Yorkshire in Bloom CIO
2025 Annual Report
I would like to thank the Board of Trustees for their hard work and dedication over the last 12 months. We are a small band of volunteers but everyone works extremely hard and pulls together to ensure the smooth running of the organisation.
Co-ordinator Liz Kenny is at the hub of Yorkshire in Bloom being the public face and first point of contact for all questions and enquiries. Thank you Liz.
Thank you to all our volunteer judges who give their time freely to visit entries across the county, often at short notice and for turning out in all weathers. Report writing and submission can be a long process but it is always done with enthusiasm and respect for the groups that have been visited.
2025 has been a very good year for Yorkshire in Bloom with some major highlights occurring.
In May we held our first Entrants Seminar for many years. The venue was The Riley Smith Hall in Tadcaster where three speakers were invited to talk about topics as diverse as Creating Wildflower Meadows, Community Gardening and Gardening in a Changing Climate. 80+ people attended this free event and it was well received by all.
Also in May, our volunteer judges were invited to attend a training session held at RHS Harlow Carr. This is organised annually to bring everyone up to date with any changes in the competition and to ensure that we are all assessing fairly across the county. It is also an opportunity to meet fellow judges, to ask questions and raise pertinent issues prior to summer judging.
I am delighted to report that our entry numbers are up on 2024 by 22% across the board and that the hard work of diversifying classes appears to be producing the results we are looking for. The new Golden Hops Awards for Pubs and Restaurants has had a very successful first year and the Parishes Class, now in its second year, appears to be gaining popularity. We have already had enquiries from potential entries for next year and we will be following these enquiries up with mentoring visits in the near future.
However, there are some classes which, generally, are not well supported and the Board of Trustees will take some time this winter to discuss how this situation can be managed. It may mean that some classes may be amalgamated and others suspended until such times as there are enough entries to make the class viable once again.
Our annual Awards Day held at Riley Smith Hall in Tadcaster in September was an excellent event with a packed hall of 180+ people gathering to hear competition results and receive certificates and awards from our guest presenter Phil Gomersall. Thank you to everyone who contributed to the organisation and seamless running of this event. We have had some excellent feedback from participants and we hope for a repeat performance next September.
Nationally, the Britain in Bloom Campaign has seen judges from across the country visiting our entries in Yorkshire. Harrogate in Bloom, Rawdon in Bloom and Mirfield in Bloom hosted visits from the national judging teams and the results were announced at a glittering ceremony in Brighton on October 31[st] • I am delighted that each of our three entries did extremely well with Harrogate being awarded a Gold Medal and Rawdon and Mirfield each being awarded Silver Gilt certificates.
On a disappointing note, Yorkshire in Bloom may find it difficult to put forward many groups for potential entry into Britain in Bloom 2026 and difficult decisions may have to be made about whether any group is put forward at all. Yorkshire in Bloom is allowed to nominate three entries to go forward into the national Britain in Bloom competition. However, many of our experienced groups have represented Yorkshire at this level previously and are not keen to undertake, once again , the hard work and rigor required to succeed at this level. Additionally, the Board of Trustees are reluctant to put forward groups who they do not feel are ready and would be adversely affected in future years if subjected to this level of scrutiny.
I have been invited to meet with RHS officials recently to explore how the RHS can help Yorkshire in Bloom achieve its potential. Discussions are still ongoing and I hope to be able to report back to the Board of Trustees (and members) as soon as we have more details of ongoing initiatives.
So, to summarise. The outlook for Yorkshire in Bloom is very good and positive. We will be looking to consolidate the hard work and results which have been achieved in 2025 and we will be looking to keep our entry levels buoyant. Some discussions will be taking place among Trustees about improvements and changes to the competition classes and these potential changes will be communicated to our members and entrants as soon as possible in time for the 2026 season.
As ever, we are always looking for new volunteer judges to join us. We would also welcome any people who would be interested in joining the Board of Trustees. Please contact myself or Liz Kenny if you would like an informal discussion about judging or joining the Board of Trustees.
