Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From: 01/10/24 Period start date To: 30/09/25 Period end date
Charity name: FRIENDS OF RIDLEY PARK (FORP)
Charity registration number: 1177588
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | FORP was set up to: • help the inhabitants of Blyth and its surrounding area by providing or assisting in the provision of facilities for recreation and other leisure time occupation. • improve the conditions of life for the inhabitants in the area of benefit by the preservation, promotion, support, assistance and improvement of Ridley Park. |
| 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 |
Park entrance project to improve the main entrance to make it more attractive to the local community. Construction is underway and installation is due for Spring 2026. Fundraising continues for a ringfenced maintenance fund with ticket sales and donations from One Lottery. Nature projects to improve and promote biodiversity in the park. • Contribution towards wooden pergola and climbing roses (with funding from Co-op Community Fund In previous financial year) • Gardening equipment for volunteers • Seasonal planting • Bird feeder Public Liability Insurance To ensure all volunteers, their events and activities in the park setting are covered. |
| Pavilion upkeep • CCTV monitor was replaced and security lights cleaned • Nature mural on back of pavilion was repainted • Toilets were repainted |
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|---|---|---|
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | The trustees have observed the Commission’s statutory guidance on public benefit to improve facilities and activities within Ridley Park. |
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 | Treasurer: 2.5 hours weekly (130 hours) Secretary: 2.5 hours weekly (130 hours) Trustee: 1 hour weekly (70 hours) Trustee: 7 hours Accounts auditor: 8 hours Weekly Jobs in the Park: 288 hours per year Community event attendance: 24 hours Total for year: 657 hours |
| 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 | Park entrance During this financial year FORP has continued to liaise with Northumberland County Council who will project manage the works. The contract was awarded to Stephen Lunn, Anvilman, Red Row, Northumberland and he is currently working on its fabrication. The installation is due to take place in 2026. FORP fundraising efforts for the park entrance continued through One Lottery ticket sales and donations from prize- winners to build up and ring fence a maintenance fund. This project will substantially enhance and promote the park to the community. The park entrance has been driven forward by community involvement. It was designed by students from The Blyth Academy with the aim of giving young people pride in a local feature. Nature projects FORP liaised with Northumberland County Council regarding the new wooden pergola in the rose garden and contributed towards its new climbing roses. Croftway School children did summer planting over two sessions as part of their community week. Garden equipment was donated by ASDA Community Champion to replace broken equipment. Other items were replaced from member funds. Members often engage with the public to explain the planting strategies in the park. The gardening equipment has allowed members to participate more easily in nature activities within Ridley Park and introduce new members to gardening activities. Pavilion upkeep The CCTV monitor was replaced and its cameras cleaned upon receiving a grant from the local Blyth Town Councillor. |
A large external nature mural was repainted in September 2025. Members worked together to repaint and varnish the mural featuring a squirrel, fox and leaves through the seasons which had fallen into disrepair. The pavilion toilets were repainted by volunteers. The ASDA Community Champion donated painting equipment. These all contribute to the overall pavilion upkeep by the volunteers and improve the experience of visitors to the park and pavilion by keeping the area wellmaintained and problem free. Other achievements These relied heavily on volunteer time and minimal or no financial input from FORP. Members bring a positive presence to the park to improve the park for all the community. Some members work together on creative projects, while others are active on engagement with groups in the wider community. Activities include: JOBS IN THE PARK (weekly): litter picking, deadheading roses, bird-screen and pavilion cleaning, light gardening, window displays, nest box audit and report, Blyth Rotary crocus planting for World Polio Day. Members provide a welcoming and positive presence in the park. Visitors frequently comment how beautiful and well-kept Ridley Park is and appreciate the activities carried out by the volunteers. HERITAGE ACTIVITIES to promote and record the park characters. Bill & Ben mascots were decorated throughout the year. A festive edition of FORP CONNECT was produced to help charity trustees stay in touch with Ridley Park, especially those with an underlying health condition, living alone or socially isolated. It is also considered a valuable archive resource for FORP. PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT to promote Ridley Park and the activities of FORP to the wider community. Volunteers attended the following:
| • Northumberland Wildlife Trust |
|---|
| • Thriving Together Network |
| • Love to Volunteer event |
| • Best of Blyth Community |
| Celebration |
| • Blyth Library Carnival event |
| • Blyth CVA event |
| • University of the Third Age (U3A) |
| AWARDS |
| FORP contributed to the Green Flag 2024- |
| 2025 award by their community |
| involvement in Ridley Park. |
| PAVILION USE |
| Different groups and individuals from the |
