GOATWALKLANIyfRUST Matthews Hall Fore Street Topsham EXEfER EX3 OHF Registered Charity No 1162973 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR 1 SEPTEMBER 2024 TO 31 AUGUST 2025 The Charity commi&sn requires all charftles to submit an annual report contslnlng certain infomwtion induding details of a tharitys a(wunts, its management and compliance the objects ofthe charity. Accordingly, the fomiat ofthis annual report, whith covers the Trusf s Finaneial Year to 31 August 2025, is similar to the reports of previous years and for the benefft of new memters. it indudes a brief synopsis of how the Trust is managad as wBII as report on Ir stewardship of th8 kand duriNJ the Tho Tru•t'• Orlglns In February 2015, a successful, iolnt appeal by the Topsham Communlty Associatlon and the Topsham s( raised over £300,000 to purchase the Goat Walk Land, beSng 6 acres of land between the Goat Walk and BowllfYJ Green Road in Topsham, for the benefit of the people of Topsham. A Ch8rltable Incorporated Organisation, known as th6 Goat Walk Land TNSt (GWLT). was 8Stablish8d to own and manage the land with the object, set out in its ¢x)nstitution, of °the mainten8nL¥ of the mral envlronment and henTtage of th8 his¥C town of Topsham Ihrough the preserwaNon and enhancem8nt, without any pemyanent bulldings, of Ihe Goat Walk land for the quiet enjoyment and pleasurn of the residents of Topsham and vlsltlng members of the public at large.. T Tru8t••8 The Trust's consthtlon provldes for seven trustees to hold office for three years although they May hdd offi(* for Iwo further three-year periods. The current truste88 are Lynn OnyetL Slmon Brlscoe, Jenny Jones, John HaThvood, John Bryant and Kathryn Jamas. John Bryant is stepping down as trustee at the 2026 AGM. We are very grateful for his expert input on the nalural environment and diverse plant life Inhabiting our18nd and hls be8Utlful photryJr8phs, many of whlth Illustrate our b51t0. The consfjtutlon provldes forthree trustees to be 8lect8d by members. Each year. one of the88- the longest standlng- must ti bul is welcome to stand again for election. John Harwood is therefore due to staThl dNn but has agre&J to stand again. The Trustees are pleased to support his applicztion. If John Haphiood and Kathryn James remain as the elecled trustees, this leaves 8 V8nCY for 8 further elected trustee and applications are wel(xime. At the last 2025 AGM Peter Gray retired from his trustee role but has (a)ntinued to diligently manage the administration of the momborship and sub3criptions. He is handing that task over to Simon Briscoe going fward and the Tfustees wanted to
GOATWALKLANryfRUST record their gratitude for his hard Work and dedication (Ner the years to supp(Yt the GWLT and to help further its aims. embershlp The Trust was establlshed as a ChaTilable Incorporated Organlsatlon wlth a membership stheme which not only provides the in(x)me to fund the WO of the Trust and voting rights but also enables the community to becoTh more involved in the management of the land by volunteering, for example, as members of the worklng parties. Due to the significant work of the Trustees and our m8mb8rs in embracing s181 media and in highlighting the existen of the land and the Trust at varlous local avents. for example th8 "Join the Club" ev8nL in additi{ to numerous leaflets being hand posted through many lettefboxes. we were pleased to see that our efft)rts to boost membership to help cover the rise in costs has been successful. We currently have around 280 members. a rise of 15% over the year. We will continue our drive to recrult new mombers In thls comlng year. A Management Committee was Set up by the Trust to deal wlth th8 datdaY management of the land and to help the Trustees to develop a strategy %thlch ddlvers the Trusys aims and objectives that the land should b6 accessible, sustainable, Nral In nature, simple to manage and for the quiet enjoyment of all. Members are appolnted to the Management Committee by the Trustees to whom they are responsible. John Harwood is the Chalr of thls Commlttee. arKI the Trustees are extremely gratefvl for all the work that he and the members ofthe Management Commlttee do. Wtthout thelr efft)rts it would not be possible to manage the land as effectively as it has been. Ten years ago, at the 2016 AGM an annual membershlp fee of £10 was approved on the basis Ihat this would cover the rK)rnial annual running costs of the Trust. The cost