Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 01 April 2021 To 31 March 2022
Charity name: Friends of the Marden Valley
Charity registration number: 1173673
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | (1) To promote for the benefit of the public the conservation, protection and improvement of the River Marden and its tributaries, from its source to its confluence with the River Avon (North East of Chippenham), together with its surrounding habitats, its wildlife, both flora and fauna of its catchment basin, and (2) To advance the education of the public in the conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment as well as the history of the River Marden Valley. |
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
Continued maintenance of the River Marden and its tributaries in particular the Abberd Brook area. Conducting and recording an active series of on-line meetings and webinars. Commissioning of a survey of wildlife in the area. Holding a well-attended river day in Calne. Replacing a damaged information board and creating a new one. Planning major improvement of the Abberd Brook with experts from the Bristol Avon Rivers Trust. Completion of a wildflower garden and an orchard near a local community centre. Continued monitoring of the condition of the river and its tributaries and the health of its wildlife. Informing the Environment Agency of pollution and spills. Published a declaration of rights of the Marden Valley to increase awareness of environmental issues. |
| Statement confirming | Para 1.18 | Inplanning, organizing and implementing |
| whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
all the activities of the charity the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit and affirm that the primary purpose of the charity is to make the Marden Valley and its immediate surroundings an amenity for the public. |
|
|---|---|---|
| Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements |
where relevant about: | |
| SORP reference | ||
| Policy on grant making | Para 1.38 | |
| Policy on social investment including program related investment |
Para 1.38 | |
| Contribution made by volunteers |
Para 1.38 | Approximately 30 volunteers contributed over 300 hours in total in the period as outdoor activities continued to be somewhat constrained by Covid restrictions. |
| Other |
Achievements and Performance
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. |
Para 1.20 | The charity continued to engage with young persons in outdoor activities and conservation. The group known as the River Warriors held regular meetings to assist in cleaning the Abberd Brook area and in increasing awareness of the wildlife in the area whenever covid lock down constraints allowed. Meetings of the trustees, members and partners continued on line (zoom) and a number of talks were recorded and posted on line including: Fish and Friends: Wildlife in the River Marden April 15 2021 Tree planting Carbon and Climate May 12 2021 Pollinators: Their crucial role June 15 2021 Butterflies of Morgan’s Hill July 21 2021 River Marden Day 6 November 2021 |
These continue to be viewed and downloaded by the public.
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | £4,600 of cash grants were raised in the period. In addition further support was obtained, in particular from the Calne Town Council which provided materials and installation of information boards, supported the river day activities and paid for liability insurance. As well support from corporate sponsors who provided land and equipment for the development of an orchard. |
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | |
| Other |
Financial Review
| Financial Review | ||
|---|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | The charity had a positive balance of £4,715 at the end of the period with liabilities (accounts payable) of £2,500 giving current assets of £2,215 at the end of period. |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | The Charity held just £100 in reserve at the start of the period as covid constraints meant a reduced level of activity and expenditure. In anticipation of a more activities and greater expenditure it is expected that a policy of holding a reserve equivalent to about 10% of expenditures will be prudent. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | £400 |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 |
Additional information (optional)
| Additional information (optional) | Additional information (optional) | |
|---|---|---|
| Youmay choose toincludefurtherstatements | whererelevant about: | |
| The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Para 1.47 | During this period the charity was funded by public funds (approx. 20% from Wiltshire Council, 80% from Calne Town Council). In future it is planned to access other (non-public funding) and initial indications are positive in this regard. |
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | |
| Other |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
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|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | Constitution |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | CIO |
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Para 1.25 | appointed by trustees |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees |
Para 1.51 | |
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | |
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | |
| Other | The charity developed and adopted a safeguarding policy in this period. |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Friends of the Marden Valley |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | Friends of AbberdBrook |
| Registered charity number | 1173673 |
| Charity’s principal address | Flat 15 Castle House Castle Street Calne SN110EY |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee(if any) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robert MacNaughton |
Secretary | |||
| Ian Leslie Thorn | Chair | |||
| Tamzyn Long | Trustee | |||
| Andrew Steven Jones |
Treasurer | |||
Corporate trustees – names of the directors at the date the report was approved Director name
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Description of the assets held in this capacity
Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
Additional information (optional)
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
Type of Name Address adviser
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
Other optional information
During this period James Gray, Member of Parliament for North Wiltshire agreed to take on the role of Honorary President of the Charity.
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
| Signature(s) Full name(s) Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc) Date |
||
|---|---|---|
| Andrew Steven Jones | Ian Leslie Thorn | |
Treasurer |
Chair | |
| 1 April 2022 | ||
| 1 April 2022 |
Financial Statements
For
The Friends of the Marden Valley
Registered Charity Number 1173673
For the period 1[st] April 2021 to 31[st] March 2022
Summary and notes to financial statements
The charity received two grants in the period.
The first for £1,000 from the Calne Area Board of Wiltshire Council was to fund a survey and to prepare a report on the biodiversity, landscape and habitats within the catchment area of the River Marden. This work was largely conducted in the period and an invoice from the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust for £1,000 was received and recorded as an account payable at the end of the period until the work was finalised.
The second grant was from the Calne Town Council for £3,600. This was for installation of Information Boards concerning the wildlife to be found in the Abberd Brook area and how it may develop in the future. Improving the flow and habitat quality of Abberd Brook. Production of video and resource materials to educate residents (especially schoolchildren) about the Marden Valley. Some administration and insurance costs to ensure our online presence and environmental improvement and clean-up activities. While progress was made in all these areas only one invoice (£500, for the production of artwork for the information board) was processed in the period.
Overall, the net assets of the charity increased in the period by £3,100.
No trustees or related parties were funded by the charity and all expenditures were in accordance with the aims of the charity.
The trustees consider the charity is in a viable and financially sound position with assets exceeding anticipated expenditures.
Prepared by
Andrew S. Jones
Treasurer, Friends of The Marden Valley
1 April 2022
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Financial Statement
The Friends of the Marden Valley
1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022
Income Statement
| Date 25/01/2022 22/02/2022 Date 25/02/2022 |
Source Wiltshire Council Grant Calne Town Council Grant Total Income in Period Expenditure Payment for Artwork for Information Board Total Expenditure in period |
Income £ 1,000.00 £ 3,600.00 |
|---|---|---|
| £ 4,600.00 Expenses £ 500.00 |
||
| £ 500.00 | ||
| Net income inperiod | £ 4,100.00 |
| Balance Sheet Assets Bank account opening balance closing balance total Total Assets Liabilities Accounts payable 10/01/2022 To Wiltshire Wildlife Trust Total Liabilities Net assets start of period end of period Change over period |
SOP EOP Change in period £ 115.23 £ 4,215.23 £ 115.23 £ 4,215.23 £ 4,100.00 |
|---|---|
| £ 115.23 £ 4,215.23 £ 4,100.00 |
|
| £ 1,000.00 | |
| £0 £ 1,000.00 £1,000 |
|
| £115.23 £ 3,215.23 |
|
| £115.23 £ 3,215.23 £3,100.00 |
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