Chairs Report 2023
Over the last twelve months the FOSW have once again been working very hard to maintain and improve the woods for all to enjoy.
The restoration to Ellis Gibson Pond has proved to be a hit with a lot of positive comments being fed back from the general public. We have had to carry out some further work to this project as it became apparent that during the long dry spells that we experienced last year, the water flow into the pond was very poor. This caused a blanket of algae to form on the pond. The solution to this was to install a pipe from the main stream that runs parallel to the pond, this allows a constant flow of water into the pond and will hopefully solve the algae problem.
The memorial area project is continuing to move forward. Working closely with Blackburn university we are currently gathering information and ideas from the local and wider communities. We have been handing out questionnaires asking people their thoughts and ideas on how the memorial area should look, what kind of structures should be involved, location and for any other ideas. Response has been good with a lot of positive feedback. Once we have completed this phase of the project the results will be passed on to Blackburn University from which they will then in collaboration with the FOSW start to come up with a number of designs. This is a long term project but one that will be a great addition to the woods.
The FOSW wood are looking into the possibility of restoring three of the grade 2 listed structures in the woods. The structures that are under consideration are Huntington’s bridge, Potters Gate and Chadwick gate (Lychgate). Quotes have been obtained from specialist contractors who have experience with this kind of project. Due to the nature of the structures this is going to be a complicated project, in the first instance planning permission needs to be obtained before any work can be carried out. As the structures are owned by BWDC its their responsibility to obtain the correct permissions. Contact has been made with BWDC and a meeting has been set up to help move this project forward.
The craft fairs that we started last year have been a bit of a hit and miss, some months we have had a good turn out while other months have been quiet. We have recently purchased a Sum Up card payment reader and installed internet to the Visitors centre, hopefully these will make payments at the craft fairs a lot easier. We still continue to make a decent amount of money from the fairs which goes towards paying for the Carols and musicals in the wood events that we hold.
The Carols in the Wood was a success again this year with a good turn out and once again raised a decent amount of money that can be put into the projects that we are undertaking. We will be holding our Musical in the woods event again this July and we are hoping that this will become an annual event. A big thank you to the Police cadets and PSCO;s that attend these events and our volunteer mornings that we hold, they are a major asset and do a fantastic job for us.
We have held a couple of volunteer days for Capita this year which have proved successful and productive. A big thank you to all involved in organising and attending these days.
Aside from the main projects that are listed above, members of the group carry on with smaller projects through out the woods such as drainage work, pruning, path repairs and general repairs.
I would like to personally like to say a massive thank you to everyone who has made a contribution in the last twelve months. Without your help and support the woods would be in a much poorer state.
I would also like to mention Kirsty Done; Kirsty sadly lost her battle with cancer this year. She was a valuable member of the group and will always be remembered for her bright smile, laughter and input into the FOSW and will be remembered with fondness.
Douglas Wright Chair
Friends of Sunnyhurst Wood
Financial Report
For the year ended 31[st] March 2023
Completed by Les Slack
Signature
Date 30.05.23
Audited by Hayley Kilpatrick
Signature
Date 28.06.2023
Financial Position
Income
The income into our Current Account for the year to 31[st] March 2023 increased substantially due to us bringing back money from our savings with Jubilee Tower Credit Union to service a short term fixed rate savings account with United Trust Bank. From the three month period that we held this account the interest came to £132. We are continuing with this account for the foreseeable future but with a reduced balance (See Appendix A).
Individual donations amounted to £588, 80% of which came from the Craft Fair which we started at the Visitor Centre in April 2022. Initially we didn’t charge for stalls but from October we charged 5£/stall and raised £135 between then and Christmas. We are continuing with the Craft Fair and it is showing to be a good source of income. Another donation was from our collection box at the Coop which brought in £202. The FOSW Bric-a-Brac stall at the Craft Fair and the sale of excess wine from the summer concert together brought in £132. Hiring out the Visitor Centre to different organisations throughout the year raised £260. Our own fund raising efforts with the Summer concert and the Carols in the Wood concert brought in £1494 and the Lottery Community Fund gave us a grant of £9000. Our future fundraising include the Summer Concert in July and the Carols in the Wood concert in December.
