2023-12-31-accounts

Bohemia Walled Garden Associaition Reglstered Charlty Number: 1167167 Annual Accounts for the period 1 January 2023 31 December 2023 Contents,. Organisational infomatlon Trustees, Annual Report Receipts & Paymerrts acc<)unt Statement of As8et8 & Liabiltties Independent Examinerfs report Ha8ting8 Voluntary Action Jackson Hall Portland Place Hastings East Sussex TN34 1QN

Organisafjonal Inforniation of th•Bohomia Walled GaNlen Association Name of charlty: R•gl•tornd charlty numb•r. 1167167 Lffj•l fomi: cio Gov•mlng docum•nL' CIO- Associakn Regisie(ed 17 May 2016 as amerKled on 16 May 2018 Addr•M: CIO Jacwi Hal Portrand P Hastsngs East Suss•x TN34 1QN Nigel Sinden (Chair> Beryl Lovett IS8Cfetary) Sue Jirf)andey (Treasw) Lesley BnJ( B¥nk•r•: Uoyds Lth•i8ham Brar 120 LvArfsham HSgh SW Lemsham. L{￿don, SE13 6JG Independent Examlner. Laura Dawson, Indep8ndent Examiner HVA Jackson Hall, Portland Pe, Haslngs, TN34 1QN

Bohemia Walled Garden Association Trustee Annual Report For the year January - December 2023 Charlty Commlssion report & for AGM in 2024 The Bohemla Walled Garden Assodatlon (BWGA) The BWGA was formed In 2009 with the purpose of restoring, preserving and utilising th the 19 Century Virtorian walled garden in the Summerfields Wood. It aims to bring It back into active use for hortlculturdl, educatlonal, herftage and cultural activities. The garden Is owned by Hastlngs Borough Council {H8C) and leased to the BWGA for 25 years until 31 Mard) 2036. The lease was ￿neWed on the 5 January 2018 in line with the BWGA change of ststus to a Registered Charity. The garden is located in the Summeffields Wood which is a Local Nature Reserve (LNR). Structure. Governanca and Management The 8WGA Is managed by volunteers. It Is a reglstered Charlty (Reglstratlon Number 1167167) as a Charltsble Incorporated Organisatlon (CIO) wlth votlng members other than its charity trustees. The organlsatlon is managed by charlty trustees and governed by the BWGA Charlty Commlsslon Constltutlon. It follows Charlty Commlsslon (CC) guidelines and must report annually to the CC to afflmi Its obllgatlon to funttlon for the 'public benefit, and to uphold the BWGA/CC objectlves. The 8WGA trustees are supported by other BWGA members on a commlttee who have delegated roles. BWGA members, plot-holders and volunteers are overseen by the trustees In the everyday runnlng of the garden, events, fundraislng and educatlonal activltles. The l¢xal communlty Is encouraged to partlclpate In all the above. The BWGA Charlty Commlsslon Objerts: (l) To promote for the public the conservatlon, protertlon and Improvement of the physlcal and natural envlronment. (2) To advance the educatlon of the publlc In the conservatlon, protection and improvement of the physlcal and natural environment. (3) The provlslon of facllltles for recreatlon and other leisure-time occupation in the nterests of social yielfa￿ for the publlc at large w6th the object of Impravlng thelr conditions of life. To be a Charity it 15 necessary for the trustees to understsnd and to have regard to the 'public benefits, that the charity aims to provide as In the objectives. The Trustees Annual Report is to show how these objectives are being achieved. It is presented to the BWGA members at the AGM.

Members of the BWGA commlttee as confirnied at the 2023 AGM Trustee(Chalr) Nigel Sinden Trustee(Secretary) Beryl Lovett Trustee{Treasurer) Sue Julbandey Trustee Lesley Bruce The current trustees are supported by other members in various activities. Fundraislng and Income Income in 2023 has come from the plot fees and ￿freshments sales and donations at Dublic events. Expendlture The following sizeable expenditu￿ was made in 2023: Annual Insurance, whlch covers publlc Ilability and protects the individual trustees. • Bore Hole survey to understsnd the feaslblllty and costs involved in getting an alternatlve water supply Into the garden rather than relylng on the water storage contalners which run out in the drv summer months. Corporatlon Tax Retums HMRC Issued us wlth a Corporatlon Tax return for the years ending 2020,2021 and 2022. We needed the services of accountancy ftrm, Ashdown Hurrey to submlt these returns on our behalf. No Tax was due. Any expenses Incurred by our volunteers are reimbursed, following a procedu￿ of proof of expense and payment Is always authorised by two trustees. Grant applicatlons No applications were made. Flnanclal Management The BWGA operates a Uoyds Bank Treasurers account which Is managed onllne and can make and recelve payments by BACS. Plot fees can be made by BACS and we make payments by BACS for members expenses and other expenditures (like insurance, membership fees, Web site & Email). All payments need two authorlsatlons. Insurance* Health and Safety and Pollcles The BWGA has publlc liability Insuran￿ and this is renewed annually. The BWGA does risk assessments for all events and attivities at the garden. The risk assessment is based on a template pollcy before being customised for each event. Various policy documents (Includlng rlsk management, volunteerfng and privacy) are available on our website.

