i+r Hampshire Gardens Trust Annual Report 2022
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
Since most Covid restrictions were lifted earlier this year, the Hampshire Gardens Trust team has been able to return to a much more normal pattern of Spring and Summer events and activities – which is a refreshing change after the last two years of the pandemic. We are very grateful to our small team of volunteers and supporters who have made this happen, and we remain as determined as ever to make certain that we continue to operate in a very positive way to support our on-going ambitions. In particular, since its launch in February 2021, we have further developed our growing programme of Garden Plans for Schools (GPfS). We continue to use our expertise in Conservation & Development and Research to help us generate wider public interest and nurture Hampshire’s most significant and historic gardens, parks and designed landscapes.
We achieve our core aims and responsibilities through the work of our three main teams who focus on Conservation & Development , Research and Education (including GPfS). The separate Events team creates a programme of relevant visits and talks to inspire HGT members and guests – and this helps to generate a little revenue, as well as broaden our marketing efforts. We are also very grateful for the work carried out by Jo Bolt, our energetic administrator, who achieves extraordinary results in the 3+ days she works each week. In addition to the main group of volunteers and trustees, HGT is dependent on the participation of its members.
The HGT Education Team, led by Jill Walmsley, has attracted new volunteers, especially in relation to the GPfS programme which continues to grow. We now have 3 locations where we help support schools with the introduction of an ‘edible playground’ and have plans to raise additional funds for 2 or 3 new schools in 2023. Generally, the GPfS work relies on matched funding with participating schools so that we secure full engagement and cost-effective structure, all of which is closely managed by a growing number of volunteers as well as a part-time professional gardener.
Following Hampshire County Council’s (HCC) recent decision to withdraw funding we now need to focus on fundraising and are currently on the lookout for a new trustee to help with this project.
In spite of recent challenges, HGT has managed to control costs and maintain our momentum as we have increased membership over the last 2 years, and we plan to continue to broaden our membership base. The Research Group’s work, led by Sally Miller, continues its work to trace the history of Hampshire’s plant and tree nurseries and will soon be publishing the results of their efforts. The C&D team, led by Mike Ricketts, has kept a close eye on any new property developments that may threaten historical sites throughout Hampshire – as well as maintaining the county Register of parks, gardens and designed landscapes on behalf of HCC.
Whilst we are acutely aware of the threat of a cost of living crisis and recession, the HGT Trustees remain optimistic about future developments and are grateful to our President, Alan Titchmarsh, who lends his support to our activities when the opportunity arises.
Ted Wake Chairman
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Honorary Treasurer’s Annual Report
Results and Funds
The results for the year ended 31 March 2022 show a surplus for the year of £12,199. This is made up by a surplus of £14,350 on restricted funds and a deficit of £2,151 on unrestricted funds.
The restricted fund surplus results from the further donations for the Garden Plans for Schools Fund.
As far as the unrestricted fund is concerned, the year was once again affected by covid. However, the Zoom Lectures continued to provide much-needed additional income for the unrestricted fund, along with the very successful garden visits. Expenditure totalling £35,909 was, once again, kept well under control, resulting in the small deficit. This was a satisfactory outcome in the circumstances.
Cash at bank at 31 March 2022 amounted to just over £68,541, with net assets of £66,710.
Reserves Policy
Money continues to be set aside in designated funds for conservation and development (£5,500) and for education (£2,000). There also continues to be a need for some emergency conservation work.
In addition, it is deemed prudent to retain sufficient funds to meet at least six months normal expenditure.
Richard Green-Wilkinson Honorary Treasurer
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RESEARCH GROUP
Like many groups we lost a few members post pandemic but gained two new ones. However we do need to recruit more and we welcome anyone who has an interest in the history of Hampshire’s parks and gardens. There are sites still to research and projects to get involved with: all new recruits get an induction and as much help and support as they need. So do come and join us! In the first instance please contact our administrator on admin@hgt.org.uk.
