Trustees, Annual Report for the period
Period start dal8
Period end date
From
To
December 2023
Section A
Reference and administration details
Charity namo
THE FRIENDS OF CRESSING TEMPLE
Othor names charlty Is known by
Reglgt•red charlty number (if any)
1166431
Charlty's prfnclpal address
CRESSING TEMPLE BARNS
WITHAM ROAD
BRAINTREE
ESSEX
Postcode
CM77 8PD
Names of the charlty trustsos who manage the charlty
Trusta• n•m•
Offlc• {51anyl
Chair
Treasurer
D•t•¥ act•d If not for
whol•
ar
N•m• of pornon {¢r badyl •ntitl•d
toa
Int tru•t••
Ifan
Suzanne Lowe
Andrew Bright
1" January 2023-
20tr November 2023
Jane Palmer
D8vid Andrews
Lesley Killin
Monika Curry
Membership Secretary
Name8 of the trustses for the charlty. If any, (for example, any custodlan trustsesl
Name
Datss acted If not for whole
ear
Namos and addresses of advls•rs (Optlonal infomiation)
o of adv15er
Name
Address
Name of chiof executlve or names of senior staff membors Ioptlonal Infomiatlonl
Junè 2024

Section B
Structure,
overnance and mana
ement
l)escrfptlon ofthe charty's trusts
Constitution dated 4° August 2015 as amended on 12th December 2020
Type of governing d￿Ument
How the charity is constituted
Unincorporated small company charity
Tmstee selection methods
Elected at the AGM
Addltlonal govemance Issuu {Optlonal Infonnatlonl
You may cho￿8 to include
Re18tionship with Essex County Counal, owners of the Cre&8ing site.
additional information, where
Reference letter dated 15° March 2016 from the Head of County Parks.
relevant. about..
Enwronment, Sustainability and Highways, Essex County Council.
The charity continued to build on a positive working relationship with
Essex County Council during the year.
The trustees do not consider there are any major risks as there are no
liabilities, other than those covered through our insurance. There is
dependency on the voluntary efforts of the members and officers. This
year has seen the resignation of the Treasurer, a role we hope to fill in the
nexi reporting period. We are also relianl on the support of the two
horticulturalisls employed by Essex County Council.
policies and procedure8
adopted for the indudion and
training of trustees..
the charity's organisational
structure and any wider
network with vthich the charity
works.,
relationship with any related
parties;
trustees, ¢on8iderth'on of
major risks and the system
and procedures to manage
them.
Section C
Ob'ectives and activities
To conserve, enhance and develop the historic site at c￿$31n9 Temple.
induding the Walled Garden, the Cullen Garden arKI the Jubilee Orchard,
as a unique histoticaS, social and horticultural record and educational
resource.
Summary of the objects of the
charity set out in Its
governlng d￿UMent
Jun• 2024

In deciding our programme of activity and development the Trustees
have paid due regard to the Charity Commission guidan￿ on public
benefrt.
The Trustees aim to further develop an indusive culture in the charity's
ways of working. Valuing diverslty and equality and ensuring equal
OPF4Jrtunrties.
One of the Friend's objectives is to raise money in support of the site and
gardens. We have carried on from last year in growing our 8CtiMlies and
income streams following the lifting of covid restrictions years ago
and hope this upward trend rA)ntinues.
We held a very successful Apple Day agan in October, whlch is the main
focus of our community facing events, we achieved increased attendance
and incom8 from last year and expect this will be established as an
annual event over the coming years.
Summary ofthe maln
activlties undèrtakon for th•
publlc b•nefft In relatlon to
these objects Ilnclude wlthln
thls section the statutory
declaratlon that trustees havg
had regard to the guldanc•
Issued by tho Charlty
Commlsslon on publlc
beno
We have experienced a very successful year in regard of income,
reflecting a steady growth of income from 2019. Sales ol Plants continue
to be the main source of income and we have established a regular
rhythm of workshops, such as willow weaving, income from which has
increased significantly in this year.
The number of garden volunteers remains stable at 39 and the number ol
Friends including volunteers. members, comrnittee and Trustees is 90.
Volunteers play a key role in sustaining the high standard of the gardens
and increasingly in activities relating io the heritage of the site such as
digitising the vast archive documents and restoration of fami machinery.
This public benefrt 13 embedded in our constitution and at the forefront of
Ihe Trustees and officers, activity. All give their ser4ic88 voluntarily and in
the interests of the charity and its objectives and draw no personal
fiduciary benefit from their roles.
The gardens provide both historical and environmental interest to the
local community and wider soaety with hands on experiance and
involvement. We have firmly established partnerships with local
mental health charities who provide weekly sessions for their dients
reflecting the benefit and impact gardéning and environmentsl adiwties
can prowde for growing skills, providing lime with nature and lackling
isolation.
June 2024

