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← Olden Community Garden

2024-08-31-accounts

Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From 1 September 2023 Period start date To 31 August 2024 Period end date Charity name: OLDEN COMMUNITY GARDEN

Charity registration number:

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 Islington 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 families and guests
during daylight hours every day during the
year.
Olden Community Garden is maintained by
volunteers, members and non-members,
under the leadership of part-time
professional gardeners. On our weekly
Open Days, a part-time professional
gardener leads volunteers. In addition, our
monthly Saturday Open Days attract
volunteers and families. All are welcome to
come along to make new friends and learn
more about the garden or 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, many of whom
do not have their own garden.
We completed the regeneration of our
wildflower meadow and created a butterfly
garden, with the help of the grant received
last year from Groundwork’s Our Space
Award for biodiversity enhancement. We
completed the creation of a wildlife pond,
funded by a grant received last year from
Local Giving’s Magic Little Grants.
Our successful application to Islington
Council’s Community Chest provided funds
to help pay our part-time gardeners and to
purchase some accessible tools.
We successfully applied to National
Gardens Scheme Community Grants for a
grant to repair our raised vegetable beds.
We also successfully applied to Islington
Giving Make It Happen Fund for a grant for
planting in a shaded area of the garden.
Remedying the effects of landslip on the
terracing on our steep railway siding site is
an ongoing challenge and is costly.
Volunteers started replacing the rotten
wooden sleepers with reclaimed wooden
railway sleepers that we bought.
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
Other Olden Community Garden encourages
volunteers to be involved in gardening to
help reduce isolation and improve
wellbeing. During the year over 150
volunteers supported the charity in many
ways, including volunteer gardening in
Olden Community Garden. Others helped
with our public events and with
administration of the Charity. Though our
partnerships with The BIG Alliance and a
local company, groups of corporate
volunteers also helped in the garden.

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 Islington.
Maria, one of our two part-time gardeners,
led our volunteer gardening and advised
the trustees, while Caroline led 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.

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
and to deliver our grant funded projects.
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 £5,878
Reasons for holding zero
reserves		 Para 1.22
Details of fund materially in
deficit		 Para 1.24
Explanation of any
uncertainties about the
charity continuing as a going
concern		 Para 1.23
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, donations for bookings for the
Garden House and events, and the surplus
from our music festival, together with
grants.
We received £5,000 from Islington
Council’s Community Chest, £4,695 from
National Garden Scheme Community
Garden Grants, and £500 from Islington
Giving’s Make It Happen Fund.
Investment policy and
objectives including any
social investment policy
adopted		 Para 1.46
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 appointed by the
committee to vacant positions. During the
year there were eight 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		 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 constitutional documents, 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 eight, elected by the
membership and meeting as the
management committee. Elected Positions
include the Chair, Secretary and Treasurer.
Management committee meetings are held
approximately monthly. 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 groups 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 charity uses
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 (ifany)
Charles Waddell Chair
Evelyn Thomas Secretary
Danny Olive Treasurer Appointed 12thAugust
2024		 Management Committee
Jill McKeown
Wendyde Silva
TerryStacyMBE
Catherine Willmore Appointed 12thJanuary
2024		 Management Committee
John Croxen

– 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 held in this capacity

Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets

Additional information (optional)

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)

Type of Name Address adviser Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)