The three new research projects we began in 2021 are still on-going and we are very pleased that Hampshire Record Office is again accessible although with reduced opening. The archives housed there are vital to our work.
The aim of our historic plant nurseries project is to identify significant plant nurseries in Hampshire from the mid18th century when provincial nurseries first appeared, to the early 20th century. When we researched Herriard Park in 2018, for our book about Humphry Repton’s work there in the last decade of the eighteenth century, we discovered the North Warnborough nursery of John Armstrong. A few others were known to have existed, but none had been properly researched, apart from Hilliers[i] . Work this year has added substantially to the list, including some unknown names drawn to our attention by HGT members. Plant nursery records are notoriously fragmented and difficult to piece together: nurseries changed hands quite frequently and many records were lost or destroyed in the process. We are creating a database which will be accessible on our research website and we plan in the coming year to publish our research and offer talks on the interesting stories of generations of Hampshire nursery men and women, some of whom specialised in raising new or exotic plants.
A serendipitous result of further research into the Armstrong family was the discovery that John Armstrong’s son became a plant hunter in Australia and Timor, sending back plant samples and seeds to Kew. We are continuing to research his life.
A key lesson of the pandemic was that green space near residential areas is vital for health and well-being when little else is accessible. Pre-pandemic we had completed our survey of urban parks updating a 1997 HCC Survey, but that covered only 6 of HCC's 11 Districts and excluded the two Unitary Authorities of Southampton and Portsmouth. In 2021 we started work on a second stage of this project, recording the condition of the remaining urban parks in the county. Southampton is well served by SCAPPS (Southampton Commons and Parks Protection Society), so the project group started with Portsmouth. That survey was completed this year – it is excellent - and it is available to download from our research website http://research.hgt.org.uk Portsmouth is endowed with many historic parks and the researchers were impressed with the design, quality and good levels of maintenance they found.
There are 61 parks and gardens in Hampshire listed by Historic England but most of the entries have not been updated since the turn of the century. It is important to update these records not least because the historic significance of sites can be damaged by inappropriate changes or the impact of development schemes. We need some new researchers to help with this project!
Eleven years ago, we took over from Hampshire Country Council the task of maintaining the Hampshire Inventory of Historic Parks and Gardens and this continues to be a key responsibility. I am extremely grateful to Janice Bennetts who, although officially ‘retired’ continues to update the Inventory as
needed and has worked on the Urban Parks project including compiling and publishing the finished research to a very high standard.
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I have now been leading the Research Group for many years and I appreciate the hard work. advice and support from those who have helped me to run the group: Sheila Carey-Thomas, Dee Clift, Janet Hurrell and Helen Powell.
Sally Miller Chair, Research Team
1 ‘Hillier, The Plants, The People, The Passion’ by Jean Hillier is available from www.hillieronline.co.uk
CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT
The day-to-day work of the Team has continued apace in responding to planning consultations and enquiries, in liaison with the Research Group and The Gardens Trust throughout the past year. The Team has managed to maintain normal activity and keeping in touch working mostly remotely together with the odd Zoom meeting. However, in October, some of us were able to meet together in person for a catch-up and to pay a site visit to our proposed environmental improvement project in for the riverside Memorial Garden in New Alresford. The site is a small open space (which is dedicated to those lost in the Great War, but has become overgrown in part and itself lost some of its original features) adjacent to the riverside footpath and is popular walk for the local community and for visitors. Following a start-up grant of £490 for a site survey last year, Russell Gordon-Smith has kindly taken on the job of consulting with the Town Council and has designed a proposal for further consideration. It is intended that this should now go out for further public consultation and sources of funding will be explored. Earlier this year, the Team also gave a grant of £500 towards the Aldershot Military Museum Remembrance Garden which has recently been completed.