Addltlonal detalls of objectivos and activities (Optlonal inforniatlon)
As said previously the Friends of Cressing Temple Could not operale
without the generous 8nd willing help of all our volunteers.
You may choose to include
further statements, where
refevant, about..
policy on grantrna￿'n9',
policy programme related
investment;
contribution made by
volunteers.
A total of 4,822 volunteer hours were recorded this year, the equivalent of
652 days or approx. 3 fulltime posts and calculated at minimum wage an
equivalent of a valuable £50.245.
The number ol volunteer hours represents a 240/0 increase on 2022.
Volunteer activities and opportunrtl88 range across an increasing variety
of activities at the Core is garden planting and maintenance work in the
Tudor, Cullen and Community gardens and Jubilee orchard. increasingly
in this year heritage focused work grew such as digitising the archive and
storalion of old fami machinery. Alongside, the essenlial supervision,
management and administrative activities and duties incumbent on a
successful ch8rit
Section D
Achievements and performance
Summary ofthe maln
•chlevements of thg charlty
durln9 the yoar
This year has seen our highest income of recent years, £47,581 due to a
number of fadofs such as fundfaising for the PUTchase and instsllation of
the compost loo and a very succe&8ful Apple Day.
Plant and herb sale8 continue to be our main source of trading income.
This years total of £13.615 was a 90/0 decrease in sales from lasl year.
with an increase in the costs of buying plants the profrt margin was 30%
as opposed to 40% last year.
Sales of craft, books and honey was £5,997 8 slight increase on last
year.
We held our Apple Day in October, another great $uccess helped by
glorious weather and support from our partners. The day was attended
by over 1200 people raising a total n8t income after costs of £7,058
which is £1,442 higher than last year.
The use of contactless payments sunFup and Paypal continues to
increase and we have seen higher donations this year facilitated by the
Payaz terminal purchased last year.
Our VIRAGS trainee successfully completed her training in October, a
role primarily funded via a grant from Finnis Scott Foundation.
The major item of expenditure this year centred around the purchase and
fitting of a Natsol compost toilet in the Community Garden at a cost of
£15,324. Funding for this project reflecting the growth in both the p8rtner$
present and cooperation in what is becoming a growing communty hub.
Essex County Counal, Braintree Distrid Council, Trustlinks. Cressing
Community Shed, Braintree Beekeepers and the Essex Beekeeping
Association, all collal)orating and contributing to the funding, resulting in
740h of the total funding coming from these partners. This facility is
proving to be a major benefrt to Ihe community organisations based in
and around the Community Garden.
SL
June 2024

Section D
Achievements and performance
Mle have seen less grant activity during this year but ale in Ihe piocess ol
receiving funding toward initiating restoration of Ihe farm machinery from
a local grant maker expected in 2024.
Work continues to digitise the archive material. wTrth close liaison with the
Essex Rewrd Office, to ensure preservation and a￿eSSIbIlItY of the rich
historical records we have of Ciessing Temple. To assist with this work
we purchased scanning equipment at a cost of £566 which was funded
by a grant received from Essex Community Foundation in 2022.
We have strong partnership working established wrth Abberton Rural
Training and Trusllinks who prowde weekly therapeutic gardening
sessions for their benefioaries on stte.
We continue to provide governance via ￿gUlar committee meetings, all
now in person and we hekl our AGM in April.
Our key priorities for 2024 are.,
to recruit the vacant Treasurer post.
• to plan and raise funding for a new community building In the
Community Garden.
to plan and deliver a successful 2024 Apple Day.
• to explore and begin th8 journey to becoming 8 Charitable
Incorporated Organisation.
• to commence the init181 pilot phase of the farm machinery project
focusing on several Machines, we will explore further funding to
expand on this.
Section E
Financial review
Brlef statemont of the
charfty's pollcy on roserves
ReseNes are held in the named Ctroperalive Bank aC￿unt for the sole
use and purpose of the Organisalion as defined in the Aims & Objectives
of its constitution. The Friends Reserves Policy requires that suffioent
unrestricted finanaal reseN8s are held in order that the ¢harily can
continue to operate and meet the needs of the visitors in the event of
unforeseen and potentially finanpially damaging circumstances arising.
Dotalls of any funds mat•rlally
In deflclt
None, and not possible under the constitulion.
Further flnanclal revlow d•talls (Optional inforniation)
You may choose to indude
All fundraising is to support the gardens and wider site and is mainly
additional information, where
achieved through trading. member activities, members fees, donations
relevant about..
and grants.
the charity's prlncipal
Sources of funds (induding
any fundraising);
how expenditure has
supported the key objectives
ofthe charity-
investment Fdicy and
objectives including any
ethical lnvestff￿t policy
adopted.
We are grateful for the £1,500 grant that we received from Finnis S￿tt
Foundation for our WRAGS trainee, this was the final 250/0 tranche of a
t￿0-year grant tolalling £6.000.
We are grateful to our partners- Trustlinks, Essex County Council.
Braint￿e District Council, Cressing Community Shed. Braintree
Beekeepers, Essex Beekeeping AssO￿ation who all supported and
conttibuted to the purchase and installation of the Natsol Compost Toilet.
The Charity's actimties provide benefit and interest to the local and wider
society with hands on experiences and involvement. The gardens
demonstrate the power of horticulture and other skills to improve people's
lives.
J•Jne 2024