Expenditure
Our outgoings have increased from last year mainly because in November we transferred £27000 to a short term fixed rate account with United Trust Bank. This account is ongoing but the balance has been reduced. (See Appendix B).
Our other large outgoing was for Woodland Maintenance. This amounted to £15306 and was for the Falcon Avenue gates restoration, the work completed on the Ellis Gibson Pond, levelling the Bandstand base and weedkiller for round the Visitor centre.
Events and Fundraising costs amounted to £1160. Our miscellaneous costs (£593) were high this year due to us buying five tables for use in the Visitor Centre and at the concerts.
Out tool costs (£350) were due to us buying A boards, a SumUp card reader, ink cartridges, high Viz jackets, Gloves, Secateurs, Petrol and a replacement Carburettor for the Brush cutter.
We currently have an estimate of £40000 for restoration of some Heritage structures but we are waiting instruction to proceed from Blackburn with Darwen Council as the work may need planning permission. In conjunction with Blackburn College we are also doing a public consultation about a memorial area in the wood but no estimates have been done or decisions made.
Reserves and Restricted Funding
Once again our financial situation is very good and we can meet our target of keeping £1500 in reserve for emergencies.
As of 31.03.23 we have £13632 restricted in a 3 month fixed rate account.
Total Restricted Funding £15132
Note. All the above amounts are to the nearest whole number.
Our Financial Position on 31.03.23 was :-
Balance at Jubilee Tower Credit Union 2029.16 Balance at United Trust Bank 13631.84 Total £37211.83
Total available for future projects and Maintenance £22079.83
Lloyds Bank Current Account April 1st 2022 – March 31st 2023
| Date | Description | Type | Receipt & Invoice No |
Income | Expenditure | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01.04.22 | Balance brought forward | £22,530.70 | ||||
| 05.04.22 | Ann Stokes | Donation for Summer Concert |
PIB 500035 | £15.00 | £22,545.70 | |
| 08.04.22 | Brenda Parkinson | Donation from Craft Fair | PIB 500035 | £38.50 | £22,584.20 | |
| 08.04.22 | Peter Hunt | Donation from Craft Fair | PIB 500035 | £36.50 | £22,620.70 | |
| 08.04.22 | Joan Moore | Donation from Craft Fair | PIB 500035 | £20.00 | £22,640.70 | |
| 08.04.22 | Visitor Centre | Donations at Craft Fair for Refreshments |
PIB 500035 | £33.20 | £22,673.90 | |
| 03.05.22 | Visitor Centre costs | Domestic supplies. Tea, Coffee, Sugar, Floor cleaner |
Debit card 158 |
£11.92 | £22,661.98 | |
| 06.05.22 | BwD Refresh Team | Hire of Visitor Centre | Invoice No 53 |
£50.00 | £22,711.98 | |
| 09.05.22 | SavoyService Station | Petrol for Generator | Debit card 159 |
£8.95 | £22,703.03 | |
| 13.05.22 | LotteryCommunityFund | Grant | FPI | £9,000.00 | £31,703.03 | |
| 13.05.22 | Visitor Centre | Donations at Craft Fair for Refreshments |
PIB 500037 | £22.58 | £31,725.61 | |
| 13.05.22 | Brenda Parkinson | Donation from Craft Fair | PIB 500037 | £50.00 | £31,775.61 | |