After a slightly slow start to the year, planning consultations eventually began come on stream and over the past year the Team, together with the Research Group and in liaison with The Garden Trust have dealt with over thirty enquiries. The following are a selection of the main planning and site consultations in the districts that were responded to, or are being monitored, since January 2022:- The Elvetham Hotel, Hart; Shepwood House, Hart; Minley Manor, Hart; Brockhurst Park; Grange Park, Northington; Hackwood Park; Chawton Park Farm; Bramshill House; Victoria Park, Portmouth; Pylewell, Lymington; King john’s Hunting Lodge, Odiham Common; Rhinefield Lodge, New Forest; Havant Thicket (Lee Park) Reservoir; Southampton City Vision and Fareham Local Plan 2037 Modifications.
One major development site which continues to be monitored, primarily because of its size and potential impact is the delivery of Welborne Garden Village - a new district community of 6,000 homes on the open landscape north of the Fareham town centre and close to Junction 10 on the M27. Stretching northwards towards Knowle and part of the Southwick Estate, it will be one of the largest community developments in Hampshire. The developer Buckland has started discussions with a number of regional house builders, rather than a national plc company, with the likelihood of two being appointed for the first phase of development. The nitrate assessment for the whole site has been completed and various archaeological surveys are now due. Buckland are preparing a public information event on the Design Code for the development to explain how it will apply at Welborne. The guarantee of funding for the future of junction 10 of the M27 has been the subject of media reporting during the summer, but it needs to be in place for work to start in 2023. A Welborne Community Forum is to be set up by
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Fareham Borough Council in order to involve neighbouring communities and other interested parties in the ongoing process. The Fareham Society continue to be involved with the present community liaison group and are continually monitoring the whole process.
As usual, my gratitude must go to the Team on behalf of the Trust and the communities that they serve – Diane Hargreaves, Jennifer Adams, Deane Clark, Nikki Barker, Robyn Butcher, Janet Hurrell and Sally Miller for their hard work and commitment over the past year in liaison with the Research Group and also to Jo in the Office.
Michael Ricketts
Chairman, Conservation and Development Team
Education Report
We are very proud with the progress made by our Garden Plans for Schools projects. Our scheme provides a professional gardener/teacher to run weekly gardening and growing sessions that are fun and educational.
We launched the Edible Playground at Oliver’s Battery Primary School, Winchester in February 2021 and HGT is now a valued part of the school community. Our second project at Redbridge Primary has just completed its first full year of edible gardening. This project provides the children, many of whom live in tower blocks, with a chance to learn about the natural world and enjoy the benefits that gardening brings.
We are delighted with how much all the children enjoy learning about freshly grown food and trying new flavours.
In addition, our grant to Botley C of E Primary has been much appreciated and they are now running a successful gardening club in their bountiful grounds.
With Felicity Gray and Kevin Barton on board along with our fantastic volunteers we have a great team. Of course we welcome any interested HGT members to join us. In order to expand ‘Garden Plans for Schools’ in 2023 and beyond we would be delighted to hear from HGT members about suitable primary schools or professional individuals who may want to start a school project for us.
Do contact Jill Walmsley walmsley.jill@gmail.com or Felicity Gray felicity.gray13@gmail.com for more information about how you can help.
Please follow our adventures @Sowyummyfood on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
Jill Walmsley Education Team Lead
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EVENTS TEAM
Well, what a year it has been for both the HGT and our gardens. Ranging from large stately homes to personal plantswoman plots, I was delighted that our venues were all much appreciated and our hosts provided that extra personal touch on many occasions.
The year started in April with a visit to Kingston Bagpuize with a guided tour of the house and after the garden visit the group enjoyed afternoon tea. Continuing the Gertrude Jekyll theme from earlier years, Munstead Wood, Miss Jekyll’s home, was next on our list. In May, moving north the guided tour of the landscape garden surrounding Englefield House was well attended. Next on our list, and with the kind permission of Lady Portsmouth, a smaller group were given the opportunity to visit Farleigh House. A private venue normally, this was a real treat.
