Charity registration number: 1190656
Ashwood Charitable Trust
Annual Report and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 January 2025
Ashwood Charitable Trust
Contents (continued)
| Trustees' Report | 1 to 3 |
|---|---|
| Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities | 4 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 5 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 6 |
| Balance Sheet | 7 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 8 to 11 |
Ashwood Charitable Trust
Trustees' Report
The trustees present the annual report together with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 January 2025.
Objectives and activities
Objects and aims
The trusts purposes are:
a) the encouragement and improvement of the science, art and practice of horticulture in all its branches
b) to advance such charitable purposes as the trustees see fit from time to time by making grants to other charities
Objectives, strategies and activities
In order to encourage and improve the science, art and practice of horticulture in all its branches the charity will arrange lectures which are open to the public and provide training grants and mentoring to targeted individuals.
The charity will use any further donations received to provide financial grants to horticulture and other charities as the trustees see fit each year.
Public benefit
The benefits of the lectures will be to increase the horticultural knowledge, skills and capabilities of individuals to pursue and thrive in horticultural careers, benefiting both those individuals and also the field of horticulture. Discussions are taking place with Great Dixter in East Sussex with regard to a joint student sponsorship scheme with a potential donor.
The charity will also seek to help other worthwhile causes in achieving their purposes by giving grants to UK registered horticultural and other charities.
The trustees confirm that they have complied with the requirements of section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission for England and Wales.
Grant making policies
Grants may be provided to individuals for the purposes of horticultural training.
All other grants the charity makes will be UK registered horticultural and other charities, which are known and supported by the trustees, carefully selected on the basis of need, effectiveness and the charity's available funds each year.
In terms of other charities, the charity currently has a preference for local or national charities with an emphasis on research and/or palliative care. This could include charities providing facilities for care and well-being such as emergency services, local hospices and schools providing facilities for those with disabilities or learning difficulties. Priority would be given to those where funding by government or local authorities is inadequate or totally absent.
Page 1
Ashwood Charitable Trust
Trustees' Report (continued)
Achievements and performance
The 2024 season
A large proportion of the funds raised come from the opening of John's Garden on Saturdays from February until late November. Attendance is greatly affected by weather conditions and 2024 has been particularly wet. The cost of living crisis also has an influence on people's propensity to spend but despite both of these factors, the number of garden visits have upheld relatively well. The total raised during the year was £25194 which was split equally between Newlife, our "Charity of the Year" for 2024 and the Adam Greathead Award. Newlife is a charity which supports disabled children and their families with specialist equipment not usually available from the NHS. The Adam Greathead Award offers students the opportunity to work and learn in two outstanding gardens, namely John's Garden near Kingswinford in the West Midlands and Great Dixter in East Sussex. Each student spends six months in each location. During their time students attend masterclasses, carry out plant identifications and profiles and learn practical skills from the head gardener and his team.
Under the Adam Greathead Award, C Hudson is about to complete her twelve months on this programme and has made good progress. Our next student will began her award in October 2024 and will transfer to Great Dixter in April 2025. All student's salaries whilst at Great Dixter are funded by the Trust. Students are selected from online applications and those most suitable are short listed for interview.
The chair of the trustees has made applications to suitable trusts and foundations in order to raise funds to support the Adam Greathead Award with some success. Donations were received from the Finnis Scott Foundation, the Studley Castle Foundation (Previously a Horticultural College for Women), the Grace Charity and the Worshipful Company of Gardeners who have all been very generous in their support.
Plans for future periods
Activities planned to achieve aims
At 31 January 2025 the Adam Greathead Award has sufficient funds to fund the current student whilst at Great Dixter. Our next student should arrive at John's Garden in September 2025 by which time more funds should be available.
Our "Charity of the Year" for 2025 is Horatio's Garden. This charity builds and maintains suitable gardens at specialist hospitals which provide treatment and support for patients suffering life changing injuries. Their focus is to rehabilitate patients and show them just what is possible despite their injuries. The gardens also support their mental well-being and provide a quiet space for staff to enjoy their down time.
At the end of her Adam Greathead Award, the current student has been asked to stay on at Great Dixter throughout summer 2025, working in their nursery department, further enhancing her experience.
Page 2
Ashwood Charitable Trust
Trustees' Report (continued)
Reference and Administrative Details
Charity Registration Number: 1190656 Principal Office: Ashwood Lower Lane Ashwood Kingswinford West Midlands DY6 0AE Independent Examiner: H Crumpton 101 Dixons Green Road Dudley West Midlands DY2 7DJ
Trustees and officers
The trustees and officers serving during the year and since the year end were as follows:
Trustees: Mr P D Baulk Ms K P Gilbert Mr N A Westwood Mr C J Cartwright Mr R Vernon Mr R Cartwright (appointed 8 November 2024)
Structure, governance and management
Nature of governing document
The charity is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation and is governed by the CIO Foundation Constitution
Recruitment and appointment of trustees
The initial trustees comprised four individuals who had knowledge of horticulture or other expertise beneficial to the trust. The initial trustees were appointed for terms between 2 and 5 years.
The annual report was approved by the trustees of the charity on 22 July 2025 and signed on its behalf by:
......................................... Mr P D Baulk Trustee
Page 3
Ashwood Charitable Trust
Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities
The trustees are responsible for preparing the trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with the United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice) and applicable law and regulations.
The law applicable to charities requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
-
select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
-
observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
-
make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
-
state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
-
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008, and the provisions of the constitution. The trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charitable company's website. Legislation governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.