| 13.05.22 | Peter Hunt | Donation from Craft Fair | PIB 500037 | £13.00 | £31,788.61 | |
| 13.05.22 | Joan Moore | Donation from Craft Fair | PIB 500037 | £10.00 | £31,798.61 | |
| 13.05.22 | CoopBox | Fundraising | PIB 500037 | £34.45 | £31,833.06 | |
| 13.05.22 | Cups Direct | Paper cups for concerts | 160 | £83.82 | £31,749.24 | |
| 19.05.22 | BethanyWillow | Hire of Visitor Centre | Invoice No 55 |
£90.00 | £31,839.24 | |
| 23.05.22 | BwD Council | Peppercorn rent for VC | FPO | £1.00 | £31,838.24 | |
| 23.05.22 | Doug Wright | A boards & Printer ink Cartridges |
FPO 161 & 162 |
£104.97 | £31,733.27 | |
| 06.06.22 | Richard Done | Replacement Carburetor for Brush cutter |
FPO 163 |
£12.87 | £31,720.40 |
| 06.06.22 | Brenda Parkinson | Weedkiller for VC area | FPO 164 |
£28.00 | £31,692.40 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06.06.22 | BwD Refresh Team | Hire of Visitor Centre | Invoice No 54 |
£40.00 | £31,732.40 | |
| 10.06.22 | Summer Concert costs | Tea,coffee, Milk, Orange Squash,Vimto |
Debit card 165 |
£20.30 | £31,712.10 | |
| 10.06.22 | STC Services (Plant Hire) | Ellis Gibson Pond work | FPO 166 |
£4,200.00 | £27,512.10 | |
| 13.06.22 | Peter Leach | Craft Fair costs | FPO 167 |
£19.99 | £27,492.11 | |
| 13.06.22 | Peter Hunt | Donation from Craft Fair | PIB 500051 | £10.00 | £27,502.11 | |
| 13.06.22 | Visitor Centre | Donations at Craft Fair for Refreshments |
PIB 500051 | £14.10 | £27,516.21 | |
| 13.06.22 | Summer Concert | Fundraising | PIB 500051 | £401.95 | £27,918.16 | |
| 13.06.22 | Savoy Garage | Petrol for Generator | 168 | £9.57 | £27,908.59 | |
| 14.06.22 | BwD Refresh Team | Hire of Visitor Centre | Invoice No 56 |
£40.00 | £27,948.59 | |
| 14.06.22 | Blackburn & Darwen Band |
Summer Concert costs | FPO 169 |
£300.00 | £27,648.59 | |
| 14.06.22 | Doug Wright | Summer Concert costs | FPO 170 |
£111.75 | £27,536.84 | |
| 27.06.22 | Ann Stokes | Donation | FPI | £20.00 | £27,556.84 | |
| 27.06.22 | Summer Concert | Sale of excess wine | FPI | £30.00 | £27,586.84 | |
| 28.06.22 | Darwen Library Larks | Summer Concert costs | FPO 171 |
£30.00 | £27,556.84 | |
| 30.06.22 | Coop Box | Fundraising | PIB 500038 | £34.52 | £27,591.36 | |
| 30.06.22 | Summer Concert | Sale of excess wine | PIB 500038 | £30.00 | £27,621.36 | |
| 03.07.22 | Brenda Parkinson | Donation from Craft Fair | PIB 500038 | £12.00 | £27,633.36 | |
| 03.07.22 | Peter Hunt | Donation from Craft Fair | PIB 500038 | £8.00 | £27,641.36 | |
| 03.07.22 | Visitor Centre | Donations at Craft Fair for Refreshments |
PIB 500038 | £20.35 | £27,661.71 | |
| 06.07.22 | STC Services (Plant Hire) | Falcon Avenue gates restoration |
FPO 172 |
£10,620.00 | £17,041.71 | |
| 25.07.22 | Doug Wright | Hi Viz vests X 10 | FPO 173 |
£20.00 | £17,021.71 | |
| 25.07.22 | Doug Wright | 24 prs of work gloves S- 7 |
FPO 174 |
£15.90 | £17,005.81 | |
| 25.07.22 | Doug Wright | 24 prs of work gloves L- 9 |
FPO 175 |
£16.49 | £16,989.32 | |
| 25.07.22 | Doug Wright | 2 sets of S & J secateurs | FPO 176 |
£25.98 | £16,963.34 | |
| 25.07.22 | Doug Wright | Lawn rake & leaf scoops | FPO 177 |