Deciding to see how adventurous our members were, I arranged a day out in Wiltshire in June. I was thrilled with the attendance, over thirty of us spent the morning in the 5-acre walled garden of West Lavington Manor. It was a beautiful sunny day and in the afternoon the gardens of Chisenbury Priory were looking beautiful, and our hosts were most welcoming. In July, Hardy’s Cottage Garden Plants took us behind the scenes and in the afternoon, Spring Pond , Laverstoke was looking at its summer best. One of the highlights for many members was the visit to Sages in the village of Privett. Developed and designed by the owner Joanne it is a garden designer and plantsman’s paradise. In August we headed north to Boxford House near Newbury, where Head Gardener Tammy was our host.
The final outing of the year was quite spectacular. Victoria , the owner, of The Rectory at East Woodhay, presented the garden in all its structural and colourful glory. The sun came out and the planting was much admired.
I am working on next year’s programme, and it is my intention is to have the whole year’s dates ready for booking which will start early in the year.
Gillian Taylor Events Chair
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HAMPSHIRE GARDENS TRLIST INDEPENDENT EXAMlTr¥ER'S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED31 MARCH 2022 Independent Examtn¢r'$ Report to the Trll$tee$ of H9mpshire GArdens Trust I report to Ihe charity Iruste&s on rny exaiiiination of the accounlfi of'the charity For the year elld¢d 31 Mar¢h 20?2 which are sel out on pages 8 10 16. RespoN5ibililies and basis of report As the charity's truEtee% you are rep81bl¢ for the Preparation of the accounts in a¢¢ordan¢e with the requiT¢mcnts of the Charities Act ?0 I l {'rhe Ael'l. I report in respeci ofmy e.Kamination of the charily's a¢counts ¢arried oui under section 145 of the A¢t and in carrying out my cxaniination I have followed all the applicable dircction5 givcn by the C.haTity Comtnlssion under section 14515llbl ofihe Act. Independenl examiner's Staternent hai'e coinpletcd my examination. I confirin Ih<lt no maicrial matters have coime lo my attention IN connection with the txamin2tion giving me caust 10 believe thai In any material aspect". counlingT records were iiol kept in respect Df the charity as required by section l )0 of the A¢i,' 01 ? th¢ aLLounts cfo nvl aLLord wilh Ihvs¢ f¢Lvrds: or Ilie aicounts do iiot coniply iviih Ilie applicable rtqUiTemen15 LonLerning the fo and Lont¢nt of the a¢eounis sei out In the Chariiies IAc¢ounis and Reports) Re?tslL21iOiiS 2008 other than ans requirement thar tlie accounis give a'lrue and fair view, whTch i5 not a niatter considered a5 part of an indepcrtdent examination. I have no LOrtLertts and hav¢ come arr95s no other mair¢r5 irt conrtectEon with the examinalion to th.hich aiteniion should be drawn lo this repon in order lo tnable a proper undeistanding of the accounts tr) be reaLh¢d. Ralph C'rump Ralph CTUMP Accoiiniants Limited Drove Huuse 14 Bakers Drove Rownham% Southarnpton S016 8AD SI -*-
HAMPSHIRE GARDENS TRUST
INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022
| Transfer between funds Balance carried forward 31 March 2022 (Deficit)/surplus for the year Balance brought forward at 1 April 2021 LESS EXPENDITURE Expenditure directly for charitable purposes Expenditure for management and administration INCOME Grants, donations and subscriptions Hampshire County Council Grant Income from trading activities Interest received Gift Aid |
