2025-12-31-accounts

CIO 1181126 DCS: RHS Heritage Garden Winner 2025 Garden Judged Outstanding Level 5 Award 2025

Didsbury Civic Society Report to the Charity Commission for 2025

Our year started very well and continued to improve throughout the twelve months. The society has been very stable even though we are currently operating with only 5 trustees for the whole of the reporting period. Our regular monthly meetings are well attended and we are lucky to have the 6 councillors who represent Didsbury East and West as members and attendees. Whilst Covid -19 affected our past works and commitments, everything now appears to be fully back on track.

We would report our achievements and activities during the year are as follows:

The Garden of Contemplation:

Having completed the garden in 2024. It was decided to enter the RHS programme of judging for the season 2025. Whilst the garden has been widely acclaimed and the work fully appreciated by the Didsbury Community. It still came as a complete surprise to be crowned the North West RHS Heritage Garden Winner 2025, and also for the garden to be judged “Outstanding Level 5” for 2025 at our first attempt. When we were visited for the judging of the garden, it appeared to surprise the visiting officials that it was planted with unusual, none standard colourful perennials. Which we believe went down well with the visitors on the day. The garden was created by the generosity of local businesses and the community and it was suggested by the judges that we should remember their generosity with a plaque or similar. Which we will endeavour to do as soon as practical.

Cadent Pumping Station Parrs Wood Park:

The old and very tired looking gas pumping station had been recently upgraded from a wood and brick facility overlooked by the local residents of the surrounding apartments to a bright new faculity. Unfortunately, soon after installation and commissioning it suffered a bout of anti-social vandalism by being graffitied with the usual tiresome and nonsensical and meaningless tags. Having, given the problem some thought with Cadent Gas it was decided that we should try and convert the facility into a work of art, with the addition of nature murals painted by a local artist. Cadent who were fully behind the project agreed with us that local artist Miss Daly (Caroline) be commissioned to carry out the work funded by the Gas Company. As part of their work in the community, including the “Welcome to Didsbury” message across the back of the hut facing the Gateway public house, a local landmark from the 1920`s. Supporting and reinforcing the local public view that the road junction was considered to be the “Gateway to Didsbury”.

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CIO 1181126 DCS: RHS Heritage Garden Winner 2025 Garden Judged Outstanding Level 5 Award 2025

Parrs Wood Pocket Park:

Due to the success of the creation of the Garden of Contemplation. The DCS were asked to work with MCC Groundworks to bring some much-needed improvements to the Parrs Wood pocket park. Which has now been done with 7 new ornamental blossom trees also being added, new timber planters installed and stocked with plants, its uneven and potholed paths repaired and new post and rail fencing to the A34 Kingsway roadside, much improving the outlook of the area. Cadent returned for a community day during the lead up to the Autumn. Clearing the weeds, and nonindigenous bushes from around their resplendent looking cabin.

We hope to secure a Neighbourhood Investment Grant from Manchester City Council to supplement the past spring planting of Tulips, Daffodils and Tete-a-Tete bulbs. We were also lucky to secure one of the limited edition bright red British Heart Foundation benches which can be spotted quite easily from outside of the garden due to its vibrant colour, currently featuring regularly on TV and the heavy weight colour supplements. The benches are being used to promote the advances made in heart surgery and care in both the young and old alike by extending life expectations and the ability to take part in a normal life.

We still also hope that Amey, MCC `s approved electrical contractor will supply and install a power connection to the large evergreen tree at the junction of the paths within the park to commemorate Christmas, at this newly regenerated end of Didsbury, and also be a focal point for this end of the community.

Christmas Decorations:

We still await to agree the location and type of Christmas decorations required to rejuvenate the Library Concourse and local Heritage area of Didsbury. It is hoped to change from the standard regulation tree issue, of an over-bearing Christmas tree as the annual solution. With a smaller tree installed to the library garden side area, and concourse lights. The tree being either in the form of a planted or a potted variety installed with guidance from the MCC horticultural team.

Heritage Area:

The DCS has tried to increase the outlook of this area significantly. Considerable discussions have taken place on this subject regarding the areas including exterior building colours, and gaudy coloured signage covering windows. There needs to be a rethink by the council along with a tightening of the existing rules. It has also been discussed whether artistic signage and building outlines could be a introduced possibility similar to the local Heatons being an option?