of the mainlenance and insurance of the land has conts'nued to increase significantly this year. Taking into acmunt the reserves (as d8tai18d on th8 attached accounts), some stand-alone (k)nakns made to the Trust and with some members having voluntsrily increased their donations to £15, the base membership fee has remained at £10. In the light of present and proposed work as detailed in the report from the Management Committee. the Trustees would encourage existing members who have not already done so, to increase their stsnding orders or other fomi of payment to the recommended £15 or more. While som8 rrnmb8rs already generously pay more than the recommended minimum these additional sums alone wdl not provide a sufficient boost to our operating funds and, in tlme, the trustees may have to consider an increase to th8 minimum annual membership fee to £15. Management of the Land The Goat Walk land inUeS to provKle value to the community by ensuring an open. natural environment for th8 enjoyment of the people of Topsham and for many w5itors throughwt Ihe year. It provldes green space for quiet exercisa, away from public roads. The native trees and local varieties of apples which were planted at the start of the Trust are now 88lablished and have forméd a natural extension of the woodland. The vanety of wiiafiowers conunues to Increase and bflng pkasure w ali wno see them. Page 2
GOATWALKLANiyfRUST We continue to fa<x challenges in arranglng the tling of the fields. In order that the wildfk)wers are able to form viable seeds we need to wait until late summer to cut the grass. Unfortunately. this is often when the contractors are most busy cutting hay crops. The small size of our land and its evolwThJ fertilty mean that in recent years the hay crop is not sufficiently valuable for agricultural contra(aors to undertake the work in exchange ft)r the crop. We conlracted for the grass to be cut this year but the issue around cost remains under r8VithV. The Trust has to date tsken a cautK)US approath to alterations to the land and a'hands off approach to ManeMent of the trees whi18 tsking into account the advice sought from professional tree surveyor5 regarding safety and prudent maintenance. Work was undertaken to deal with the fallen Turkey Oak. removrng much of the18afy CAnopy whilè leaving the main trunk and larger branches of the tree where it fell in order to prowda a home for a divergty of wildlife. An issu8 that We have in comnK)n wilh other (xmnmunity space is the presence of one or more rough sleepers both In the copse and. on occasion. on tha open areas of the land. The copse area has been actively bjt sensitively manag8d to discourag8 any camping there and we continue to liaise with k)cal poli and countil representatives on solutions to help th8 rwgh $18eperls find fte suitable accommodation. Further detalls of the work carried out by the fvlanagement Commlttee In the last financial year together with (x)mment on their plans for the current year can be found In the Management Commlttee Report attacw. Actlvlt188 W8 r8POrted last year at the AGM that the Truslees fO(S goiTrJ forward was to raise the profile of the land and Its av8ilabllty to the communty and its visltors for everyone to enjoy this peaceful and unspoiled spai%. We are delighted that the aims were fvrthered by two specrfic highllghts. In January 25 the annual Topsham Wassail took place on the GWLT land. This was the first time we have hosled the event and with the invaluable help arKI co-operation of the Topsham Allotments and Gardens So(xety (TAGS) and musical support from The Topsham Folk Club around 70 people were able to enjoy and continue the wassalllng tradltlon around our native apFAe trees wlth an evening of music, mulled cider and treats and we ar8 happy that this (x)Ilabor8tion is to ntinue with TAGS and The Folk Club on fuiure events. Another stated aim of the Trust was to encxxjrage tr* younger member3 of our community to explore armj experien( th8 land and the natural environment in positive way. Topsham Museum requested to host its Storyielling events on the land from May 25 through to October 25 and the Trustees were delighted to agree and work with them to facilitste these s10nS for the families that attend&J. This successful activity and collaboration with the Museum is 8cMnething we will be happy to cLtinUe, and we are keen to expkxe other 0[wnitIeS to use the land snpatheticallY with our community partners.
