden. Over the years, the site has become a significant asset for the local community. Islington has less green space than any other London borough, and our garden and woodland form an important wildlife habitat. Olden Garden contains the largest area of woodland in the Borough and is one of the largest community managed open spaces in north London. The Borough recognises the importance of Olden Community Garden to the area and has designated it Grade 1 SINC (Site of Importance for Nature Conservation). Olden Community Garden was open to the general public on 60 days during the year. We were also open to partner community groups, members and their guests during daylight hours every day during the year. Olden Community Garden is maintained by volunteers, members and non-members, |
| with the support of part-time professional gardeners. On our weekly Open Days, a part-time gardener leads volunteers. In addition, our monthly Saturday Open Days attract up to 25 volunteers. All are welcome to come along to make new friends and learn more about the garden or just to walk in the woodland or sit around the lawn. It is clear that many families and individuals are benefitting from the recreational aspects provided by Olden Community Garden. Walking, sitting, reading in the garden, exploring the woodland, enjoying the peace and quiet, looking at our flowers, are all much appreciated and contribute to the wellbeing of local people. We completed the paving of our new accessible patio, providing a welcome new space for people with limited mobility. Our successful application to Groundwork’s Our Space Award provided a grant for biodiversity enhancement, to regenerate the damaged meadow and create a butterfly garden. We began this project during the year. |
||
|---|---|---|
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | The Trustees were satisfied that the activities of Olden Community Garden met the objectives as set out in the constitution, and the requirement of public benefit. We continue to be guided by the requirement of public benefit as we plan our future programme of work and activities in Olden Community Garden. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| SORP reference |
||
|---|---|---|
| Policy on grant making | Para 1.38 | N/A |
| Policy on social investment including program related investment |
Para 1.38 | N/A |
| Contribution made by volunteers |
Para 1.38 | Olden Community Garden encourages volunteers to get involved in gardening to help reduce isolation and improve wellbeing. During the year over 100 volunteers supported the charity in many ways, including volunteer gardening in |
Olden Community Garden, and helping at our public events and with administration of the Charity. Though our partnership with The BIG Alliance, groups of corporate volunteers have also helped in the garden. Other
Achievements and Performance
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. |
Para 1.20 | This was another successful year for Olden Community Garden. We are one of the largest community-managed open spaces in north London. Our engagement with members, community groups and volunteers, our fundraising activity, our relationship with neighbours and the usage of the garden shows that our work is much appreciated throughout our local community and has reinforced trustees’ resolve to continue to deliver for Highbury and beyond. Maria, one of our two part-time gardeners, leads our volunteer gardening and advises the trustees, while Caroline guides our Saturday volunteers. Our maintenance of Olden Garden as a Borough Grade 1 Site of Importance to Nature Conservation ensures its contribution to Islington Council’s Biodiversity Action Plan. Our successful application to Groundwork’s Our Space Award provided a grant for biodiversity enhancement, to regenerate the damaged meadow and create a butterfly garden. We began this project during the year. To meet the costs of a major design change in the meadow path, we provided additional funding from our own funds, through the surplus from our Chelsea Fringe music festival. Our successful application to Islington Council’s Community Chest provided funds to help pay our part-time gardeners and to help pave our new patio. Our successful application to Local Giving’s Magic Little Grants enabled us to start creating a wildlife pond. We maintain and enhance the biodiversity of Olden Garden by creating habitats for wildlife and encouraging pollinators, and |
not using peat or chemicals. We encourage native species in the woodland and meadow. In parts of the garden, new planting is of drought tolerant species. We source plants locally. Through our partnership with The BIG Alliance, business organisations provide groups of corporate volunteers to help with gardening tasks. Through our greenhouse and vegetable patch, Olden Community Garden continued to be a hub for community vegetable growing. Regular volunteers continued their work on the vegetable terraces, encouraging and educating groups of parents and children, creating a source of seeds and plants for community groups throughout Islington, and providing pots to help families to grow plants on their window sills. They provided inspiration for local people who want to make gardening and greenery part of the local scenery. The orchard was not very productive this year because of the lack of rainfall in the growing season. Through our partnership, Highbury Roundhouse continued to provide us with water from their water harvesting scheme. We produced much of our compost from our leaf-fall. Other green waste materials were incorporated into dead hedges. Due to the age of the infrastructure the need for repairs increased; steps and some flower bed supports required repair. Wooden sleepers are deteriorating and the veg bed borders need to be replaced. And we need a new wooden door. There are signs of landslip on the Garden’s steep terraced site. Council staff have reassured us that the Whistler Street wall is fine and that the cracked wall behind the greenhouse poses no risk; they are also assessing what can be done to safeguard against further problems with that wall. In May, our community music festival in support of the Chelsea Fringe (the festival of gardening) was very successful. Over 500 visitors, including many families, enjoyed our musical entertainment, with music groups performing throughout the garden and woodland. The Mayor of Islington attended. Financially, the event was also a great success.