Unrestricted Designated Restricted Total 2022 £ £ £ £ 6,695 - 21,610 28,305 17,000 - - 17,000 6,885 - - 6,885 178 - - 178 2,000 - 3,000 5,000 32,758 - 24,610 57,368 3,818 - 9,327 13,145 31,091 - 933 32,024 34,909 - 10,260 45,169 (2,151) - 14,350 12,199 37,486 7,500 9,525 54,511 - - - - 35,335 7,500 23,875 66,710 |
Total 2021 £ 8,330 17,000 1,889 314 500 28,033 1,540 26,572 28,112 (79) 54,590 - 54,511 |
|---|---|---|
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HAMPSHIRE GARDKNS TRUST AS AT 31 MARCH 2022 21122 2021 Note Flxed Pet¢rsficld PILYSIC Garden Centre Dvbtors Cash bAnk 7280 68.541 75.821 1.500 61.139 Credlton: Amounts f&llin8 thIll one year 628 Net ¢urr¢nt gu¢ts 66.710 54.511 Net Funds Unr¢striGkd fvnd5 Restricted fijndj 42,835 66,710 54.511 Tot funth 66,710 The Thte¢S have ?cknowledg¢J their responsibililies for preparin8 aw)unts whi¢b givc A tnje and fatr view of th¢ cl15 a¢tivities for th¢ yw then ¢nde4 in acrordEn¢e with ¥pl]ble a¢¢ouniiD8 stsndards and the ariti¢$ A¢counttn8 Stotemeni of R¢comm¢nded Prn¢¢ic¢ (SORP). Th¢ ¢0ts w¢r¢ Approved by the and •uthorixd for issue ots...... . ond siBn¢d on th¢ir beh(by.. Ttust¢¢
HAMPSHIRE GARDENS TRUST
INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT - UNRESTRICTED GENERAL FUNDS (FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022
| INCOME Grants, service level payment, donations and subscriptions Hampshire County Council Grant Donations Subscriptions Gift Aid Research group events Income earned from assets Bank interest TOTAL INCOME Income from trading activities Members' events |
£ £ 17,000 550 6,145 2,000 25,695 6,825 60 6,885 178 178 32,758 2022 |
£ £ 17,000 1,030 5,350 500 23,880 1,729 160 1,889 314 314 26,083 2021 |
|---|---|---|
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HAMPSHIRE GARDENS TRUST
INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT - UNRESTRICTED GENERAL FUNDS (FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022
| Expenditure for management and administration Library Insurance Accountancy charges Website & IT Secretarial salary (including PAYE and NIC) Office expenses, telephone and postage Printing and stationery Travel expenses Subscriptions Lecture expenses TOTAL EXPENDITURE Sundry expenses EXPENDITURE Expenditure directly for charitable purposes Grants: Conservation Education Members' events Promotion Research Total Expenditure Total Income Surplus/(Deficit) for the Year |
£ £ 500 - 2,222 250 619 227 3,818 21,907 3,070 1,173 - 65 1,329 1,760 1,297 160 330 31,091 34,909 32,758 (34,909) (2,151) 2022 |
£ £ 500 - 275 35 - - 810 19,148 2,778 523 - 30 1,330 1,260 1,303 200 - 26,572 27,382 26,083 (27,382) (1,299) 2021 |
|---|---|---|
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HAMPSHIRE GARDENS TRUST
INCOME AND EXPENDTURE ACCOUNT - DESIGNATED FUNDS (FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022
----- Start of picture text -----
2022 2021
£ £ £ £
INCOME
- -
IT Equipment
- -
Bursary Funds
TOTAL INCOME - -
----- End of picture text -----
EXPENDITURE
----- Start of picture text -----
- -
IT Equipment
- -
Bursary Funds
TOTAL EXPENDITURE - -
----- End of picture text -----
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HAMPSHIRE GARDENS TRUST
INCOME AND EXPENDTURE ACCOUNT - RESTRICTED FUNDS (FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022
| TOTAL EXPENDITURE Surplus for the Year Printing, post and stationery Office expenses and telephone Secretarial salary (including PAYE & NIC) Garden Plans for Schools Fund INCOME Gift Aid Garden Plans for Schools Fund TOTAL INCOME LESS EXPENDITURE |