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CIO 1181126 DCS: RHS Heritage Garden Winner 2025 Garden Judged Outstanding Level 5 Award 2025

Pavements and Streets:

Considerable work has taken place to improve both Didsbury West and Didsbury East pavements removing the uneven and dangerous surfaces which previously hemmed in many of the older residents of Didsbury. However, there is still a long way to go across Didsbury M20. It is understood that funding has been a problem though it also feels like false economy plays a significant part in the decisions taken over past years. It is important that Highways ensure that the various utility groups working on the council property improve the reinstatement work which they undertake, whether telecoms, gas, water and electric just do not simply come along and undo the good works carried out and create a new patchwork quilt to the pavements. Parking on the pavements is also a dangerous problem in our area. Much of the infrastructure is also embedded under the pavement and suffers under the weight of both commercial vehicles and the significantly increased weight of electric cars.

Planning and Licensing:

Recent events have proved disappointing. There is a considerable apathy from MCC to take action against licence applications trying to extend licensing hours into early morning hours even within residential areas, with 3am closing currently being requested. Which, also determines other ancillary requests from take away food establishment owners wishing to follow suit. It also increases the activity of private hire and taxis both standing and idling, vehicle doors slamming etc along with local take away waste increasing. Recent experiences of planning shows that they are not prepared to take the developers on, regarding problems like the previously mentioned paint colours, garish signage and external decoration. Which could have seen a landmark building painted orange, white and green as all the colours were acceptable in the particular heritage area. Although it was never intended to be a combination which it quite easily could have been. Council Planning should be continuously reviewing that the bye laws are fit for purpose in 21[st] century similar to that which the private sector would carry out. Outside drinking likewise especially close to pavements tends to encourage pavement “creep”. Blocking walk ways and forcing individuals to use the roads to pass large groups. Likewise, the Didsbury Dozen brings the same cause and effect. Importantly, does it bring real revenue to local businesses. Those, that stay open are usually part of large corporates rather than those simply running a local small business The large brewers make money, but do the Didsbury Traders actually benefit and see increased profits as tenants and managers? There should also be an evaluation of whether an extra license fee should be applicable to cover tidy up etc allowed and included under the local bye laws. For those operating the Didsbury Dozen? Perhaps including pub and bar names printed on their plastic pots to identify those taking part in the “dozen” and for door rules to be openly displayed outside of each premises?

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CIO 1181126 DCS: RHS Heritage Garden Winner 2025 Garden Judged Outstanding Level 5 Award 2025

Heritage Days:

The heritage programme runs well each year, but the numbers attending over the weekend appear to reducing each year. Which in all probability is due to the age of the support volunteers and the attendees. Our opening talk is very well attended on the Friday night and raises funds for a good cause. Which in this year was the British Red Cross.

Hannukkah Celebrations:

In 2025 we had the first Hanukkah celebration on the library concourse which was a great success. It was a good test of local resources and ingenuity with the various groups involved especially with electrical power having to be provided to the selected area at short notice. For 2026 we plan to connect the Menorah lights and P A via the mains electricity on site.

Social Trips:

The trips are still strongly supported by the membership and are open to other community groups. They are not regarded as a source of funds especially with a cost-of-living crisis. The Coaches remain expensive, especially with the Ukraine War and the Middle East likewise affecting fuel costs. They do however bring the Community together and are usually very quickly booked up. With both the venue and lunch facility being fully researched by the leader along with a number of members. The next trips are already in the diary for May and September 2026.

Membership:

The membership numbers remain variable although in 2025 but we have seen several new members join us. Probably due to very local issues around the Didsbury Wards which are usually visible and compromise local situations.