In June, we participated in London Open Gardens, the annual event where over secret gardens open to the general public. We welcomed over 80 visitors. In September, we participated in London Open House, welcoming over 60 visitors, including families, to a craft day celebrating our meadow project. Our partnerships with local community groups are thriving. Partnerships with over 20 groups and organisations give us a vital community network. Islington Gardeners held a well-attended plant sale in Olden Garden. Our garden house remained popular with our local community for parties and meetings, During the year more than 40 such events took place. Income from bookings helped to pay our gardeners fees. We offered free membership to local children’s playgroups, enabling them to bring under-5s to the Garden, and to Drayton Park Primary School, to enable pupils’ nature walks. Forest School sessions brought small groups of primary and nursery school pupils. Islington social services teams and disability support groups used the Garden House. About 2,500 people visited Olden Garden during the year, including members, their families and friends, partner groups, and visitors to events and at parties. At the end of the year, we had about 300 families in membership, a reduction on the previous year. To keep our members updated, we emailed regular Newsletters via our Mailchimp database. The Newsletters were normally opened by over 75% of our members. Our website posted news items and information about events. We used Instagram and Twitter to promote our achievements. From our on-line survey, we know members appreciate the peace and quiet of the garden, walking in the woodland, birds and birdsong, flowers in bloom. Half of our members brought children with them, while many brought people aged 75+. Our woodland and garden appeal to people of all ages.
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | |
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | |
| Other |
Financial Review
| Financial Review | ||
|---|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | At the year end, the charity’s financial position was good. With our planned reserves, we ensured funds would be available for paying our part-time gardeners. |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | The Trustees’ policy is to hold in reserve a minimum of three months running costs. These are defined as: gardening services; gardening supplies and equipment, garden house and toilet facilities, and general administration. |
| Amount of reservesheld | Para 1.22 | £8,000 |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | N/A |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | N/A |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | N/A |
| Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements |
where relevant about: |
|---|---|---|
| The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Para 1.47 | Our primary sources of income included subscriptions and donations from members, and income from bookings for the Garden House and events, together with grants. We received £3,000 from Islington Council’s Community Chest, £4,000 from Groundwork’s Our Space Award, and £500 from Magic Little Grants. |
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | N/A |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | We are supported in risk management by the London Borough of Islington which owns the land and retains responsibility for aspects of the structural integrity of the site and maintenance of the boundary fences and walls and has an advisory role. We have undertaken a full risk assessment of our operation which is reviewed regularly, together with the actions to mitigate the risks. We have public liability insurance and regularly review our policies including safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. Copies of these |
documents are on public display in the Garden House. Principal risks are: - Loss of income from bookings - Loss of experienced and/or active Trustees - Unsuccessful grant applications Other
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
||
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 |
The Constitution was agreed on 6 April 2014. Olden Community Garden gained charitable status in August 2014. |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | Charitable Incorporated Organisation |
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Para 1.25 | Trustees are elected by the membership at the Annual General Meeting for a period of three years and may be co-opted. During the year there were seven Trustees, including the Chair, Secretary and Treasurer. Under the Constitution, the maximum permissible number is nine. |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees |
Para 1.51 | Information provided by the Charity Commission is made available. Trustees receive our Risk Assessment and copies of our policies and procedures. |