Thank you
Roger Burnett BEM Yorkshire in Bloom CIO Board of Trustees
Yorkshire in Bloom (1190444)
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
For the year ended 31[st] October 2025
The financial statements on page 2 have been prepared, from the books and statements and together with records of the charity, and from information and explanation supplied, and are in accordance therewith.
Sheila Johnson Treasurer Yorkshire in Bloom
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| YORKSHIRE IN BLOOM (CIO) - Charity No. 1190444 | YORKSHIRE IN BLOOM (CIO) - Charity No. 1190444 | YORKSHIRE IN BLOOM (CIO) - Charity No. 1190444 | YORKSHIRE IN BLOOM (CIO) - Charity No. 1190444 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR YEAR ENDING 31st October 2025 | ||||
| RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT | 2025 | 2024 | ||
| RECEIPTS | £ | £ | ||
| Awards Tickets | 6519.00 | 5346 | ||
| Awards Stands/Sponsorship (Amberol)(YGT) | 450.00 | 300 | ||
| Awards Raffle | 425.00 | 304 | ||
| Plaques | 1278.00 | 1352 | ||
| Entrance Fees | 7602.00 | 6344 | ||
| IYN from RHS | 2015.00 | 2015 | ||
| NEHS - Harrogate Flower Shows/Sponsorship | 0 | 1500 | ||
| Cashback | 0.81 | 0.09 | ||
| Reimbursement for Judges Badges | 84.00 | |||
| Total Receipts | 18373.81 | 17161.09 | ||
| PAYMENTS | ||||
| Venue for Judges Training | 0 | 70 | ||
| Venue for SpringSeminar | 390.00 | 0 | ||
| Awards Venue Fee–Riley Smith Hall | 555.00 | 535 | ||
| Certification & Awards | 1441.20 | 1069.80 | ||
| VIP Gifts | 6.50 | 25.00 | ||
| Pro Audio(Awards) | 2361.60 | 2150.40 | ||
| catering (Awards) | 4902.60 | 3621.55 | ||
| Entertainment | 300.00 | 200.00 | ||
| Judges Mileage Expenses | 2847.41 | 2421.40 | ||
| Administration and Treasurer Fees | 5040.00 | 4984.00 | ||
| Administration Costs – Postage,zoom,etc | 193.07 | 214.48 | ||
| Advertising | 139.20 | 0 | ||
| Telephone & Broadband(BT) | 54.00 | 322.99 | ||
| Email,Web,internet charges(inc 2years website) | 438.90 | 206.65 | ||
| Insurance | 80.00 | 80.00 | ||
| AGM Food(2024) | 196.00 | 204 | ||
| Judges Badges | 84.00 | |||
| Refreshments for SpringSeminar | 19.40 | |||
| Total Payments | 19048.88 | 16163.27 | ||
| NET RECEIPTS(PAYMENTS) | -675.07 | 997.82 | ||
| ( | ||||
| CASH FUNDS b/fwd1st November 2023 | 16925.99 | 15928.17 | ||
| CASH FUNDS c/fwd31st October 2024 | 16250.92 | 16925.99 | ||
| STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES | ||||
| MonetaryAssets | ||||
| Virgin Money | 16250.92 | 16925.99 | ||
| Other Assets(Outstandingawards/plaques) | ||||
| Liabilities(cheques notyetpresented) | ||||
| Total Net Assets | **16250.92 ** | 16925.99 | ||
| Approved at the Annual General Meeting held on 21st November 2025 | ||||
| Signed |
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YORKSHIRE IN BLOOM (CIO) - Charity No. 1190444
Independent Examiners Report to the Trustees of Yorkshire in Bloom (Charity No. 1095267)
I report on the accounts of the charity for the year end 31st October 2025 which are set out in the Financial Statement.
Respective responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner
The Charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
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Examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act
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To follow the procedures laid down in the General directions given by the Charity Commissioners under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and
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To state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of Independent examiners report
My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items of disclosures in the account, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair view’ and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
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(1) Which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements
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To keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; and
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To prepare accounts which accord with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act have not been met; or
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(2) To which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed by the independent examiner: Date 17/11/2025 Name Mr Paul Woodhall
Address 18 Wesley Terrace, Denby Dale, Huddersfield
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