Publicity. Informatlon. Members and Supporters Our maln social media platform currently is Facebook. The garden has its own webslte (www.bohemiawga.org.uk) which contains a vast amount of infonnation about the organlsation. We continue to use Mall Chlmp to communicate with members and supporters, each maintained as separate lists. Members at tlmes recelve communications that are only levant to them and they can vote at the AGM. The member group includes all plot- holders and active mernbers who contribute in an active way to the garden's upkeep or development. Supporters are those who are keen to know what is going on and how to support us through our events. Supporters do not have voting rlghts at the AGM. Open to th• publlc We aim to open the garden to the publlc on Wednesdays and Sundays 10 - 12 In the growlng season March-November (weather dependent and depending on volunteer avallabllltv). Currently the garden Is opened by the same members. In 2023 we started an "opening up rota" for Sundays wlth each week staffed by a plot holder and a commlttee member. ThSs was to remove the ￿lIanCe on the same members openlng up and allow members to know who Is on the comrnittee and encourage community spirit. The rota was self managed and the￿ We￿ a few weeks when plot holders opened up. It was a good start and we will further develop thls In 2024 wlth a better booklng system. Volunteers The BWGA is completely run by volunteers and we welcome new members from the local cornmunlty. We continue to alm to use the varled skills of our volunteers. Some volunteers come for a short perlod of tlme and others make up the backbone of the BWGA garden volunteer team, particularly on the Wednesday and Sunday sesslons or at Events. Communlty groups• collaboratlons and partnershlps There are areas for educational purposes at no cost, which the BWGA offers as a commltment to encouraqina the aDDreciatlon and benefits of workinq in the aarden. Spaces were stlll allocated throughout 2023 to Christ Church CE Primary Academy, Eggtooth (wellbelng servlces for children. young people, parents and professionals) and two arouDS from East Sussex Colleae. BWGA contlnues a partnership with Groundwork South/Greener Futures project. whereby Groundwork runs weekly "gardening for health sessions. on a larger plot wlthln the aarden. The Refugee Buddy Project (Hastings, Rother & Wealden) has two plots against the outer wall. Plots All plots have been in use throughout the year and any vacant plots have quickly been taken UD bv the next Derson on the waitina list.

Educatlon Nany educatlonal resources can be downloaded from the website. Garden Management and Development Members continued to maintain the borders, to give pleasure to members and visitors and also to benefit Dollinatino insects. Bringing alternative water sources into the garden: Qur committee member Abi continued to investigate options for getting water into the garden, which has proved more involved and costly than was first thought. We commissioned a survey in 2023 to look at the feasibility of a bore hole and associated costs. Abl wrote up a proposal paper for water and together with all documents obtained which are stO￿d on BWGA Google Drive. It is now up to the committee to secure funding and decide how to proceed. Public events in 2023 We held our usual public events which were well supported. Event aster mm rit li Adults Chlldren Total attendlng: 531 Pumpklns for Pumpkln Day We￿ klndly donated by the local Morrisons and Lldl supermarkets to top up those grown at the garden. Members events In 2023 In July, there was a bring-your-own plcnlc In the garden for plot holders and members. In December we scheduled two soclal gatherinqs: indoors and outdoors. On Sunday 3rd December we planned to be in the garden, but had to cancel owing to heavy raln. On Thursday 14th December we met at the Welcome. St Leonards-on-sea for a drink and food during the evening

Conclusion The BWGA works for the benefft of as many people in our community as possible so they can enjoy the envlronment of this lovely garden and area. We ensure that the Walled Garden is conserved, protected and improved for future generations to enjoy. The BWGA trustees would like to thank all BWGA members, volunteers and partners for their support in 2023. We thank HBC for their continued cooperation in this joint effort. This report has been complled and approved by the following trustees in post during 2023. Nigel Sinden (Chalr) Ign /2024 Sue Ilrbandev (Treasurer) 17 1712024 Beryl Lovett (Secretary) 171712024 Lesley Bruce 17n/2024