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
06/01/2025
06/01/2025
Olden Community Garden Olden Community Garden Olden Community Garden 1158105 1158105
Receipts andpayments accounts CC16a
For the period
from
~~ee~~		 01-Sep-23 31-Aug-24
To
~~e~~
~~ee~~
Section A Receipts and payments
~~ee~~
Unrestricted
funds		 Restricted
funds		 Endowment
funds		 Total funds Total funds Last year
to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £
A1 Receipts
Islington Council CommunityChestgrant - 5,000 - 5 5,000 3,000
Groundwork's Our Space Award - - - - - 4,000
LocalgivingFoundation Magic Little Grants - - - - - 500
National Garden Scheme Community
Gardengrant		 - 4,695 - 4,695 4,695
grant - 500 - 500 500
Corporate donations 1,780 - 1 1,780 1,748
Individual donations 1,002 1 1,002 4,386
Donations via Local Giving 169 169 169
Members subscriptions 4,750 4 4,750 6,360
Garden House bookings 4,041 4 4,041 3,600
Fundraisingactivity 4,933 4 4,933 4,786
Gift Aid 999 - 999 999 1,321
Miscellaneous 292 - 292 292 418
Sub total(Gross income for AR) (Gross income for AR)17,966 10,195 - 28,161 28,161 30,119
A2 Asset and investment sales,
(see table).
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Sub total -
-
-
-
-
~~eS~~
Total receipts
A3 Payments		 17,966
10,195
-
28,161
30,119
~~9~~
Gardeners fees for services 5,525 4,697 - 10 10,222 12,984
Plants, materials, equipment 2,593 - - 2 2,593 2,555
Repairs, Improvements, & maintenance 2,301 - - 2 2,301 1,946
Events and fundraising 2,576 - - 2 2,576 1,934
Accessiblepatio - - - - - 3,983
Office supplies, admin, website,postage 340 - - 340 340 482
Insurance 445 - - 445 445 1,147
Electricity 840 - - 840 840 712
Electrical testingand remedial works - - - - - 207
Accessible tools - 303 - 303 303 -
Meadow Project Our Space Award - 941 - 941 941 3,059
Meadow Project 212 - - 212 212 2,110
Magic Little Grants wildlifepond - 357 - 357 357 143
Magic Little Grants bird boxes - - - - - 121
Publicitymaterials 636 - - 636 636 -
Miscellaneous 244 - - 244 244 422
- - - - - -
**Sub total ** 15,712 6,298 - 22,010 22,010 31,805
A4 Asset and investment
purchases, (see table)
-
-
-
-
~~-~~
~~-~~
~~-~~
~~-~~
Sub total -
-
-
-
-
Total payments
15,712
6,298
-
22,010
31,805
~~SSS~~
~~Ce) Ce) eee) Le) eee)~~
Net of receipts/(payments)
A5 Transfers between funds
A6 Cash funds last year end
Cash funds this year end		 2,254
3,897
- 6,151
-
- -
10,604
1,298
-
12,858
5,195
- 18,053
~~===~~		 - 6,151
- 18,053
 - 6,151
- 1,686
-
-
11,902
-
- 18,053
- 1,686
~~==~~

CCXX R1 accounts (SS)

1 07/01/2025

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
CCXX R2 accounts (SS)		 Details
Details
Total cash funds
(agree balances with receipts and payments
account(s))
Details
Details
Details
Signature
Charles Waddell(approved byemail)
~~2~~		 Unrestricted
funds
to nearest £		 Unrestricted
funds
to nearest £		 Restricted
funds
to nearest £		 Restricted
funds
to nearest £		 Endowment
funds
to nearest £
12,858 5,195 -
- - -
- - -
12,858 5,195 -
OK
Endowment
funds
to nearest £
-
-
-
-
-
-
Current value
(optional)
-
-
-
-
-
Current value
(optional)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
When due
(optional)
Date of
approval
20/10/2024
~~07/01/2025~~

CCXX R2 accounts (SS)

CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report rn•mborn of Olden Ciynmunty Garden Charity On accounts for the year onded Charity no (If any) 1158105 Sot oul on pag•s I repjrt to the trustees on my examination of the act￿nts of Ihe above Charity fft Trusf) for the year ended 31108r2024. osponslbllltles and As the charity trustees of the TnJsL you are responsib￿ for the preparation basls of rèport of the acct)unts in accordance with the requirBments of the Charities Act 2011 fthe AL). I report in restc of my exarrunatmjn of the Trusfs acffjunts carried out under sectTron 145 of the 2011 Ad and in carrying (xjl my examination, I have followed Ihe appliCa￿e Directiorts givan by the Charity Commission uThJer section 145(5Xbl of the Acl. I have completed my examination. l ￿)n￿rn that no material matters have come to my attention in connectton with the examination vthith gives me cause to believe that in. any material resFd: accountirKJ records were not kept in accordan￿ vrith section 130 of the Act or the accounts do wxord ¥￿th the ac£(MJnting re¢4yd5 Independent examinerfs slatement th the examination to which attents'on should be drawn in order lo enable proper uThlerstsndirwJ d the ac(xwnts to be ￿a¢had. Slgn•d: 2611012024 Name: Philip David Middlet Relevant wofessional quallfficatlon{s) or body Ilf any): Address: NIA 7T Highbury Hill LoThJon N5 1SX Section B Disclosure Only ¢CffjFAete if the examiner needs to hKJhlKJht matters of concem l$ee CC32, Independent examinati￿ of charity accounts: directions and guidancE for examiners). IER October 2018