Section F
Other optional information
Section G
Declaration
The trustses declarn that they have approv•d the tru6tees' r•port above.
Slgned on behalf of the charlty's trustses
Slgnaturn(s1
Full namels)
Posltlon (eg Secrotary, Chalr,
SUZANNE LOWE
CHAIR
Dats
nd
22 June 2024
SL
Jun• 2024

The Friends ofCre5S￿lyry1Q
Rul4t•red thavity nvmbey 1166431
Re¢elpts •nd pwn•M#attounts
the y•arto 31 De¢•mber2013
Year End•d
31 Dec 2023
Total
hjnds
to1htnea￿l £
Year Ended
310ec 2022
Total
fvnd5
tothen•veM £
Unre5trKted
fund$
toth•niarest £
Restrkted
fvnds
tothq nea1￿1 £
RK•lpts
Flnnlsscott Foundation
Contrlbutions towards NatS0l fiolet
E$5ex Communlty Foutsdallon
Donations
Membershlp wb%11pt￿n$
È•nk Inteie5t Aecelved
1.5C
IL386
IL386
995
745
L456
L456
350
59
14751
59
1,865
5.IC
Fundv•hlniArtlvltt•i
Apple Day & Sales
Quli Eventrni
Event51 Wortshops ITours
Trnd1￿ A¢t1¥It￿l
Plants l Herbs Sales
Community G•rden Sèles
eooksl Crafts l Honey S•1È$
Volunteer Uniform S•les
Olher
Tgt41 R•c•lpti In>mA¢ll¥ttl
7￿1
7,031
5,070
155
381
3,929
3.919
13,615
1,491
5.997
187
13,615
L491
5.997
187
14,956
1,187
5,239
176
31830
318
27,168
Tot•1 l•cdpti
32,268
14*tSol Composi Toll
ECF gr•nt lunded Equipment
Cornmunlty Garden
tT Equipment
Tools & Equlpm•nt
Yotsl Ats•t5 I￿￿h•￿d
3,938
11,386
566
15,324
566
478
270
429
478
270
210
703
5.766
11,952
17.718
Planis l Herbs c05t
Volunteèrcosts
Events Iworkshops l Tours
Apple D4y cost
Plint5 & Equlpmettt Gird•n
eook5 1 Cr•fts l Honey cost
Cofttr•ct worker5
Omce consumible$
Insuilnce & Profes56on•l F•
Other
Tot•1 P•ym•nt•
9,537
348
1,258
L225
4,398
1,679
4,657
9,537
8,997
649
171
520
3.918
2,076
7,543
391
255
211
25,441
L258
1,225
4,398
1,679
7￿7
586
519
472
787
2.3Xt
519
472
N•1 r#￿pt￿lp•¥m•fftts1
4250
11,4561
794
6,827
Tot•1 Funds Brouiht Forward
14,463
15,919
9,092
Tot•1 Fundi C4ft1￿ FoTh¥•rd
713
15,919
Funds h•ld 4t end olth• ynr
18,520
193
18,520
193
11657
262
15,919
Cash
Toi*l Funds
Svdnqd on behill of 411 the trustee5 by..
Sl¢nature
Print Name
SUZANNE LOWE
CHAIR OFTRUSTEES
22nd June 2024
Dato ofApproval

CHARITY COMMISSION
FOR ENGLAND AND WALES
Independent examiner's
report on the accounts
Section A
Independent Examiner'8 Report
Report to the trusteul
members of
THE FRIENDS OF CRESSING TEMPLE
On accounts for th• year
onded
31 December 2023
Charity no
(If any)
1166431
S•t out on pag88
I report to the trustees on my examination of the aco)unts of the above
charity {'the Trust") for the year ended 3111212023.
Responslbllltle3 and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation
ba•ls of report of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act
2011 {llhe Acr).
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out
under section 145 ofthe 2011 Aca and in carying out my ex8minalion, I
have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commi8sion
under section 145{5){b) of the Act.
I have completed my examination. I confirm Ihat no material matters have
come to my attention
in connection vrtth
the examination which give8 me cause to believe that In, any material
respect..
accounting re￿rdS were not kept in accordance with section 130 of
the Act or
the accounts do not accord wrth the accountino re￿[d5
I have no concems and have come across no other m8tters in connection
with the examinalion to which attention should be drawn in order to enable
proper understanding of the accounts lo be reached.
' Please delete ffte words In the brad(ets if they do not apply.
Independent
examin8rf8 Statement
Slgngd:
22r￿ Junè 2024
Name:
DEREK WOTTON
Relevant professlonal
qualillGatlonls) or body
Ilf any):
CHARTERED MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTANT ACMA CGMA
Address:
54 QUEENSBERRY AVENUE
COPFORD COLCHESTER
ESSEX C06 1YN
IER
October 2018