GOATWALKLANIyfRUST statenwnts The Trust is required as part of ts annual return to the Charity Commission to indude details of any serious incidents durirvj the year. The Trustees ar8 able to confinn that there have been no issues relating to fraud or financial crime; no unverified or suspicious donatK)ns; no significant financial losses; no safeguarding Issues, or any other serious incAdents. The Trust has no paid employees or advisors and does not make grants lo individuals or other organisaliorts. This is a report of the Trusfs activitses for th8 year to 31 August 2025. The woodland and meadThvs continue to thrive. and any changes wlll be gradual and consistent with the Trust's objects and principles. The Trustees remain committed to keep the Goat Walk land a place of quiet enjOynt for the people of Topsham and Its vlsltors. Lynn Ony8tt Chalr of Trusiees Page 4
srATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTlVtTIES FOR YEAR ENDED 3110812025 Restricled Unrgstrlcted Total Funds Funds Funds Total 2024-25 2023-24 Incomlng Resources Membership subscriptions DonatK)ns GrftAKt AGM bar surplus Wayleave payment Bank inlerest Other income 3657 3145 741 35 97 653 100 3657 3145 741 3657 3145 741 35 97 653 100 3563 500 724 13 90 144 97 653 100 Total Incom• 8427 8427 8427 5034 Resources Exponded Web sile Publicty Meadows Ttsjls and materiaL8 Trees Hedges Maintenance Path repairs Insurance Bank charges 497 457 -1128 235 15 805 30 -1970 -85 -55 428 330 411 60 Governanc8 AGM Meetings room hirè 42 191 .150 Total expendlturn 4925 2119 SuTrlus 24-25 3502 2915
Goat Walk Land Trust - Balance Sheet as at 31st August 2025 Re8trtctod Unre8trlcted Total Funds Fund Funds Total Funds Flxed Assets Communty Land 300505 300505 300505 Current Asset8 Debtors HMRC Gfft Ad 741 741 741 724 Cash at CAF Bank Cash at Lk)yds Bank Cash at ShawtrKook Bank 2398 14370 2CQOO 2398 14370 20000 2398 14370 20000 945 12337 20000 Llabllltlos None Net Assets 300505 37508 338013 338013 394511 The Fund8 of thè Charfty Funds BIF 24-25 334511 3502 331596 2915 Total Fundg 338013 334517
CHARITY (OMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Soctlon A Independent Examin•f$ Report Report to the tn13tses The Goat Walk Land Trust On accounts for ihe year i 31108r25 ended Charity no ' 1162973 {if any) i Set out on pages I report to the Iruslees on my examination of Ihe accounts of the above ¢harily 1.the Trust.) for the year ended 3110812025 Responslbiltll¢s and basis of roport As the charity's trustees, you are responsible lor the preparation of the accounts in aCCdanCe with the requirements of the Chanties Act 2011 ('the Act") I report in resped of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination. I have followed all the appliCate Diredions gNen by tho Charity Commission undef section 145(5)(b) of the Act. Indepondent I have completed my examination I confirm that no materi81 matters have examiner's statement come to my allenlion in connection with the examination which gives me cause lo believe that in. any material respect.. the a¢¢ounling record$ were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the ChantEs Act," OT the accounts did not accord wth th8 accounting records." or the accounts dKI not ¢omply with the applicable requirements conceming the fom) and conlenl of accoun15 Set out in the Chanties (Accounts and Reports} Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair view which Is not a matter considered as part of an Irependent examination. I have no concems and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination lo which attention should be drawn In this report in order lo enable a proper understanding of the arxounts lo be rea¢hed. Sign. Oate: Name: Geoffrey Wilkinson Relevant professional qualificationls) or body lif any): Address: 2 Tresillian Gardens. Topsham. Exeter. EX3 OBA IER Oct 2018
Section 8 Disclosure Only complete If the examiner needs to h1ghlight material matters of concern (see CC32. Independent examination of chanty accounts. directions and guidarice for examiner5) Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose IER Oc12018