THE MOAT GARDEN PROJECT (“the Charity”)
TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE PERIOD 1 NOVEMBER 2020 TO 31 OCTOBER 2021 (“the Period”)
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Administrative details
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1.1. The name of the Charity throughout the Period has been “The Moat Garden Project.” The Charity has also used the informal name of “The Moat Garden” particularly for fund raising and publicity purposes.
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1.2.The Charity is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation with voting members other than the charity trustees. It is registered with the Charity Commission under no 1169894.
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1.3.The address of the Charity is ℅ Knowle House, South Street, Castle Cary, Somerset, BA7 7ES.
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1.4.The names of the trustees of the Charity during the period were: Anne Elizabeth Jelliffe, Roger Leonard Weldhen, Ida Rosina West and Graham Philip House.
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1.5.The officers of the Charity are Roger Leonard Weldhen (Secretary) and Graham Philip House (Treasurer). The duties of Chair of trustees are shared amongst the trustees.
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Governance
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2.1.The basis of the Charity’s governance is its constitution dated 25 October 2016.
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2.2.The appointment of charity trustees is regulated by clause 13 of the constitution subject to there being no fewer than three or more than 10 ten elected trustees.
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2.3.Any vacancies in trustees are filled by the decision of members at a AGM. The charity trustees though may appoint a new trustee in place of one who has retired or been removed.
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Finance
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3.1.The financial position of the Charity is set out in the accounts annexed for the Period.
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3.2.During the Period the charity received a total of £561.75 from all of its income sources and made total payments of £114.00 which resulted in £447.75 of income in excess of expenditure. The total cash funds of the charity at year end was £2,196.21.
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3.3.There is currently no financial reserves policy.
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3.4.The charity trustees believe they have complied with their duty to have regard to the guidance on public benefit published by the Charity Commission when exercising their powers and duties.
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Objectives
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4.1.The principle objectives of the Charity are to improve the conditions of life of those residing in Castle Cary and surrounding areas by providing a community garden.
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Activities
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5.1.Throughout the Period the Moat Garden has been open to the public for recreation, gardening and growing.
5.2.Details of the Charity’s gardening and community involvement are contained in the Garden Report below.
Prepared and approved by the trustees on 11 March 2022
Anne Elizabeth Jelliffe Roger Leonard Weldhen Ida Rosina West Graham Philip House
Moat Garden Project - Garden Report Nov 2020/21
As with all charitable projects, Covid restrictions in 2021 continued to severely curtail some of the usual activities in the Moat Garden, however some funds were still raised and the garden was cared for and well used.
Castle Cary Big Christmas in December usually provides us with much needed income but this year was cancelled. Various Covid restrictions remained throughout the year and we were again unable to hold our usual Saturday morning plant sale at the Market House. Following our success the previous year we repeated the weekend of plant sales at the Trustees’ garden gates. This sale is now sought out by the community and raised much needed income.
Government restrictions for school children meant that Castle Cary Primary School was unable to use any of the raised beds. Local residents continued to use eight of the beds as a place to enjoy an outside space whilst growing all manner of vegetables from Potatoes to Cucurbits. Success was variable due to the cold spring and very wet summer but enthusiasm was never dampened. This fenced area continues to improve with regular use. The beds remain tidy, paths are clear of pernicious weeds and the fruit area is now providing some pickings even if the majority is taken by the birds.
Major cutting back of the overgrown hedges and trees bordering Lodge Hill was undertaken. The aim being to create a dense and varied habitat for wildlife while letting more sunlight into the garden. We were pleased to have another student working towards his Duke of Edinburgh award who assisted us with this task.
Maintenance of fences and raised beds was kept up to date, but although tree work was assessed and quoted for by specialists in 2020 it has yet to be approved by the council and carried out.
We continued to have help with grass cutting which was very much appreciated but we are still too small a team of workers to realise the full potential of the garden. Despite this the garden bloomed throughout the year. Previously rampant weeds were kept down, cultivated areas were kept tidy and a new bed was cut in the grass and planted with colourful annuals. Two “meadow” areas continued to establish which not only benefited wildlife but also reduced the need for regular maintenance.
Throughout another difficult year the Moat Garden has continued to provide a welcome space for the community to use when so many other places were restricted.
THE MOAT GARDEN PROJECT Charity no 1169894 Accounts for the period 1 November 2020 to 31 October 2021
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£
Income received Plant sales 541.75
Donation 20.00
Total Income 561.75
Expenditure Insurance 114.00
Total Expenditure 114.00
Balance at 1 November 2020 1,748.46
Excess of income over expenditure 447.75
Balance at 31 October 2021 2,196.21
Balance Sheet for the year ended 31 October 2021
Fixed assets
Freehold property valued at cost 12,000.00
Current assets
balance at bank 2,192.19
cash in hand 4.02
2,196.21
Total assets 14,196.21
Graham P House
Treasurer and Trustee
05-Mar-22
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