|---|---|---|
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | Olden Community Garden is managed by its Trustees, currently seven, elected by the membership and meeting as the management committee. Elected Positions include the Chair, Secretary and Treasurer. Meetings are held monthly, except in December. The charity has a simple organisational structure, with no sub- committee, though individual Trustees may take lead responsibility for different aspects of running it. Olden Community Garden works closely with Islington Council which owns the land. Islington Council is responsible for aspects of the structural integrity of the site and for maintaining the boundary walls and fences, and has an advisory role. The fencing along the boundary with the railway line is the responsibility of Network Rail. Olden Community Garden has partnerships with local community groups, to some of which we give free membership, including local children’s playgroups and community support organisations. |
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | We are supported in risk management by the London Borough of Islington which owns the land and retains responsibility for aspects of the structural integrity of the site and maintenance of the boundary fences and walls and has an advisory role. |
|---|---|---|
| Other |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Olden Community Garden |
|---|---|
| Other name the charityuses | |
| Registered charity number | 1158105 |
| Charity’s principal address | 15 Sotheby Road, London N5 2UP |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if any) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charles Waddell | Chair | |||
| Evelyn Thomas | Secretary | |||
| John Croxen | Treasurer | |||
| Jill McKeown | ||||
| Wendyda Silva | ||||
| TerryStacyMBE | ||||
| Catherine Willmore | Appointed 12th January2024 |
Management Committee |
||
Corporate trustees – names of the directors at the date the report was approved
Director name
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Description of the assets N/A held in this capacity Name and objects of the N/A charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for N/A safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
Additional information (optional)
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
| Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) | Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) | Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) |
|---|---|---|
| Type of adviser Name Address |
||
| Gardener | Maria Papoui | 62 Landseer Road, London, N19 4JP |
| Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information) | ||
| We have no staff |
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
Other optional information
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
| Signature(s) Full name(s) Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc) Date |
Charles Waddell (approved by email) |
Evelyn Thomas (approved by email) |
|---|---|---|
Hamish Charles Keith Waddell |
Evelyn Kaye Thomas | |
Chair |
Secretary | |
| 11 June 2024 | 14 June 2024 |
==> picture [132 x 26] intentionally omitted <==
| Olden Community Garden | 1158105 | |
|---|---|---|
| Receipts andpayments accounts | ||
| 01-Sep-22 For the period from |
To | 31-Aug-23 |
CC16a
| Section A Receipts and payments | Section A Receipts and payments | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A1 Receipts | Unrestricted funds to the nearest £ - - - 6,360 4,386 1,748 4,786 3,600 1,321 418 - 22,619 - - - 22,619 10,404 2,555 1,946 1,934 482 1,147 712 207 - - - 2,110 - - 3,563 422 25,482 - - - 25,482 - 2,863 - 13,467 10,604 |
Restricted funds to the nearest £ 3,000 4,000 500 - - - - - - - - 7,500 - - - 7,500 2,580 - - - - - - - - - - 3,059 143 121 420 - 6,323 - - - 6,323 1,177 - 121 1,298 |
Endowment funds to the nearest £ |
Total funds to the nearest £ 3,000 4,000 500 6,360 4,386 1,748 4,786 3,600 1,321 418 - 30,119 - - - 30,119 12,984 2,555 1,946 1,934 482 1,147 712 207 - - - 5,169 143 121 3,983 422 31,805 - - - 31,805 - 1,686 |
Last year to the nearest £ |
| Islington Council CommunityChestgrant | - | - - - - - - - - - - - - |
5,000 | ||
| Groundwork's Our Space Award | - | ||||
| LocalgivingFoundation Magic Little Grants | - | 500 | |||
| Corporate donations | 6,360 | 740 | |||
| Individual donations | 4,386 | 1,560 | |||
| Members subscriptions | 1,748 | 5,925 | |||
| Garden House bookings | 4,786 | 3,150 | |||
| Fundraisingactivity | 3,600 | 2,678 | |||
| Gift Aid | 1,321 | 890 | |||
| Miscellaneous | 418 | 6 | |||
| - | - | ||||
| Sub total(Gross income for AR) |
22,619 |
20,448 | |||
| A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table). |
|||||
| - | - - - |
||||
| - | - | ||||
| Sub total | - | - | |||
| Total receipts A3 Payments |
