Trustees Annual Report for The Friends of Childs Hill Park 2020/21
Purpose
The Friends of Childs Hill Park is a registered charity no. 1162364 which exists to conserve and protect the environment of the park, to educate park users about local plants and wildlife and to develop a beautiful space for play, sport and recreation.
Local people have a sense of ownership and pride in their park. We invite volunteers to join in various park activities and to become members of the Friends. We currently have 304 members who receive regular updates about the park. Membership is free.
Achievements April 2020 to March 2021
This year has been shaped by Covid. It brought home to everyone the true value of the park, which remained open whilst other amenities progressively shut down. Local residents took exercise, chatted with friends at a safe distance, picnicked and relaxed.
Increased usage presented challenges. There was a serious litter problem. The enforced closure of the café and the cessation of night time locking led to more anti-social behaviour. Community police put in a major effort to keep us safe and this was a real help. Over the Summer, L.B.Barnet increased its litter collection and the park was notably cleaner by the end of the year.
Despite Covid, there was substantial progress on our major projects.
The Picnic Grove
By June 2020 the architects had completed proposed designs of the Picnic Grove. We then went to a second round of consultation about the detailed finishes and choice of play equipment. Early in 2021 construction began and by March the construction work was virtually complete. A locked hidden area (the former bowling green) opened up, and a large additional usable space was added to the park. Its gentle grassy undulations and large accessible picnic benches have proved enormously popular with park users.
Nant Road Bed
As part of the same project the Nant Road bed was completely cleared of weeds and snowberries and the soil was improved. A row of overgrown leylandii was felled allowing light to reach the bed. Meadowgrass, full of wild flower seeds, was planted, to be followed by a backing edge of pyracantha. During the Spring, the bed had its first bright red poppies.
Sakura Cherry Trees
We were fortunate to be given 25 Sakura cherry trees by the Japanese Association of Great Britain. The first three arrived during this reporting period and were planted on International Women’s Day. (The balance of 22 trees were planted in Autumn 2021).
Acknowledgements
We are very grateful for the help and assistance which enables us to operate as a voluntary group:
The Diggers: our team of volunteers organised and led by Sally Wasser, who do so much to plant and maintain our beautifully tended beds.
The Harington Scheme: Our long-term partners. The team of interns led by Martin Butler use Childs Hill Park as a training base. They make a significant contribution to the maintenance of the park
Barnet Council: We have continuing support from the team at Green Spaces and the tree section. This includes more litter collection, increased community security patrols and help to develop our plans for the park.
Grant givers and donors: We do not charge for
membership and we rely wholly on grants and donors for our income. We are grateful for all those who give so generously.
Our members and management committee: Our ` use the park and café, give us feedback, turn up for volunteering
days and appreciate the improvements. Our committee give freely of their skills and time, enabling our successful projects.
Financial Report
Attached are the certified accounts for 2020/21.
As of March 2021 we were £7,173 in surplus, including some funds committed to the completion of the Picnic Grove and the Nant Road bed.
Governance
The Friends of Childs Hill Park is a registered charity, run by a committee some of whom are trustees. A list of Committee members and trustees is available on application to friendschp@gmail.com. Committee members are elected by the Friends’ membership, which is available to all at no charge. Our A.G.M. was delayed due to Covid and was held virtually on 2 November 2021.
The membership is kept in touch with park developments by electronic newsletters, the park notice boards, a Facebook page and at the A.G.M, If there is an important decision to be made the membership and other local residents are consulted in writing.
Ingrid Posen
Chair, Friends of Childs Hill Park
Friends of Childs Hill Park Registered Charity No 1162364 Accounts to 31 March 2021 31 March 2020 31 March 2021 Income and Expenditure Account 2.910.00 247.08 Grants Brent X Sensory G Orchard Project 0.00 0.00 375.00 Sundry DonatioThs 2.110.00 3,532.08 z,iio.00 414.00 221.46 7.353.00 0.00 140.08 Rose Garden Plants Grasses Bed Sensory Garden Equipment 0.00 30.08 1.096.00 4.166.87 0.00 (4.596.46) Surplus/(Deficit] for year B/fwd as at l April 2020 Bal. C/fwd as at 31 March 2021 (3.182.95) 10,356.57 7.173.62 10,356.57 Cash at bank and in hand 7.173.62 Accountants Report I have inspected the above Balance Sheet and Incorne and Expenditure Account for the year ending 31 March 2021. The books, records and inforniation were presented to me and confirm they are in accordance therewith. Monroe Palmer OBE, FCA