Leominster In Bloom 2024
Another successful year with Gold once again being our reward.
In spite of all the problems thrown at us, the streets were decorated to such a high standard. All the chaos of the essential maintenance work to the streets did indeed create an extraordinary challenge. It was quite an upheaval that everyone experienced and in support of the businesses, I believe we did a great job.
In the Priory Church the “Threads through Creation”, a most wonderful exhibition gave us the opportunity to provide a lair for the wonderful Leominster Lion. We were so lucky to have Gail Harrison to assist with this. So many from the community played a part, such as Leominster Meeting Centre, 1st Orleton Brownies and The Pom Ladies and a huge number of the general public provided flowers, knitted and crocheted in abundance.
The planned single colours in the streets around the town worked well in spite of having to move some planters as worked progressed. We are extremely grateful to the Philpott’s girls and our chief designer Romey, with assistance from many others to make it happen as we envisaged.
The summer planting saw 155 bags of Miracle Grow Peat Free Compost being used and supplied by Hintons, although of course we paid for them!
Many others have helped us amongst these The Pom Ladies who did an exhibit in memory of World War II which was taken to Normandy and then on to Llandudno. The Ladies produced Phone and Mail Box Toppers, even on the new Walter Worcester Phone Box. This now has planters as well as the Topper.
We celebrated the opening of “Suzie” our very own Shed which is in the Secret Garden, thank you to the Town Council for allowing us to place it there. It is proving to be very useful
There are a number of other projects and Groups that we work successfully with including some of the Local Homes, The Nut Grove project which has been running since 2016, Ginhall Green Wild Flower meadow.
The schools competitions go from strength to strength under the guidance of Helena with literally thousands of entries. Also, Helena has encouraged schools to improve their gardens and wildlife areas
The Garden and Shop Window competitions run well with much enthusiasm from Sheila and others
We have been involved with Leominster Walkers and various trails have been developed during the year
A total Community Effort so well done to everyone in whatever way they have contributed.
Two Plant Fair events that we have held have produced good income but also has kept the LIB profile in peoples minds, a good way to promote ourselves. Thank you, Cynthia, for your organising skills.
I finally must mention our sponsors who never cease to amaze in giving their support and are so generous. I am sure we are to see more difficult times ahead with the economy, with many of our local shops and businesses trying to recover from the upheaval of the past twelve months. I do hope there is a light at the end of the tunnel and I have to say the town streets and Square are looking so good.
I have tried not to mention too many individuals, but I must just quickly mention, Gill who keeps great minutes, Julia who keeps us informed and Viv for her book keeping and getting the invoices out so proficiently and Diana for checking our books
Geoffrey Croft Chair
Leominster in Bloom
Leominster in Bloom Treasurer's Report for 2024 Overview l.eominsier in Bloom has had a productive financial year in 2024, with continued support from subscriptions. donations, and fundraising events 'Tris reEXTrrt outlines the ineome and expenditure for the year, providing a comparison with the previous year's financials. Once again Diana Emes has reviewed OUT accounts, and I would like to thank her for dotng this and for th¢ help and advice she has given me. Income Summary Subscriptions: £85. Donations: £700, a slight decrease from £1067 last year. (Includes £150 from Caroline Savager in memory of her moiher. plaque still to be placed and £200 from Jane Lacy for raffleltombola prizes. We have a surplus of £214.57 from Janes o_-nerous donations carried forward inlo 2025.) Market Stalls: £650.92, down from £14£4.J) in 202J. Plant Fair: £2066.40, a modest increase from £1983.24. Bueket Collections: £56.74, up from £29.43. Easy Funding l Amazon: No income wos generated from these sources this year, compared io £46.96 in 2023. Sponsorship.. £11,430, remaining consistent with £l1.650 last year. Fundraising Event5 & Just Giving: