## **TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT** ## **FOR THE PERIOD 01/01/2023 to 31/12/2023** Charity Name: Crosstown Community Orchard Charity Registration Number: 1191549 ## **OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES** ## **Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document** 1. To encourage for the benefit of the public the conservation, protection and expansion of a community orchard in Knutsford and the preservation of their genetic biodiversity, landscape and heritage value. 2. To advance the education of the public in horticulture and in particular but not exclusively orchard management skills. ## **Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts.** During 2023 we continued to develop the orchard and maintain the area with a team of volunteers. We held monthly work days to tend the orchard and planted a new softfruits area; we also installed herb planters. We held workshops on pruning and scything to share/develop skills and held two community events (Wassail and BBQ) to bring people to the orchard to engage them in our work. We also held a successful bat walk and moth trapping event with Cheshire Wildlife Trust. ## **Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit** **Crosstown Community Orchard** Squirrel Brook 68 Manor Park South Knutsford WA16 8AN Charitable Incorporated Organisation Registration: 1191549 **www.crosstowncommunityorchard.org.uk** We confirm the Trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit in deciding the activities of the charity. ## **ACHIVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE** ## **Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole** The main achievements of the charity in the period were: - a) We hosted summer and winter pruning workshops where volunteers learnt how to properly prune fruit trees - b) We held three successful community events, our Wassail, BBQ and Bat Walk, to engage people in our work. - c) We continued to host regular volunteer workdays in the orchard to undertake general maintenance and improvement - d) We planted a soft fruits bed and installed herb planters planted with the local Squirrels group. - e) We again received ‘outstanding’ in the North West in Bloom “It’s Your Neighbourhood” awards The space continues to be used by the wider community. ## **FINANCIAL REVIEW** ## **Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period** The charity remains in a positive financial position with the majority of funds held to complete projects. The charity has continued to spend from successful grants in 2021 and not sought major new funding, it has identified a need to expand income generation to provide continuing unrestricted funds for operational costs. ## **Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held** The charity has no specific reserves policy, its unrestricted funds form its reserves. ## **Amount of reserves held** The charity holds unrestricted funds of £781 **Crosstown Community Orchard** Squirrel Brook 68 Manor Park South Knutsford WA16 8AN Charitable Incorporated Organisation Registration: 1191549 **www.crosstowncommunityorchard.org.uk** ## **Other declarations** No funds are materially in deficit. The charity has no uncertainties about its continuation as a going concern. ## **Principal Sources of Funds** During the period a total of £1,071 was received. £300 was a grant from Knutsford Town Council towards the 2024 Wassail event, £48 was from miscellaneous donations and £733 from donations at events. ## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT** ## **Type of governing document** Constitution ## **How is the charity constituted?** Foundation model Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) ## **Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions** Trustees appoint up to six of the seven trustees. Knutsford Town Council appoints one trustee from its members. ## **REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS** **Charity Name** Crosstown Community Orchard **Other name the charity uses** None **Charity Registration Number** 1191549 **Charity’s Principal Address** Squirrel Brook, 68 Manor Park South, Knutsford, WA16 8AN ## **TRUSTEES WHO MANAGE THE CHARITY** ## **Trustees at end of period** Where no date of appointment is given, the trustee served the entire period. - Adam Keppel-Green (Chair) - Lyndsey Keppel-Green **Crosstown Community Orchard** Squirrel Brook 68 Manor Park South Knutsford WA16 8AN Charitable Incorporated Organisation Registration: 1191549 **www.crosstowncommunityorchard.org.uk** - Joanna Moonan - Laura Chandler - Rex Mears* (from 22/05/2023) - Malcolm Thomas - Kevin Griffiths * appointed by Knutsford Town Council. ## **Trustees serving during the period** Lesley Dalzell (until 22/05/2023) ## **Other declarations** The charity has no corporate trustees. No trustees hold title to property belonging to the charity. No funds are held as custodian trustees on behalf of others. ## **EXEMPTIONS FROM DISCLOSURE** ## **Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details.** n/a ## **DECLARATIONS** The trustees declare that they have approved the trustee’s report above. Signed on behalf of the trustees on 14[th] October 2024. **Signature Full Name** Adam Keppel-Green **Position** Chairman **Crosstown Community Orchard** Squirrel Brook 68 Manor Park South Knutsford WA16 8AN Charitable Incorporated Organisation Registration: 1191549 **www.crosstowncommunityorchard.org.uk** ## **CROSSTOWN COMMUNITY ORCHARD** Receipts and Payments 01/01/2023 to 31/12/2023 ||**Restricted**|**Unrestricted**|| |---|---|---|---| ||**Funds**|**Funds**|| |**RECEIPTS**|||| |Grants|300|-|300| |Donations|-|48|48| |Event Income|-|733|723| |**TOTAL**|**300**|
**782**|**1,082**| |**PAYMENTS**|||| |Administration|-|175|175| |Horticultural Supplies|-|557|557| |Nature Supplies|-|-|-| |Workshops / Education Events|375|-|375| |Tools and Equipment|-|644|644| |External Contractors|-|-|-| |Infrastructure|-|311|311| |Event Costs|-|1,428|1,428| |**TOTAL**|**375**|**3,114**|**3,489**| ||||| |**NET RECEIPTS/(PAYMENTS)**|**(75)**|**(2,332)**|**(2,407)**| |**Cash in Bank 01/01/2023**|**4,683**|**3,113**|**7,796.44**| |_Total Receipts_|_300_|_782_|_1,081.73_| |_Total Payments_|_375_|_3,114_|_3,489.39_| |**Cash in Bank 31/12/2023**|**4,608**|**781**|**5,338.78**| _A correction was made to the totals carried forward from the previous period which had included an unrestricted donation as restricted funds instead of unrestricted funds._ **Crosstown Community Orchard** Squirrel Brook 68 Manor Park South Knutsford WA16 8AN Charitable Incorporated Organisation Registration: 1191549 **www.crosstowncommunityorchard.org.uk**