BronFair Trustees report 31[st] March 2026
This year has been a trying time for the Charity with a dispute between the Charity and two individual now ex-members and now resolved. However, the trustees have continued to improve the allotment amenities and provide new plots for extra growers by dividing our larger plots (as they become empty) allowing more people to have their own space to garden. Bringing back an abandoned plot into use is a constant battle but on completion means that a new grower has the opportunity to grow. Currently all our plots are filed with people who love growing and the outdoors.
We also completed our family plot early this year allowing an extra 6 families to join us. This is a successful project, with its raised beds, community poly tunnel and shed is full of plants and growers.
We have also cleared a large area to be used as extra car parking. We continue to maintain and improve our community orchards and our flower gardens that encourage birds and bees to pollinate and our amenities to give a complete experience for our plot holders.
We have contacted Bridgend County Bourgh Council (BCBC) as landowners and asked them to improve the drainage ditch that runs outside the allotments land. We are situated on a hill and without that ditch functioning, water from the mountains flood the top plots. The ditch hasn’t been cleared in years. This work has now been completed by BCBC and a new gate installed so BCBC can maintain the drainage ditch to control excess water. This has made an incredible difference to flooding in the allotments.
Our aim for 2026-2027
Security is an issue and there has been instances of trespassing and a few sheds broken into. We intend to install WIFI, CCTV security Camera’s run on solar panels. They will enable us to run CCTV enabling greater security to protect our members assets and the assets of the Charity.
We have had disabled teams and young people with Autism join us this year. Plus, disabled people with their support workers we are running out of space. They have specialist needs so unable to manage their own plot. Our plan is to revamp a large overgrown area (already mentioned) to allow more people with specialist needs to enjoy the experience of an allotments.
Most importantly they need safe secure paths so they can get around safely and easily. Funds have been raised by private donation to partially complete this work this year; our aim is to create a lovely calm atmosphere for them to relax.
This area will be quite rustic with existing fruit trees, nesting boxes possible built in barbecue, but most important safe paths.
BronFair Financial Reserves
We understand the need for reserves, so we intend to keep £2000.00 in reserves.
The only Bronfair overheads are members Insurance, this is a semi-fixed overhead depending on the number of plot holders we have and Trustees insurance and currently £321.17 to run the allotments each year. Other expenditure includes porta loo cleansing, remedial work such as paining communal sheds, fences, raised beds and other such work, approximately £1200.00 was spent in this way in this year.
Our income from rent for plots is £2336.00, other profit income from compost sales is £120 but involves a great deal of work by the trustees which may be reduced in future years.
Our running costs are relatively low as we are an eco-site, we have no running water or electricity. Although there is a need for more community water butts, again we will try and raise funds to install more water storage to see members enough water to last through the summer season.
Christine Knight (Treasurer)