THE MOAT GARDEN PROJECT (“the Charity”)
TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE PERIOD 1 NOVEMBER 2023 TO 31 OCTOBER 2024 (“the Period”)
1. 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 £1,004.11 from all of its income sources and made total payments of £295.97 which resulted in £708.14 of income in excess of expenditure. The total cash funds of the charity at year end was £3,929.56.
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3.3.On 4 May 2024 the trustees adopted a financial reserves policy. On 16 May 2024 the trustees agreed a minor revision to give greater clarity to the policy. The reserves policy is “ To accumulate and maintain sufficient reserves to fund a minimum of a year’s routine operating costs plus suitable provision of approximately £1000 for tree work”.
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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.
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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 30 April 2025 Anne Elizabeth Jelliffe Roger Leonard Weldhen Ida Rosina West Graham Philip House
Moat Garden Project - Garden Report 2023/2024
The Moat Garden continues to be used by the community, young and old, as a space to either get together and have fun or to sit and enjoy some piece and quiet amidst an abundance of flowers, insects and birds. Badgers still make their presence felt by making tracks and digging holes but are never actually seen.
The usual Xmas mulled cider sales were a big disappointment in December 23 due to lack of attendance at the community event. However the plant sales weekend continued to thrive and raise much needed funds.
The raised beds are no longer required by the primary school but were taken up by other members of Castle Cary including someone who lives in local sheltered housing. A further three beds were prepared and used by a parent from the primary school with a group of children from an after school club - plenty of plants were grown including mange tout and beans up wigwams, tomatoes, pumpkins and flowers. This parent however did struggle with lack of enthusiasm and support from other parents.
March once again saw a team of local Rotarians spending a morning working hard to bring some order to the Moat Garden.They coppiced larger Hazels, trimmed the field edge hedge and put the brash to good use in the dead hedges. They also helped repair the raised beds, compost bins and fallen fence.
Work was started on planting a snowdrop lawn which will be added to each year and we also continued sowing plug plants and tailoring the mowing regime to improve the wild meadow area. The trustees continue to work hard to promote the Moat Garden as a community space and to try and encourage new helpers.
THE MOAT GARDEN PROJECT Charity no 1169894 Accounts for the period 1 November 2023 to 31 October 2024
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|2022/2023|
|£|
|Income received|Cider stall sales|283.00|452.50|
|Plant sales|609.51|484.22|
|Grant from Cary Cares|58.98|
|Bank interest|52.62|31.57|
|Total Income|1,004.11|968.29|
|Expenditure|Insurance|140.80|114.00|
|Machinery|443.78|
|Repairs & maintenance|115.17|65.11|
|Signs|40.00|
|Total Expenditure|295.97|622.89|
|Balance at 1 November 2023|3,221.42|
|Excess of income over expenditure|708.14|
|Balance at 31 October 2024|3,929.56|
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Balance Sheet for the year ended 31 October 2024
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|Fixed assets|
|Freehold property|valued at cost|12,000.00|
|Current assets|
|Bank deposit account|3,584.19|
|Bank current account|345.37|
|3,929.56|
|Total assets|15,929.56|
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Graham P House Treasurer and Trustee 02-Apr-25