Trustees Annual Report for The Friends of Childs Hill Park 2021/22
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 2021 to March 2022
This was the year in which stringent Covid restrictions were gradually lifted and life in the park returned to normal. This resulted in a full year of activity which has much enhanced our park.
Great British Spring Clean
Users care very much about the cleanliness of the park. There is good evidence that the cleaner the surroundings the less litter is dropped. On Wednesday 2 June we joined the Great British Spring Clean and volunteers of all ages turned up to help clean the park. I am pleased to report that the amount of litter collected was significantly less than the previous time we had a Spring Clean.
Although there are always a few people who drop water bottles and cigarette butts, the park continues to look impressively well cared for. This is much helped by Barnet Council who now clean and empty bins every day including weekends so there is no build-up of rubbish.
The Picnic Grove
This year saw the completion of the new picnic grove. So many people had worked so hard to bring this project to completion that LBBarnet and the Friends of Childs Hill Park wanted to celebrate its opening.
The ceremonial opening was held on September 12[th] . The Mayor of Barnet, Cllr Alison Cornelius, was greeted by a guard of honour from the Eagles United players. The Mayor then cut the ribbon and planted a beautiful liquidambar tree which had been donated by the Friends.
There was lots of fun for the children. Professor James performed a delightful Punch and Judy show. Damaris Lecky organised parachute games for the younger children and Veton Majzini of Eagles United arranged popular sports
activities for the older children. The afternoon was rounded off with tea in the Café.
Japanese Sakura Cherry Trees
We were fortunate to receive 22 beautiful large Sakura cherry trees, a gift from the government of Japan symbolising the friendship between Britain and Japan. On 21 November we invited members of the Japanese
community to join us in planting the trees. We planted an avenue of trees along the path from the Hodford Road entrance and a circle near the orchard. Each tree was surrounded with bulbs.
It was a delight to see the first blossoms in Spring 2022 underplanted with daffodils and tulips.
Electric Scooters
Very sadly there was a serious accident when an electric scooter ran into a young child. Barnet Green Spaces responded quickly, erecting notices making clear that it is forbidden to ride electric scooters in the park. It continues to be an occasional problem and we have to remain vigilant.
Acknowledgements
We are very grateful for the help and assistance which enables us to operate as a voluntary group.
Diggers
Our volunteers,The Diggers, benefit from the leadership and expertise of Sally Wasser. The Diggers make sure the
flower beds are well maintained and regularly planted with new plants and bulbs. Everyone enjoys the colourful displays, and they ensure bio-diversity by providing nectar for the bees and butterflies.
Barnet Council
We have continuing support from the teams at Green Spaces and the Tree Section. This has included 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 rely wholly on grants and donors for our income. We appreciate all who give to support our work.
The management committee and members
The management committee give freely of their skills and time, enabling our successful projects. Avni and Jehona, managers of the Café, support our Diggers with hot coffee. Our members give us feedback, support and turn up to celebrate landmarks with us.
Financial Report
Attached are the certified accounts for 2021/22.
As of March 2022 we were £7506.61 in surplus.
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 request to friendschp@gmail.com. Committee members are elected by the membership.
The membership is kept in touch with park developments by electronic newsletter, park notice boards, the Facebook page and the AGM. 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 2022 31 Morch 2021 31 March 2022 Income and Expenditure Account Grants o. LBB 9rant kUrO Trees LBB refreshment grant t)0rlOn$ 2.960.00 0.00 14.17 2,110.00 2.110.00 2,974.17 30.08 Plants 186.57 0.00 Sokura PlantiThJ Open Day Tree purchase & planti 2 benches 205.21 0.1 218.40 o.(K) 2,000.00 0.00 Equipment 31.00 1.096.00 Grasses Garden plants Sensory Garden 0.00 4.166.87 5.292.95 Total EXndIt 2,641.18
{3182.95) 10,356.57 rylus/l)eficit for year 8/Fwd as at l April 2021 C/Fwd as at l April 2022 332.99 7,173.62 7.173.62 7.506.61 Balance Sheet at 31 Mi)rch 2022 7.173.62 Cash at bank and in hand 7.506.61 Accountants Report I have inspected the above Balance Sheet and Income and Expenditure Account for the year ending 31 March 2022. The books, records and information were presented to me and conf irm they are in accordance therewith. Monroe Palmer OBE FCA