Bohemia Walled Garden Associaition Re¢oipts & Paym•nt accounts fw the pertod 01 January 2023 31 Dec•mber 2023 Totsl ecei Events Donations Plot Fees Grants Other income Bank Interest TOTAL RECEIPTS 1.030.89 301.76 798.96 1.030.89 301.76 798.96 1,189. 1.000.Q) 748.34 2.131.61 2.131.61 2,937.90 Room Hire Garden Suppli8S Events Insurance Repalrs & MaIn￿anCe ststionaryloffiee Expense8 Independent Examination Volunteer Expenses Equlpment 80￿ht & Hired IT Misc Expen TOTAL PAYMENTS 50.70 252.12 115.27 335.48 74.78 79.80 1,134. 53.50 25.69 164.94 335.94 3￿.12 60.00 85.96 252.12 115.27 335.48 74.78 79.80 1,134.00 150.IJ) 116.27 150.00 116.27 100.49 99.92 2,308.42 2.308.42 1.232.56 Net $urplu81-deficit -176.81 -176.81 1,705.34 Movoment in fvnd8 Fund b918n￿ bff 111r23 4 913.43 3,208.09 Fu￿4 balanrns cn 31112r23

Bohemia Walled Garden Associaition statement ol A$￿ts & Llabillti08 31 December 2023 2023 2022 Curr•nt *M•ts Current Ac£ounl Deposrt Account Cash in hand Re¢elpts avAibng banking 3111V23 31112r23 31112r23 4,711.62 4,913.43 4.736.62 4.913.43 108• Current Ilablllil•• UrK8sh¢d dwu•¥ 4.913.43 ACCUMULATED FUND Lvf Surplusldeficit of recelpts (wer payments 4.913.43 -176 81 3,208.09 1.705.34 4.913.43 4.738.62 Chorlty LAW mqulrn8 ts TnAloaS to prepare fin8rn781 Staleme￿ for exh year 0)M￿Y￿1th the regulations Set out In the chwty￿ Acl 1993. The Iwyte98 elacted lo take adv8ntsg& of the pro¥iglons that fjppty to 8m•ll and have wtrAr•d 8 R•c•'pli aThl PaJryi￿I actourrt •nd Sthfflent ofAss•ts aTrJ Approved by th¢ Tn￿leeS on l 6 f￿L¥ IDUtr and gned ￿ their behaw by

Ind•pendent Examinerfs Report to the Commilte• of Bohemia Wallgd Gard•n Associaitsbn I on the accounts of Bohemia Walled Garden AssociatK)n for the month period erxled 31st Dec¢mb8r 2023 Wthich are set out on th8 previous pages. R8spectiv• r•sponsibilld•s ol committ•0 & •xamln•r The charitys Injstees are resp￿ible for Ihe preparatK)n of Ihe aC￿nts. The charitls truste&s consider that an audit is not requir8d for this year ￿￿ler se¢lion 144 of the Chanlies Act 2011 (the Charits'es Act), and that an independenl examinatM)n 15 n8ed8d. 11 5$ my responSi￿lty. to examine tho accounts under secath 145 of the CharitX5 Act to lollow the procedures laKI down in the Gan8rn1 DirndM)ns gfv6n by Ch8rlty Commls8lon (under section 14515Xb) of the Charitse5 Acl). and to stale whether particular matter5 have come to my attertion Ba$l$ ol ind•p•nd•nt ex4mln•fs report My ¢xamlnalk)n was carTled out in accoTdanca w4ith the General Dlrectkms given by the Ch8rfty Comml$sh)n. An examinatvJn indudes a review of the accounting r•cords kept by Ihg charlty and Comparison of the supp)rtlng documentalw)n present&J with thoso records. It also indudes conslderallon of any unusual items or dI￿10$U1•S in the accounts. and seekirvJ eXP￿na￿onS frcrfn the trustees ¢oncernlng any suGh rnatt8rs. The woceduros undertaken do not provhje all the ovkjence that would bo requlréd In an audit, aTrJ r￿nseqUen0Y no opinion is g￿en as to wtslhtrr the accounts pres8nt a Irue and falff view and the reF￿rt L8 limrted to t￿$& matters sel c4Jl in tt)0 $tst8menl below. Ind•p•ndent •x•nln•¢s slal•m•nl In connection vAth my 8x8minatvJn, rK> matter has to my attentkn: 1) whlch g￿eS rne reasonable cause to belleve that in any material respect the requirements: lo keep accounlirw record$ in accordance v•lh soction130 of tho Charities Act to pr8pare accounts *blch accord wilh Ihe ao>)unlThJ records aTrJ to comply wrth th6 accounting requirefflonts of th& Act have not been met; or 2) to whlch, In rny O￿nion. attention Sh(￿10 bè dra￿ in order lo enabl8 a propw understsnding of the accounts lo be rgached. Laura Dawson Finance M8nagor Hasllngs Voluntary Acti Jackson Hall, Portland Place. HaStir￿s, TN34 1QN Dated: 03.C6.2024