£21.59 | £16,941.75 | |
| 09.08.22 | Brenda Parkinson | Donation from Craft Fair | PIB 500039 | £10.00 | £16,951.75 | |
| 09.08.22 | Peter Hunt | Donation from Craft Fair | PIB 500039 | £5.00 | £16,956.75 | |
| 09.08.22 | Visitor Centre | Donations at Craft Fair for Refreshments |
PIB 500039 | £12.20 | £16,968.95 | |
| 10.08.22 | Visitor Centre | VC domestic costs | Debit Card 178 |
£4.88 | £16,964.07 | |
| 04.09.22 | Brenda Parkinson | Donation from Craft Fair | PIB 500040 | £5.00 | £16,969.07 | |
| 04.09.22 | Anonymous | Donation from Craft Fair | PIB 500040 | £5.00 | £16,974.07 | |
| 04.09.22 | FOSW Bric - A - Brac stall | Donation from Craft Fair | PIB 500040 | £1.64 | £16,975.71 |
| 04.09.22 | Visitor Centre | Donations at Craft Fair for Refreshments |
PIB 500040 | £25.00 | £17,000.71 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09.09.22 | Coop Box | Fundraising | PIB 500040 | £27.39 | £17,028.10 | |
| 03.10.22 | Vanda's Market Garden | Flowers for Gail Wright | Debit Card 179 |
£28.00 | £17,000.10 | |
| 04.10.22 | Brenda Parkinson | Donation from sale of Golf Balls |
PIB 500041 | £5.00 | £17,005.10 | |
| 04.10.22 | FOSW Bric - A - Brac stall | Donation from Craft Fair | PIB 500041 | £25.90 | £17,031.00 | |
| 04.10.22 | Visitor Centre | Craft Fair stall rental | PIB 500041 | £50.00 | £17,081.00 | |
| 04.10.22 | Visitor Centre | Donations at Craft Fair for Refreshments |
PIB 500041 | £21.33 | £17,102.33 | |
| 04.10.22 | Visitor Centre | Swingbin and liners | Debit Card 180 |
£10.00 | £17,092.33 | |
| 24.10.22 | Post Office Counters | Envelope and stamp | Debit card 181 |
£2.10 | £17,090.23 | |
| 26.10.22 | Ann Stokes | Donation | PIB 500042 | £20.00 | £17,110.23 | |
| 29.10.22 | Coop Box | Fundraising | PIB 500042 | £21.58 | £17,131.81 | |
| 06.11.22 | Visitor Centre | Craft Fair stall rental | PIB500042 | £55.00 | £17,186.81 | |
| 06.11.22 | Visitor Centre | Donations at Craft Fair for Refreshments and FOSW Bric -A- Brac stall |
PIB 500042 | £40.75 | £17,227.56 | |
| 06.11.22 | Brenda Parkinson | Donation from Craft Fair | PIB 500042 | £20.00 | £17,247.56 | |
| 06.11.22 | Peter Hunt | Donation from Craft Fair | PIB 500042 | £5.00 | £17,252.56 | |
| 11.11.22 | United Trust Bank | Xfer to Savings Account from Lloyds bank |
FPO | £5,000.00 | £12,252.56 | |
| 11.11.22 | Savoy Service Station | Petrol for Generator | Debit card 182 |
£10.21 | £12,242.35 | |
| 14.11.22 | Laura Howard | Donation | FPI | £20.00 | £12,262.35 | |
| 16.11.22 | Doug Wright | Mulled Wine X 36 | FPO 185 |
£100.44 | £12,161.91 | |
| 16.11.22 | Jubilee Tower Credit Union |
Partial Transfer of Savings to Lloyds Bank |
FPI | £18,000.00 | £30,161.91 | |
| 16.11.22 | United Trust Bank | Xfer to Savings Account from Lloyds bank |
FPO | £22,000.00 | £8,161.91 | |
| 18.11.22 | David Michael Smith | Mulled Wine X 22 and sundries |
FPO 183 & 184 |
£76.80 | £8,085.11 | |
| 21.11.22 | Sum Up | Purchase of Sum Up Air debit/credit card reader |
Debit card 186 |
£46.80 | £8,038.31 | |
| 25.11.22 | David Michael Smith | Mulled Wine X 6 and childrens lollies |
FPO 187 |