Graffiti and ASB:

Graffiti still remains problematic with certain “hot spots” There is too much reliance on not our job/property responses, and are usually brought about by the current trend of outsourcing (leading to the question of who is actually responsible), and the lack of budgetary resource etc. The community would prefer not to reside in an area which looks run down by the lack of response. The perpetrators currently autograph their social vandalism and the names appear to be put on view with impunity or the fear of any penalty. The graffiti to the Parrs Wood railway station bridge is a regular cat and mouse problem. It should not depend on the public to both report the problem and then in desperation clean the offending area themselves. The cleaning is the responsibility of the operators Northern Rail, and GMPTE etc or those signing

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CIO 1181126 DCS: RHS Heritage Garden Winner 2025 Garden Judged Outstanding Level 5 Award 2025

the maintenance contract and should be carried out without the public have to constantly chase for action.

Enforcement action should also be taken against those undertaking the vandalism to reward the perpetrators namely “Maca, AYC and Maple” with an early morning knock on their door by GMP or other security colleagues to show action is being taken and that offenders cannot ruin public artworks and buildings without reprisals. Especially having signed their vandalism for all to see?

Car Parking:

As previously mentioned, parking is an increasing problem around the streets, because of the lack of free spaces or even chargeable ones, whether it be a shopping trip or the school run. The school run pickup appears to be growing problematical with parents regularly parking on double yellow lines, or with their side wheels on the pavement areas. Some now tend to even see they are entitled to park their whole vehicle on the pavement. Disadvantaging parents with buggies, those who are visually impaired, or using wheel chairs and ambulators being forced to walk in the roads to pass by. Traffic rat-running is notably increased around estates to avoid traffic lights and the many road works regularly popping up without due notice etc. Strong action is needed by Enforcement both in ticketing, and towing away parking offenders, along with the penalising of permitted works which over run. Parking on the solid white “courtesy lines” outside of private houses can also make it difficult to enter and exit drive ways especially in the narrow side roads to houses built in the late 1920s.

Yours sincerely

Mike Corlett

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	DIDSBURY CIVIC SOCIETY	DIDSBURY CIVIC SOCIETY	DIDSBURY CIVIC SOCIETY	DIDSBURY CIVIC SOCIETY	DIDSBURY CIVIC SOCIETY	DIDSBURY CIVIC SOCIETY	DIDSBURY CIVIC SOCIETY	DIDSBURY CIVIC SOCIETY	DIDSBURY CIVIC SOCIETY	DIDSBURY CIVIC SOCIETY
	RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 DECEMBER 2025
PAYMENTS	2025				2024		RECEIPTS	2025				2024
	Social	General	Restricted	Total	Total			Social	General	Restricted	Total	Total
Social events	2,647			2,647	2,975		Social events	3,063			3,063	3,098
Cenotaph andgarden			1,113	1,113	20,469		Cenotaph andgarden Donations			144	144	10,002
Ghost Art		10		10	2,328		Cenotaph andgarden Grants				-	1,540
Committee expenses		125		125	-		Parrswood Mural			3,780	3,780
Parrswood Mural			3,780	3,780	-		VE 80 Day			520	520
CommunityDay			350	350			CommunityDay			350	350
VE 80 Day		46	520	566	-		Subscriptions		702		702	940
Heritage day& books		75		75	-		Donations		250		250	292
Public Health Meeting				-	119		Gift Aid reclaimed		535		535	305
Office expenses		162		162	101		Heritage day& books		362	-	362	5
Rememberance Daycosts		24		24	24
General expenses				-	40		TOTAL	3,063	1,849	4,794	9,706	16,182
Insurance		101		101	101
Heritage Donation Red Cross			325	325			SUMMARY
							Balances as at 31 Dec 2024	1,930	7,059	7,332	16,321	26,296
							Income	3,063	1,849	4,794	9,706	16,182
							Expenditure	2,647	543	6,088	9,278	26,157
							Balances as at 31 Dec 2025	2,346	8,365	6,038	16,749	16,321
TOTAL	2,647	543	6,088	9,278	26,157
							Bank Balance at 31 December 2025				16,749	16,321
RESTRICTED FUNDS
	2024	Transfer	Receipts	Payments	2025		I certify that the above accounts are in accordance	with the Society's books and records
Cenotaph andgarden	7,332		144	1,113	6,363		Mike Corlett
Parrswood Mural			3,780	3,780	-		Chairman
VE 80 Day	-		520	520	-
Heritage day	-		-	-	-		CJ Smail
	7,332	-	4,444	5,413	6,363		Independent Examiner