INSPIRE COMMUNITY GARDEN 02/09/2022
Annual Report 2021-2022
INTRODUCTION: Please note that this report covers the period of reduced Covid restrictions.
1. Flowering Artichoke
It is our Sixth year of the garden which has seen a small growth to the layout but has proved challenging for the Inspire Community Garden volunteers. The change from COVID restriction have not yielded the expected return of volunteers. We have continued to make as much progress as we can, given the difficult circumstances. The year started well with much activity preparing the growing beds and poly tunnels to allow production of plants primarily for use within the garden itself. The growing plan for this year was created by Helen Green and Angela Fookes with input from other keen growers. The varieties were selected that were thought best worked within the Community Garden. As in previous years, some volunteers started off the early growing season by growing delicate seeds at home and then bringing them to the garden for transplanting and onwards growing
We found we had some success using mini hotboxes to prevent frost damage to the tender seedlings. This allowed the seedlings to be grown on until the they were ready to be transferred to their growing spots.
We had to close the use of the caravan during the previous year and although we have restricted it’s use for meetings, it is slowly being brought back into use. We have maintained opening the garden twice a week but only to volunteers. Visitors have been restricted to specific times & people, such as collection of Potato Day surplus.
In the previous years, time and effort was spent on investigating the possibility of moving the garden to another site. This idea has now been dropped and it is hoped that the garden will remain in its current location for some time to come. We have maintained the number of Trustees at five, comprising Chris Allen, Chris Brooks, Lindsey Fallon, Martin Baxter and Karl Stirland.
2. Too much to move
Our usual monthly meetings had to be abandoned during the COVID restrictions and this continued during 21-22 season. Specific meetings were arranged, when needed, such as to produce our Growing plan and other identified activities. It is hoped that in the future, open meetings can be reinstated.
Again, for 2021, although the volumes of surplus plants for sale were reduced, we have managed to sell sufficient to generate income towards our running costs. We also raised funds by helping to organise Transition Chesterfield’s Potato Day sales, which remained restricted in its operation this year.
3. Pumpkin Patch
Our reduced group of volunteers continues to come along, with each person having different interests and experience of gardening. Some come along for the organic or permaculture growing and to learn, some are with us for the construction of facilities, some are particularly interested in the wildlife we see at the garden and others attend for the physical exercise or workout! However, some come just to enjoy the friendship and to get out of the house to a safe environment outdoors which has allowed social distancing. The Garden remains a peaceful place for enjoying the fresh air and calm environment.
4. Willow walk
During the quieter winter period we created a new Woodland walk, named ‘Willow Walk’ due to the trees growing along it. This is a new and very difference aspect of the garden offering a peaceful short stroll away from it all. The young people visiting, love to explore the pathway.
FUNDRAISING: There have been few opportunities to raise funds during the year but we started the year with a healthy balance in the bank and we have managed to cover the running costs for the garden for this year. Covid restrictions limited the on-site events and the possibility of selling plants at a market. The garden during this period required only a small working balance to cover the cost of Seeds, Compost and Petrol for the mowers.
THE FUTURE: This continues to look uncertain, primarily due to the reduced numbers of volunteers. However, the past two years have proved that foot access only has not restricted the use and possibilities of the Garden, rather that the focus has had to change. We continue to get a limited number of visits from external organisations, including the Cubs, Scouts, walking groups and Homeless Charities looking at what both sides can do for each other.
We would like to encourage anyone who is interested in community activities in a safe environment to get in touch and come along and see what the garden has to offer by way of a peaceful, calm environment. If you would like to be involved in growing and sharing produce, then perhaps we could persuade you to join our team of volunteers working on the plot. There is no set requirement to attend, just as and when you can spare some time on a Sunday or a Wednesday afternoon.
FINANCES.. TBC
Financial Statement for Year Ending 31st March 2022
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Receipts and Payments Account for year ending 31st March 2022
Last Year
Receipts Unrestricted Restricted Total Total
B/Fwd (cash in bank & petty cash) £4,032.27 £1,000.00 £5,032.27 £3,319.57
Grants £0.00 £0.00 £0.00
Donations from Transition £0.00 £0.00
Events £0.00 £0.00 £40.00
Donations (individuals & plants & others) £527.25 £527.25 £308.29
Sales (plants, clothing & compost) £86.30 £86.30 £1,900.93
Gift Aid claimed £125.26 £125.26 £569.39
Total receipts £738.81 £0.00 £738.81 £2,818.61
Payments
Caravan / site hut £0.00 £0.00
Garden structures £0.00 £0.00 £0.00
Tools and other equipment £275.99 £275.99 £138.98
Fruit trees, soft fruit, plants and seeds £232.52 £232.52 £440.23
Compost / Manure £24.00 £24.00 £46.48
Toilet Twinning £0.00 £0.00 £0.00
Subscriptions & Conferences £0.00 £0.00 £0.00
Web services £65.87 £65.87 £89.85
Insurance & Rent £0.00 £0.00 £189.38
Miscellaneous & Clothing £108.61 £108.61 £1,523.38
Total payments £706.99 £0.00 £706.99 £2,428.30
Excess of receipts over payments £31.82 £0.00 £31.82 £390.31
C/Fwd (cash in bank & petty cash) £4,064.09 £1,000.00 £5,064.09 £3,709.88
Statement of Assets
Cash in Hand £100.35 61.77
Cash at Bank £4,791.53 3648.11
Total Assets £4,891.88 £3,709.88
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In my opinion the above Receipt and Payments have been properly prepared from the charity's records.