| wider community used the space |
| throughout the year, including a regular |
| summer presence from the Royal British |
| Legion. |
| Blyth Town Council used the pavilion as a |
| base during park events and |
| Northumberland County Council used it for |
| their free tree collection scheme and |
| training sessions. |
| The pavilion benefits from its location in a |
| park and is accessible for a variety of |
| community uses. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
Achievements against Para 1.41 objectives set
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | |
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | |
| Other |
Financial Review
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | Expenditure continues to be carefully monitored. One Lottery ticket sales and prize-winner donations is allocated to the maintenance fund for the new park entrance. All other income from pavilion hire, Easyfundraising, bank interest and donations is allocated to the Miscellaneous fund unless otherwise specified. Members then agree to allocate funds to a particular project. Pavilion hire income has increased this year due in part to repeat bookings. The insurance premium was renegotiated this year leading to a decrease in the premium. This outlay continues to be an annual challenge for this small charity. Income is also generated by an interest paying account linked to the current account. The account name is changing to become a Charity Account. |
|---|---|---|
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | Friends of Ridley Park aim to hold £1000 in reserves as this will ensure we can cover our Public Liability insurance costs. |
| Amountof reservesheld | Para 1.22 | £1000.00 |
| 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) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Para 1.47 | |
|---|---|---|
| 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: |
||
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Charitable Incorporated Organisation (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 Charity Trustees of Friends of Ridley Park |
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 | Safeguarding Policy Data Protection Policy Health & Safety Policy Equality and Diversity Policy Volunteer Policy Social Media Policy |
| 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 |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Friends of Ridley Park |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | |
| Registered charity number | 1177588 |
| Charity’s principal address | 11 Manor Place Morpeth NE61 1FB |
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) | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole **year ** |
Dates acted if not for whole **year ** |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiona Gibson | March 2018 - present | Trustees of Friends of Ridley Park |
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| John Young | Treasurer | November 2023 - present |
Trustees of Friends of Ridley Park |
|||
| John Stenhouse | February 2025 - present | Trustees of Friends of Ridley Park |
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| 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)
| Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) | Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) | Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) |
|---|---|---|
| Type of adviser Name Address |
||
| 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
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 |
||
|---|---|---|
| Fiona Mary Gibson | ||
Trustee |
||
| 1 December 2025 | ||
| 1 December 2025 |
FRIENDS OF RIDLEY PARK Wensleydale Terrace, Blyth, NE24 3HF Charit Commission Number- 1177588 Statement of Accounts For the Year Ended th 30 September 2025
FRIENDS OF RIDLEY PARK Chari commis0 Number.. 1177588 RECEIPTS & PAYMENTS ACCOUNT- YEAR ENDED 30TH SEPTEMBER 2025 Total Funds at 1st October 2024 7.464.43 RECEIPTS Donations Donations- General Donations- Pavilion Use Donations- One Lottery Prizes 120.16 1,125.00 374.88 1,620.04 Grants & Awards Adrian Cartie IBlyth Town Council) Award 310.00 Other Recei ts Easy Fundraising Receipts One Lottery Ticket Sales Refunds Uoyds Bank Savings Account Interest 84.25 1.053.¢)J 64.12 1,201.37 TOTAL RECEIVED DURING THEYEAR 3,131.41 10.595.84 PAYMENT5 Miscellaneous Pro ect Insurance- Combined Policy NCC- Gaming Licence for One Lottery Flowers for Member Gardening Equipment Replacement CCTV Monitor Plants for Planter Pavilion Maintenance Materials RNLI Donation on behalf of Joan Dearden Plants for Croft Academy 313.83 20.(K) 30.(KI 9.98 194.40 31.50 S6.98 30.00 20.26 706.95 Bird Screen & Nest Boxes Pro ect Rodent-Proof Bird Feeder 34.90 Nature Pro ert NCC- Contribution towards Pergola & Roses 860.00 TOTAL PAID DURING THE YEAR 1.601.85 Total Fund5 at 30th Se tember 2025 8,993.99 10.595.84
FRIENDS OF RIDLEY PARK Chari Commission Number.. 1177588 STATEMENT OF MEMBER'S FUNDS AS AT 30TH SEPTEMBER 2025 Assets & Llablllties Assets Cash at Bank & In Hand= Balance at Lloyds Bank Cash in Hand 8.959.92 34.07 Total Assets 8.993.99 Total Liabiliies 8.993.99 Represented 8v'.- Member's Funds: Miscellaneous Projert Park Entrance Project Bird Screen & Nest Boxes Project 2.042.64 6,751.35 200.00 8.993.99 ned on behalf of all Trustees= 558n*ure Date 3 11.?¢>2 (Trustttl Name Signature Date 11. 2025 ITrusteel N4rne
FRIENDS OF RIDLEY PARK Accounts for the Year Ended 30 Se tember 2025 Inde endent Examinerfs Re ort Having examined the accounts of "Friends of Ridley Park" the receipts and payments are. to the best of my knowledge, a true and accurate record. Signed: Name: Joan Dearden Date: Addres5: 27. Forster Street Blyth Northumberland NE24 3BG Phone: 07926 522553 Charity Commission Number. 1177588