|||||
| - | 20,448 | ||||
| Gardeners fees for services | 10,404 | - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
8,067 | ||
| Plants, materials, equipment | 2,555 | 1,748 | |||
| Repairs, Improvements, & maintenance | 1,946 | 1,402 | |||
| Events and fundraising | 1,934 | 1,399 | |||
| Office supplies,admin,website, postage | 482 | 371 | |||
| Insurance | 1,147 | 488 | |||
| Electricity | 712 | 348 | |||
| Electrical testingand remedial works | 207 | 945 | |||
| Lawn refurbishment | - | 1,903 | |||
| Occasional labour | - | 450 | |||
| Woodland maintenance | - | 2,040 | |||
| Meadow Regenerationproject | 2,110 | - | |||
| Wildlifepondproject | - | - | |||
| Bird nestingboxes | - | 379 | |||
| New accessible patio Miscellaneous **Sub total ** |
3,563 | - | |||
| 422 | - | ||||
| 25,482 | 19,540 | ||||
| A4 Asset and investment purchases, (see table) |
|||||
| - | - - - |
||||
| - | |||||
| **Sub total ** | - | - | |||
| Total payments Net of receipts/(payments) A5 Transfers between funds A6 Cash funds last year end Cash funds this year end |
|||||
| - | 19,540 | ||||
| - 2,863 | - | 908 | |||
| - | - - |
- 13,588 |
- | ||
| 13,467 | - | ||||
| 10,604 | - | 11,902 | 908 |
CCXX R1 accounts (SS)
14/06/2024
1
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
| Categories Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees B5 Liabilities B3 Investment assets B2 Other monetary assets B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use B1 Cash funds |
Details Total cash funds (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) Details |
Details Total cash funds (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) Details |
Unrestricted funds to nearest £ 10,604 - - 10,604 OK Unrestricted funds to nearest £ |
Unrestricted funds to nearest £ 10,604 - - 10,604 OK Unrestricted funds to nearest £ |
Restricted funds to nearest £ 1,298 - - 1,298 OK Restricted funds to nearest £ |
Restricted funds to nearest £ 1,298 - - 1,298 OK Restricted funds to nearest £ |
Endowment funds to nearest £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | |||||||
| - | |||||||
| - | |||||||
| - | |||||||
| OK | |||||||
| Endowment funds to nearest £ |
|||||||
| - | - | - | |||||
| - | - | - | |||||
| - | - | - | |||||
| - | - | - | |||||
| - | - | - | |||||
| - | - | - | |||||
| Details Details Details Signature Charles Waddell(approved byemail) |
Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) - - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) - - - - - - - - - Fund to which liability relates Amount due (optional) - - - - - Print Name Hamish Charles Keith Waddell |
Current value (optional) |
|||||
| - | |||||||
| - | |||||||
| - | |||||||
| - | |||||||
| - | |||||||
| Current value (optional) |
|||||||
| - | |||||||
| - | |||||||
| - | |||||||
| - | |||||||
| - | |||||||
| - | |||||||
| - | |||||||
| - | |||||||
| - | |||||||
| When due (optional) |
|||||||
| Date of approval |
|||||||
| Charles Waddell(approved byemail) | Hamish Charles Keith Waddell | 12-Jun-24 | |||||
CCXX R2 accounts (SS)
14/06/2024
2
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Se¢iion A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trustee81 nxmb•r8 of Olden Cornmunity Garden On accounts for the year •nded 31.8.2023 Charlty no Irf any) 1158105 Sot out on pagw I rerxjrt to the tru51888 my exaMInatTh of th8 8ccounts ol the above charity l.the Trusfl forth8 y88r ended 3110812023. Ro8pon81bllMl•s and As Ihe charity trustees of the Trust, you are reswnsiUe for the preparation ba515 of roport of the ac(x)unts in a¢cordanco wth th8 requir8ments of the char(t Aet 20111.the Acr'i. I report in respect of rny exarninatlon of the Trust's accounls carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in Carrying out my examinaiion, I have followed the apJirAbl8 Direcuons given by th8 Ch&rity Commts&c under section 14515llbl of the Act. I havè cornplet8d my examination. I confimi that no material matters have come to my attention In lneCtiOn with th8 8xarninn wh5d) give5 m8 cause to believ8 that in, any material respect.. acra)unting r6eord5 wer8 not kept in a{[(1nCe wrth secth)n 130 01 the Act or Ihe acrywnts do Th)t alOrd with Ihe act4)unting COrdS Ind•p•ndtrnt oxamlngr's Statgm•nt I h8ve no CA)nmS and hav8 come across no other matters in (xne¢t)n with th8 examinatv)n towhith attention should be draym in order to enabb a proper unders¢andlrKJ of thè accounts lo be a¢tted. Slgned: 27.5.2024 Nam•: Philip David hAI(kJleton Rel•vant professfonal quallft¢atlonl81 or body Ill any): Addr•ss: 77 HighbLtry Hill London N5 1SX S¢ction B Disclosure Only wtnplete if the examinpr need5 to highlight matters of concern (see CC32, Ind8P8ndent examination of charity aceounts.. diredKJns and gUWJan for exarninersl. IER Octobèr 2018
hore brlof dots118 01 any Items that the mlnw wlshes to dl8¢108e. IER O¢tober 2018