Friends of Huntingtree Park Annual Report
April 2024 to March 2025
Charity number 1172700
Aims and Purposes
To provide or assist in the provision of facilities for recreation and other leisure time activity in the interests of the social welfare and for the benefit of the inhabitants of Halesowen and the surrounding locality
.
The Trustees are also responsible for the maintenance and management of the Bowling Green under lease from Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council.
Objective
To improve the well-being of the residents of the area by the preservation, promotion, support, assistance and improvement of Huntingtree Park.
The trustees met four times during the year under review and when planning activities kept in mind the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit.
July 2024
Fifteen bowlers entered our annual Trophy competition displaying a high standard of bowling throughout the elimination rounds.
A good number of spectators were entertained by keenly contested games enjoying refreshments and fine company throughout a pleasant afternoon, which ended with Kevin Halliday playing David Johnson in a nail-biting final and a delighted Kevin retaining the Trophy Shield for a second year.
August 2024
A Craft fair to display and market the talent of local crafters had to be cancelled at the last minute due to the ill health and withdrawal of several stallholders. 3 After extensive lobbying of Parks Development, the tennis court was finally refurbished and brought back into use during
- The was achieved by a joint project between the Lawn Tennis Association and DMBC resulting in a new playing surface, markings, a new net, posts and an access system which allows the court to be booked via the LTA website with shared responsibility for future maintenance.
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The Friends organise a weekly
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Exercise and Socialise group for local residents. Regularly 20 people attend and weather permitting take a short walk around the park led by the resident Health Activators, returning for a welcome ‘cuppa’ and a chance to knit, sew and socialise with friends. Using craft skills they make pieces to support Halesowen’s entry to ‘Britain in Bloom’ and items for donation to UK and overseas charities.
November 2024
A Skittles Evening planned to bolster the finances of the Bowling Green had to be postponed until the new year due to poor ticket sales making it uneconomic, despite initial optimism and support for the event.
A Christmas Fair was held in late November and a variety of stalls attracted our many supporters to visit the Hub, renew old friendships and spend, raising £440 in the course of the afternoon. This money forms the mainstay of our general fundraising and is used to cover essential expenses Public Liability insurance, Lease payment etc..
Kevin Halliday, Treasurer.
Friends of Huntingtree Park – Charity Number 1172700
Financial Summary year ended 31 March 2025
| 2025 | 2024 | 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Income £ £ | Income £ £ | Income £ £ | Income £ £ | Income £ £ |
| Bowling subs & Donations | 2687 2296 | 2687 2296 | ||
| Events/ fundraising | 535 |
830 | ||
| 3222 3156 | 3222 3156 | 3222 3156 | 3222 3156 | 3222 3156 |
| Expenditure | ||||
| Bowling Green lease 250 |
250 | 250 | ||
| Bowling green maintenance | 3000 | 3000 | ||
| Printing Stationery &Advertising | 28 | |||
| Insurance | 130 | |||
| Sundries | Sundries | Sundries181 | ||
| 3588 3407 | ||||
| Deficit for the year | Deficit for the year | Deficit for the year | Deficit for the year367 251 | 367 251 |
| Brought forward at 31 March | Brought forward at 31 March | Brought forward at 31 March4322 _____ |
____ | |
| Carried forward |
3955 4322 | 3955 4322 | ||
| Represented by: | ||||
| Bowling Green Fund (restricted) | £1898 | |||
| General fund (unrestricted) | £2057 |
Conclusions
Despite cancelled activities, careful management and a strong Christmas Fair result, enabled us to maintain our target financial reserve of 12 months typical expenditure at the end of the financial year.
The Park remains a popular venue with the Children’s Play Area particularly busy throughout each day.
Kevin Halliday, Treasurer