£18.56 | £8,019.75 | |
| 25.11.22 | Doug Wright | Ink Cartridges | FPO 188 |
£19.48 | £8,000.27 | |
| 25.11.22 | Brenda Parkinson | FairyLights & Batteries | FPO 189 |
£37.00 | £7,963.27 | |
| 02.12.22 | STC Services (Plant Hire) | Levelling bandstand base |
190 | £50.00 | £7,913.27 | |
| 05.12.22 | Sunnyhurst Wood Kiosk | Craft Fair stall rental | PIB 500043 | £30.00 | £7,943.27 | |
| 05.12.22 | Peter Hunt | Donation from Craft Fair | PIB 500043 | £99.00 | £8,042.27 | |
| 05.12.22 | Wayne Dixon | Donation from Craft Fair | PIB 500043 | £5.00 | £8,047.27 | |
| 05.12.22 | Brenda Parkinson | Donation from Craft Fair | PIB 500043 | £116.00 | £8,163.27 | |
| 05.12.22 | Summer Concert | Sale of excess wine | PIB 500043 | £15.00 | £8,178.27 |
| 05.12.22 | Carols in the Wood | Fundraising | PIB 500043 | £1,061.68 | £9,239.95 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12.12.22 | Blackburn & Darwen Band |
Carols in the Wood Cost | FPO 191 |
£300.00 | £8,939.95 | |
| 12.12.22 | Darwen Library Larks | Carols in the Wood Cost | FPO 192 |
£50.00 | £8,889.95 | |
| 13.12.22 | Mike Smith | Flowers for Joan Moore | FPO 193 |
£25.00 | £8,864.95 | |
| 13.12.22 | Carols in the Wood | Fundraising | SumUp test |
£10.00 | £8,874.95 | |
| 14.12.22 | Carols in the Wood | Fundraising | PIB 500044 | £20.00 | £8,894.95 | |
| 14.12.22 | Coop Box | Fundraising | PIB 500044 | £21.32 | £8,916.27 | |
| 14.12.22 | Ann Stokes (Cheque) | Donation | PIB 500044 | £25.00 | £8,941.27 | |
| 29.12.22 | Mia Hill | Hire of Visitor Centre | Invoice No 57 |
£20.00 | £8,961.27 | |
| 16.01.23 | Summer Concert | Sale of wine to S Bolton | FPI | £10.00 | £8,971.27 | |
| 17.01.23 | Peter Leach | Donation from Craft Fair | £15.00 | £8,986.27 | ||
| 18.01.23 | Shirley Bolton | Mulled Wine X 26 | FPO 194 |
£33.02 | £8,953.25 | |
| 20.01.23 | Doug Wright | Plastic table clothes & Santa hats for CitW |
FPO 195 |
£26.91 | £8,926.34 | |
| 26.01.23 | Coop Box | Fundraising | PIB 500046 | £32.33 | £8,958.67 | |
| 26.01.23 | Visitor Centre Hire for wedding party |
Donations for provision of tea & coffee |
PIB 500046 | £6.53 | £8,965.20 | |
| 27.01.23 | Mike Smith | Flowers for KirstyDone | Debit Card 196 |
£25.00 | £8,940.20 | |
| 31.01.23 | Les Slack | Collapseable Tables X 5 | Debit Card 197 |
£510.00 | £8,430.20 | |
| 07.02.23 | STC Services (Plant Hire) | New Inlet pipe to Ellis Gibson Pond |
FPO 198 |
£408.00 | £8,022.20 | |
| 13.02.23 | Doug Wright | Mulled Wine X 7 | FPO 199 |
£8.89 | £8,013.31 | |
| 13.02.23 | United Trust Bank | Xfer from Savings Account to Lloyds bank |
FPI | £13,500.00 | £21,513.31 | |
| 20.02.23 | Catsdog Photography | Deposit for hire of VC in May |
FPI | £20.00 | £21,533.31 | |
| 23.03.23 | NISA Box | Fundraising | PIB 500047 | £30.45 | £21,563.76 | |
| 23.03.23 | The Mall Blackburn | Carparkingfor banking | Debit Card 200 |
£1.90 | £21,561.86 | |
| 23.03.23 | B&M Whitebirk | Domestic items for VC | Debit Card 201 |
£5.98 | £21,555.88 | |
| 31.03.23 | Sainsbury's Darwen | Milk@Biscuits for VC | Debit card 202 |
£5.05 | £21,550.83 | |
| £43,487.25 | £44,467.12 |