Approved by the trustees of the charity on 22 July 2025 and signed on its behalf by:
......................................... Mr P D Baulk Trustee
Page 4
Ashwood Charitable Trust
Independent Examiner's Report to the trustees of Ashwood Charitable Trust
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Ashwood Charitable Trust for the year ended 31 January 2025.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of Ashwood Charitable Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the Ashwood Charitable Trust's accounts 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 Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner’s statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
-
accounting records were not kept in respect of Ashwood Charitable Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or
-
the accounts do not accord with those records; or
-
the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view' which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
...................................... H Crumpton MAAT
101 Dixons Green Road Dudley West Midlands DY2 7DJ
22 July 2025
Page 5
Ashwood Charitable Trust
Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 January 2025
| Note Income and Endowments from: Donations and legacies Investment income 3 Total income Expenditure on: Charitable activities Total expenditure Net income/(expenditure) Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward 7 |
Unrestricted funds £ 42,346 254 42,600 (25,101) (25,101) 17,499 17,499 (434) 17,065 |
Total 2025 £ 42,346 254 42,600 (25,101) (25,101) 17,499 17,499 (434) 17,065 |
Total 2024 £ 35,163 - |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35,163 | |||
| (35,597) | |||
| (35,597) | |||
| (434) | |||
| (434) - |
|||
| (434) |
All of the charity's activities derive from continuing operations during the above two periods. The funds breakdown for 2024 is shown in note 7.
The notes on pages 8 to 11 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 6
Ashwood Charitable Trust
(Registration number: 1190656) Balance Sheet as at 31 January 2025
| Note Current assets Debtors Cash at bank and in hand Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year Net assets/(liabilities) Funds of the charity: Unrestricted income funds Unrestricted funds Total funds 7 |
2025 £ 690 29,590 30,280 (13,215) 17,065 17,065 17,065 |
2024 £ - - |
|---|---|---|
| - (434) |
||
| (434) | ||
| (434) | ||
| (434) |
The financial statements on pages 6 to 11 were approved by the trustees, and authorised for issue on 22 July 2025 and signed on their behalf by:
......................................... Mr N A Westwood Trustee
The notes on pages 8 to 11 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 7
Ashwood Charitable Trust
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 January 2025
1 Accounting policies
Statement of compliance
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the second edition of the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice issued in October 2019, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.
Basis of preparation
Ashwood Charitable Trust meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. The accounts (financial statements) have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant note(s) to these accounts.
Going concern
The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern.
Income and endowments
Voluntary income including donations, gifts, legacies and grants that provide core funding or are of a general nature is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured with sufficient reliability.
Donations and legacies
Donations and legacies are recognised on a receivable basis when receipt is probable and the amount can be reliably measured.
Grants receivable
Grants are recognised when the charity has an entitlement to the funds and any conditions linked to the grants have been met. Where performance conditions are attached to the grant and are yet to be met, the income is recognised as a liability and included on the balance sheet as deferred income to be released.
Expenditure
All expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to that expenditure, it is probable settlement is required and the amount can be measured reliably. All costs are allocated to the applicable expenditure heading that aggregate similar costs to that category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated on a basis consistent with the use of resources, with central staff costs allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of the asset’s use. Other support costs are allocated based on the spread of staff costs.
Page 8
Ashwood Charitable Trust
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 January 2025 (continued)
Charitable activities
Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.
Grant provisions
Provisions for grants are made when the intention to make a grant has been communicated to the recipient but there is uncertainty about either the timing of the grant or the amount of grant payable.
Taxation
The charity is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, the charity is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by Chapter 3 Part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes.
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and call deposits, and other short-term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of change in value.
Fund structure
Unrestricted income funds are general funds that are available for use at the trustees discretion in furtherance of the objectives of the charity.
Designated funds are unrestricted funds set aside for specific purposes at the discretion of the trustees.
2 Income from donations and legacies
| Donations and legacies; Donations from individuals Grants, including capital grants; Grants from other charities |
Unrestricted funds Designated £ 26,846 15,500 42,346 |
Total 2025 £ 26,846 15,500 42,346 |
Total 2024 £ 35,163 - |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35,163 |
Page 9
Ashwood Charitable Trust
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 January 2025 (continued)
3 Investment income
| Interest receivable and similar income; Interest receivable on bank deposits Total for 2025 4 Expenditure on charitable activities Note Grant funding of activities |
Unrestricted funds Designated £ 25,101 |
Unrestricted funds General £ 254 254 Total 2025 £ 25,101 |
Total funds £ 254 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 254 | |||
| Total 2024 £ 35,597 |
5 Trustees remuneration and expenses
No trustees, nor any persons connected with them, have received any remuneration from the charity during the year.
No trustees have received any reimbursed expenses from the charity during the year.
Page 10
Ashwood Charitable Trust
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 January 2025 (continued)
6 Taxation
The charity is a registered charity and is therefore exempt from taxation.
7 Funds
| Unrestricted funds General Designated Total funds Unrestricted funds Designated |
Balance at 1 February 2024 £ - (434) (434) |
Incoming resources £ 254 42,346 42,600 Incoming resources £ 35,163 |
Resources expended £ - (25,101) (25,101) Resources expended £ (35,597) |
Balance at 31 January 2025 £ 254 16,811 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17,065 | ||||
| Balance at 31 January 2024 £ (434) |
8 Related party transactions
There were no related party transactions in the year.
Page 11