N'o additional income from these streams. Grant Funding: £1230. (Herefordshire Community Fund £730 for wild flower rneadow, we have spent £485.99 for seed, 80 Ycllow Raltle on order at £120 so Surplus of £124.01 for top UP Seed. Leominster Town Council £500 for Pom Pom Ladies Longesi Yarn Project travel case fonvarded in full in October) Interest: £177.8, up from £102.58 due in :.Igher intcrest raies. Total Income: £16,431.07. Expenditure Summary RHS & In Bloom Costs: £200.00, an increase of £55 as this now includes the cost of tickets to the annLi21 awards ceremony Advertising". £259.00. This year we had SEX)llsoTship of £)00 for the plant fairs and garden compeiitions so Invested in some new signs and leafiets to promote the events. Plant Fair Refunds: £50.00 Equipment: £1,053.17 (Wheel Barrow £O- Shed costs including deposit in 2023 £1331.77) Printing: £234.99. Mainly printing for 001,5 competitions covered by sFx)nsorship Stationery: £145.24 Website: £151.20 Planting: £8,669.99. There was a reduciion in planting costs from Philpotts as we had two less beehives and no hanging baskets. Sponsor Signs: £266.73 Tombola & Market Prizes." £lJ6.01 Down from £227.58. we did less events. Expenditure from Grant$." £985.99. See grani funding aEN)ve. Competition Prizes: £125.75 Sundries: £175.64 Bertie Bargates: £0.00 Total Expenditure: £12.453.71
Surplus and Comparison Surplus: £3977.36 down £254.82 v 2023. The overall income shows a slight decline in certain utegories like donations and markel slalls, while plant fair earnings and bucket collections showed improvement. Sponsorshlp remains a key comwnent of oui financial stability. With a total expenditure of £12,453.71. the committee has managed spending effectively, ensuring funds are used to support planling projects, community engagement, and operational expenses. We will conlinue to monitor and optimize our eN¥k:1ses to en511re the sustainability of our initiatives. Thank you to all our sponsors, donors. and volunteers for their coniinued support. Conclusion Leorninster in Bloom remains in a stable financial wsition, allowing us 10 maintain and expand our comrnunity projects. We look forward to another successful year ahead. Prepared by the Treasurer, Leominster in Bloom. Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Leominster in Bloom I rewrt to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Leominster in Bloom for the year ended 31 December 2024. Responsibilities and basis of report As the charity trustees ol.the Charily. you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Chaiities Act 2011 l=the Act,). I report in respeet of my examination of the Charity s accounis carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable directions given by the Charity ComJnission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. Independent examiner's statement I have completed my examination. I confirn) that I have no concems and have come across no other matters in connection with the exatnination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Signed.. Name: DIANA C EMES Dale.. 7, April 2025
LEOMINSTER IN BLOOM BREAKDOWN OF 2024 INCOME & EXPENDITURE FULL YEAR 2024 INCOME EXPENDITURE SURPLUS SUBSCRIPTIONS 2023 £85.CX) E70.00 DONATIONS £700. £1,1%7.00 £0. GIFfAID RECLAIM £0. I MARKET STALLS £650.92 £1.424.33 £1.983.24 PLANT FAIR £2,066.40 £56.74 BUCKET COLLECnONS EASY FUNDINGIAMAZON SPONSORSHIP £29.43 £0.00 £46.96 £11.430. £11,650.00 FUNDRAISING EVENTS JUST GIVING £O.C#) £o.IL) SUNDRIES £34.20 BERTIE BARGATES £O.LNJ GRANT FUNDING BANK INTEREST £1,230.00 £177.81 £ioo.00 £102.58 £16,473.54 TOTAL £16.431.07 RHS & IN BLOOM COSTS ADVERTISING 200. 145.00 259. PLANT FAIR REFUNDS EQUIPMENT 50.1KJ 30.00 1,053.17 234.99 1,108.49 500.60 PRINTING STATIONARY 145.24 364.17 WEBSITE 151.20 50.40 PLANTNG 8,669.99 9,253.85 300.93 SPONSOR SIGNS TOM80LA & MARKET PRIZES EXPENDITURE FROM GRANTS 266.73 136.01 227.58 985.99 COMPETITION PRIZES SUNDRIES 125.75 175.64 260.34 BERTJE BARGATES TOTAL £0. 12.453.71 12,241.36 £4.232.18 GAINIL05S Pètty Cash CASH IN HAND 3377.36 £16.89 £0.00 CURRENT ACCOU SAVINGS ACCOUNT £ 658.48 £830.47 £ ,612.03 I.80 £11.309.59 Prepayment website TOTAL FUNDS £252.00 £ 16.386.31 £12,41r6.95 Bertie maintenance funds LIB funds Website to Jun 26 £277.95 £16,(K17.56 £iC4).80 £16.386.31 ÈELONGS TO £277.95 8EKfiE £11,879.00 TOTAL LI8 FUNDS £252.LX) £12.408_95
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