Abbreviations FPI – Faster Payment In FPO – Faster Payment Out PIB – Paying in Book
Summary
| Income | Funds 22/23 | Funds 21/22 |
|---|---|---|
| Donations | £588.00 | £5,744.28 |
| Fundraising | £1,493.63 | £1,499.91 |
| Grants | £9,000.00 | £0.00 |
| Other(See note 1) | £0.00 | £10.00 |
| Hire of Visitor Centre | £260.00 | £1,150.00 |
| Craft fair Stall Rental | £135.00 | |
| Donations for refreshments at Craft Fair | £176.43 | |
| FOSW Bric-a-Brac stall at Craft Fair | £47.15 | |
| CoopBox | £202.04 | |
| Sale of excess wine from summer concert | £85.00 | |
| Savings into Current Account.(See Appendices A & B) | £31,500.00 | |
| Income for Year | £43,487.25 | £8,404.19 |
| Balance brought forward | £22,530.70 | £38,141.50 |
| Total Income | £66,017.95 | £46,545.69 |
| Expenditure | ||
| Woodland Maintenance | £15,306.00 | £3,240.00 |
| Charitable Activity | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| Events/Fundraising | £1,160.49 | £200.00 |
| Promotions | £0.00 | £154.31 |
| Visitor Centre Costs | £37.83 | £73.88 |
| Visitor Centre Garden Costs | £0.00 | £220.00 |
| Misc Costs | £593.00 | £126.80 |
| Tools & replacementparts costs | £349.81 | |
| Craft Fair costs | £19.99 | |
| Savings to Jubilee Tower Credit Union | £0.00 | £20,000.00 |
| Savings out of Current Account.(See Appendix B) | £27,000.00 | |
| Total Expenditure | £44,467.12 | £24,014.99 |
| Total Funds Carried Forward | £21,550.83 | £22,530.70 |
| Restricted Funds | ||
| Reserves | £1,500.00 | £1,500.00 |
| Restoration Of Falcon Avenue Gates | £10,620.00 | |
| Ellis Gibson Pondproject | £4,200.00 | |
| Disabled Pathproject | £6,000.00 | |
| United Trust Bank Savings.(Fixed for 3 Months) | £13,631.84 |
| Total | Restricted Funds | £15,131.84 | £22,320.00 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Note | 1. Sale of wicker chair from VC. | ||
Appendix A
| Money | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Account Name | Money In | Out | Balance | Remarks |
| Xfrd from Lloyds Bank | |||||
| 19.07.21 | Jubilee Tower Credit Union | £5,000.00 | Current Account | ||
| Xfrd from Lloyds Bank | |||||
| 22.07.21 | Jubilee Tower Credit Union | £15,000.00 | Current Account | ||
| 24.02.22 | Jubilee Tower Credit Union | £29.16 | Dividend based on avg | ||
| daily balance beteen | |||||
| 01/10/20 & 30/09.21 | |||||
| Xfrd to Lloyds Bank Current | |||||
| 16.11.22 | £18,000.00 | Account | |||
| 16.11.22 | £2,029.16 | ||||
| 31.03.23 | £2,029.16 |
Appendix B
| Date | Account Name | Money In | Money Out |
Balance | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Trust Bank | |||||
| 3 Month fixed rate | |||||
| CharityBond | |||||
| 11.11.22 | Interest 2% Gross | ||||
| 13.02.23 | Interest now 2.05% gross |
||||
| 11.11.22 | £5,000.00 | Xfrd from Lloyds Bank Current Account |
|||
| 16.11.22 | £22,000.00 | Xfrd from Lloyds Bank Current Account |
|||
| 13.02.23 | £131.84 | Interest added. | |||
| 13.02.23 | £13,500.00 | Xfrd to Lloyds bank Current Account | |||
| 13.02.23 | £13,631.84 | Account rolled over to new Charity 3 Month bondpaying2.05% |
|||
| 31.03.23 | £13,631.84 |