£ £ 3,000 21,610 24,610 622 155 156 9,327 10,260 14,350 2022 |
£ £ - 1,950 1,950 - - - 730 730 1,220 2021 |
|---|---|---|
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HAMPSHIRE GARDENS TRUST
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
AS AT 31 MARCH 2022
| £ £ £ CASH FUNDS Bank savings accounts 35,000 - 35,000 Bank current accounts 12,666 20,875 33,541 47,666 20,875 68,541 INVESTMENT ASSETS Fixed assets - Petersfield Physic Garden Visitor Centre - - - CURRENT ASSETS/LIABILITIES Debtors 4,280 3,000 7,280 Creditors (9,111) - (9,111) TOTAL NET ASSETS 42,835 23,875 66,710 £ £ £ £ ACCUMULATED FUNDS Balance brought forward 37,486 7,500 9,525 54,511 (Deficit)/surplus for the year (2,151) - 14,350 12,199 Transfer between funds - - - - Fund carried forward 35,335 7,500 23,875 66,710 Unrestricted Funds Designated Funds Restricted Funds Total 2022 Unrestricted Funds Total Restricted Funds 2022 |
£ £ £ 35,000 - 35,000 15,114 9,525 24,639 50,114 9,525 59,639 - - - 1,500 - 1,500 (6,628) - (6,628) 44,986 9,525 54,511 £ £ £ £ 38,785 7,500 8,305 54,590 (1,299) - 1,220 (79) - - - - 37,486 7,500 9,525 54,511 Restricted Funds Total Designated Funds 2021 Unrestricted Funds Total Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds 2021 |
|---|---|
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HAMPSHIRE GARDENS TRUST
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022
1. RESTRICTED FUNDS
----- Start of picture text -----
2022 2021
£ £ £ £
Children's Homes Fund
Balance brought forward at 1 April 2021 892 892
Fund carried forward 892 892
Urban Parks Study
Balance brought forward at 1 April 2021 7,413 7,413
Fund carried forward 7,413 7,413
Humphry Repton at Herriard Park
- -
Balance brought forward at 1 April 2021
Add: Income - -
- -
Less: Expenditure
Fund carried forward - -
- -
School Gardens Fund
Balance brought forward at 1 April 2021 1,220 -
Add: Income 24,610 1,950
Less: Expenditure (10,260) (730)
Fund carried forward 15,570 1,220
23,875 9,525
FIXED ASSETS
Petersfield Physic Garden Centre
Cost
Balance at 31 March 2021 and 31 March 2022 22,242
Depreciation
Balance at 31 March 2021 and 31 March 2022 22,242
Net book value
Balance at 31 March 2021 and 31 March 2022 -
DEBTORS
2022 2021
£ £ £ £
Accrued Gift Aid 6,000 -
Prepayments 500 500
Accrued income - 1,000
Other debtors 780 -
7,280 1,500
CREDITORS
2022 2021
£ £ £ £
Deferred income 5,811 5,148
Other creditors 3,300 1,480
9,111 6,628
----- End of picture text -----
2. FIXED ASSETS
3. DEBTORS
4. CREDITORS
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HAMPSHIRE GARDENS TRUST
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022
| £ £ 5. UNRESTRICTED FUNDS 1 General Fund Balance brought forward at 1 April 2021 37,486 Add: Income 32,758 Less: Expenditure (34,909) Fund carried forward 35,335 Designated fund - IT Equipment Balance brought forward at 1 April 2021 - Less: Expenditure - Fund carried forward - Designated fund - Bursary Funds Balance brought forward at 1 April 2021 - Less: Expenditure - Fund carried forward - Designated fund - Conservation and Development Balance brought forward at 1 April 2021 5,500 Fund carried forward 5,500 Designated fund - Education Balance brought forward at 1 April 2021 2,000 Fund carried forward 2,000 42,835 2022 |
£ £ 38,785 26,083 (27,382) 37,486 - - - - - - 5,500 5,500 2,000 2,000 44,986 2021 |
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